Men's Basketball
The Men's Basketball program continued its progression as a positive program with a great 2007-2008 season. Last season's Coach of the Year Mike MacDonald led his team to 15 wins, equal the total number of wins over the previous three seasons.
The Medaille Mavericks finished '07-'08 campaign with a (15-13) record. They won the most games in a single season since the (1999-2000) season as well as becoming the first team in school history to participate in the ECAC Tournament. The Mavericks faced the Cortland State Dragons in the first round of the ECAC tournament falling short 81-69.
The Mavericks started off the season extremely well winning its first six out of seven games, including an Allegheny Tournament championship victory. The Mavs defeated Allegheny College 70-68 in the title game. Second Team All AMCC honoree, senior James McNeil (Erie, PA/ Northwest Collegiate) was named MVP of the tournament. Junior, co-captain Bill Gersitz (Kenmore, NY/ Kenmore West) was named to the All-Tournament Team.
After suffering a six game losing streak after such a hot start, co-captain point guard Chris Moscato (Buffalo, NY/ Canisius) helped lead the Mavs back on track with a solid overall game. Moscato finished with nine points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals.
The Mavs would rebound and go on to win six straight. During this streak sophomore forward Keith Hack (Hopewell Junction, NY/ John Jay) would contribute a 26 point 11 rebound performance in a solid road victory over Mount Aloysius College. Despite suffering a broken ankle merely weeks before the start of the season Hack would persevere to gain AMCC Honorable Mention honors.
During this win streak Medaille would gain confidence on the road with a 65-51 dominating victory over Pitt-Bradford. Freshman Ricky Reed (Rochester, NY/ Rush-Henrietta) would be a spark off the bench for Medaille scoring 11 points to go along with four steals.
With the season nearing a close the Mavs found themselves in the same predicament they found themselves in the previous year. Medaille would once again face Hilbert College in the final regular season game of the year with a chance to solidify their spot in the AMCC Tournament. The Mavs would exact their revenge this time around with a overwhelming performance defeating Hilbert 77-57.
In Medaille's first AMCC post season game in schools history, The Mavericks continued their dominant play against LaRoche College winning on the road 75-55. Junior guard Jake Reisdorf (Strykersville, NY/ Holland) led the Mavs with an efficient 17 point six rebound performance.
The Mavs would battle the Lake Erie College Storm in the semifinals of the AMCC tournament. Despite a strong team effort Medaille would fall short 71-66.
Throughout the season both seniors Kyle White (Erie, PA/ Mercyhurst Prep) and Dennis Milford (Rochester, NY/ Bishop Kearney) provided a significant spark of the bench bringing veteran leadership and clutch play both offensively and defensively. Guards Mike Berkun (Williamsville, NY/ Williamsville North) and Bryan Legge (Buffalo, NY/ Cardinal O’Hara) displayed steady play off the bench especially at home. Against D'youville College in the last home game of 2007, Berkun finished with 12 points while Legge finished with 10 respectively. Freshmen Kevin Borden (Fairport, NY/ Fairport), Ron Malicki (Machias, NY/ Pioneer), Joe Mogavero (Kenmore, NY/ Kenmore East), and Tyler Launer (Fairport, NY/ Fairport) each improved as the year progressed and showed promise. If these players continue to work hard and improve, Medaille's future looks extremely bright.
James McNeil finished his career as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,489 points. McNeil ranks 2nd in steals, 3 pt. field goals made, free throws made, and blocked shots. James also ranks 6th in rebounds with 344.
