Hoops teams announce recruiting Class of 1998

Coach Fran Dunphy and his staff had an unusually difficult task recruiting this season with absolutely no playing time to offer during the upcoming season. Nonetheless, the future looks bright for Penn basketball. Dunphy confirmed that the class of 1998 will consist of guards Mike Dzik and Garett Kreitz in addition to forward Mike Melcher. Dzik is a 5-11 point guard who graduated from nearby Archbishop Carroll High School. During his senior campaign, Dzik averaged nearly 13 points per game en route to being named a third-team all-Catholic league selection. He led Carroll to as high as third in the city rankings behind the likes of perennial powerhouse Simon Gratz. "He's a fierce competitor and a great defender," coach Tom Engelsby said. "That's in addition to being able to shoot the ball from the outside." Dzik, in fact, is already practicing with future teammate Mike Melcher. The two soon to be Quakers are playing on the same Pep Boys team in the Hank gathers League this summer. Melcher, a 6-7 forward, is another local product. The lanky forward averaged more than 15 points and seven rebounds in his senior season at Plymouth Whitemarsh. Melcher also understands that playing time will not come frequently during his rookie year. "To play with guys like [Penn guards] Jerome [Allen] and Matt [Maloney] every day, two potential pros like that with great leadership qualities, can do nothing but help us," Melcher said. "We're looking to contribute in any way we can." The level-headed and fundamentally sound Melcher will need to add some size and strength and continue to develop his already-considerable repertoire of inside moves to accomplish this. Rounding out the diaper dandies is 6-2 guard Garett Kreitz. Kreitz is a scorer from Creskill, N.J. who poured in over 23 points per contest last season. He will have to show that he can make the substantial jump to the college game, but he obviously has a scorer's touch and mentality. Kreitz led his squad to four straight sectional championships and two state finals. "Having a year to learn the system and concentrate on the academic transition will really help," Kreitz said. "Next season, I'll hopefully be able to work my way into the lineup." In addition, reports indicate that 6-10 forward/center Vigor Kapitonovich is interested in attending Penn in the fall. Although Dunphy had no official comment, the admissions office is supposedly waiting for the Gonzaga star's test results before deciding. Although Kapitonovich would provide some always-needed size upfront, Dunphy made it clear that he would not contribute immediately either. "I'm very happy with the class, especially considering we didn't have a lot of playing time to offer," Dunphy said. "We're looking for the best possible student-athletes every year and these are solid prospects." All three rookies are excited about coming to West Philly, playing in the Palestra, and going to their first ever NCAA Championship. "Penn was always sort of a dream for me," Dzik said. "It's the ideal blend of academics and top-25 basketball. I'm very lucky and very happy with my decision." · Whereas Dunphy and the men's program had only the expert tutelage of Allen and Maloney to offer as immediate rewards, Coach Julie Soriero and the women's program were hoping to acquire several freshmen capable of making an immediate impact in West Philly. They think they did just that. After losing seniors Katarina Poulsen and Julie Gabriel to graduation and considering the uncertain status of sophomore forwards Deana Lewis and Nikki Pozzi after injuries, the Quakers were looking desperately for size upfront. "Because of the injuries and the fact that we're not sure how [1992-3 All-Ivy forward] Natasha [Rezek] will respond after a year in Russia, we were forced to recruit from a worst case scenario," Soriero said. Helping to solve the frontcourt dilemma will be 6-1 center Renata Zappala, 6-foot forwards Michelle Maldonado and Molly McClelland, and 5-10 forwards Hope Smith and Keri Reese. Smith, a local product from West catholic High School, averaged 14 points and nine rebounds last season and could see considerable time on the Palestra floor this winter. Soriero was especially pleased with the mobility and quickness of these freshman and hopes to implement a more aggressive and attacking defensive style. "We will now have the personnel to press and extend our defense over half-court," Soriero said. Adding depth and scoring to an already stable backcourt will be Merion Mercy's all-time leading scorer and senior athlete of the year, Colleen Kelly. Guards Jen Martin and Molly Quinn, a sophomore-transfer from USC round out the class. Quinn did not play competitively in her one year with the Trojans. "Although we don't have anyone with a dominant presence, we have consistent size across the board," Soriero said. "All of these girls have an attitude towards working hard and being successful. I'm expecting them to provide depth and fill some holes immediately."