Dave Foltz isn't used to the idea of not starting, let alone not playing. Starting for two different basketball teams will do that to you.

But at last year's Empire State Games, Foltz found himself on the alternate squad for the Central team, able to practice with the official team, but not play. One year later, Foltz will make his debut on the courts at Iona College, the host site for this year's Empire State Games.

“It's really exciting,” Foltz said. “It's great to be able to go down to the New York City area and play some great competition.”

A two-year starter at guard for the Auburn High School varsity basketball team, Foltz, a rising senior, led the team in both scoring and 3-point shooting each of the past two seasons. He has career averages of 15 points per game, 600 total points and 70 3-point field goals.

“I love (playing at Auburn),” Foltz said. “Coach (Al Giannone) is great, and I get along good with all of my teammates.”

Foltz also helped lead his team to the Section III All Stars Tournament Championship at the Zebra Classic this past year. Foltz was selected to the all-tournament team for that performance.

A player as versatile and successful as Foltz rarely goes unnoticed. Enter Coach Patrick Pudney of the Syracuse Select, an AAU team.

“I was like 14 years old and in my sophomore year,” Foltz said. “Coach Pudney came to see me play and we went from there.”

The Select is comprised of 10 players from Section III, and is ranked nationally among other AAU squads. The team travels the country to compete in tournaments and against other teams. Foltz is averaging a solid 10 points per game and eight assists per game this season for the Select.

With all of his success of the basketball court, Foltz is hoping to turn it into a roster spot on a collegiate basketball squad.

“I'd like to play Division I,” Foltz said. “But I'm getting a lot of letters from Division II and Division III schools, so that seems more likely right now.”

Foltz said that he is currently looking closely at Le Moyne College, Hamilton College and Rochester Institute of Technology. Wherever he ends up, his coach can expect two things: a lot of points and a lot of 3-pointers. They're pretty much synonymous with Foltz at this point.