Season Preview Bears Seek Maturity in 1999-2000
	SUNY Potsdam head basketball coach Bill Mitchell may have the best group of players assembled since he took over the program in 1991. Mitchell believes that this team has the potential to reach the NCAA tournament. "No doubt this team has the potential," said Mitchell. "We are working hard to develop the discipline necessary to become consistent team day in and day out."      Potsdam returns 12 players from last season's team, which finished in second place in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). Five starters return, including first team all-conference selections Watson Curry, Jr. '00 (Bronx/Cardinal Superman) and Jason Lang '01 (New York/ Lasalle). Curry led the Bears in rebounding (182) and blocked shots (20). Lang led the team in scoring (323), assists (122) and steals (71).      Returning to the Bears front court are Chris Becktoff '00 (Saratoga Springs/Saratoga Springs), John Guida '02 (Brewster/Trinity Pawling), Dave Klink '02 (Auburn/Auburn), Andre Peterson '02 (Monticello/Monticello) and Andrew Welker '00 (Webster/Webster). Guida and Peterson emerged as dominant forces in the paint last season averaging 10 points and five rebounds per game. Becktoff and Welker are smooth shooters who force opposing big men to defend the perimeter. Becktoff scored 132 points last season and Welker connected on 47 percent of his shots from behind the three-point arc. Klink showed flashes last season shooting 50 percent from the field.      Two newcomers to the front court are Paul Labarre '03 (Corning/Corning West), and Dan Munson '03 (Plattsburgh/Beekmantown). "Dan has good size and skills," said Mitchell. He has the potential to be a great player for us."      The Bears backcourt returns Matt Berry '02 (Peru/Peru), John Britton '00 (Saratoga Springs/Saratoga Springs), Jim page '01(Tupper Lake/Tupper Lake), Rex Ratliff '02 (Syracuse/ East Syracuse-Minoa), and Brian Resnick '01 (Merrick/Bellmore-JFK). Britton, a two-year starter, scored 272 points and shot 44 percent from behind the three-point arc last season. Berry, Ratliff and Resnick are all coming off knee injuries and hope to be ready to contribute as the season begins.      Two newcomers at the guard position are freshmen Dave Cunningham (Fairport/Fairport) and Grant Valentine (Chestnut Ridge/Archishop Stepinac). "Dave Cunningham is as ready to play college basketball as any player we have ever had," said Mitchell. "He has a great attitude and excellent skills which are a credit to his high school coach." Mike Kelley, Jason Leone, Stan Cohen and Steve Kamck will assist Mitchell this season.      Mitchell's two captains, Curry and Resnick have set the tone during preseason preparing the Bears for the upcoming North Country Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament. The North Country Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament opens the season for the Bears, who finished second at the tournament last season? "We've have a lot to prove this weekend," said Mitchell. "Oswego edged us in the championship game last season, St. Lawrence eliminated us from the ECAC tournament and Clarkson has won the last three meeting we have had."      The tournament begins on Friday at Clarkson University, with Oswego facing St. Lawrence at 6:00 p.m. and Potsdam will take on Clarkson at 8:00 p.m.

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