Kings Point Basketball Preview

By Stephanie Garren

"Shootin' for Salem" and the NCAA Division III Final Four stands as the motto for this year's Kings Point men's basketball team. Arriving in Salem, Virginia is tantamount to being one of the best Division III basketball programs in the country.

"Kings Point basketball has reached the level that we should have a goal, like Salem, in mind," says first-year head coach Bob MacKinnon. Building on last season's stellar 19-7 overall record and the program's second NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in 52 years, the 1997-98 edition of the Mariners look to go even further. Although the Blue and Gray were unable to advance in the tournament, it did not diminish a season in which they won a share of the Skyline Conference Title, played in Madison Square Garden, and earned several individual honors. Then sophomore Sean Bradley averaged 19.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game on his way to being named the Skyline Conference Player of the Year. This follows a freshman campaign in which Bradley earned Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year, ECAC Metro NY/NJ Division III Rookie of the Year, and Division III National Rookie of the Year honors. Losing only one player from last year's squad, the Mariners look to continue their rise to the top of the Division III National ranks during the upcoming season.

At the helm for the Mariners is first-year head coach Bob MacKinnon. MacKinnon served the past 14 years as an assistant coach at various institutions, including the last seven seasons at Niagara University. As a head coach MacKinnon's style during a game is to act as a manager more than an instructor. "I believe good coaches do the majority of coaching in practice. The players take control on the court," says MacKinnon. Coach MacKinnon will be installing an up -tempo, fast-paced motion and continuity offense. The offense is designed to score on the primary and secondary fast break at least 60 percent of the time. The fast break will begin with a solid man-to-man effort at the defensive end of the court. "We want to score off our man-to-man defense as often as possible," says MacKinnon.

The 1997-98 squad will be directed on the hardwood by senior, second-year captain, and three-year varsity letterwinner Ryan Bradshaw. This offense will provide Bradshaw "with a positive season that he will remember for the rest of his life," according to MacKinnon. Last year, Bradshaw averaged 4.6 rebounds per game (second on the team) and 4.2 points per game from his forward position. Bradshaw's real impact was felt on defense, where his hustle and leadership gained him 21 steals.

At the other forward, junior Sean Bradley is expected to continue to make a significant contribution. The past two years he has earned numerous post-season accolades in the Skyline Conference and the region. After leading last year's team in scoring (19.5 Ppg), rebounding (7.2 rpg), shooting (49.0 percent), three point shooting (35.2 percent), and blocks (24), MacKinnon says, "I look forward to Sean assuming the role as the top player in the conference and a top player in the country." Bradley enters his third season ranked in the 17th spot on the academy's all-time leading scorers list with 935 points. In addition, he has registered 17 double-doubles in his career thus far. Also contributing at forward will be senior Neal Satterwhite and juniors VJ Radovcic and Brad Hopper, who have both earned two varsity letters. Satterwhite has not played during the last two seasons, but in 1994-95 he averaged 8.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and a team high 2.0 steals per game. Hopper was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Maritime Invitational in November 1996 after a career-high 15 point performance against Brooklyn College.

At guard, junior Ryan Robinson and sophomores Johnny Garrett and Jason Cook are expected to continue running the offense. Last season, Robinson was second on the team in scoring with 11.7 points per game and led the team in assists averaging 5.2 in each game. The starting point guard for Kings Point since his freshman year, Robinson was the Maritime Invitational Most Valuable Player and was named a Skyline Conference Second Team All-Star at the conclusion of last year's season. Robinson should be "an extension of myself on the court, only a much better player," says Coach MacKinnon. Robinson, again acting as the team's decision maker this year. Cook appeared in all 26 games for Kings Point last season, averaging 7.7 points and 4.3 boards per game. Solid from the free throw line, Cook led the team in free throw shooting making 80.0 percent of his shots. Garrett should be one of the top defensive guards in the region, and will most likely cover the top player of each opponent. Third on the team in scoring last year, Garrett averaged 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in each outing, starting 22 of the Mariners' 26 games.

Junior Matt Corrigan and sophomore Mike Hyland both look to see action at center in 1997-98. Last season the two split playing time and expect to compete again this year for the starting slot. Hyland ranked second on the team in blocks with 13 on the season. He took the off-season as an opportunity to bulk-up and get stronger, adding almost 40 pounds of muscle to his 6-6 frame. The gain in strength should make him a stronger threat to drive the middle and gain position in the paint. Corrigan earned his second letter last season and tallied 11 blocks for the Mariners.

The newcomers from the class of 2001 are expected to contribute to the success of the Mariners this season and in years to come. All four recruits come from very successful high school programs. Jay Hastings, Doug Hopper, Ben Rae, and Jason Wall will be looked upon to contribute as the season progresses and they gain more experience. Jay Hastings was named All-Region Honorable Mention twice at Deer Valley High School in Glendale, Arizona. He averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds during his senior year as he led his team to the Regional Finals. Doug Hopper, younger brother of junior forward Brad, graduated from Ponderosa High School where his team played in the State Tournament. Averaging 18.1 points and 6.7 assists per game in his senior year, Hopper was named First-Team All Conference, All-State Honorable Mention, and his team's Most Valuable Player. Ben Rae played under one of the most successful high school coaches ever in Jack Curran at Archbishop Molloy High School in Flushing. Jason Wall led the state of New Mexico in rebounding (12.9 rpg) as his team from Sandia Prep made it to the District Semifinals. Averaging 17.8 points per game, Wall was named All-State Honorable Mention, First-Team All-District and his team's Most Valuable Player.

"We have the depth and talent to be successful in the conference and at the national level," says MacKinnon. Expectations are high for this veteran team under a new head coach but with the experience, intensity, drive, and determination that has been shown in the pre-season, Salem doesn't look like such a long shot.