HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College men's basketball team has graduated two 1,000 point scorers in the last two seasons. Expect a different look from the 2013-14 edition of the Fords as they rely on a balanced attack from a talented roster to return to the Centennial Conference tournament.
Senior co-captain Brett Cohen, a three-year starter, brings a veteran presence to the lineup. The 6-6 forward earned honorable mention all-conference recognition last season as he topped the conference in steals per game (2.1) and finished second in rebounds (7.8 per game).
Coach Mike Mucci, in his 19th year at the helm of the program, knows Cohen, who averaged 14.8 points per game last season, is an indispensable piece of his roster. "Brett is a tremendous leader," said Mucci. "His leadership has resonated to the rest of the team as he continues to work on his game to improve." Cohen often has to match up against bigger players but Mucci does not worry because he believes in the senior's talents. "Brett has a diverse skill set around the basket," said Mucci.
Cohen's classmate Louis Cipriano, the squad's other co-captain, provides a legitimate scoring threat from the perimeter. Cipriano has hit 87 three-pointers in his career including 33 in his junior campaign. Ranked third on the team in scoring last season at 7.2 points per game, Cipriano reached double figures six times as he shot over 40 percent from the field overall.
Junior guard Gibby Graves led the team in assists last year with 2.1 per contest. "Graves has taken a giant step in his development and his ability to control a game," said Mucci, who expects a larger role from him this season. "Gibby will be counted on to use his athleticism to get other people involved."
Juniors Lucas Colombo and James Levine gained valuable experience in 2012-13 as they both saw time in the starting five. Colombo and Levine consistently play hard and aim to fill the stat sheet while bringing an element of versatility to the roster.
Look for an expanded role this season for senior Geoff Hartmann who worked hard on his game in the off-season. Other returners looking to contribute are seniors Jordan Taylor and Sean Bernhard and juniors Justin Winkler and Mark Loper.
Freshmen Matt Sherman, Garrett Johnson and David Medoff bolster the Fords' depth. Mucci is excited by the trio's chances to help the program not only this season but in the years to come.
Haverford, 7-17 last season, will rely on a total team effort on a daily basis to be successful in 2013-14. "We have to be more consistent and treat every game like it's the most important game of the season," reflected Mucci.
The Fords will not to be able to take any nights off in the always competitive Centennial Conference as several teams enter the season with title aspirations. Haverford faces defending champion Dickinson College, who it split with last season, in its conference opener on Nov. 23.
The non-conference portion of the schedule begins with the Fords' season-opening contest against Ithaca College on the first night of the Equinox Classic. The game against the Bombers, who advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the national tournament last season, tips off at 6 p.m. in Swarthmore College's Tarble Pavilion.