Editor

The Cooperstown boys basketball team does not begin the 2000-01 season until Friday, but they have already suffered a key loss.

Six-foot, six inch sophomore center Billy Hribar injured his knee during the summer, and will miss at least the first half of the season. But third year head coach Mike Cring has a host of options for replacing Hribar when the season begins Friday at 6 p.m. in the first round of Milford's Anton Remy Tournament.

The Redskins have a big test in the first game, facing a Ft. Plain team which went to the Final Four a year ago and had a 19-1 junior varsity team as well. Host Milford will play Gilboa in the other first round game at 8 p.m., and the consolation and championship game will be played Saturday, at 4 and 8 p.m.

"We've got about eight guys who are battling for the five starting positions," Cring said. "Brad Hill returns at point guard, and Jeremy Holmes will probably start at another guard spot. Those two give us good quickness and ball handling."

Paul Leonard, a 6'5" junior forward, will also likely get a starting nod. "He's a big kid with a soft touch and nice moves around the basket," Cring said. "I'm hoping he turns into a solid rebounder for us also."

Blair Budine, who saw significant playing time off the bench for last year's 13-8 squad, Ryan Hill and Nate Smith, another junior forward, will all be key to the Redskins success this season as well.

Also figuring to see playing time is Sean Hazzard, a forward who Cring said is much bigger and stronger than a year ago and could make an impact. Sophomore Nick Laskovski or freshman Shane Connolly will see time at the third guard spot.

"We'll have three guards who can handle the ball, so I expect our passing in our fast break and half court offense to be much better than a year ago," Cring said. "We'll try to run, especially early in the season, and play some more man-to-man defense."

Cring added that with just two seniors on the team, this year's team should be a better team once they get a little more experience.

"A lot depends on how quickly we adjust," he said. "sometimes we're not on the same page all the time, but that will come with time."

And if Hribar comes back in January, the Redskins should be a tough team to beat by season's end.

"With Billy I think we can challenge Hamilton and Waterville for the Center State title," Cring said. "Even without him, we should have a good shot at winning at least 12 games and going to sectionals."

The Redskins will begin the league season Friday, Dec. 1 at home against Mohawk, and will again host a Christmas Tournament Dec. 28 and 29. Cooperstown will play Unatego in one first round game, with Delhi and Little Falls meeting in the other first round contest.

Cooperstown boys basketball schedule: Nov. 24 and 25: at Milford's Anton Remy Tournament; Dec. 1: MOHAWK; Dec. 6: at Mt. Markham; Dec. 11: at Waterville; Dec. 14: at Westmoreland; Dec. 16: Sauquoit (at SUNY Morrisville); Dec. 18: HAMILTON; Dec. 28 and 29: Holiday Tournament at Cooperstown; Jan. 4: CANASTOTA; Jan. 9: at Morriswville; Jan. 12: WEST CANADA; Jan. 16: WATERVILLE; Jan. 19: MT. MARKHAM; Jan. 26: at Westmoreland; Jan. 30: SAUQUOIT; Feb. 2: at Canastota; Feb. 6: at Hamilton; Feb. 9: MORRISVILLE.