Falcons not a 1-man show this season

By DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writer

November 21, 2005 Last Updated: November 21, 2005 01:28 PM High School

FOXBURG — The A-C Valley boys basketball team has all-conference point guard Sean Foust returning this season.

But if that's the only player the Falcons' opponents are concerning themselves with, they're in for a rude awakening.

Also returning are seniors Ted Marron and John Kaufman, who will be looking to improve on averages of 7.4 and 6.9 points per game, respectively.

The duo's biggest upside is their height — Marron stands 6-feet-3 and Kaufman is 6-5 — and the fact that both can hit the perimeter shot.

The two combined for 34 3-pointers last season. Both can also play forward if needed.

"They both shoot well from (3-point range)," said A-C Valley coach Jim Marron. "And they both grew a couple of inches from last year. Hopefully, it will create some matchup problems for teams that try to play us man-to-man."

Junior Ryan Jackson and last year's sixth man, Kyle McCall, will round out the starting five. Jackson is 6-5 and McCall is 6-4. Both can play center if needed, though Marron doesn't look at any of his players as a natural post-up player.

"We have no true center," he said. "But if we're not the tallest team in the league, I'll be worried."

Indeed, besides the point-guard position, the Falcons' other four projected starters average 6-4 in height.

At the heart of the team is Foust, who surpassed 1,000 career points last season. He enters his senior campaign as the undisputed leader of the team.

"Sean is going to be my coach on the floor this season," Marron said. "He's a four-year starter and has been named all-conference twice."

Foust averaged 17.8 points per game last season while connecting on 44 attempts from beyond the arc. His 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game prove he is the total package.

Marron said he believes the area in which his team improved the most is its bench.

"It's definitely going to be better than it has been the last two years," he said.

At the center of the coach's optimism is junior guard Shawn Courson and junior forward Garrett Greathouse, a transfer from West Forest High School.

"Garrett's a really solid defensive player and he'll get some rebounds for us," Marron said.

The Falcons managed a 15-11 record last season, which saw the team make the District 9 playoffs. A-C Valley defeated Rocky Grove before losing to Coudersport in the Class A quarterfinals.

"Our goal is to make the playoffs and improve on our record," said Marron. "We certainly aren't going to lack experience this year. We will be starting four seniors and all will be a major factor in whatever we do."

A-C VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2005-06 Basketball Schedule

Dec. 2-3

at Reynolds Tip-Off Tournament;

Dec. 6-

at Clarion;

Dec. 8-

KARNS CITY;

Dec. 10-

JAMESTOWN;

Dec. 14-

CLARION-LIMESTONE;

Dec. 17-