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Timberlane Boys Basketball Preview

2006-07 record: 4-16, did not make state tourney

Returning starters (2): Drew Smith, 5-10, Sr., guard; Evan Williams, 6-2, Jr., forward

Returning lettermen: Riley Cassidy, 5-9, Jr., guard; Mike Donovan, 5-8, Sr., guard; Erik Hatton, 6-4, Jr., forward; Aaron Judson, 6-2, Soph., forward; Jared Paolino, 6-3, Sr., forward; Willy Stewart, 6-1, Sr., forward; Taylor Vondrasek, 5-9, Jr., guard

**Newcomers: Corey Barboza, 5-8, Jr., guard; Chris Hinton, 6-2, Sr., forward; Tim May, 5-11, Sr., forward; Jon Travers, 5-9 Sr., guard

Candidates in all grades: 62

Captains: Drew Smith

Returning leaders: Drew Smith 15.6 ppg, Erik Hatton, 5.3 ppg.; Mike Donovan, 3.8 ppg.; Evan Williams, 3.6 ppg.

Returning honorees: None

Assistants: Chris Tardif, varsity assistant; Jeff Baumann, JV; Kenny Connolly, Frosh.

Opener: At Salem Dec. 14, 7 p.m.

Odds and ends: Timberlane hasn't had a winning season since 2000, when it went 13-9. ... Dan Habib, who went 195-213 in 19 years, stepped down and took over at Greater Lawrence Tech, where he teaches. He shared the duties with Kevin Fitzgerald last year. ... Paul Cardone takes over as head coach after 12 years as an assistant for the Owls. ... Cardone played four years for Timberlane from 1986-90 and played four years at Saint Thomas University in Miami.

Coach Paul Cardone (1st year): "We're looking to build on last season. Drew Smith will lead the way. He's a slasher that is very intense and very aggressive. He's a good shooter and is very smart with the ball in his hands. Mike Donovan is very intense. He does a lot of little things well, and he'll give you 10 points and seven rebounds a game. He is also by far our best defensive player. Taylor Vondrasek is also a very good defender."