FUTURE STARTS NOW
Golden Flyers look to compete in Empire 8
2005-06 ROSTER | 2005-06 SCHEDULE

Coatings of sugar are probably no longer acceptable. The time has arrived for the Nazareth men's basketball team to become a contender in the Empire 8 Conference.

Juniors have become seniors and freshmen are now sophomores, so head coach Mike Daley (pictured) no longer feels compelled to point to the Golden Flyers' lack of experience.

"The bottom line is that we have enough talented players to compete," said Daley, who brings a record of 266-231 into his 20th season at Nazareth. "I think we're improved from a physical standpoint, but the rest of the league is pretty good also."

Nazareth opens its season Friday at the Buffalo State Tournament. The Golden Flyers play Pitt.-Bradford at 6 p.m. Buffalo State plays Marietta in the second game. Consolation and championship games are Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. respectively. Nazareth's only home game of the first semester is Tuesday against the University of Rochester at 7 p.m.

Daley believes the Golden Flyers are primed to compete for one of the top four positions in the conference standings, which will land them a berth in the Empire 8 Tournament come February.
Twelve players return from last year's team that finished 8-17 overall and 3-11 in conference play.
While the starting lineup remains something of a mystery, one position that isn't up for grabs is that of shooting guard, where 6-foot-2 sophomore Joe Canori (left) returns along with his 14-points-per-game scoring average.

The Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, Canori started all 25 games in 2004-05 and led the Golden Flyers in several statistical categories, including three-point field goals (52), steals (25) and free throw percentage (43-for-52, .827).

Sophomore Brian Ameneiros is a good bet to inherit the starting point guard duties after averaging more than 21 minutes per game in a supporting role last season. He led the team in assists (64) and was a threat as an outside shooter with 19 three-point baskets. Two other sophomores, Ryan McAdam and Kyle Nelson, also started regularly for Nazareth last season.

McAdam, a 6-foot-4 forward, posted solid statistics that included 9.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He also had good shooting stats, hitting 24 of 54 three-point tries (44 percent) and 32 of 39 free throws (82 percent).

Nelson, a 6-foot-4 forward, contributed 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and made 53 percent of his shots from the field (55-for-104). The sophomore class also includes 6-foot-7 center Tyler Smith (3.5 ppg.) and guards Leon Hill, Matt Miller and Jerry Shanley.

The Golden Flyers also have an experienced senior class that includes center Justin Fladd, forward Matt Groot and guards Mike DeBlois (right) and Caswell Smith.

Fladd, at 6-foot-7, could provide matchup problems underneath the basketball, while Groot, at 6-foot-4, is an offensive threat both inside and on the perimeter. DeBlois, at 6-foot-3, is one of the most dangerous outside shooters in the Empire 8, while the 6-foot-2 Smith is one of the top defenders.

Daley also believes he'll be able to receive immediate assistance from any of a talented group of six newcomers. Freshmen Nick Bozzelli (Victor, NY) and Jeff DeHimer (Scotia, NY) were strong scholastic players and should be strong front-court players. Junior Brian Steves (Syracuse, NY) could be a factor as a defender and outside shooter after transferring from St. John's University.
Freshmen Chris Barrett (Williamsville, NY), Nick Humez (Camillus, NY) and Joe Mihalich (Lewiston, NY) could also factor into the mix.

"One of our goals is to improve every game," said Daley, who will be assisted by Toby Brown, Dick O'Toole and Jake Steck. "I'm anxious to see how we will stack up wit the rest of the conference."