Leading the way with the most Boys’ Division II All Stars in 2009-1010 was the Mount Markham Mustangs.
With four players nominated, which included Matt Casale, Jack Caraher, Brad Niederlander and Tyler Curtin, the Mustangs ended their season with a 13-6 record.
Leading the group was point guard Casale. Casale averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals this season. Those totals allowed Casale to lead the team in every statistically category but rebounding. What his stats also earned him was a first team co-player of the year nomination with Sherburne-Earlville’s Sean Boise.
Leading the team in rebounding and blocks was Curtin. With season averages of 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks, Curtin earned the last spot on the list, making it as an honorable mention. It should also be noted that Curtin missed the first four games of the season. So even with less games played, Curtin still put up decent number as the Mustangs’ center.
Averaging 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals on the season was Caraher. Caraher earned a second team nomination, and was considered by his head coach Bob Bentley as the most improved player from a year ago. Caraher’s ability to get to the rim is what him and the Mustangs dynamic. With Casale averaging a double double in almost half of his games and Caraher forcing the issue at the rim, it allowed Niederlander and Curtin to assume roles which made them comfortable in their offense. This also gave the Mustangs four scoring options teams had to game-plan against when facing this team.
The last player to earn a spot on the list was Brad Niederlander. Despite sharing time with teammate Troy Barrett, Niederlander averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. That put him second on the team in points, rebounds and assists. Niederlander earned the first spot on the honorable mention list. Niederlander had a game-high of 30 points for the Mustangs in 2009-2010.
The combination of Casale, Caraher, Niederlander and Curtin accounted for around 70 percent of the Mustangs total scoring and 60 percent of the rebounding.
“We're going to miss all four seniors very much next year,” Bentley said. “They all played such important roles over the last two seasons. I wish them the best.”
2009-2010 CSC Division II All Stars
Boys Basketball
First Team:
1. Matt Casale Mt. Markham (co player of the year) - Sr.
2. Sean Boise Sherburne (co player of the year) - Sr.
3. Taylor Jaquays Waterville - Sr.
4. Jeremiah Ford Cooperstown - Soph.
5. Billy Marsh Canastota - Sr.
Second Team:
6. Jack Caraher Mt. Markham - Sr.
7. Mason Olmstead Sauquoit - Sr.
8. Brett Baumgarten Waterville - Sr.
9. Ryan Critelli Sauquoit - Sr.
10. Robert Hughes Waterville - Sr.
Honorable Mention:
11. Brad Niederlander Mt. Markham - Sr.
12. Jeffrey Flynn Cooperstown - Soph.
13. Kyle Liner Cooperstown - Sr.
14. Ethan Johnson - Sherburne - Jr.
15. Tyler Curtin - Mt. Markham Sr.
Coach of the year:
Kevin Vibbard - Sherburne
