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SHARKBITES

 Landmark College Athletics,

Newsletter 12/03/2009

Sharks Stricken With Fin-Rot Lose to Hampsters 58 - 13

OK so it might be construed as difficult to make a silk purse out of this sow’s ear of a basketball game.  This is what I came up with.  First of all the Hampshire College Hampsters showed up with a top class team.  Three of the players on the court were among the best they have ever had.  The others were exceedingly well coached and knew exactly where to be on the court, especially on offense.

New kids on the block:  Katie Jean #23, Nadia Tevald and Ashley Lyons

Our players showed enormous potential.  Once again Chris Domaine lead the way as point guard.  One of her strengths is NOT losing the ball.  Her passing is usually spot on and she accounted for four points.  Nadia Teval is clearly an excellent player.  It may have been first game, new college, new coach, new team jitters but she was way too talented to be as invisible as she was.  Despite this “Rocket” Rachel Glickman was back and along with Echaimae Bentz showed that there was some real fire on the team.  Echaimae and Rachel were the only players out there for us that seemed like they wanted to play some smash mouth basketball.  Everyone else seemed a bit passive.  Ladies "Boxing Out" does not mean opening your birthday presents.  New players, New semester, first game blues maybe.

"Rocket" Rachel is back

We do have a chance for retribution.  Landmark will travel to Hampshire College on Feb. 18 for a Tuesday Night matchup at 7:30 PM.  Time to get aggressive ladies.  GRRRRR...

The sports writer isn't really that mean.  He loves puppies for example.

Sharks Lose 89 -69 in Foul-Fest

 The first thing our Sharks saw when the Nashua Community College Jaguars entered the gym was some very tall players.  The hope was that they were fumble-fingered Andre-the-Giant types.  They were not.  With our only big guy out (The not so big but very good Dave Newfield) we had to hope that our “run and gun” offense would wear these big dudes down.  We tried but NCC was in just as good shape as us and very fast as well.  Early on it was them filling the lanes with skyscrapers and us pursuing like enraged villagers.

Brando Gets Pick From Clark

Clark's Pick Gets Results as Brando Swoops to Hoop

Short of pulling the fire alarm and exiting the building what the heck was Coach Wood to do?  Personally I would have feigned a heart attack and handed the reins to Assistant Coach Stanley.  That is not JW’s style though. 

It has to be said that Landmark was intimidated from the moment these guys hit the gym.  They showed it by not scoring until the Jags had run up 13 points.  This start had all the earmarks of a blow-out.  But not so fast…

Bunis at the charity stripe

After two unanswered baskets by Bunis and Parks the NCC coach called a timeout.  Hmmm could there be problems afoot?  Had we shaken loose a chink in the armor?  Turns out that with good coaching on the floor by Brandolph and on the sidelines by Wood we had a chance.  It just took a few points to build some confidence.  Landmark turned from goldfish to Sharks again and began chipping away at the lead.  Character shows up when the going gets tough and our guys have it in spades.  At one point in the first half we came within two points and made believers out of a crowd of about 100 faithful.

Dave Brandolph with 23 points led the Sharks in more than scoring.  He has the ability to lift his team after a dry spell and prolong scoring streaks by shouting encouragement and playing fearlessly.  Time and again Brando either hit the three (he had 4 of them) or charged into the concrete pylons guarding the paint and throwing up two and one for the foul.  This guy cannot be intimidated.  Bunis played well in the first half but came up lame in the second with a leg muscle you could see cramping from across the court.  Weeks-Sylvia was our only tall man but lacked the size to avoid being pushed around like a ping pong ball in a hurricane by NCC’s #5, a center that resembled “Drago” the Russian superman in Rocky V.  Apart from Drago the NCC’s had two other players with 27 points each.  Their skill and scoring precision was very annoying.

Parks shows NCC guard his new jockstrap.

In the end we were a bit out of gas and missing enough bunnies to populate the outback.  Size matters but so does heart.  Landmark never gave up on this game.  Even though we lost by twenty points it wasn’t til’ the 2:16 to go mark in the second half that the fat lady belted out her closing aria.  This was an exciting and very rough and tumble game.  The two teams combined for a total of 52 fouls!  This comes out to a foul every 46 seconds.  At times it resembled a rugby scrum complete with flying tackles.  On one play Brendan Cox for Landmark got undercut in the paint, did a 360 degree flip and landed on his back.  He got a 9.4 from the French judge. 

Not a fragment of quit in our Sharks though.  Now that we have seen them Coach Wood can retire to his Fortress of Solitude and cook up a plan.  Be ready for February 8 Jaguars the Sharks will be circling.

Laconia Falls to Well-Disciplined Sharks

Bounce pass from Brando in to Clark for 2 on the break.  #3 Freemin looks on.

    Laconia Tech came to town last Friday with a whole new look.  In fact the entire team and coach were different from the team Landmark defeated easily last year.  These new Laconians were fit, tough and talented.  After two ho hum victories against a depleted Hampshire College and underdeveloped Simon's Rock, Landmark was in for a barn-burner.

Brando charges back on offense while Clark and Bunis fill the lanes.

     The game was back and forth throughout with Landmark a few points in the lead only to be caught and passed by the hard charging Laconia team.  One of the fascinating elements of this game was the head to head match-up between opposing team leaders.  Freemin for Laconia and Brandolph for Landmark were mirror images and faced each other on every trip down the floor.  Both were guards, both were well under six feet tall, quick and very smart.  Each man scored in the 20's and both wanted to win.  Time and again the diminutive Freemin would throw up a shot and then drive into the tall trees and get his own rebound for a put back.  Brandolph relied on his strength which was brainy play and pinpoint passing, especially to Parks who canned 16 points mostly off fast breaks.

Clark takes on Laconis solo

Dumont for Laconia drops in 2 of his 21 points.

     Landmark was up by 6 at the half and could have been up by more except for the abominable foul shooting by all concerned.  Ironically it was foul shooting that iced the game in the end.  Newfield who shot two of the most grotesquely incompetent foul shots in the history of the game in the first half canned his final four in the second.  After missing three in a row (at least they hit iron) Brandolph nailed his final six foul shots to put the game out of reach.  Unlike some Landmark teams in the past our current squad tightens up and shows great composure when the game is on the line.  If we lose a game this year it will be because the other team won it not because Landmark blew it.

Sharky can't watch as Newfield lets fly a trey from downtown.

     This was a tough smash mouth basketball game from start to finish.  Players were going off with bloody noses and team fouls topped 10 for both halves for both teams.  Despite this the game was well-played and without rancor.  Handshakes all around at the end and serious thoughts about our return to Laconia on Feb. 18. 

Women’s Basketball 2009/10

At Hampshire Tuesday Nov. 3 @ 9:00 PM (cancelled)

Simon's Rock here Sunday Nov. 15 @ 2 PM

Hampshire here Friday Nov. 13 @ 9:00 PM

Laconia here Friday Nov. 20 @ 9:00 PM

At Simon's Rock Sat. Dec. 5 @ 3 PM

Hampshire here Monday Feb. 1 @ 7 PM

Hoop Goddess Scrimmage, Friday Feb. 5 at 5 PM

At Laconia Saturday Feb. 6 @ 1 PM

Hoop Goddess Scrimmage, Friday Feb. 12 @ 5 PM

At Hampshire Thursday Feb. 18 @ 7 PM

At Hampshire Tuesday Feb. 23 @ 7:30 PM

Hoop Goddess Scrimmage Thursday Feb. 25 @ 5 PM

Women Hoopsters Show Great Improvement VS Simon's Rock College

 After dropping the home opener to a very experienced Hampshire College team our Sharkettes took on Simon's Rock College last Sunday.  After a shaky start our girls under the guidance of Coach Tricia Stanley and Liz Stoer, came back in the second half to score 17 points.  Dumaine and Gross each scored 8 points to lead the way followed by Proctor with 4, Bentz with 2 and Sullivan and Bowman with 1 each. 

Back Row:  Asst. Coach Liz Stoer, Amanda Gross, Coach Tricia Stanley, Tiffany Williams 2nd Row: Antoneil Seaton, Hawley Proctor, Reyna Sullivan, Sneider Boucicot-Laveau, Front Row: Echaimae El-Bazi Bentz, Galea Cornelius, Alysia Madrid, Penyauda Bowman

Echaime spots Chris for inbound pass

Hawley gets ready for bounce pass into paint

Men's Basketball Home Opener

     It's hard to say if a 75 - 10 victory is good or bad for a team.  Simon's Rock College could not compete with our guys in any facet of the game.  Let's face it the game was a snooze.  We have never lost to them but by the same token games in the past have been less one-sided. 

     After a first half where SR couldn't hit the basket with a step ladder Coach Wood gave the order to stop all three-point attempts and fast breaks.  It was to be a half court offense using all the time on the shot clock.  Defense was not to be compromised but offense shifted into low gear.  That clearly shows that Coach Wood is not out to humiliate any team. 

Parks eyes the hoop from the charity stripe.

     After a slow start Landmark's Michael Parks jump started the offense by a breakaway slam dunk that energized the crowd.  From then on it was pretty much score at will.  The Sharks executed their game plan perfectly. It was "run and gun" in the first half with stand out performance by Ryan Ritter who played big, Dan Hodgetts had his best effort in two years, Rob Bunis who filled in great at the point, Justin Fields and Michael Corbo led the team with 11 points.

Next game will be here VS Hampshire College on Friday at 7 PM followed by the women's game at 9 PM.

Men’s Basketball 2009/10  Home Games in Blue

Simon's Rock here Sun. Nov. 8 @ 2 PM

Hampshire here Friday Nov. 13 @ 7 PM

Laconia here Friday Nov. 20 @ 7 PM

CHVT here Monday Nov. 23 @ 7 PM 

Nashua CC here Wed. Dec. 2 at 7 PM

At Simon's Rock Sat. Dec. 5 @ 1 PM

At Briarwood College Sat. Jan. 30 @ 1:00 PM

At Laconia Sat. Feb. 6 @ 3 PM

At Nashua CC Mon. Feb. 8 7:00 PM

At Hampshire Thurs. Feb. 18 @ 9 PM

Tournament Saturday Feb. 20 

Games at 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM

Magic Masters here Feb. 26 @ 3 PM

Landmark Soccer Sharks End Season with 3 - 1 Victory over S.I.T.

  The Sharks came out fighting on our last game of the season.  The field at S.I.T. in Brattleboro looked like a WWI battlefield as the recent rains and their low elevation combined to make a quagmire of the pitch.  Our only two losses of the season had been our previous two AWAY games and the Sharks were anxious to reverse the trend.  Unlike our last two games our players came out of the gate strong.  No more "feeling out process" was in evidence.  It was pressure from the beginning on S.I.T.'s defense and midfield.  Pressure makes diamonds and this one was a gem.  Our scoring began with a sizzling cross from Barrett to the waiting noodle of Brenton LaCombe.  Brenton made no mistake as he headed it past the sprawling S.I.T. netminder.  Next was a blast from three steps over center from stopper captain Barrett Johnston.  Barrett had been grizzling about playing defense all season and wanted a goal.  Coach A. in his infinite wisdom abrogated his requests for an "up top" postion due to Barrett's undeniable talent on D.  Barrett decided to play flawless defense AND score a goal.  Everybody's happy right? 

Three Captains (out front) warm up for game.  L to R:  Barrett, Kly and Chase.  That's Matt Charles our fullback on the far right.  (He should really learn to pull up his skivvies when wearing shorts.)

Our final goal involved a very typical play by an atypical forward.  Min Brown is one of those rare players who can keep his head when everyone is losing theirs.  Despite his huge scoring numbers on the season Min is always alert for the opportunity to set up his teammates.  On this occasion Min had three SIT defenders draped over him trying to steal the ball.  Everyone in the greater metropolitan area thought Min was going to shoot.  Instead he tapped a pass to a wide open Efren Sanchez who tapped it in for goal #2 for him and #3 for us.

Fans look on as JP challenges goalie.

SIT's only goal came on a penalty shot.  A goal mouth scramble ended when our defender cleared the ball and it inadvertently struck sweeper captain Bill Sutton on the arm.  A classic no-call situation.  The ref wasn't into the classics he was more a pulp fiction guy I guess.  He awarded a penalty shot that eluded goalie Chase Clement. 

Anthony shepherds ball to line while Shane guards the doorstep.  Goalie Kly is blocked by Anthony.

This was an outstanding season for our Soccer team.  We scored more goals than ever before and allowed less.  We played with unselfishness, great effort and sportsmanship.  Our record this season was 8 - 2 - 1 Thanks guys.  Your coach and Landmark can be proud of you. 

Landmark Cross Country Team Sprints to Finish

Left to right:  Frederick Lanctot, Eric Catozzi, Sarah Hamm, Tom Garrett, Mike Brocenos, Coach Bill Dixon, Justin MacNeil, Adam Cornett

     Coach Dixon describes this year's cross country team as "a dedicated group of athletes".  On Sunday they traveled to Boston for the Franklin Park 5K.  Everyone participated except for Tom G. whose sprained ankle slowed him down a bit.  Excellent times were handed in by all members who ended the season having participated in races close to home and as far away as New York and Rhode Island.  Many thanks to Coach Dixon, our own national champion, for increasing student interest in cross country.

Men’s Basketball 2009/10  Home Games in Blue

Simon's Rock here Sun. Nov. 8 @ 2 PM

Hampshire here Friday Nov. 13 @ 7 PM

Laconia here Friday Nov. 20 @ 7 PM

At Simon's Rock Sat. Dec. 5 @ 1 PM

At Briarwood College Sat. Jan. 30 @ 1:00 PM

At Laconia Sat. Feb. 6 @ 3 PM

At Hampshire Thurs. Feb. 18 @ 9 PM

Tournament Saturday Feb. 20 

Games at 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM

Magic Masters here Feb. 26 @ 3 PM

Women’s Basketball 2009/10

At Hampshire Tuesday Nov. 3 @ 9:00 PM (cancelled)

Simon's Rock here Sunday Nov. 15 @ 2 PM

Hampshire here Friday Nov. 13 @ 9:00 PM

Laconia here Friday Nov. 20 @ 9:00 PM

At Simon's Rock Sat. Dec. 5 @ 3 PM

At Briarwood College Sat. Jan. 30 @ 3:00 PM

Hampshire here Monday Feb. 1 @ 7 PM

At Laconia Saturday Feb. 6 @ 1 PM

At Hampshire Thursday Feb. 18 @ 7 PM

Briarwood at Landmark Sunday 2 PM

Landmark Soccer 2009

 Front Row left to right: Scott Schrader, Maria Youngman, Efren Sanchez, Habtamu Karg, Rob Bunis, Michael "Kly" Klykylo, Chase Clement, David Brandolph

Back Row:  Brian Brodsky, Shane Vadner, Matt Charles, Barrett Johnson, Coach Jim Austin, Alexander "X" Oechsli, Bill Sutton, Min Brown, Anthony Hifleger, Scott Barasa, Brenton LaCombe, JP Hendrix, Justin Fields, Ryan O'Connor, Cynthia Slemmer

Sharks Love Home Cookin'

   Well our Sharks won six straight at home and then went on the road to find defeat.  The road game against Hampshire College was not our finest hour.  After a slow start and a missed penalty shot Landmark was flat outplayed by the fighting Hampsters.  They had a few new faces on the team that lost to us at home but the fact is that we were outplayed and outgunned. Final score 2 - 0. It was a puzzling scenario after Landmark had taken S.I.T. to the cleaners 5 - 0 a few days previous. 

Barrett and Tony in pursuit

     Last Saturday we traveled to Marlboro College with a different mind set.  We had the "mind over matter" figured out but unfortunately the matter was what mattered.  Landmark went down 2  - 0 in the pouring rain as the second half ended.  No excuses but our entire starting midfield was absent due to illness and prior commitments.  This left our fullbacks with the responsibility of filling in for them.  They did a great job and held Landmark in the game.  The second half was all Landmark as Marlboro had relentless pressure put on them.  Min Brown scored two goals to tie the game.  Goal number 2 was a beauty as Ryan O'Connor carried the ball over the 18-yard line and drew all the defenders to him.  He then coolly passed to Min who finished off.  With the game winding down Landmark lost control of a ball in the goal mouth and it was nailed behind Kly by a Marlboro forward.  30 seconds later the game was history.  A great game to be sure and a terrific rivalry for the future.

Next game is Wednesday against Vermont Academy at 4 PM.   VA is always the toughest challenge for Landmark.  It's not too far from home so maybe...

Gym Schedule Fall 09

 2009 Landmark College Soccer Schedule

 Home Thursday September 10, 5:45 PM…..Putney Men  (scrimmage) win 2 - 0

 Home Wednesday September 16, 5:45 PM…Putney Men (scrimmage) win 3 - 0

 Home Saturday September 19, 2:00 PM…Marlboro College win 2 - 0

 Home Sunday September 20, 2:00 PM…Simon’s Rock College  win 6 - 1

 Home Wednesday September 23, 5:45 …Putney Men (scrimmage) tie 1 - 1

 Home Saturday September 26, 2:00 PM …Hampshire College  win 7 - 1

 Home Wednesday September 30, 5:45 PM…Putney Men (scrimmage) win 2 - 0

 Away Saturday October 3, 2:00 PM @ Simon’s Rock win  (cancelled rain)

 Home Saturday October 17, 2:00 PM …S.I.T.   win 5-0

 Away Wednesday October 21, 4:00 PM @ Hampshire College  loss 3-1

 Away Saturday October 24, 2:00 PM @ Marlboro College loss 3-2

 Away Wednesday October 28, 4:00 PM @ Vermont Academy  (game cancelled due to rain)

 Away Saturday October 31, 2:00 PM @ S.I.T.  win 3 - 1