Basketball season ends with Liberty League honors
Darren Bennett on the court
The Liberty League honored five Skidmore men's and women's basketball players and the women's coaching staff in the league's end-of-season awards.
Coach Darren Bennett and his staff received Coaching Staff of the Year honors. For the women, senior Sharlyn Harper was a unanimous First Team selection, while senior Dana Leonard and sophomore Megan Gaugler received Honorable Mention.
Harper, a three-time Co-Guard of the Week, led the Thoroughbreds with 14.2 points, 3.0 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.0 block per game. Earlier in the season she became the 11thplayer in Skidmore history to record 1,000 career points. Gaugler ranked second on the Thoroughbreds in points (9.5), assists (2.9), and steals (2.1) per game. Leonard led Skidmore and ranked sixth in the league with 6.9 rebounds per game while averaging 7.4 points per game.
Jeff Altimar '11
Bennett was a unanimous choice after leading the Thoroughbreds to their first Liberty League regular-season title and the second 20-win season in school history, tying the Skidmore record for winningest season. He took over the Skidmore program in 2005 and led a turnaround that had the Thoroughbreds back in the Liberty League Tournament by the 2008-2009 season.
Bennett came to Skidmore after serving as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Michigan State University women's team. He previously was a member of the coaching staffs at Syracuse, Temple, and Springfield College, his alma mater. The Fitchburg, Mass., native was a member of Springfield's football team for four years and basketball team for three years.
Sharlyn Harper '10
At Skidmore, Bennett is assisted by Tom Coons and Mandee Nann.
On the men's side junior Jeff Altimar and senior Jon Douglas received All-Liberty League honors. Altimar was a First Team selection after leading the Thoroughbreds with 11.4 points per game and led the league in free-throw percentage. Douglas was a Second Team selection, averaging 9.3 points per game, becoming the 12 thplayer in school history to score 1,000 career points. The Thoroughbreds tied the school record for wins with a 16-10 final record.
