Flash departures provide opportunity for area pair

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July 30, 2008

By HUGH CONRAD The Tribune-Democrat Wed Jul 30, 2008, 11:54 PM EDT

LORETTO — Both Kurt Hoffman and Randy Spaid realize that they will have a great opportunity, along with a great challenge, next season as members of the St. Francis men’s basketball team.

Hoffman, a Greater Johnstown High School graduate who is a 6-foot-6 forward, started 11 of 27 games last year and averaged 2.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He will be a junior next season for first-year coach Don Friday.

Hoffman realizes that the loss of Bassirou Dieng and Chris Berry will provide a challenge for the remaining members of the Red Flash. The school announced Wednesday that Berry will return to Texas and play for Texas Wesleyan, an NAIA school, while Dieng, who graduated in May, will transfer to, and plans to play for, Georgia Tech.

“We are going to have to adjust and fill the gaps,” the former Trojan said. “We will have to step up and accept new roles. We are going to have to work together as a team to figure out what kind of team we are going to have.”

Spaid, a 6-8 forward who saw limited playing time last season (7.5 minutes per game), is a graduate of Portage Area High School. He excels as a shooter.

He will also be a junior next season for the Red Flash.

“I have really been working hard this summer,” Spaid said. “I have put on 25 pounds working with weights and I have been playing this summer. This is a good opportunity that has come my way, so I am trying to take advantage of it.”

Spaid, who played guard in high school, is a good shooter from the perimeter. He averaged 1.8 points per game

Both players praised the enthusiasm and communication skills of their new coach.

“I think that he has brought a lot of excitement to the team,” Spaid said. “He is a good guy, and he wants to be very successful. He is very passionate about what he wants to do. He wants to get the program back on its feet.”

Hoffman and Spaid both said that Friday’s communication skills – whether they included e-mails, letters, post cards, or phone calls – were a positive step for the players.

“He has been keeping in contact with all of us,” Hoffman said. “He sent us a weightlifting regimen for eight weeks. With that, we have to send in a weight card with what we have accomplished. We are accountable to him. It has been very interactive. That is very good because he is getting a feel for us over the summer.”

The Red Flash should be strong at the guard positions.

Devin Sweetney, a 6-6 forward/guard, was hampered by a knee injury last season but was third in scoring with 10.6 ppg.

In addition, point guards Cale Nelson and Marquis Ford return, as do shooting guards Grant Supernant and Steve Profeta.

Friday said that Spaid will have a chance to earn more playing time next year.

“He is a guy who will get every chance to play here when we get into camp,” Friday said. “I like the way that he can shoot the basketball. I know that with both Kurt and Randy, they will night after night have to play at the highest level possible on the defensive end.”

Friday praised Hoffman’s work ethic based on what he has seen on film.

“Kurt is a blue-collar kid,” Friday said. “He is a guy who will be able to do some different things, like handling the ball out front to shooting the 17-foot jumper. We are looking for him to do some things when we post him and go inside. I really love Kurt’s enthusiasm.”

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