Men's Basketball
Eli Rosenswaike
The hard work put forth by former UMass star Stephane Lasme has paid off in a big way.
The 6-foot-7 forward -- who is the career blocked shots record-holder for the Minutemen -- was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. Lasme was selected 46th overall -- the 16th pick in the second round.
Lasme joins an uptempo offensive team in desperate need of defense. While the draft experts all agree he needs to vastly improve his offensive game, nobody questions his ability to defend and alter a contest with his shot-blocking prowess.
The Warriors ranked third-to-last in points allowed per game, and Lasme has a chance to possibly come off the bench to help improve Golden State in that clear problem area.
Lasme was a fan-favorite at UMass -- mostly due to his intensity, hard work and impressive numbers. He recorded four triple-doubles in his senior season, something only two players have ever done at the college level; Jason Kidd was one of the others.
ESPN.com's draft expert, Chad Ford, describes the 24-year-old and his fit with the Warriors: "Lasme is one of the better shot-blockers in the draft. He's a little undersized, but he makes up for it with length and athleticism. Another good fit for Golden State."
On Lasme's draft report card, Ford has a lot of praise for the former UMass star: "Long, athletic jumping jack. Dominant defender. One of the best shot-blockers in college basketball. Excellent rebounder. Aggressive. Strong. Excellent quickness for a big man."
However, experts site his lack of size for a forward (6-foot-7, 213 pounds) as a major question mark. They also mention his inferior offensive game and his rawness as a basketball player (he hasn't been playing basketball for all that long).
Lasme averaged 13.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game in his last season under Travis Ford. He improved his numbers across the board in every season (including points, rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage) for the Maroon and White, culminating in his career season.
Golden State is sorely lacking any kind of defensive presence in the middle, and it has only a few players at the power forward position -- both of which add up to Lasme having a real possibilty to see serious minutes. But it will take time, as Lasme is 'raw as a player' and has a lot to learn.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
UMass Tennis signs four recruits
Tennis
Mike Connors
The Massachusetts tennis team looks to improve upon its 2006-2007 record of 13-9 with four new arrivals for the 2007-2007 campaign.
Candynce Boney (Las Vegas, Nev.) comes in as the 75th-ranked freshman recruit in Division I. After being named Rookie of the Year in high school in 2003, she continued to excel throughout the rest of her year career in Nevada, winning team MVP the next three years. She also belongs to the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Club, and was awarded the Team Agassi Coach Award in 2006.
Kaitlyn Carpenter (Alburis, Penn.) played in the Middle States Section and went on to win District AA singles. Carpenter also came in at third for doubles in Pennsylvania.
Jenna Goldfine (Newton, Mass.) was named to the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Tennis Team in 2004 and 2005, and has also won a Gold Medal at the USTA Zonal Team Championship.
The Minutewomen's final recruit, Tanisha Hodgson, will come to Amherst as the No. 1 ranked player in Aruba. She is ranked #760 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Mike Connors
The Massachusetts tennis team looks to improve upon its 2006-2007 record of 13-9 with four new arrivals for the 2007-2007 campaign.
Candynce Boney (Las Vegas, Nev.) comes in as the 75th-ranked freshman recruit in Division I. After being named Rookie of the Year in high school in 2003, she continued to excel throughout the rest of her year career in Nevada, winning team MVP the next three years. She also belongs to the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Club, and was awarded the Team Agassi Coach Award in 2006.
Kaitlyn Carpenter (Alburis, Penn.) played in the Middle States Section and went on to win District AA singles. Carpenter also came in at third for doubles in Pennsylvania.
Jenna Goldfine (Newton, Mass.) was named to the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Tennis Team in 2004 and 2005, and has also won a Gold Medal at the USTA Zonal Team Championship.
The Minutewomen's final recruit, Tanisha Hodgson, will come to Amherst as the No. 1 ranked player in Aruba. She is ranked #760 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Dios bendice Puerto Rico (God bless Puerto Rico)!
Softball
Domenic Poli
UMass outfielder Davina Hernandez officially made the Puerto Rican national softball team Tuesday.
Although P.R. will not play its Olympic Qualifier in Valencia, Venezuela until Aug. 18-26, it will be taking part in the Canada Cup in Surrey, British Columbia June 30-July 8 and the Pan American Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil from July 23-29.
Puerto Rico will have a training trip to Florida after the Canada Cup.
Domenic Poli
UMass outfielder Davina Hernandez officially made the Puerto Rican national softball team Tuesday.
Although P.R. will not play its Olympic Qualifier in Valencia, Venezuela until Aug. 18-26, it will be taking part in the Canada Cup in Surrey, British Columbia June 30-July 8 and the Pan American Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil from July 23-29.
Puerto Rico will have a training trip to Florida after the Canada Cup.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Maroon and White players to be donning some new colors in China
Softball
Domenic Poli
It looks like UMass may send two softball players to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China - but they will be representing countries other than the United States.
Having recently earned citizenship in Italy, graduated center fielder Candice Molinari will button up her jersey for the land of her ancestors and junior outfielder Davina Hernandez is trying out for the Puerto Rican national team.
Hernandez flew to P.R. last Friday for tryouts and will find out Monday if she will be on the team.
Stay tuned to "From the Press Box" to see if Hernandez will represent Puerto Rico in Beijing.
Domenic Poli
It looks like UMass may send two softball players to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China - but they will be representing countries other than the United States.
Having recently earned citizenship in Italy, graduated center fielder Candice Molinari will button up her jersey for the land of her ancestors and junior outfielder Davina Hernandez is trying out for the Puerto Rican national team.
Hernandez flew to P.R. last Friday for tryouts and will find out Monday if she will be on the team.
Stay tuned to "From the Press Box" to see if Hernandez will represent Puerto Rico in Beijing.
Molinari, Balschmiter receive Easton All-American honors
Softball
Domenic Poli
Massachusetts senior center fielder Candice Molinari and sophomore pitcher Brandice Balschmiter were recently named Easton All-Americans. Balschmiter received second-team honors, while Molinari was elected to the third team.
Domenic Poli
Massachusetts senior center fielder Candice Molinari and sophomore pitcher Brandice Balschmiter were recently named Easton All-Americans. Balschmiter received second-team honors, while Molinari was elected to the third team.
Both players were third team All-Americans in 2006.
Molinari finished her fourth and final season at UMass by aligning herself with an elite group of people. With a batting average of .401, she became just the ninth player in UMass history to hit over .400 in a season.
The fleet-of-foot center fielder swiped 21 bases out of 27 attempts.
She committed only one error all season in the outfield and gunned down seven runners.
She also had 67 hits, 41 runs scored and 15 RBIs.
Balschmiter went 29-10 over the course of the season. She made 44 appearances for the Maroon and White with 38 starts, 34 complete games, two saves 14 shutouts and two no-hitters. She surrendered 52 earned runs while letting up 184 hits and 57 walks in 262.1 innings pitched.
The 6-foot-1 righty also struck out 269 batters and held opponents to a .189 average.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Lasme helping draft stock
Men's Basketball
Eli Rosenswaike
Former UMass basketball star Stephane Lasme improved his draft stock considerably after his strong performances at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando, Fla this past week.
Lasme was thought to be a possibility in the late second round, but is now expected to be a lock for the second stanza in the NBA Draft held on June 28. According to ESPN.com's Chad Ford, Lasme essentially "shored" up his selection in the second round due to his impressive display on the defensive end during the camp.
Additonally, Lasme climbed to the 55th spot in Ford's Top 100 Draft-eligible prospects. He had previously been at number 79.
The Portland Trailblazers have four picks in the second round, so one highly possible scenario has Lasme going to them with one of them. But that is purely speculation on my part.
My guess is that a solid team in need of a shot-blocking extraordinaire will call Lasme's name on June 28 -- somewhere in the late second round.
Eli Rosenswaike
Former UMass basketball star Stephane Lasme improved his draft stock considerably after his strong performances at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando, Fla this past week.
Lasme was thought to be a possibility in the late second round, but is now expected to be a lock for the second stanza in the NBA Draft held on June 28. According to ESPN.com's Chad Ford, Lasme essentially "shored" up his selection in the second round due to his impressive display on the defensive end during the camp.
Additonally, Lasme climbed to the 55th spot in Ford's Top 100 Draft-eligible prospects. He had previously been at number 79.
The Portland Trailblazers have four picks in the second round, so one highly possible scenario has Lasme going to them with one of them. But that is purely speculation on my part.
My guess is that a solid team in need of a shot-blocking extraordinaire will call Lasme's name on June 28 -- somewhere in the late second round.
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