Montgomery, Vandermeer leave Falcons; Dakich signs a JC star

4/15/2005

Sophomore Austin Montgomery and freshman Scott Vandermeer, two players who might have helped fill holes left by departing seniors Josh Almanson, John Reimold and Cory Eyink, have left the Bowling Green State University basketball program.

Montgomery, a 6-4 guard from Indianapolis, will transfer to IUPUI, his school confirmed yesterday. Vandermeer's mother, Brenda, said Vandermeer has not decided what school he will transfer to, but should make a decision in the next three weeks. BG granted releases to both players.

Vandermeer, a 6-11 center, led the Falcons in blocks last season and was fifth in the Mid-American Conference. Against Ohio he tied a school record with seven blocks. Vandermeer started 11 games.

"We have mutually agreed that it is in his best interest to not return and we wish him nothing but the best," BG coach Dan Dakich said in a statement about Vandermeer's departure.

Montgomery averaged almost 15 minutes a game his freshman year but just 7.1 this past season. His best game was against Michigan his freshman year, when he had 18 points and nine rebounds.

"I was looking for a school that's more up-tempo, and a head coach and a coaching staff that looks to put up the [3-pointer] 20 to 25 times a game," Montgomery told the Indianapolis Star.

Montgomery will sit out the 2005-06 season under NCAA Division-I transfer rules and will have two years of eligibility at IUPUI.

Martin Samarco, a second-team junior college All-American from Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Mich., signed a national letter of intent to attend BG on Wednesday.

Originally from Ypsilanti, Mich., Samarco is excited about the short drive home and the scoring opportunities he'll get. A 6-2 guard, Samarco averaged 21 points per game last season, 13th in the country, and shot 46.7 percent on 3-pointers.

"I think I'll fit really well into the motion offense," Samarco said. "Coach Dakich is a great coach, and I think I'll have great success there."

Samarco was recruited by several schools, the biggest of which were Kansas State, Western Michigan and Kent State.

"He's the kind of guy that can come right in and do well in the system," said Carlos Briggs, Samarco's coach at Schoolcraft.

Samarco will have two years of college eligibility remaining.

Contact Maureen Fulton at:

mfulton@theblade.com

or 419-724-6160.