ERIC AHLQVIST
THE COOPERSTOWN CRIER
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Former Cooperstown girls basketball and Herkimer County Community College star Samantha Fox is taking her hardwood talents to Hartwick College next season.
Fox is the leading scorer in CCS girls’ basketball history and had two solid seasons at HCCC.
Last season she averaged 13.1 points and 10.4 rebounds-a-game and was one of the leading shot blockers in the nation, averaging nearly four blocksa- game.
She made close to 50 percent of her shots for the Magicians, who finished 18-12.
``I think Samantha will be able to help Hartwick right away,’’ said Herkimer women’s basketball coach John Campagna. ``We were lucky to have her the past two seasons.’’
Hartwick women’s basketball coach Missy West said she saw Fox play in high school, at AAU camps and again last season at Herkimer.
``I’ve always had my eye on her and when we contacted her she said she wanted to stay close to home so it was a great fit,’’ said West, a New York native who played college basketball at Duke University and has coached at Hartwick for two seasons.
``We were in desperate need of a post player and Samantha will provide us with that.’’
Fox was a First team All- Conference selection and Second team All-Region selection at Herkimer last season.
West said Fox’s game has improved on both ends of the floor since her high school days, and she wants to get Fox stronger physically before the basketball season begins in November.
``We’ll get her in the weight room and bang her around a little to get her ready,’’ West said with a laugh.
Another local standout, Jessica Bentley of Schenevus, is also expected to be on the women’s basketball team at Hartwick next season.
Bentley is a Schenevus graduate and helped lead the Lady Dragons to back-to-back Tri-Valley titles the past two seasons.
Fox scored more than 1,500 points at Cooperstown and held lead the team to a Section Three Class C title her senior season.
