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 Lancioni Named NJAC Player of the WeekThe Stockton men’s basketball team begins the 2009-10 season seeking to continue playing at the high level that has brought the program to its greatest heights over the past two years. During that time, the Ospreys are 52-10 with two NJAC championships, an NCAA national runner-up finish in 2009 and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2008. This year, Stockton boasts 10 returning letter winners, including five who have been Ospreys since at least the start of the 2007-08 season when the team’s recent run of success began. Senior point guard Santini Lancioni drives the Stockton attack with his ability to score and distribute the ball. In addition to scoring 12.6 points per game, Lancioni led the NJAC in assists (4.76 apg) and free throw percentage (.860) last year. He reeled in a multitude of postseason honors including State Farm/NABC First Team All-American, NJAC Player of the Year and ECAC Metro Player of the Year. If history is any indication, then senior forward Omar Smith will add another new wrinkle to his repertoire this year. Always a strong rebounder, Smith’s offensive skills have blossomed with the addition of strong low-post moves and a mid-range jumper over the last two seasons. Last year, he tied for the team scoring lead (12.8 ppg) and led Stockton in rebounds en route to an NJAC All-Conference Honorable Mention nod. In addition to Lancioni and Smith, Stockton returns two more double-digit scorers in juniors Kai Massaquoi and Michael Farrow who give the Ospreys athleticism on the perimeter. Massaquoi made such a name for himself as a lockdown defender that he was voted the 2009 NJAC Defensive Player of the Year, yet he averaged 10.7 points per game and shot 56.1 percent from the field as well. Farrow’s ability to excel in transition and attack the rim is a perfect fit for Stockton’s up-tempo style. Last year in his first season on the team, Farrow scored 11.1 points per game and shot 51.6 percent from the floor in earning NJAC Honorable Mention and NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team honors.  Junior Justin Wilson is a steady backup at point guard who can direct the offense and play minutes off the bench, as he did in 32 games last season. Sophomore Colin Horsch and senior Steve Scheck are returnees at forward. Horsch is a skilled big man who can play the mid-range game while Scheck adds toughness and experience on the glass. Junior Ryan Purdy has been a part of Stockton’s success as a reserve shooting guard for two years while sophomore point guard Mark Simko returns with a year of experience after seeing action in 17 games off the bench.Stockton’s quintet of newcomers includes three sophomore transfers whose previous college background should help them contribute right away. DiAndre Brown is an athletic forward who should be a good fit for Stockton’s style of play. Brown averaged 12.7 points and 6.5 rebounds for Eastern Nazarene (MA) a year ago. Guard Pat Kelly brings much-needed perimeter shooting skill to Stockton after draining a team-high 66 three-pointers for Holy Family last season. Power forward Matt Haddix, who played at Goldey-Beacom in 2008-09, is a widebody who adds an element of size to a Stockton team that is not very big elsewhere. Freshman Nnamdi Usuwa is a newcomer at forward with the potential to contribute for the Ospreys in the long-term if not sooner. Freshman guard Devin Greer is a rookie with solid basketball skills who adds to Stockton’s depth in the backcourt.
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Send questions or comments to Sports Information Director at chris.rollman@stockton.edu or Director of Athletics & Recreation at lonnie.folks@stockton.edu |
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© Copyright 2010 The Richard Stockton College of NJ, PO Box 195, Pomona, NJ 08240 609-652-1776 |