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SYRACUSE, NY. – March 3, 2009 – The Onondaga Community College men’s basketball season ended in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region III Division III Quarter-Finals last Friday. In that contest, played at Jefferson Community College, the Lazers led Hudson Valley Community College, the #2 team in the nation, 44-43 with just over 14 minutes remaining, but Hudson Valley outscored Onondaga, 40-11, the rest of the way, including an 8 minute Onondaga scoreless stretch, to come away with an 83-55 win. Hudson Valley eventually captured the regional championship, defeating Finger Lakes Community College in the championship game, and advances to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament, March 12-14, at SUNY Delhi. Onondaga closed the season with an overall record of 14-16.
The 2008-09 season saw Onondaga reach post-season play for the 9th consecutive season under head coach Dave Pasiak (Waterville). Onondaga also qualified for regional play for the 8th consecutive season, and is the only Mid-State Athletic Conference school and one of only 3 schools within the entire region to accomplish those feats. The Lazers also finished 3rd in the MSAC with a 7-5 conference record and reached the conference semi-finals. Pasiak completed his 9th season at the helm of the Lazers with a career mark of 167-106, adding to his record as the all-time winningest coach at Onondaga, ahead of Hank Fengler, who led the Lazers to 139 wins in 10 seasons from 1977 to 1983 and 1987 to 1991.
Onondaga co-captain Matt Potter (New Berlin Unadilla Valley), a 6’6” forward, averaged 14.4 points and 9.4 rebounds on the season. He also blocked 2.6 shots per game, 6th best in the country, and shot 55.6% from the floor. Potter established a new Onondaga single season record for blocked shots with 77, and has twice tied the Lazer single game mark of 21 rebounds, accomplishing that feat in wins at Broome Community College on January 17, and Tompkins Cortland Community College on February 17. He was named to the Mid-State Athletic Conference All-Conference Team and was an NJCAA Region III 3rd Team All-Region selection. He was also the MSAC Co-Player of the Week for the week ending January 18, and the Region III Co-Male Athlete of the Week for the week ending February 22.
Jason Kondra (East Syracuse-Minoa) was an honorable mention All-Conference selection, despite missing the final 3 conference games with an ankle injury. He led the Lazers in scoring and assists this season, averaging 15.3 points and 4.3 assists per game. He also topped Onondaga with 1.9 steals per game and shot 74.6% from the foul line. Kondra posted an Onondaga season best 30 points on two separate occasions, against Mercyhurst North East on November 7, and SUNY Delhi on November 13.
Jordan Barzee (Syracuse Christian Home School) was Onondaga’s other co-captain. He averaged 8.4 points and 3.2 assists per game, and had a season best 23 points against Lehigh Carbon Community College in the opening round of the Onondaga Community College Classic on December 13.
Brad Romancik (LaFayette) was the only Lazer other than co-captains Potter and Barzee to play in all 30 games. He averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, and made a team best 32 three-point goals.
Eric Ball (Syracuse Bishop Grimes) played in 25 games. He averaged 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per contest.
Zach Chawgo (LaFayette) played in 26 games. He averaged 6.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, and shot a team best 37.3% from behind the three-point arc.
Brandon Haughton (Cicero-North Syracuse) played in 24 games and averaged 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest.
Dave Foltz (Auburn) played in 29 games. He averaged 5.6 points and 2.7 assists per contest and posted a career high 27 points in leading Onondaga over Tompkins Cortland in the regular season finale.
Josh Michlovitch (Liverpool) played in 20 games, averaging 5.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He scored a team high 18 points in Onondaga’s home win over Broome Community College.
Tyler Eustace (Liverpool) played in 29 contests. He averaged 2.4 points per game and pulled down 4.2 rebounds per game, 2nd on the team.
Nate Foote (Norwich) played in 27 games. He averaged 1.4 points and 1.6 assists per game.
Ryan Ellis (Seneca Falls Mynderse Academy) played in 24 games, averaging 1.9 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest.
Dan Mabbett (Mohawk Jarvis) played in 17 games. He averaged 1.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
Eldar Kadic (Liverpool) played in 13 games, averaging 2.9 points per game.
Mike Sapp (Geneva) played in 16 games. He scored 15 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and handed out 10 assists on the season.
Justin Ballin (Norwich) played in 12 games. He averaged 2.8 points per contest.
Josh Kennedy (Chittenango) and Raffi Perry (New Berlin Unadilla Valley) were both redshirt members of this year’s teams, in anticipation of playing during the 2009-2010 season.
Potter, Kondra, Barzee, Haughton, Eustace, and Kadic have all completed two years at Onondaga and are expected to transfer on to four-year colleges to continue their education and playing careers. Announcements on their specific plans will be made in the future. Romancik, Ball, Chawgo, Foltz, Michlovitch, Foote, Ellis, Mabbett, Sapp, Ballin, Kennedy, and Perry are all expected to return to the Lazers next season.