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Posting Up - Scoreboard - Top 25 - Features - Notables - Team of the Week - Live Audio |
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A look at the upcoming season 2000-01 season |
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Averett The lone Cougar senior is Marcus Tucker, who is effective on the perimeter, but also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. Joining Tucker in the backcourt will be junior Charles Holloway at the point guard position. Holloway sees the floor well, but can also utilize his quickness to create scoring opportunities for he and his teammates. Arguably the most improved player for the Cougars is junior Darryl Lanier. Lanier is one of the best Cougar defenders and will be called on for many tough defensive assignments all year. His versatility allows him to defend both wing and post players effectively. Offensively Lanier will have to look to score more often than he has in the past. Sophomore Masa Kaminen will also have to pick up some of the scoring that was lost from last year. Kaminen, Tucker, and Holloway will need to be effective on the perimeter in order to open up the middle for the big bodies. Among the Cougar newcomers is Sacred Heart transfer Teron McFadden and freshman Jordan Willard. McFadden is a 6-5, 220 pound junior that is not afraid to mix it up down low. His size and soft touch will make him a force to reckon with in the paint. McFadden also has the ability to pop out on the wing and knock down the open jump shot. His versatility creates a tough matchup for opponents. Joining McFadden in the paint will be Willard, a 6-10 freshman from Peninsula Catholic High School. Willard should be able to use his height to become a shot blocking and rebounding force for the Cougars. The 2000-2001 schedule for the Cougars is as tough as ever. Along with the strong Dixie Conference opponents, Averett also has many appointments with traditionally successful programs, as well as a Dec. 4 date at Division I Elon. Averett’s first test will be Nov. 21 at Hampden-Sydney. Chowan The trio are senior guards Anthony McGruder,
Shawn Hubers, and Marcus Webb. Last season the trio allotted for over half
of the team's scoring each game. McGruder (6-0, 175) led the team in
scoring with 17.1 per game and in assists with 5 per game. McGruder brings
many things to the table for the Braves, including tremendous work ethic,
confidence, and leadership ability. McGruder gives the Braves an added
dimension because of his ability to penetrate as well as spot up. A solid
defender, McGruder also led the team in steals with 2.9 per game. Sophomore guards Steve Harler (5-9, 175)
and Brandon Meadows (5-9, 156) have showed tremendous improvement since
last season. "It has been a joy to watch these boys evolve into
talented players. They have both bought into the work ethic that has been
transposed to them through the upperclassmen." Christopher
Newport The Captains went 25-3 last season with a veteran squad. Three years ago, after a senior-dominated team was 26-2, CNU bounced right back with a 22-5 season. They are the coaches' choice to win the Dixie Conference again in the preseason poll. True, the Captains have lost outstanding senior Brandon Jones and his 17.6 points per game, but coach C.J. Woollum and his staff have always been able to reload quickly, and this year is no exception. Sinclair is the key. A second team All-American last season, he has the potential to finish his career as one of CNU's all-time greats. The 6-5 senior scored 19.7 points per game last season and added 11.5 rebounds en route to Dixie Conference Player of the Year honors. He has a knack of coming up big at the most important times. He was the MVP of the last two Dixie Conference Tournaments, averaging 22 points and 22 rebounds in the event as a sophomore and 28 and 12 last year. Then, he was CNU's most steadying influence in a tough 65-64 NCAA loss at Catholic with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Gray has only just begun. He joined the Captains at mid-season last year after playing a major role for half a season for nationally-renowned Hutchinson (Kan.) Junior College. The 6-7 sophomore averaged 6.9 points and 4.3 rebounds, but all off the bench and figures to be one of the best big men in the area with a full season to develop. Morris, a 6-3 junior, transferred to the Captains after a season at Florida State and contributed 5.6 points and 2.1 assists while sharing time with 6-0 junior Haskins, a former Virginia Group A Player of the Year, who added 3.9 points and 3.5 assists per game. In addition Woollum has three other sophomores returning. Tyrell Veney, 6-4, saw a lot of important minutes on last year's veteran squad. Jeremy Boykins, 6-3, is the brother of one of the Captains' all-time great, James Boykins, and figures to see a lot more time this season. Roderic Carey, 6-5, joined the squad at midseason along with Gray, and will blossom with a full year's playing time. Newcomers will play a major role in 2000-2001 for Christopher Newport. Although the list is not yet complete with some potentially outstanding additions to come, Woollum, and his staff, appear to have brought in another great group. Sophomore Carlos Heard arrives after a season at Division I California Poly-San Luis Obispo. He's 6-3 and will play either the 2 or 3 slots. Junior Nathaniel Stearns arrives from NAIA Division I Lee University. The native of Huntsville, Ala., is 6-0 and can play either guard position. Julian Sumpter moves in as a sophomore after attending Coastal Carolina, although he did not play there. He's 6-3 and also can play either the 2 or 3. Tony Green, a transfer from Xavier (La.), an NAIA Division I school, will be the tallest player in CNU history at 6-10. The native of Auburn Hills, Mich., played 10 games at Xavier. Having played in 12 of the last 13 NCAA tournaments (the only Division III school to do so) shows that CNU has been consistently good. Over the last three seasons the Captains have been 73-10. There is every reason to believe that they will be in the thick of the competition for a high national ranking yet again. Hampden-Sydney The Tigers look to be deep in the frontcourt, with the main questions facing Shaver being whom to play down low and who will run the point. The Tigers stack up with at least eight players on the roster 6-5 or taller, but no true center, while sophomore Marcus Gregory and newcomer Marcellus Morgan will have to battle for the starting point position. That being the case, the Tigers will still continue to be a defense-based team that is seemingly quick and deep at every position. Senior forward Brett Thompson is the team’s lone returning starter and will look to increase his seven-point, four-rebound average from last year. In the backcourt, senior guard Kevin Swann (4.4 points/2.0 rebounds) and sophomore point Marcus Gregory return to bolster the Tiger attack. The frontcourt features four players who played in all 28 games last season. With Thompson, sophomores Lane Brooks (5.6 points/5.1 rebounds) and Matt McKeag (6.3 points/4.7 rebounds) and junior Bobby Jackson (5.4 points/3.5 rebounds), the Tigers will be deep with veteran talent. In addition, 6-7 sophomore Andy Jackson, 6-6 senior Aaron Gibbs and 6-1 sophomore guard Matt Rannals also return for the Tigers. Newcomers to watch include 6-3 Jay Patrick, a transfer from Longwood College, Brandon Randall, Jeff Monroe, Marcellus Morgan and Mike Thompson. Patrick is a physical player who brings Div. II experience to the Tigers, while Randle, Monroe and Morgan will add further athleticism and quickness to the Tigers. Thompson, at 6-7, has the ability to play inside and out at either a three or four and will give the Tigers depth at both positions. Meanwhile, 6-6 freshman Cooper Wilson and 6-2 guard Jason Holman will look to make an impact on the Tigers this season. Maryville
(Tenn.) As they should. First, the team has three of five starters returning from last season’s 24-4 output that placed the Fighting Scots in the Sweet Sixteen of the National Tournament. Secondly, with a nice blend of experience and key newcomers, coaches and team members have what they believe are the necessary ingredients to continue their winning ways. The veteran returnees who are expected to lead the way are 6-9 Matt Ennen (Jr.) and 6-2 Brent Watts (Sr.). Ennen, who averaged 14.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last season while shooting 56% from the field, will be expected to carry the load in the post again. With his size and strength inside, coach Randy Lambert is anticipating a breakout year for his post player. "Matt has been working very hard in the weight room this offseason and has been improving his post skills," Lambert said. "I fully expect him to have a great year. "We’ve been pushing Matt to be more of a defensive presence," the head coach added. "Hopefully, he will accept this challenge." Watts, who led the team in scoring last year with 14.8 points per game and shot 42% from the 3-point range, is the most experienced wing player the Scots will depend on for leadership. Lambert said he expects the senior guard to surpass the 1,000-point mark by mid-season. "Brent has the explosiveness to take over a game. With another year of maturity and development as a player, I look for Brent to complete an outstanding career here at Maryville," Lambert said. The other returning starter from last season is 5-10 guard Teaun Winton (Sr.), who averaged 5 points and 4 assists in the 1999-2000 season. Winton has manned the reigns at point guard for the last two seasons. Rounding out the returnees are 6-4 Joe Ballard (Sr.), who averaged 6 points and 3 rebounds, and 5-9 Jacob Deal (Jr.), who averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists per game in the 1999-2000 season. Both Ballard and Deal were vital reserves last season and should fight for significant playing time again this season. The group of talented newcomers is highlighted by transfers 6-3 Shawn Henderson (Lincoln Trail Junior College), 6-1 Marc Allen (Northland Pioneer Junior College) and 6-5 Bart Crain (Walters State Junior College). Henderson, a South Bend, Ind., native is a strong wing player who can defend and shoot the 3-pointer. Terre Haute, Ind., native Marc Allen, also a 3-point marksman, can defend the perimeter positions when called upon. "Shawn and Marc are two nice additions to our program," Lambert said. "Shawn’s strength and leadership abilities will be greatly appreciated, as will Marc’s. Bart Crain can play either position in the post. His athleticism and ability will place him in the running for a starting post position." Incoming freshmen who should vie for significant playing time include 6-1 Dillon McElroy, a sharpshooter from Lenoir City, Tenn.; 6-8 Doug Naumann, a versatile post player from Harrisburg, N.C.; 6-7 Drew Allen, a center from Palm Harbor, Fla.; Maryville High School graduate and 6-1 point guard Jeff McCord; and 6-3 Dan McEwen, a strong wing player from Perry County, Tenn. In the last decade, the Maryville College Fighting Scots Basketball Team has averaged 20 wins per season and made seven trips to the NCAA National Tournament, including two Sweet Sixteen appearances. The Fighting Scots have the second-best winning percentage in the South Region, and the 17th-best winning percentage in the nation among Division III schools. McMurry McMurry ran past everyone last season lighting up the scoreboard for more than 100 points in 16 games on their way to averaging 100.3 points per game which ranked second in Division III in scoring. They went on with their high powered attack to win the American Southwest Conference and ASC-West Division titles behind a 12-0 regular season Conference mark. The Indians plan on picking up where they left off in their style of play for this season. The team starts their running on the road in Austin, Texas at Huston-Tillotson College on Nov. 21. "Our main goal is to improve on last year's effort and that will start with winning the (ASC) West, ASC and on to the NCAA tournament. We will have to have a real commitment to doing things to be better as like in the past few years we will be ‘the’ game on teams’ schedules," pointed out McMurry head coach Ron Holmes. Holmes is the maestro behind the team the past ten seasons. Holmes has guided McMurry to a 68-11 (.861) record over the last three seasons with the Indians and 167-100 mark with a .625 winning percentage in the past decade. The success the Indians have seen under Holmes has enabled the program to enter a season with a winning record for the first time in school history at 852-851 since 1923-24. McMurry will have to replace their court general in All-American point guard Daniel Martinez, who set the NCAA all Divisions record for career steals of 420 as well as leading Division III in steals (178) 6.1 spg and assists at 7.9 apg (229), and power forward Abran Aragon, who tallied 1,034 career points. Alex Denson will look to step in and lead this year’s edition along with seven other Indian seniors. Denson (Brownsville/Hanna HS) was the team’s "Super Sub" off the bench and leading scorer at 17.9 ppg while seeing only 20 minutes of action per contest. He was named the MVP of the ASC tournament averaging 22.5 ppg in the two games and was the team’s leading scorer in 20 of 29 games. He was a First Team All-ASC pick while pulling in 4.0 rpg, 49 steals and 81.6% from the free throw line. "This year’s team will definitely shoot the ball better with Alex leading the way. He should lead the ASC in a few statistics with how well he shoots the ball for us. He and the other experienced players we will be counted upon to knock down shots on a consistent basis," adds Holmes. He will be joined by three returning starters to the lineup of junior center Kim Maina (Nairobi, Kenya), junior forward Thomas Drakeford (San Antonio/Tom C. Clark HS) and senior shooting guard Travis Hull (Weatherford/Peaster HS). Hull was the team’s top scorer behind Denson at 13.1 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 19 minutes of court action per game. Hull and Denson will be the main cogs in an improved wing-shooting group. The duo will be joined by Drakeford, senior Rusty Reedy (Mineral Wells/Graford HS), who had a medical redshirt last year, senior transfer Derek Harris (Waco/Ft. Hays St.), and sophomore Tarus Jones (Houston/Willowridge HS). Drakeford hit an impressive 46.7% (21 of 45) from three-point range and 51.5% (100 of 194) from the field while dropping in 9.5 ppg and 3.3 rpg. Reedy played in only eight games averaging 7.9 ppg and 3.5 rpg before falling to a knee injury and taking a medical redshirt. His return for the 2000-01 season makes the shooting guard position that much better as Rusty downed 10.5 ppg and made 42.3% of his three-point attempts in his last full season in 1998-99. Harris comes to the Indians after two seasons away from the hardwood. Derek played for Ft. Hays State in 1997-98 where he chipped in with 7.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Harris has the ability to be an All-ASC selection as well as versatile enough to play three positions for the Indians. Jones tallied 15 points and five assists in limited action a year ago. "Everyone will consider the point guard as our big weakness coming into the season since we lost Daniel (Martinez) who was an All-American and four-year starter for us. We look to have that be the exact opposite and truly be a strong point of the team," explains Holmes. It is never easy to replace an All-American and this is what McMurry will be attempting to do at the point. Daniel Martinez and his stellar statistics of 9.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 229 assists, and 178 steals not to mention his constant and steady control of the Indian attack. McMurry will be replacing him by committee and a good committee it will be. Javi Gonzales (San Antonio/Highlands HS), who backed up Martinez last year, steps in as the general of the McMurry offense. Gonzales was third in the ASC in assist to turnover ratio at +1.85 to go with 2.5 ppg and 3.4 apg in 13 minutes of time. He will be accompanied by two newcomers in freshman John de Anda (El Paso/Montwood HS) and sophomore transfer Michael Duhon (Kingwood/Lon Morris College). De Anda comes from Martinez’s rival high school where he was El Paso’s city MVP and All-Region First team while hitting for 14.0 ppg and five apg. Duhon played at Lon Morris College a year ago and totaled 10.0 ppg and seven assists per contest. The inside game will be deeper, stronger and versatile for McMurry. Center will manned by returning starter Kim Maina and senior Damon Liverett (San Antonio/East Central). Maina was a constant with his inside shot hitting a team-high 59.8% (103 of 227 attempts) resulting in 8.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg and 12 blocked shots. His partner at center, Liverett, swatted away 19 shots which was tops on the team to go with 3.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg. M.J. Classen, a junior from San Antonio (Churchill HS), will also see time at the position. Classen scored 21 points and pulled in 19 rebounds in limited time over 14 games. Forward will be deep position of the squad with Andrew Ottaro (Nairobi, Kenya), Roderick Dickerson (Dallas/A. Maceo Smith HS), Juan Muniz (Mission/La Joya HS), Harris, Chad Sulemanji (Cypress/Cy-Fair HS) and Nolan Donehoo (Forney/Forney HS). Small forward will be taken care of mainly by Harris and Ottaro. Ottaro is the Indians’ best defensive player and is a career 57.0% shooter from the field. The senior from Kenya consistently is assigned the opponents best scorer and chipped in with 5.0 ppg and 3.8 rpg while making 53.6% of his field goals. Abran Aragon is gone as the team’s power forward but Dickerson and three newcomers are set to step up and replace him. Dickerson, McMurry’s quickest post player, is back for his senior season after adding 5.3 ppg on 51.0% (52 of 102) from the field along with 2.8 rpg in 12 minutes per contest. Juan Muniz, a redshirt freshman, brings a tenacious nature around the boards to the floor while posting 16.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg his final year of high school. Sulemanji transferred from Cisco Junior College where he helped the Wranglers by dropping 10 points and eight boards a game. Nolan Donehoo rounds out the inside men for McMurry as he had averages of 14.0 ppg and nine caroms at Forney High. The Indians will not have an easy road with the schedule they will have to face for the 2000-01 campaign. The squad begins their season on the road with three-straight NAIA scholarship teams in Huston-Tillotson College, Wayland Baptist and Lubbock Christian. McMurry will then go home to face powerful Mississippi College, who they defeated in the ASC title game last season and has made the NCAA playoffs the past two seasons, and Louisiana College, who still is in transition from scholarship status. "Our first four games this year are much tougher than last year," says Coach Holmes. "Wayland Baptist and Lubbock Christian are both Calvin College-caliber teams." McMurry will be hard pressed to equal their outstanding 27-2 season a year ago but with the depth and experience Coach Holmes’ team has the sky is the limited on the south side of Abilene. The sights are set high as well they should be for this prolific scoring machine from last year as they look to take an even deeper run into the NCAA Division III national playoffs in 2000-01. Mississippi CollegeMississippi College opens up the 2000-2001 season in defense of its American Southwest Conference East Division title and hopes to add even more banners to the walls of A.E. Wood Coliseum as the Choctaws eye an ASC crown and their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. With 10 returning lettermen from last season's 19-8 squad, and the addition of a number of talented newcomers, the Choctaws hope to bring the ASC title back to Clinton after a runner-up finish in 1999-2000. Success is nothing new to head coach Mike Jones' Choctaws, who have taken the ASC by storm since joining in 1997-98. In three seasons the Chocs have claimed two ASC championships, averaged 23 wins a year and have advanced to the NCAA Tournament three straight years, including 1999's Sweet 16 appearance. Experience and depth are two areas where the Choctaws thrive as they boast eight seniors that will compose the backbone of this year's squad. However, the Chocs must find a replacement for former ASC Player of the Year and two-time All-ASC guard Rusty Chapman, who led MC in scoring each of the past two seasons. Also gone are post players Derrick Davis, Jeremy Slade and Bo Lewis, who accounted for 38 combined starts. The MC backcourt is solid at the point guard position as a pair of floor generals, seniors Travis Bernhard (6-0, 150) and Curt Crain (6-0,180), return. The reliable Bernhard led the ASC in free throw percentage (.861) and was the team leader in assists while scoring 6.4 points a game. Crain drew 10 starts at the point a year ago, while averaging 6.3 points and 2.7 assists per contest. Both are extremely competitive and having been in the system three years, will be counted on to effectively direct the offensive attack. Looking to fill Chapman's shoes at the off guard will be junior Stacey Keyes (6-0, 175), one of three transfers from Jones County Community College. An outstanding shooter and legitimate outside threat, Keyes averaged 16 points a game in junior college. Coming off a strong offseason, senior Cameron Coleman (6-1, 170) will vie for playing time at either guards spot. Perhaps the most athletic player on the squad, Coleman hit 57.9% of his 3-point shots and saw action in every game last season. After redshirting last season, junior Ken Russell (6-1, 185), a transfer from East Central CC, will also compete for time at guard. Providing depth at the guard spots will be junior Daniel Kennedy (6-1, 175) and a pair of twins, sophomores Lance (6-2, 195) and Lee (6-2, 195) Johnson, who spent last season at Southern Arkansas University. Senior Keith Bell (6-8, 225), last year's leading rebounder (4.5) and second-leading scorer (9.2), holds down one power forward spot. Bell, an All-ASC Tournament and All-ASC East selection a year ago, is a tremendous athlete that can score with a variety of post moves or with his excellent outside shooting touch. Another versatile frontcourt performer is senior Kevin Rushing (6-5, 195), who scored 6.7 points and pulled down almost four boards a game. Rushing is also a threat from long range as he connected on 40.3% of his 3-point attempts. The second member of the Jones County CC trio who will provide a spark inside immediately is junior Karlos Fairley (6-7, 215). A possible impact player, Fairly can score inside and out and will be counted on to provide needed rebounding. Senior Willie Poster (6-3, 190) will see considerable time at both the small forward and shooting guard spots after drawing five starts and averaging 4.7 points a game last season. A consistent shooter, Poster shot 51.9% from 3-point range a year ago. Also contending for playing time at either forward position is junior college standout Justin Taylor (6-4, 210), who averaged 18 points and eight rebounds at Northwest Shoals (Ala.) CC last year. Joining the Chocs at midseason, senior Cary Collins (6-5, 225), who was among the team leaders in rebounds last season, provides muscle underneath. Sophomore Brian Martin (6-5, 200) rounds out the Jones County connection and should help on the boards with his athletic ability. A talented core of veterans, added together with an array of solid newcomers promises to become a recipe for success for the 2000-2001 Choctaws. North
Carolina Wesleyan
"I'm very excited about this team. This group is special. Our senior class is very special, and they happen to be outstanding players. We have a couple of juniors and two red-shirt freshman who were all important factors in our season a year ago (20-6). And I really like the kids we brought in. This is a team that will be fun to coach and fun to watch." The senior class Thompson referred to as "special" has been a major component in the program for the last few years. Wing players Fabian Lawrence (6-5, Gaithersburg, Md.) and Antwian Hamm (6-4, Clearwater, Fla.) each averaged a shade under 10 ppg last year. Lawrence was the leading rebounder in eight games en route to averaging 8.2 rpg. Each can play in the frontcourt or backcourt, so they provide a lot of flexibility. They will be counted on to play much larger roles this season. Guards Josh Walker (5-9, Seminole, Fla.) and Grandison Davis (5-10, Raleigh, N.C.) return for their final seasons, as well, and much will be expected of them. Walker was a Dixie All-Tournament selection as a sophmore after leading the league in assists. He was second in the conference in assists a year ago and shot over 39% from three-point range. Davis, hampered by knee injuries a great deal of his career, is in the best physical condition since his freshman year and is poised to contribute greatly. Chad Green (6-6, Swan Quarter, N.C.) has played a significant role the last few years as the team's sixth man. It now appears time for him to raise the level of his game, stepping into the role if a full time starter. The sixth senior is Bryan Earl (6-4, Rocky Mount, N.C.). An in between sized forward, Earl is the consummate team-player. Thompson states, "These guys just have such great experience, and that is so important in college basketball." Dan Dalton (6-3, Bernardston, Mass.) and Derrick Beamer (6-8, Winston-Salem, N.C.) are the team's juniors. While Dalton's perimeter skills continue to develop, both players are very strong and provide rugged interior support. Another front-liner is sophomore Mo Brykin (6-8, Rocky Mount, N.C.), a transfer from Presbyterian College. The freshman class includes some outstanding talent. There are two redshirt freshmen: Tremaine Harris (6-6, Siler City, N.C.), Bryan Tillman (6-2, Fayetteville, N.C.). Both of these players have a chance to contribute. Harris is a strong, skilled post player. Tillman is a shooter who has good size. There are also some true freshman who has good size. Bradley Blue (6-3, Dunn, N.C.) is an explosive scorer who has impressed the coaches early with his defense. Keith Sudler (6-6, Fayetteville, N.C.) has size, versatility and shooting touch with his arsenal. A pair of cat-quick guards, Bobby Jenkins (5-10, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.), and Ryan Sinclair (5-11, Wilmington, N.C.), could make things exciting over the next few years. Both are good defenders for this stage in their career; Jenkins is an adept ball-handler, and Sinclair can really stroke the jump shot. Da'Angelo Taylor (6-6, Charlotte, N.C.) is what Coach Thompson would call a "long" kid, referring to his height and wing span. He's a forward with great upside. This year's schedule is challenging. The Bishops open against King's in Western Maryland's Tip-Off Tournament. They also travel to New York City to play York and City College of New York, two of the top teams in the CNUYAC. All teams in the Dixie Conference are strong and most of them have very good returning players, as well as noteworthy recruiting classes. Chowan joins the league this year, as a provisional member, which should intensify an already intense rivalry. andolph-MaconAnother strong recruiting year by Randolph-Macon second-year head men's basketball coach Mike Rhoades should lead to a successful 2000-2001 season for the Yellow Jackets. The 1999-2000 squad finished 13-12 overall, with a 10-8 mark in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, good for fifth place. Last year's only senior was guard Mike LaGuardia. A Honorable Mention all-ODAC selection as a senior, LaGuardia led the team in scoring (13.8 ppg), and was second in assists (2.2 apg) and steals (1.4 spg). He added 3.0 rebounds per game. The majority of the Randolph-Macon roster last season was comprised of freshmen and sophomores. This year, with so much young talent returning, plus a large recruiting class coming to Ashland for the second consecutive season, the Yellow Jackets will be looking to make a run for the ODAC title and a NCAA Division III tournament bid. The Yellow Jackets will count on the leadership of this year's only senior, guard Doug Cunningham (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport). He played in all 25 games last year, and has worked hard in the offseason to improve his game. Cunningham could have a break-through season in his final campaign. The top returning player for Rhoades is only a sophomore, forward Jared Mills. Mills had an excellent freshman campaign, as he was named the ODAC Freshman of the Year and an Honorable Mention ODAC all-star. He was second on the team in scoring (13.0 ppg), and first in both rebounding (7.9 rpg) and blocked shots (1.4 bpg). Mills led the Yellow Jackets in scoring in seven games and in rebounding in 16 games. Junior forward Marshall Rumney (Lynchburg, Va./E.C. Glass) transferred to Randolph-Macon from Lehigh last year, and made an immediate impact. In just 15 games, he averaged 8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. With the experience as a part of the Yellow Jacket basketball program that he gained last season, Rumney could have a big year. Another returning sophomore is guard Jamal Brunt (Baltimore/St. Frances Academy). He played in 23 games last year, starting 19 times. His averages included 4.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Brunt will look to contribute even more in his second season. Junior forward Tom Ridder (Fredericksburg, Va./St. Albans School [D.C.]) will be a leader for the Yellow Jackets this year, a "do everything" kind of player. Last season he played in all 25 games, averaging 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Rhoades is hoping for a big season from his second recruiting class. Those potential impact players include: Ryan Stein (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence), Shawn Collier (Midlothian, Va./Mancloster), Kurt Bergmann (Fallsington, Pa./Pennsbury), Nick Hohenwarter (Westminster, Md./Westminster), and Jim Silcox (Newton, N.C./Newton-Conover). A 6-2, 180-pound point guard, Stein averaged 20 points per game and was named the Player of the Year in his region in New Jersey. Also a guard, the 6-1, 150-pound Collier averaged 16.5 points per game in high school. Bergman is a 6-6, 205-pound small forward who averaged 15 points per game and was named first-team all-region in Pennsylvania. Another small forward, the 6-8, 200-pound Hohenwarter was a first team all-state performer in Maryland who averaged 18 points per game. Silcox, a 6-8, 220-pound center, checked in at 15 points and 10 rebounds per game in high school. Rhodes The 6-4, 225-pounder led the SCAC in scoring (18.4 per game) last season and should once again be a force inside with his quickness and strength. Power forward Michael Davis (6-7, 210) also returns, after leading the SCAC in rebounding (8.8 per game) and blocks (2.0 blocks) last season. Davis also was the Lynx third-leading scorer (11.2) last season and could be moved to the small forward position with the return of 6-6, 210-pound senior forward, Patrick Yoder. The biggest question for the Lynx will be at the point guard position. Rhodes lost All-SCAC combo guard Josh Cockerham and Mark Strausser to graduation. Freshmen Austin Lutz (Birmingham, Ala.), J.L. Hurt (Orlando) and Lafayette transfer Ryan Crackel will all contribute at the point guard position. Sophomore shooting guard Bryan Baird (Nashville) led all Lynx shooters from behind the three point arc last season at 47%. As a freshman Baird averaged 5.0 ppg and will be counted on to pick up some of the scoring slack left from the departure of Cockerham. Expect seniors Ross Armstrong (Rolla, Mo.) and Adam LaFevor (Nashville) to lead a deep bench that also includes 6-6 sophomore Justin Myers (Princeton, Ill.) who has unlimited range. Armstrong will also compete for the starting small forward position and provides the Lynx versatility, with his ability to play the shooting guard or both forward positions. After finishing 17-8 overall and 11-7 in the SCAC last season, Rhodes capped the decade with the best record of any SCAC school over that time span. If the Lynx can reduce their turnover ratio, they should be once again primed to make a run at the SCAC title. Roanoke Moir has reason to be excited. He returns a group that not only went 24-5 during the 1999-2000 season, but also reached the Second Round of the NCAA tournament and did so without two of its stars. This season, over 67% of the team's scoring from a season ago returns for another year in the RC uniform, as does over 68% of the rebounding. The Maroons will be led this season by All-American candidates Brad Dunleavy and Jason Strickland. Dunleavy is an explosive player that can play either guard spot or at small forward position. With his combination of speed, quickness, size, and athletic ability, he has the potential to dictate or change the tempo of any game. Year-by-year, Dunleavy continues to improve his perimeter game as well. He was Roanoke's top scorer a season ago, posting 14.8 points per game. He also led the team with 116 assists and was second in the steal category (50). Dunleavy led the Maroons to the 2000 Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship with a win over then-No. 1 Hampden-Sydney, and in doing so was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Despite missing five games with a knee injury last year, Strickland still managed to score 347 points (14.5 ppg) and finish second on the team in rebounds with 170. Perhaps no other player in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference works as hard as Strickland. Never afraid to 'bang' inside, Strickland can step outside to hit a big shot. He sent last season's NCAA game against Marymount into overtime with a three with just seconds left. Strickland was on pace to set a school record for steals in a season, and despite missing those games, still finished with 75, second in RC history. Inside, senior Colby Leftwich was called upon last season to play a lot of minutes at the center position, but with the return of Alex Phillips, will be able to move back to his more natural power forward spot. Leftwich led the team in field goal percentage last season (he shot a team-high 58.5% (107-for-183) from the field last year, one of the best numbers in school history), and late in the year blossomed into the best rebounder on the club. With his athletic ability, Leftwich can 'sky' from a standing position to grab a rebound over a defender. With the ball in the paint, he is the most dangerous RC offensive player, rarely missing from within 10 feet. Just 12 games into the 1999-2000 season, Phillips suffered a season-ending leg injury, but worked hard over the course of the offseason and is ready to return to the RC lineup as its stalwart center. With the 6-6 Phillips in the lineup, not too many teams will have a center that will be able to overpower the Maroons down low. The Maroons welcome back his rebounding efforts, and low post scoring touch. Also with his return, the Maroons will have a much more potent low block offense. Before his injury, the Roanoke native was averaging 7.4 points and 4.8 rebounds a game. With a strong senior presence in the front court, the Maroon coaching staff will count on senior Ben Halterman to provide solid play and leadership on the perimeter. A 'zone buster,' Halterman shot better than 40% from three-point range last season. In addition to his outside game, Halterman is a more than capable ball handler that will be used in any type of pressing situation. A strong defensive player as well, he had 16 steals and seven blocks as a junior. Joining Halterman on the outside will be senior John Baker. Baker adds unlimited range to the RC lineup, and like Halterman can be used as a zone breaker. Not the most flashy of Roanoke players, Baker is the 'glue' that keeps the team chemistry together, always doing what is best for the team. Robby Pridgen's return to the team is much anticipated. The sophomore will be one of RC's top scoring threats from the perimeter. His first full season with the Maroon program came to an abrupt halt after just one game, suffering torn cartilage in his knee prior to the tip-off of the second game of the 1999-2000 season. Fully recovered and ready to play, Pridgen can beat his opponent in any way possible. On one play he will drain an NBA-range three and on the next he will beat an opponent off the dribble for a layup. On the other end of the court, quick hands, quick feet, and an understanding of the game of basketball makes Pridgen an outstanding defender. What makes him all the better is the fact that he will play a great deal along side high school teammate Jaimar Mansel. Mansel is not nearly the offensive threat Pridgen is, although his hard work in the offseason has paid off offensively, but his defense in unmatched. Some players are born with quick hands, others with quick feet, and some with the sense of simply how to play outstanding defense. Mansel was born with all three. In just 440 minutes of action in his first season in Salem, Mansel recorded 46 steals, the third best number on the team and the second best steal per minute mark. A trio of talented sophomores will help the Maroons in several ways. The most experienced of this group is center Heath Puckett. Center Nathan Stewart and forward/guard Mikal Townsend need to gain some more game experience, but with time will get plenty of minutes for the Maroons. Puckett stands 6-6 and has the size and ability to push Phillips for starting time in the center circle. Agile and deceptively quick on his large frame, Puckett must stay out of the foul trouble that often plagued him as a freshman. Appearing in 26 of Roanoke's 29 games last season, Puckett shot 61.5 percent (16-for-26) from the field and averaged 2.0 rebounds per contest. Long arms and a soft touch around the basket give the Bland, Va., native unlimited offensive potential. Stewart presents an even 'bigger' challenge for Roanoke opponents this season. Pushing 6-8, Stewart comes into the season this year in much better shape and with a much firmer grip on the Roanoke system. Stewart must continue to work on his foot work and low post offensive game. He can 'body' up with any center in the league, and with more experience will be able to control the paint for the Maroons. Over the past offseason, no player on the Roanoke team dedicated himself and improved as much as Townsend. Perhaps the strongest pound-for-pound player on the team, Townsend's basketball skills have developed to the point where he will be an important part of the RC season. Much in the same mold as Dunleavy, Townsend is a slashing, athletic player. A new found confidence in his mid-range jumper will pose a problem for opposing defenses. With the depth and experience the Maroons have from their returning players, there should be a great battle between the newcomers for the final spots on the roster. Moir, however, has to like this, as he has an extremely talented pool to chose from. Jason Graffam, Andrew Crowder, and Bryan Fasnacht are all expected to see immediate playing time as freshmen this season. After adjusting from his high school center position to forward in college, Graffam should see quality minutes in the RC frontcourt. A physical inside player, Graffam has the skills to play on the perimeter and handle the ball in pressure situations. Crowder also brings excellent size to the RC lineup, but likes to play more of an outside game. Crowder, who stands 6-4, was All-District in football, basketball, and baseball while at Radford High School, showing that he has the athletic ability to play outside, but the size to play inside. Fasnacht, a local product from Glenvar High School, has the tools that will make him a mainstay in the Roanoke lineup for the next four seasons. His outside shot and quickness is only outdone by his playmaking ability. While at Glenvar, Fasnacht led the team to the state championship and was named the AP State Player of the Year. Four more newcomers to the program, Joe Milton, Josh Ringstaff, John Rutledge, and Brett Wermuth have the potential and the talent to make solid contributions to Roanoke's 2000-2001 season. Roanoke's style of play this season will depend on the circumstances. With their top-to-bottom athletic ability, the Maroons will control the pace of the game this season, and most likely that will be a 'run-and gun' style of play. However, with the talent on the blocks and with their playmaking abilities, the Maroons will not be afraid to slow the game down and settle into the halfcourt motion offense. On the defensive side, it will be difficult to find a better team effort than that which the Maroons will put forward. Last season, RC held its opponents to a school-record low 39.2% shooting from the field while forcing 665 turnovers. The field goal defense percentage broke the old school record of 40.6%, which was set by the school 1971-72 squad which won the NCAA College Division National Championship. As with any team in the country, health will be a key factor in the success the Maroons attain this season. After losing 50 man-games between three of its top players last season, Roanoke hopes its fortunes will change. Should a player go down with an injury, however, Moir can count on his deep and talented bench. Eleven players returning to this year's team averaged at least five minutes a game. As is typical with a Moir season, the Maroons will face one of the toughest schedules in the country. In addition to play in the ODAC, which saw two teams make the NCAA tournament last season and one the Final Four two years ago, the Maroons have an extremely difficult non-conference slate. Trinity (Texas) and Clark head into Salem during the season's opening weekend, and along with Moravian will give the Maroons solid competition. The following weekend, it gets no easier, as RC plays in the Goucher College tournament with Otterbein and Savannah A&D. Last season's difficult schedule, which saw the likes of Illinois Wesleyan and Washington (Mo.), prepared the Maroons for the conference and national postseasons. Rose-Hulman Rose-Hulman enjoyed its sixth consecutive winning season last winter and notched the 100th career victory for head coach Jim Shaw. The Engineers have made three trips to the NCAA III Tournament in Shaw's six seasons as head mentor at Rose-Hulman. "I’m very confident with our inside game, although we need to find depth at that position. We have a lot of guys who have done a good job in the backcourt, including an all-conference player in T.J. Holmes. We need to answer a few questions, depth being one of them. If we can answer those questions in a positive way, we could be pretty good this season," said Shaw. The Rose-Hulman backcourt is led by senior Holmes (Marshall, Ill.), who earned second-team all-SCAC honors after leading the Engineers in scoring (14.0 points per game) and three-point field goals (65-138, 47%) last season. Sophomore Jimmy Kosieniak (Lexington, Ky./Dunbar) was named to the league’s all-newcomer team after averaging 10.4 points per game in 20 contests. Junior Clint Ferguson (Greenwood) contributed 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest and started 22 games. The frontcourt should feature a battle for playing time in the post between juniors Ryan Harris (Indianapolis/Park Tudor) and Chris Unton (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban). Harris averaged 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while leading the Engineers with 24 blocked shots. Unton shot 52% from the field in averaging 4.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Other returning letterwinners include sophomore Rashad Gold (Evansville/Harrison), who averaged 2.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game before suffering a season-ending injury at Rhodes; sophomore Jon Query (Petersburg/Pike Central), who averaged 1.7 points and 0.6 rebounds per game in 11 contests; junior Dedric Day (Connersville), who averaged 1.2 points per game in five contests; junior Chris King (Fairland/Triton Central), who averaged 0.5 points and 0.8 rebounds in six contests; and junior Mark Tingley (Hutsonville, Ill.), who averaged 0.8 points per game. Another talented incoming freshman class is led by 6-7 forward Cole Hays (Prairie Heights) and 6-3 guard Johnny Eagle (Walled Lake, Mich.). Rose-Hulman’s tradition of a challenging non-conference schedule continues this season. The Engineers open against North Coast Athletic Conference power Wittenberg before battling either Albion or Case Western Reserve in game two. Rose-Hulman will travel to historic Hinkle Fieldhouse on the Butler campus for a showdown against Earlham, while also facing in-state rival Franklin on the Grizzlies' home court in non-conference play. The SCAC race should remain competitive this season. Trinity University endured significant graduation after winning the 1999-2000 league title and second-place Rhodes graduated much of its highly heralded backcourt. DePauw, a youthful team that tied for second in the SCAC standings last season, hopes to show improvement with a veteran team. Millsaps and Centre return significant members of teams that enjoyed success last season. Despite a league of talented squads, Rose-Hulman will be added to the list of championship contenders after winning the conference championship in 1998-99 and finishing second in the league standings last winter. |
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