1999-00 Season
Previews
Albright
With Albright returning one of the highest-scoring backcourts in its men's basketball history, you might suppose preseason talk about the 1999-2000 edition should center around the guards.
Suppose again.
Although senior captains Shawn Swavely (Reading, Pa.; Central Catholic) and James Drewry (Silver Spring, Md.; Montgomery Blair) certainly draw their share of attention, the Lions' arsenal is loaded with a wide variety of weapons -- so many, in fact, that people are whispering about a potential Middle Atlantic Conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth.
For Albright, it does begin with the guards.
Swavely brings into his final season 1,554 points and an outside shot at the school's all-time scoring record (2,164). Last year, he averaged 19.4 points per game in his second year as a captain, and drove the Lions to a 16-10 finish, 9-5 in the MAC Commonwealth League. He was one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy as the Division III Player of the Year.
Drewry brings 1,022 points, despite an injury-shortened 1998-99 season in which he made a remarkable recovery from preseason foot surgery to finish as the team's No. 2 scorer. In fact, he was named the Most Valuable Player in the Albright-Hampton Inn Invitational after his first two games back from the surgery, which involved inserting a steel plate in his foot.
"Swavely is legitimately an All-American candidate, and Drewry is as talented as any guard in the Mid-Atlantic Region," said Lions head coach Ken Tyler.
But any discussion about the 1999-2000 Lions will have to extend far beyond Swavely and Drewry. For instance, two other starters -- junior center Mark Moritz (Philadelphia; St. John Neumann) and sophomore forward Brendan Ferns (Philadelphia; Father Judge) -- return to the mix.
Moritz averaged 10.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game and has further sculpted his already imposing 6-7, 235-pound frame in the weight room, his second home. Ferns averaged 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds and showed the unique ability to combine an inside presence (34 blocked shots in addition to the rebounding) with an outside touch (18 of 49, 37%, from 3-point range).
And then there is the team's overall size. In addition to the 6-8 Ferns and bulky, 6-7 Moritz, backup centers Matt Clair (6-7; Aston, Pa.; Salesianum) and Greg Beck (6-9; Franklin Square, N.Y.; H. Frank Carey) and junior transfer Terence Skyrm (6-10; Solebury, Pa.; Salisbury) comprise the tallest lineup in Albright history and arguably the tallest in Division III this season.
"I'd be shocked if there's a bigger one out there," Tyler said. "So we have a great combination of inside and outside play."
Tyler has overseen the growth of the program from 9-14 to 11-13 to 15-11 and to last year's 16-10 in his four seasons. Now he wants to hit the accelerator. Skyrm may very well prove to be the key. Tyler sees his 6-10 transfer as an extraordinarily versatile athlete for a Division III big man, and someone who could dominate the conference. Skyrm, a backup as a freshman at Division I Bucknell before taking a season off to play club league ball in Germany as an amateur, has shooting range and passing ability, as well as the rebounding and shot-blocking presence you would expect from a 6-10 forward.
"The neat thing about Terence as a basketball player is he's 6-10, but he does have legitimate perimeter skills," Tyler said. "He can handle the ball, he can pass the ball, and he can shoot the ball facing the basket. You don't find that that often even on the Division I level."
Skyrm fronts a solid recruiting class that will provide depth and potentially solve the Lions' few glaring weaknesses from 1998-99. Either Damien Jones (Germantown, Md.; Heights) or Colin Donohoe (Turnersville, N.J.; Bishop Eustace) could fill the point guard slot if Drewry - not a true point guard -- moves elsewhere.
"James Drewry probably will open the season as our point guard," Tyler said. "He is not a point guard in the pure sense, although he is an outstanding ballhandler and can be a good passer. James' challenge is going to be to try to pick up and understand the nuances of being a point guard. Obviously, James' adjustment to that position is going to be a very, very big key."
Freshman Jimmy Fox (Waldwick, N.Y.; Don Bosco Prep) could provide the outside shooting answer for a team that advanced to the MAC and ECAC playoffs last season despite being outscored 480-297 from three-point range.
"We think he's the best pure shooter we've had in the program since I've been here," Tyler said. "He has an outstanding three-point shot and gets it off quickly, so we hope to utilize that this year, particularly when we play zones, which we probably will see because of our size."
At forward, local freshman Phil White (Reading, Pa.; Reading) and walk-on Terrance Franklin (Springfield, N.J.) bring added athleticism and depth to a position thinned a bit by the loss of a part-time starter and a principal backup from last year's team.
Senior tri-captain Kai Dawes (Windsor, Conn.; Canton) returns to supply more depth at forward, while junior Tim Redding (Hanover, Pa.; South Western) and sophomore Erick Hardwick (Jamaica, N.Y.; Nazareth) return to the backcourt. Gone are Dustin Sutton, a full-time starter; forward Anthony Bumbry, who started the first half of last season; and hard-working frontcourt backup Jai-T Randall. Sutton, who averaged 9.0 points per game, decided to give Division I a shot at Delaware. Bumbry, who averaged 8.5 points per game, left the team late last season. Randall, who played in 20 games, graduated.
Tyler's largest problem might be his most welcomed - how to distribute playing time and scoring opportunities among so many talented players. "The big challenge for this group is for everyone to find and accept their roles," he said. "Any time you have a team with as much talent as we do, that's a challenge.
"But we're extremely excited about the season. I'm as excited about this season as any since I've been here."
Cabrini
The 1998-99 men’s basketball season marked the first time in seven years the Cabrini College Cavaliers failed to claim the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championship, as head coach John Dzik’s troops were upset in the quarterfinals. As Cabrini prepares to enter the 1999-2000 season, its goal will be to reclaim its position as the top team in the PAC, which they had held since the conference began in 1992.
The Cavaliers finished 18-7 last season, 12-4 in PAC play during the regular season. After losing three of their first seven contests, the Cavs responded with 14 wins in their final 17 regular-season games. It is the sting of the playoff loss, however, that will drive the Cavaliers as they enter this season.
Dzik returns seven players that started at one time or another in 1998-99. They are led by seniors Tim Anderlonis and Randall Sims, and juniors Tramaine White and Tyquine Wilson. Anderlonis was the Cavaliers' second-leading scorer in 1998-99, averaging 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game despite playing with a leg injury for over two-thirds of the season. Those totals placed him second on the team in each category, as did his 55 assists and 31 steals.
Anderlonis was a second-team All-PAC selection last season. The senior will look to improve on his performance this season and hopes to return to the form that saw him average nearly 15 points per game in his sophomore year, when he was named to the All-PAC first-team, as well as the All-ECAC third-team. Anderlonis enters the season with 956 points in his career, needing just 44 points to become the 12th Cavalier to reach the 1,000-point plateau.
Sims was the man in the middle for Cabrini last year, scoring 8.7 points per game, third-best on the club. He also pulled down 4.8 rebounds a game and blocked a team-high 24 shots. Sims converted 61.9% of his 139 field-goal attempts on the season, also tops on the unit. Wilson joined Anderlonis in the starting lineup 19 times a year ago, tying for the team lead. The junior point guard finished tied with White for fifth on the team in scoring, averaging 7.9 points per game. Wilson distributed 76 assists on the season, the most on the club and was the leading three-point shooter as well, making 41.8% of his attempts.
White was a force inside for Cabrini last season. He emerged as the team’s leading rebounder, pulling down an average of 7.2 boards per contest, while converting on 51.6% of his field-goal attempts. Joining Wilson in the backcourt will be senior Jim McTamney. McTamney started six games for Cabrini last season, shooting 40% from beyond the three-point arc. He averaged 6.5 points per contest and was the team’s leading free-throw shooter. McTamney will be counted on to be one of the leaders of this year’s squad.
Cabrini should receive a boost from the return of swingman Reggie Marant. Marant was a key member of the Cavaliers’ first two PAC championship teams and could provide this team with some much-needed experience. Other important returners for the Cavaliers are senior Tom Gorman, juniors Gabe Hargrove and Mark Hentosh, as well as sophomore Charles Epps.
Gorman and Hentosh split time at point guard last year. Hentosh averaged 4.4 points a game while providing the Cavaliers with a defensive presence in the backcourt, while Gorman appeared in 15 games on the season. Hargrove had his moments last season, when he averaged 2.8 points in his 21 appearances. He pulled down 3.4 rebounds per game and gives the club depth at the power forward and center positions.
Epps emerged toward the end of the season as an important member of the team’s rotation. Last February he showed a glimpse of what might come when he scored 17 points and pulled down seven rebounds in a win over Beaver College. He should provide Cabrini with some scoring punch off the bench.
Catholic
Catholic University, one of eight schools to advance to the past
two NCAA Sweet 16s, returns three starters to a team that looks to make
its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in Coach Mike Lonergan’s eight years.
"Some terrific players graduated, but the sign of a great program is the ability to reload instead of rebuild," Lonergan said. "And I think we have a great program."
Returning starters include junior Pat Maloney and seniors Dan Harrington and Mike Lepeonka. Gone from last year are two 1,000-point career scorers -- Sean Tuohey and Shawn Kane -- and the team’s leading rebounder, Mike Gallagher.
"I feel we’ve brought in my best recruiting class," Lonergan said, "but it’s very difficult to depend on freshmen to get you to the level we’ve attained the past two years."
Maloney, a second-team All-Capital Athletic Conference honoree in 1998-99, returns to handle the point. Lonergan hopes that Maloney can improve upon his averages of 10.9 points, 2.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds. Harrington and Tim Judge return at the shooting guard/small forward positions. Harrington (10.5 ppg) is an excellent defender with great jumping ability, and Judge (6.6 ppg) has emerged as a top offensive threat. Reserve guards include juniors Andy Rice and Mike Hartman and freshmen Craig Avallone, Kieran McCutcheon and Kevin Wise.
"I think the guards will be the strength of our team, as usual. "Lonergan said. "Maloney, Judge and Harrington are very good players with a lot of experience. We’ll play a three-guard offense and I think it will be difficult for people to guard those players."
The Cards are strong at the center position with Lepeonka, who last season averaged 9.2 ppg and 6.1 rpg. The 6-foot-8, 235-pounder also led the team in field-goal percentage (58.3 %) and blocks (1.1 bpg). The other post position -- power forward -- is up in the air with junior Kurt Zeisler and rookies Matt Hilleary, Chris Altenburger and Ryan Sheehy all battling for playing time.
"Lepeonka had a great year last year; he should be one of the top big guys in the conference," Lonergan said. "But the power forward position is a big question mark on our team right now. Finding one of our returnees and one of our freshman to fill that position is going to be a key to having a successful season."
Catholic, which plays two Division I teams -- American (Nov. 22) and Princeton (Jan. 24) -- faces a strong early season schedule that includes the annual Coaches vs. Cancer game Dec. 9 vs. Haverford. The home opener (Nov. 28) is a battle with perennial power Scranton, a team the Cardinals beat in Scranton last year for the first time in school history. CUA opens league play Dec. 1 vs. Mary Washington.
The highlight of the Cards’ Christmas season will be a trip to Las Vegas to compete in the four-team Adidas D-III Desert Shootout at UNLV. The club will play Wilmington (Ohio) in the opener Dec. 21.
Said Lonergan: "I think we have the most exciting and challenging schedule of any Division III team in the country. We are all looking forward to the Las Vegas trip, and playing American and Princeton will prepare us for the rigors of CAC play. I think our league will be the strongest it’s been in my eight years at Catholic."
Gettysburg
That's W1K as in Win No. 1,000 in program history. The Bullets need
eight victories to accomplish the feat and join the fewer than 40 Division
III programs that have reached the 1,000-victory milestone.
The Bullets first shot at moving closer to 1,000 wins comes on Friday
in the opening round of Gettysburg's annual Days Inn Tip-Off Tournament.
The Bullets begin their 1999-2000 campaign against Hiram (3-22 last season). Virginia Wesleyan (19-7) tangles with Kenyon (5-20) in the tournament's first opening-round contest.
The Bullets, who are also chasing the more conventional goals of a
Centennial Conference title and an NCAA tournament berth, return three
starters and six letterwinners from last year's 16-10 squad that reached
the ECAC Southern Region championship game. Eleventh-year head coach George
Petrie was pleased with his team's preseason and is ready to get his squad into the games that count.
"They've worked hard and the scrimmages have gone well," Petrie said.
"The things we have to improve on now will only improve when we play the
games. They're still learning about one another on the floor, but they're
a talented and more-than-capable group."
The Bullets' three returning starters comprise a veteran frontcourt.
Senior forward Bill Davidson (Lebanon, Pa./Annville-Cleona) led the team in
scoring (14.6 ppg) last season and was a first-team All-Centennial
Conference selection. He also paced the squad with 49 three-pointers and a team-high 43 steals.
"Bill makes good decisions and good things happen when he touches the
ball, whether he scores or not," Petrie said of his co-captain. "Our
offense isn't directed to him specifically, he just plays well within the
system."
Senior forward Richie Pfeil (Thurmont, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) will again start at the other forward position for the Bullets. Pfeil averaged 6.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while making 24 starts in 1998-99.
Junior forward Mike Monroe (Alexandria, Va./Bishop Ireton) and freshman forward John Schnebly (Hagerstown, Md./South Hagerstown) will back up Davidson and Pfeil
at the forward spots. Monroe played 25 games last season -- including four
starts -- and averaged 4.8 points per game. Schnebly joins the program
after earning all-state honors during his high school career.
Junior center Greg Schreiber (Mechanicsburg, Pa./East Pennsboro) is the
squad's other returning frontcourt player. A two-year starter, he
averaged 10.2 points per game last season and also hauled in a team-high
5.8 rebounds per contest. Sophomore center Kevin Boyle (Dublin, Pa./Lansdale
Catholic), who appeared in 15 games last season, will spell Schreiber at
the center spot. Freshman center Brad Billmeier (Pennington, N.J./Hopewell
Valley), the second-leading scorer in his high school's history, and
freshman forward Ryan Horan (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Twp.), a former
all-conference high school player, are the program's two other newcomers
who will compete for varsity minutes this year.
Also new for the 1999-2000 season will be the starting guard tandem
of sophomore Terence Callahan (Bellport, N.Y./St. Anthony's) and senior
co-captain Ryan Napp (Monroeton, Pa./Towanda), who replace departed
backcourt mates Kevin Carroll and Jon Bowman. Callahan will see his first
significant varsity action this season after appearing in five games last
year. Napp, the team's best free-throw shooter (career 84.5%), has started 26 games during his first three seasons at Gettysburg
while averaging 7.8 points per game during his collegiate career.
Sophomore guard Jim Natale (Washington Crossing, Pa./Council Rock) will
back up Callahan at the point guard spot while sophomore guard Curtis McNeil
(Alexandria, Va./St. Stephen's/St. Agnes), who averaged 2.9 points in 16
games last season, will back up Napp at the off-guard position. Also
vying for time in the Gettysburg backcourt are sophomores Antoine Gaither
(Laurel, Md./Laurel), Cody Bowers (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) and Keith Wang
(Gaithersburg, Md./Bullis Prep).
"When you look at our group of starters, we almost have a matching
group of starters right behind it," said Petrie of his team's depth.
"When I look at that, I know I've got a good problem here, because we're
10-strong and the parts are interchangeable."
The Bullets will again employ a pass-and-cut, Princeton-style offense,
a system that requires everyone on the floor to function as a single unit. "It's a control offense where everyone's got to be able to dribble,
pass and shoot," Petrie explained. "I think we have the talent to do it
and the intelligence to run it well. Like in any offense, they need to
make good decisions out there."
Gettysburg was picked to finished third in the Centennial
Conference's
West division in the preseason coaches poll, behind perennial power
Franklin & Marshall and Johns Hopkins. Like many around the league,
Petrie feels that the race for the conference title is as wide-open as
it's ever been.
"Each game is going to be extremely competitive," Petrie said, "and I
think we have a very good opportunity to come out on top. It appears as
though, from top to bottom, there are no givens in this league."
Goucher In the 1999-2000 campaign, the
Gophers should once again be strong contenders for the CAC title
and ranked in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The team graduated four
starters, including two-time CAC Player of the Year Bakari Ward,
but returns a strong nucleus of players, led by forward Tavar
Witherspoon, who did not play last season. Witherspoon, a
two-time All-CAC Second Team selection (1997, 1998), leads five
returning frontcourt players. Senior center Bernard Threatt,
junior forward Josh Stolz and sophomore forward Todd Sykes should
be major players in the frontcourt. Thabo Letsebe is expected to
be the top freshman post player. Sophomore transfer Dennis
Clarke, Jr. joins sophomore center Morgan Fox as the team’s
tallest players at 6-7. Freshman Don McCoy could see time at
forward. In the backcourt, the Gophers
return their two highest-scoring reserves from last season,
Darrian Lee and Mark Schuler. Schuler ranked in the Top 10 in
Division III last season for three-point percentage, while Lee
was the team’s highest scoring reserve. Sophomore Freddie
Biggs also returns. The top freshman guard should be Michael
Foreman. Freshmen Kendall Wynder and Curtis McNeil are the other
new guards. Lebanon Valley
However, the senior quad-captains are used to the pressure and are used to success. Each comes from a winning high school program and all have been a part of one of the most successful eras in LVC men's basketball history. During the foursomes first three seasons LVC has averaged just over 20 wins per year. Anybody that knows these guys realizes that they fully expect that success to continue. They have built the foundation -- it is their house.
Pfeil, a MAC First Team All-Star in 1998-99, should receive significant scoring help from junior Steve Horst. Last season Pfeil, a 6-8 center, and Horst, a 6-5 forward, were among the team's top three in almost every category. Pfeil was second in total field goals made (146), total rebounds (203), blocked shots (44), points scored (335) and points per game (12.0).
He now has 906 career points. Horst led the team in steals (43) and was second in both minutes played (846) and free throws made (68). He was third on the team in total field goals made (115), total rebounds (183), assists (74), points scored (309) and points per game (11.0).
Phoebus, a 6-2 shooting guard, and Vogtman, a 6-0 point guard, will control the tempo of the games. Both bring significant experience and leadership to the table and neither is afraid to shoot the triple. Phoebus is an attacking style guard who averaged eight points per game last winter (fourth on the team). Though he missed five complete games and part of four others due to an injury, Phoebus was third on the team with 30 steals and fourth on the club with 68 assists. He has 684 career points and has a legitimate shot at following Pfeil into the 1,000-point club late this season. Making over a third of his three-point attempts, Vogtman is not afraid to assume the pressure of the point guard position. With an intense leadership style, Vogtman is ready to lead the Dutchmen as they continue their winning ways.
Potten is one of the MAC's most aggressive players giving it his all every minute. The 6-5 forward is able to take over the paint and establish control beneath the boards. Potten played in every game last season and has lettered all four seasons like each of the other seniors. Chris Ziegler, a 6-3 junior guard, will fight for time at the shooting guard and small forward positions. Also an extremely aggressive player, Ziegler achieved most of his 98 points, 46 assists and 13 steals while playing injured. Fellow junior Ron Knerr should see increased playing time at the power forward spot. At 6-5, Knerr has excellent jumping ability and is expected to help considerably in the post.
Also fighting for time at forward will be sophomores Greg Evans, Michael Pedrick and Matt Ziegenfuss. Sophomore guards Jared Flay and Ryan Moore worked hard in the offseason including a playing trip to Sweden. Moore was part of a Division III all-star team that traveled to Europe this summer to compete against European semi-pro teams. LVC assistant Bob Simmons was the head coach of that squad that went 3-1.
The six freshmen in camp all show impressive talent. There are three guards, Drew Brayford, Randy James and Andrew Smith, two forwards, John Sharkey and David Westenberger, and one center, Darren Pugh.
Finally, head coach Brad McAlester is on track to break Dr. George "Rinso" Marquette's LVC record of 100 total career basketball wins. McAlester has 96 wins entering the season.
Susquehanna
The Crusaders return eight letterwinners, and five players with starting
experience from last season’s uncharacteristic 9-14 campaign, which was
just the second losing season and the third time the team missed the
Middle Atlantic Conference playoffs under Marcinek. His team was in need
of an infusion of some new talent, particularly in the low post, and it
might have gotten it from among his 13 new recruits. Among those players are
three players at 6-6 or taller. They could make an instant impact,
although Marcinek is quick to warn that freshmen need time.
With plenty of talented depth at the two through four spots, who will step up at center and point guard are Marcinek’s biggest question marks. Six-foot-two senior swingman Garrett Thompson (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin East H.S.), started 12 games last season and averaged 4.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 50.0 percent from the field. A member of the MAC All-Academic Team last season, Thompson transferred from the Division I University of Delaware and has junior eligibility, but has opted not to use his additional year.
Four other players with starting experience also return, with three of them in the backcourt in senior Rob Makarewicz (Sugarloaf/Hazleton Area H.S.) and junior Mike Witcoskie (Annville/Palmyra H.S.), both swingmen, and junior point guard John Green (Reading/Governor
Mifflin H.S.). A 1997-98 second-team MAC Commonwealth League All-Star, the 6-2 Makarewicz started six games last season and averaged 6.4 points per game. He was second on the team in free throw shooting at 80.4 percent (37 of 46), also hitting 12 of 40 three-point attempts (30.0%). He was the team’s best long-range threat as a sophomore, canning 49 of 120 treys to
finish seventh in the MAC in three-point percentage (40.8%), and second on the team in scoring (13.7 ppg). He might start this season at point guard.
Also a MAC All-Academic Team pick, the 6-2 Witcoskie started nine games and averaged 4.7 points per game -- finishing third among the regulars in both free-throw (78.6%) and three-point (40.6%) percentage. The 6-0 Green started two games at the point last season and averaged 7.6 points per game -- leading the team in both assists with 57 (2.7 per game), and steals with 32 (1.5 per game). Green appeared to be the heir apparent to the starting job at point, but will probably be slowed by his decision to play football this fall.
The other player with starting experience is 6-5 junior forward Brad Rausch (Middletown, N.J./Middletown South H.S.), who started six games last season and averaged 3.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. A regular two seasons ago, Rausch made the league’s All-Rookie Team as a freshman and is one of the team’s defensive stoppers. Athletic 6-4 sophomore forward Corey Green (6.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg) (Roselle, N.J./Roselle Catholic H.S.) is also back and expected to see an increased role this season. Among the freshmen, Marcinek expects the starting center to come from among 6-8 Zigmas Kaknevicius (Bethpage, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran H.S.), and 6-7 Kevin McLoughlin (Pottstown/St. Pius X H.S.).
Lycoming
Bressi enters the 1999-2000 season with a solid nucleus. Four starters return, including senior guard Rasheed Campbell (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport H.S.) and sophomore forward Chris Napier (Port Jervis, Pa./Minisink Valley H.S.), last year's MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year. With the returnees, including sophomore guard Jason Black (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita H.S.) and junior forward Brian Lindsay (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg H.S.), and a nice mix of newcomers in line, the Warriors are facing one thing for certain - higher expectations.
Bressi is one of the first to recognize the possibilities for the new campaign. The sixth year Lycoming coach has high hopes. "I think this is a team that could be a contender in the conference this year. And if you win the conference, then you're obviously one of the best teams in your league, and the league champion gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament," he said. "We have four starters back, and we've added some players who we're going to plug in. We have a junior college transfer who will play the five spot, and we have two other players who were outstanding in high school, although they have not played in three years."
Lycoming was among the top three-point shooting teams in the country a year ago when it made 234 treys and shot 33.4% from behind the arc. The Warriors set MAC records by making 9.1 and attempting 26.8 treys per contest last year. Bressi expects that perimeter play to again be a big key this season. "I think our three-point shooting is the strength of the team. Our three-point shooting was very good last year, and I think it will be important again this year," he said.
"Another key is that our team gained experience last year. The team was very young. Our four returning starters all played in big games last season, and they played in the playoffs so they have that experience as well."
The top backcourt threat is Campbell who was a second-team MAC Freedom League all-star last season after leading the team in scoring at 15.4 points a game and also contributing 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.8 steals per contest. He will move from the shooting guard spot to the point where he will run the Warrior offense.
"The whole team starts with Rasheed. We moved him to the point because we want the ball in his hands. He has the ability to break down defenses," Bressi said.
Campbell closed last year with a career-high 28-point performance in a first-round conference playoff loss at Lebanon Valley. The Warrior captain spent part of his summer with Planet Basketball's European Tour 99. He was among several MAC standouts that played four games during stops in Denmark and Sweden.
Black, last year's starting point guard, will switch with Campbell and move to the off-guard slot. Black averaged 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game and stepped up down the stretch, including a career-high 23-point performance in an 89-80 win at King's in mid-February. "Jason started every game at point guard last year and did a nice job for us. He is a very good three-point shooter, and we want him to shoot the ball," Bressi said.
Black was fourth on the team last year with 29 three-pointers and ranked second in assists. Sophomore guard Jeremy Hand (Millersburg, Pa./Millersburg H.S.) is expected to be in the rotation at the two spot. He played for Lycoming in 14 games in the 1996-97 season and contributed 1.4 points per game.
Napier returns to anchor the three spot after a standout initial campaign. He averaged 11.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, earning the league's top newcomer award. He also played very well down the stretch by leading the team in scoring in two of the team's final four games. "He's bigger and stronger than last season and has also gained confidence. He made big plays in big games for us last year. I think he will be tough to deal with," Bressi said. Napier adds flexibility to the lineup because he can also play the off-guard position.
Lindsay will play the four spot for the Warriors after a solid first season with the Warriors. He was third on the team in both scoring and rebounds last year with 13.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. He led the team with 73 three-pointers. "Brian is a big kid who can play either the three or the four. He led the conference in three-point shooting last year (3.0 per game), and he is in better shape than ever before," Bressi said.
Newcomer Mark Sherman (Millerstown, Pa./Greenwood H.S.), a junior forward, will battle for time at the four but can also play the three or the four. He transferred from West Virginia State, a Division II school where he played baseball. On the hardwood, Sherman is the career scoring and rebounding leader at Greenwood. He posted 2,396 points (23.5 per game) and 1,140 rebounds (9.5 per game) in his high school career.
"He was our top recruit coming out of high school. We feel he is even (more mature) now than when he came out of high school and I think that he will have a real impact on our team, not just with basketball but with maturity as well. He's a top-of-the-line kid," Bressi said.
Junior David Ganisin (Endicott, N.Y./Union Endicott H.S.), another newcomer, is expected to handle the starting chores at center. He transferred from Broome County (N.Y.) Community College. "If he makes the transition, he will make an impact. He is a legitimate five-player. He has great offensive skills and good size and also runs well. Plus, he fits right in with the chemistry of the team," Bressi said.
Bressi has a few concerns entering the season, most noticeably developing backups at point guard and the five slot. He is hoping for several young players to step up and provide quality minutes.
Washington College
Despite a tough loss against Johns Hopkins in the championship round last February, the team enjoyed a eight-game winning streak at the end of the season, propelling Washington into the Centennial playoffs.
This season
Washington will be without the services of 1999 graduate Corey Davis,
who led the Shoremen at the point guard position for four years. He
finished his senior campaign averaging 7.2 ppg, 3.2 apg, and 1.7 spg.
Four starters return this year for 29th-year head coach Tom Finnegan,
however, plus several key reserves who will add depth to the Washington
lineup.
Junior guard Greg Adams (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) is the
Shoremen's leading returning scorer. He averaged 18.9 ppg last season,
plus 2.1 apg. Adams was ranked seventh in all of NCAA Division III in
free throw percentage at 89.2% (141-for-158). He had career-highs last
year of 32 points against Salisbury State, seven rebounds against
Swarthmore, four steals against Muhlenberg, and five assists in three
games. Adams led the Shoremen in scoring in 16 games, and scored in
double figures 26 times.
Senior guard and captain Steve DeVore
(Hagerstown, MD/South Hagerstown) was second on the team in scoring
(14.7 ppg), second in assists (2.6 apg), and third in rebounding (4.7
rpg) last season. He achieved career highs of 30 points against
Ursinus, 10 rebounds against Dickinson, five assists in seven games,
and three steals in three games. DeVore scored in double digits in 23
games, and led the team in scoring seven times and rebounding seven
times.
Junior forward Earl Piner (Elkton, MD/Elkton) showed right away last year that
he would be a dominant force for the Shoremen, as he was named to the
all-tournament team in a season-opening tournament at the College of
New Jersey. He scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against the
hosts in the opening round, and added team-highs of 18 points and nine
rebounds against Gwynedd-Mercy in the second round. Piner was the
third Shoreman to average double-digit points at 11.7 ppg
Also back this season are senior forward David Bell
(Gaithersburg, MD/Pittsford Mendon [NY]) and senior center Shawn
Peterson (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter). A transfer, Bell was
a newcomer to the Shoremen lineup last year, and made an immediate
impact. He was fourth on the team in scoring (9.1 ppg) and fourth in
rebounding (4.0 rpg). His career-highs were 18 points against
Muhlenberg, 10 rebounds against Ursinus, six assists against Dickinson,
and three steals twice.
Junior center Antoine Bellin (Pembroke Pines, FL/University School) is ready to step his game
up a notch this year. He finished last season averaging 4.0 ppg and
2.6 rpg, and will look to increase those numbers in his junior
campaign. In 1998-99 Bellin had career-highs of eight rebounds against
F&M, two assists against Western Maryland, and two steals against
Salisbury State.
Other returnees who will be looking for playing time this year are
sophomores Bryan Mason (Wilmington, DE/Tatnall), Don Brandenberg
(Baltimore, MD/Calvert Hall), Ryan Plews (Pasadena, MD/Chesapeake), and
Aaron Goode (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. St. Joseph). Two key newcomers are
junior guard Alhamisi Simms (Annapolis, MD/Severn School), who played
for two seasons previously a couple of years ago at Division I UMBC,
and freshman guard Chris Masters (Millersville, MD/Archbishop
Spalding).
Wilkes Wilkes has been one of the region's most consistent performers
in recent years. Under the direction of head coach Jerry Rickrode
the Colonels have won an impressive five consecutive MAC Freedom
League crowns, and have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each
of the past five years. The Colonels earned the school's
first-ever berth in the Final Four in 1998, while advancing to
the Elite Eight in both 1995 and 1996. Rickrode is currently the
winningest active coach in Division III, posting a 160-37 mark
and .812 winning percentage. Dave Jannuzzi, a 6-0 guard, returns for his senior season
after averaging 19.2 points and 4.3 assists per game. Jannuzzi, a
two-time MAC Freedom League Most Valuable Player, connected on
49.5% of his field goal attempts, 42.9% from three-point range
and 88.9% from the line. During hisfirst three seasons he has
amassed 1,527 points. Fellow seniors Chad Fabian and Jason Sheakoski, along with
sophomore Kevin Walsh, also return. Fabian, a 6-0 guard, averaged
14.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game last season.
Fabian, who connected on a team-leading 78 three-point field
goals, hit a school-record 10 treys on his way to a 32-point
performance in a win against highly regarded FDU-Madison last
year. Sheakoski, a 6-7 center, started 18 games and averaged 2.9
points and 4.2 boards per game. Walsh, a 6-6 center,
started 11 games for the Colonels and averaged 4.3 points and
four boards per contest. Six-foot-four sophomore guard Greg Barrouk leads a list of
seven other holdovers who should make a major impact this season.
Barrouk played in all 29 games last season and averaged 4.6
points and 2.6 rebounds. He is joined by 6-5 sophomore forward
Brad Sechler, who capitalized on his playing time by hitting
57.5% of his field goal attempts, including 51.9% from
three-point range, while averaging 3.9 points per game. 6-0
sophomore guard John Boylan (3.5 ppg., 1.6 rpg.), 6-6 junior
forward Artie Gotzmer (2.2 ppg., 1.2 rpg.), 6-7 sophomore forward
Wes Kovach (1.9 ppg., 1.4 rpg.), 6-4 senior forward Damon Heller
(1.0 ppg., 1.0 rpg.) and 6-7 senior center Bill Gallagher (0.5
ppg., 1.2 rpg.) also return.
York (Pa.)
The question is a simple one but one with a multitude of answers. Head coach Jeff Gamber enters his 23rd campaign with one of the more talented squads in his tenure. The coach returns three seniors, two juniors and a group of sophomores that will team with a solid recruiting class to form what should be a talented group of players.
Gamber will look for leadership from three seniors that have seen their fair share of tough seasons. Dave Martins, Mike May and Jason Saurbaugh form a very talented and experienced threesome. Martins has already eclipsed the 1,000-point career mark as he passed the plateau at Salisbury State last February. For his career, Martins has 1,038 points, 477 rebounds, and 96 blocks in 80 career games. May enters his senior year as one of the most improved players on the team over the last few years. He averaged 9.6 points and 7.8 rebounds during a solid junior campaign. Saurbaugh comes into his senior year on the cusp of joining Martins in the 1,000 career point club. He has run the Spartan offense the last three years and is also closing in on Mike Donahue’s career record for assists. Last season, Saurbaugh averaged 11 points and 6.3 assists per game.
Four sophomores are projected to make an important impression on the dynamics of the 1999-2000 squad. John Ely, Tim Hawken, Alex Bernstein and Todd Stephens return for their sophomore campaign, a year wiser and a year more experienced. Ely had the best season statistically as he averaged 10.8 points and drilled a team-high 60 three-pointers. Hawken had a solid campaign last year as he showed the ability to shoot the perimeter jump shot in addition to being a solid rebounder. Hawken tossed in 6.6 points and grabbed 4.9 rebounds per game last year. Bernstein ended the season averaging 5.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, numbers that should increase during his sophomore campaign.
"I really feel that we have more talent this year than we have had the last four years," says the Spartan mentor. "However, talent does not always convert into success. We must dramatically improve our defense to maximize our talent. We also must learn how to win. Those are the two things that I believe will hold the key to our success this season."
Forget Y2K. Gettysburg is hoping to get W1K compliant as soon as possible this season.
The Gophers were Capital Athletic Conference tournament
champions for the fourth time in 1998-99, advancing to the NCAA
Division III Tournament for the third time in school history.
Goucher also captured a share of its third CAC regular-season
championship by posting a 12-2 conference record. Coach Leonard
Trevino has led the squad to a 117-47 record over the past six
seasons, capped off by last year’s school record 23-5 mark.
The 1998-99 Lebanon Valley men's basketball team was an all-around success as evidenced by their 24-4 record. They were first in Division III in field goal percentage (52.0%) and fourth in field goal percentage defense (37.4%). After winning the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth title, playing in the 1999 MAC Championship game and appearing in the NCAA Division III National Tournament for the fifth time in seven seasons, expectations are high for this year's squad. With the loss of two four-year starters (Andy Panko & Dan Strobeck), seniors Dan Pfeil, Keith Phoebus, Jason Vogtman and Jason Potten will be expected to take up the reins. All four have been named team co-captains.
It’ll be back to the basics for 11th-year head coach Frank Marcinek and his Susquehanna University men’s basketball team as they prepare for the new millenium.
Lycoming men's basketball coach Joe Bressi entered last season with somewhat of an unknown quantity. The Warriors had only three seniors and an entirely new starting lineup, including four starters who were not even in the program the previous year. Despite the early questions, Lycoming flourished, going 17-8 overall, reaching the Middle Atlantic Conference playoffs, and knocking off eventual conference champ Wilkes during the regular season.
The 1998-99 season was a breakthrough year for the Washington College men's basketball program, as the Shoremen advanced to the championship game of the Centennial Conference tournament for the first time since the conference began in 1993-94.
A young Wilkes University men's basketball team fashioned a 25-4
record a season ago and advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. The
Colonels, who also captured their third Middle Atlantic
Conference title in the past four
years, return four starters and 11 letter-winners as they prepare
for the 1999-2000 campaign.
The question around the York College men’s basketball office is simple. How good can the Spartans be in 1999?
