Sports Profiles

Stephanie Riker
By: Randy T. Riess
Interviewed by: Marc Groth

It takes team work to expose the opponent’s weakness to gain victory. This is the approach that the Onondaga Community College Women’s Basketball team was able to do last season to be crowned Mid-State Athletic Conference champions. Sophomore guard Stephanie Riker, an alum from Dryden High School, played the play maker role last season averaging 6.1 rebounds per game and 3.8 points per game. Her clutch performance at the free throw line (76.9 percent) was big during the 27-5 season a year ago.

It takes passion to endure such a strenuous season, and with the family that the Lady Lazers have come to develop Stephanie finds passion in the locker room and on the court.

"It means everything to me. I get to play with my best friends who have become my family,” Stephanie stated. “It also is all about character and discipline on and off the court.”

After winning the Mid-State Athletic Conference last season, many of the players have found motivation. But for some, motivation without rituals is meaningless.

“I have to listen to Eminem and 50 Cent on my iPod and I eat a sub from Wegmans.”

With academic finals on the horizon, it’s tough to stay focused during the tough practices. In Stephanie’s case, however, slacking is not an option with aspirations of perfection.

“”I like the fast paced and intense structure of the game. I am also very competitive, so I like to just play,” Stephanie stressed. “Our goals this year is be National Champions, I think we can achieve that.”

To catch up on the women’s basketball season, visit the Onondaga Community College Athletics website for further information, http://www.sunyocc.edu/athletics.aspx.

Shane Williams
By: Randy T. Riess
Interviewed by: Marc Groth

Sophomore Captain Shane Williams, a West Genesee alum, has been an intricate part of the Onondaga Community College basketball team for the past two seasons. Last year, Williams, a forward on the team, posted 9.8 points per game and led the team with 9.7 rebounds per game en route to a Mid-State Athletic Conference championship.

This season, Williams will lead the Lazers through a challenging schedule with a fairly young squad, but experience doesn’t seem to be an issue. “I think we’ll finish with a conference and regional championship,” he said.

It is no cakewalk playing through a 26-game schedule during a stressful academic semester, but there are certain things players like Williams do before each and every game. “I eat a grilled-cheese sandwich. Then I stretch, it’s my personal ritual,” he said.

There’s always a sense of security on the court when you have achieved an individual or team goal. For Williams, it was last season against Broome Community College on January 27, 2007. As the game seemingly began to slip away from the Lazers, Williams took matters into his own hands and hit the game winner, getting the 114-117 victory. This moment was big for not only Williams, but for the entire Lazer team.

“It was the most memorable moment of my basketball career,” Williams explained. “I hit the game winning shot go into first place. It was special.”

Williams and the Lazers men’s basketball team will prepare for the second half of the campaign in hopes to capture a second straight title.

To catch all the action involving Shane and the Lazers men’s basketball team, visit the Onondaga Community College Athletics page, http://www.sunyocc.edu/athletics.aspx.