The Hudson Valley Vikings, playing in the NJCAA Division III’s Mountain Valley Athletic Conference, are ramping up for the 2012-13 season and preparing to add new talent to go along with some familiar faces from the 2011-12 season. Five of last year’s thirteen players were sophomores and have moved on from the upstate community college, but five of last year’s freshmen will be returning.
Last year’s top two scorers and rebounders, forwards Kalik Parker (16.3 PPG, 9.5 RPG) and Conor Maish (14 PPG, 7.4 RPG), have gone on to play NCAA Division II ball at Clark Atlanta and Division III ball at Utica, respectively. Returning is last year’s third highest scorer and rebounder, Jeremy Taylor (10.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG), along with leading assist man Jeffrey Kruzinski, guards Anthony Metzoid and Kenny Fuqua, and forward Greg Desco.
Vikings Coach Ken Dagostino said, “Every year, not just this year, we look to fill our roster with players who are quality human beings and have the motivation to be successful in the classroom. Once those standards are met, we obviously look for players who can help us on the basketball court.” This year the Vikings are looking to add size, outside shooting, and a couple players who have a knack for slashing to the basket.
Dagostino credits his assistants Mike Naylor and Brian Smith with doing a “great job” recruiting this year. The team is adding a mix of big men and guards that should make an impact. The list of players that have signed a letter of intent for this season includes upstate talent Keith Britt of Rensselaer, Joe Fey of Ichabod Crane, Goacomo Giglio of Catholic Central, Devonte Gleason of Watervliet, Jordan Hoose of Taconic Hills, Nate Krimsky of Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Nate Monson of Cohoes, Cameron Overbaugh of Catskill,, and Jose Reyes of Shenendehowa, as well as Brandon Dean of Flager Palm in Florida.
The Vikings had some struggles last year which Dagostino and his coaches believe the new players will remedy. Despite being in the top five nationally in field goal percentage (48), three-point percentage (40), and free throw percentage (70), Hudson Valley lacked size and strength, and ran into problems down low. “I feel that this year’s team will be able to improve our inside game offensively and our rebounding, both offensively and defensively,” Dagostino said.
“The best part about the players we have brought in is that they are all versatile. Our guards have the ability to handle, attack, and shoot. Our bigs aren’t just limited to playing on the post. A lot of them have the ability to step out on the perimeter and play like a guard. Versatility is a great attribute to have in today’s game.”
Along with the improved inside scoring, rebounding, and ability to stretch the floor that we can expect from the Vikings this year, Dagostino is also pleased with the high basketball IQ of the new players and says this will easily allow them to adapt to the team’s style of play.
Upstate Scouting Service would like to thank Coach Dagostino for his help and we wish the Vikings luck in the 2012-13 season.
Joe Shahen-Staff writer
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