Excitement Abounds For Hampden-Sydney Hoops

There is excitement brewing in Hampden-Sydney about Tiger basketball this season. The Tigers, coming off their best season under fourth year head coach Dee Vick at 17-10, return nearly every contributor from last season, including the reigning ODAC scoring leader and D3hoops.com Fourth Team Preseason All-American Harrion George.

With four starters and several key reserves returning combined with a talented freshman class, Hampden-Sydney has been picked as the 23rd best team in the land in D3hoops.com's Preseason Top-25 Poll.

George continued on his short but impressive career leading the ODAC with 20.0 points-per-game while earning First Team All-ODAC and Second Team All-Region honors. He was second in the league with 8.0 boards-per-game and posted an impressive nine double-doubles including a stretch of four consecutive double-digit scoring and rebounding. The junior is tough to stop offensively, especially this season with a talented group around him.

Joining George on the wing is senior captain Ru White. White returns for his second season with the Tigers after transferring from Allegany Community College. The crafty scorer managed 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and a team-best 2.9 assists-per-game. The doit-all man for the Tigers also returns as the best on-ball defender on the team. White's length and athleticism give him the ability to guard any position.

Senior guard Ben Jessee was named the Tigers' other captain this season after having a successful three-year career thus far. Last season, the sharp shooter averaged 10.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists-per-game. Though Jessee came in primarily as a shooter, he has become stronger and has developed a knack for slashing and scoring.  In addition, he's become a better team and one-on-one defender.

Returning in the back court are juniors Patrick Corrigan and Randall Ward. Corrigan came on strong last season, starting in 13 of his 23 appearances while averaging 4.7 points and just under two assistsper-game. Corrigan has also improved his long range shot, connecting on 34.1% of his three point attempts (14-41).

Ward has proven to be a dynamic player with the ability to spot up and create off the dribble. Appearing in all 27 games, Ward scored 8.3 points-per-game and was second on the team with 2.6 assists-pergame. He was also solid from beyond the arc, canning 34 of his 101 attempts (34.1%).

Sophomores Sasha Obradovic and Keegan Wetzel also saw important minutes last season and will look to see an increased role in 2011. The duo provides two solid shooting options. Also in the mix at guard are freshmen Greg Lewis, Austin Carr, Leon Hargrove and Alex Smith.

Down low, Vick has the luxury this season of having a front court of 6-8, 6-7 and 6-7 in junior Alex Potapov, sophomore Khobi Williamson and highly touted freshman Cam Anderson. Also playing a key part down low is redshirt sophomore Fletcher Lumpkin. 

Potapov saw a big role last year, making three starts while playing in all 27 games. The Russian can run the floor well and his finesse gives him great finishing ability. Last season, he finished 51.5% of his shots to average just under five points-per-game.

Williamson made an immediate impact in his freshman season, averaging 4.0 points and 3.8 rebounds-per-game to go with 17 blocks in 22 games. His length and leaping ability give him great range to protect the rim.

Lumpkin, who saw his first year of action last season, has a great feel for the game with a natural ability to find an open man. Last season, he appeared in 18 games while posting a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. Fully healthy, Lumpkin will look to see more time this season and be a solid high-post option.

Joining Anderson as rookie big men are Kodie Critzer and C.J. Cleaves. 

The Tigers will look to use their mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers to win the program's ODAC-leading 11th ODAC Championship. It will be no easy road though, as ODAC-rival Virginia Wesleyan is the Preseason #1 team in the nation. Also receiving votes in D3Hoops.com's Preseason Poll are defending ODAC Champion Randolph-Macon and Eastern Mennonite.

The Tigers' quest for the crown begins November 18 against LaGrange College in the Huntingdon College Classic.