Feb. 01--When Plattsburgh State hosts Potsdam in a SUNY Athletic Conference men's basketball game tonight, an opposing player may have his own cheering section in Memorial Hall.

Former Peru star Rob Duquette, now a freshman starter for the Bears, said he has received several calls and texts from friends excited to see him.

"It makes it more exciting to come home and play," said Duquette, the 2009-10 CVAC boys' basketball MVP, who will play his first game as a Bear in Memorial Hall.

It's not common that a North Country athlete ends up playing college basketball with a SUNYAC team.

Potsdam coach Sherry Dobbs has managed to pluck a few for his team.

Two of them weren't hard to find -- all he had to do was take a trip back to his old high school.

Duquette is the latest Peru player to don a Bears jersey. From 2005 to 2009, former Indians standout Brandon Siskavich played under Dobbs.

Dobbs said it's great to be able to recruit players from his hometown.

"From a fit and comfort level it's wonderful," said Dobbs, who played his college ball at Plattsburgh State. "My dad still lives in Peru, and it's great to be able to go and see these guys play, and see the next generation of athletes."

Dobbs had inside information on Duquette early. Former Peru basketball coaches Chris Mazzella and Matt Berry both went to Potsdam and told Dobbs about Duquette. Berry coached Duquette on the Indians' varsity squad.

Dobbs was also able to talk to former Peru football coach Larry Ewald. Dobbs played basketball and football at Peru. Ewald took the reigns of the program in Dobbs' senior year.

Duquette was a CVAC All-Star and All-State selection at quarterback.

Dobbs said he likes players who have a football background because of the toughness developed.

Duquette has started in all 16 games he has played for the Bears. He missed one game to injury.

The 6-foot-5 freshman forward is averaging 9.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He's shooting 47.7 percent from the field and leads the team with 10 blocks.

Duquette scored a career-high 20 points in a 61-58 win over Oneonta in Potsdam's last game.

Dobbs lauded Duquette's work ethic and intensity.

He said he sometimes has to pull Duquette out of plays in practice because of his intensity.

"I remember talking to Larry Ewald about this -- I think he has the potential and is already starting to be a really good leader," Dobbs said. "I think that's something that all coaches look for."

Duquette is one of two players in the SUNYAC to play high school ball in Section VII. Plattsburgh State senior Steve Thomas was a standout at Northern Adirondack.

Duquette had the option of playing football in college and said it was a "tough decision" between the two sports.

He said Berry and Ewald told him good things about the area. Duquette played some high school games in the college gymnasium, so he was familiar with the surroundings.

"I just liked the area and the people," he said. "I thought it was a good fit for me."

His transition to college basketball was made easier when he roomed with Siskavich in the fall. Duquette said Siskavich prepared him for the rigors of college ball.

Duquette said the speed of the game at the college level was difficult to adjust to but he's making progress as the season goes.

The Bears are young -- 11 of the their 16 players are freshmen and sophomores -- and are 6-11 overall and 5-5 in SUNYAC play this season.

Duquette said the team's goal is to finish out strong and make some noise in the playoffs.

Beyond that, he sees a bright future.

"If we keep up the work ethic and the intensity that we bring every day to practice, our young team could be very successful," he said.

E-mail Ryan Hayner at: rhayner@pressrepublican.com

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