2010 Season Preview
November 24, 2009
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Men's
| 2008-09 Record - Overall - Conference Location: Maryville, TN Head Coach: Randy Lambert (Maryville, Tenn. '76) Gym (cap.): Boydson H. Baird Gymnasium (2000) Conference: GSAC Region: South Team Page |
Men’s Basketball Season Preview 2009-10
After a shaky start of the 2008-09 season, the Scots, who began the season at 4-6, rebounded to go on a 16 game win streak, second in Scots history only to the 2007-08 season and ended the season 20-7 with a loss to Trinity University in the first round of the NCAA tournament held in San Antonio, TX. The loss has been a sore spot with the team although the tournament birth was Maryville’s 11th straight, tied with the College of Wooster for NCAA consecutive tournament births in the nation.
Now, with a ‘Remember the Alamo’ mentality, the same team is back and ready to avenge their loss. Led by three seniors who live and breathe the Fighting Scots mentality, the 2009-10 is very promising. Greg Hernandez, Tim Blakely, and Jared Laverdiere are back for their final year and are hungry. Greg, a 6’7 post player who finished last season with 16.1 points per game and 8.5 rebounds a game has had a tremendous summer and is eager to build on his junior campaign. Greg has increased in endurance and strength to prepare himself for the rigorous season. Jared Laverdiere, a three year starter and the Scots catalyst, finished last season with a 3:1 assist to turnover ratio, shot 83% from the free throw line, and shot an outstanding 46% from the three point line. Jared will run the offense and trigger the defense for the Scots and look to lead his team into the NCAA tournament for his 4th straight year. Tim Blakely has been in and out of the starting lineup since he was a freshman. Troubled with an Achilles injury through most of last year, Tim seems to be healthy and ready to be a mainstay in the playing rotation. Along with the three seniors, the Scots have a powerful junior class. Eryk Watson, who earned All-South honors as a sophomore and who is a two time GSAC tournament MVP has added strength and speed in the offseason. Eryk led the Scots in scoring last year with 19 points per game and is looking to do the same this season. Watson along with Hernandez, gives the Scots an inside-outside attack that will present a real challenge to opponents. Dustin Brown started 20 games last season at the shooting guard position and averaged 6 pts a game. He is ready to build on his breakout season. Ben Williamson, who missed all of 08-09 season with a ACL tear, is back. The powerful 6’3 wing is a sharp shooter from the perimeter but also possesses the ability to get to the basket. Ben’s return, along with the addition of Brandon McGill (a 6’5 transfer from Volunteer State Community College) will give this team much needed depth at the small forward / power forward positions. Wes Lambert (6’1 sophomore) and Jordan Damron (6’ sophomore) logged quality minutes at the guard positions in their first season wearing the orange and garnet. They both shot over 40% from the 3 point arc and averaged over 10 points per game. These two Maryville natives will compete for starting positions this year. Maverick Willett, a 6’6 sophomore post player, played key
minutes as a back-up center. Maverick is expected to increase his minutes and expand his role on this year’s team. Sophomores Milton Stanley and Tim Foster are ready to make a contribution to the varsity this season.
The schedule for the Scots is once again no walk in the park. Prior to the Christmas break, MC will tip it off against Centre, Averett, and Guilford, three teams that made it to the NCAA tournament in 2008-09. The Scots will be hosting the James C. Campbell Memorial Classic for the first time this year on November 21st and 22nd. D III opponents, Webster and Wabash, will travel south to play in Boydson H. Baird Gymnasium. Another national tournament team from last year, Transylvania, comes to Maryville on January 20th. Along with GSAC opponents LaGrange, Huntingdon, and Piedmont, the Scots will test their abilities by competing against Division II rival, Carson Newman. Tennessee Wesleyan, Covenant, Milligan and Bryan will also be challenging NAIA opponents.
This will be Head Coach Randy Lambert’s 30th season on the sideline with the Fighting Scots. The program has flourished and received national recognition under his leadership. Under Coach Lambert, the Scots are 545-232, a winning percentage of 70%. Lambert’s hoopsters have seven Great South Athletic Conference Tournament Championships as well as 16 NCAA post-season invitations in his tenure, including 11 straight.
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