Lourdes', Mid-Hudson standout Faughnan eager for Summer Hoops Festival
WALLKILL – College coaches say the first question from recruits will often be, How much playing time will I get?
Patrick Faughnan doesn’t operate that way.
“Whenever I’m on a phone call I always ask the coach, ‘What are the academics? What is the team’s overall (grade point average)? How serious do you take it?’ That’s what I really look for.’’
It’s a refreshing take from a tall, talented basketball standout and rising senior at Our Lady of Lourdes High School. The most valuable player from the Mid-Hudson Athletic League says he’s keeping an open mind but he is focusing his college decision on NCAA Division III schools from New York state, like SUNY New Paltz, Vassar, Skidmore, SUNY Geneseo and Hobart, among others. He wants to major in a business field, like accounting or finance.
“I’m looking for a place where I can play basketball at a high level,’’ Faughnan said, “but also the academics has to be there.’’
The 6-foot-5 Faughnan had solid numbers in Lourdes’ first year in the MHAL and Section 9: averages of 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and shooting 54 percent from the field. He led the Warriors to the MHAL playoff title and a spot in the Class A finals. He was later named the MVP by the Dutchess County Basketball Coaches Association.
“Honestly, I thought I needed to step up because we lost a lot of seniors (from the 2021-22 team),’’ Faughnan said. “I think going into this year I'm going to need maybe do even better than that.’’
Faughnan was happy with his junior-year performance but knows he still has room to improve – that’s one of the reasons he chose to play for the Mid-Hudson team that is headed to the Basketball Coaches Association of New York Summer Hoops Festival this weekend. Mid-Hudson coach Hunter Andrews is thrilled to have Faughnan but is already dreading having to face him again next season.
“Pat is a special player,’’ Andrews said. “He has great footwork, can finish around the basket, can handle the ball, can shoot the three. I mean, there's not much that this guy can't do.’’
Preview: Mid-Hudson boys all-star basketball squad has good cross-section of Section 9 talent
It’s similar sentiments echoed by his high school coach.
“Pat is an incredibly powerful forward and his work ethic has been unmatched,’’ Lourdes coach Jim Santoro said recently. “His intensity is contagious, and his competitive will is what made our team so strong.’’
Faughnan can play with ease on the perimeter as well as down in the low post. Santoro told him he’d like Faughnan to bring the ball up court to start plays, with the option to dive into the low block and post up defenders.
“He thinks that I can see the floor really well and I can see over defenders,’’ said Faughnan, who has put in extra work in the offseason with his dribbling skills. “I can find people really easily.’’ Santoro also asked Faughnan to improve his 3-point range. “There's always room for improvement,’’ Faughnan said.
Girls basketball: Wallkill's Dembinsky twins to represent Mid-Hudson at summer basketball tournament
Faughnan, 16, said he developed his love for basketball by playing against his brother.
“I like the bonds that I make with everybody: my teammates, my coaches,’’ Faughnan said. “I love the experience. I just love to have fun when I’m playing out there … that’s what I try to do every time I play.’’
Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
BCANY Summer Hoops Festival
(at Johnson City schools)
Mid-Hudson schedule
Girls – Friday 2:30 p.m. vs. Buffalo (at high school); Friday 5:30 p.m. vs. Long Island (at high school); Saturday 8 a.m. vs. Rochester (at middle school); Saturday 11 a.m. vs. Southern Tier (at middle school)
Boys – Friday 2:30 p.m. vs. Capital (at middle school); Friday 8:30 p.m. vs. Nassau (at elementary school); Saturday 3:30 p.m. vs. Suffolk (at middle school); Saturday 6:30 p.m. vs. Hudson Valley (at elementary school)
Sunday playoff positioning
Girls - Semifinals at 8:30 a.m. (elementary and middle schools); Third-place game at 11:30 a.m. (at elementary school); Fifth-place game at 11:30 a.m. (at high school); Championship at 1 p.m. (at elementary school)
Boys – Fourth-place game at 8:30 a.m. (at high school); Semifinals at 10 a.m. (at elementary and middle schools); Fifth-place game at 10 a.m. (at high school); Third-place game at 11:30 a.m. (at middle school); Championship at 1 p.m. (at middle school)
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Lourdes', Mid-Hudson standout Faughnan eager for Summer Hoops Festival
