|
 |  | |||||||||||||
2003-04 Season Outlook The Yellow Jackets returned to playing championship basketball last winter and have high hopes at making another national tournament run. A solid nucleus comes back, including all five starters, as well as a handful of newcomers that could help immediately. Cedarville's 27 victories a year ago matched the school record for most wins in a season. The Jackets' NAIA Division II national tournament berth was their first NAIA tournament appearance in 21 years and their American Mideast Conference title was the first league crown in 11 seasons. CU was also ranked as high as No. 8 in the country which is its highest NAIA ranking ever. Fourth-year head coach Ray Slagle, who was the NCCAA National Coach of the Year and AMC Coach of the Year last season, has a good understanding of what it will take to experience a repeat performance. However, he's cautiously optimistic about what lies ahead. "I think we'll have a really good year, but we recognize that there are two ways we could have a bad year," he said. "Obviously, you can't control physical injuries and that's the first way. The second one is if we develop an arrogant spirit. I've been around these guys enough to know that I don't think that one will happen. If things remain status quo, if we play with humility, a selfless attitude, focus on team play, and play hard, I think we can be successful."
Slagle will look to a quintet of seniors to lead the way. The list includes three-time team MVP Josh Gast, Barry Chamberlin, Greg Guiler, Andrey Arkhipov, and Brandon Lee. Gast and Chamberlin, both NCCAA All-America Second Team selections last year, are already 1,000 points scorers. Each has also started all 100 career games they've ever played in. Guiler has moved into the role of backup point guard over the course of time while playing in all 102 games during the past three years. Arkhipov, the fourth of Slagle's four-year players, returns to provide support at the post position. Lee is back for his third and final year at CU to again contribute some offensive punch off the bench. Joining Gast and Chamberlin as returning starters are junior point guard Jason Weakley as well as sophomore center Drew Borton and sophomore forward Mugabe Thomas. Weakley was an All-AMC South Division First Team choice at point guard last year, Borton rated second on the club in scoring and rebounding, and the athletic Thomas was voted AMC South Division Freshman of the Year.
Junior center Anthony Delimpo adds immediate depth to the post as a transfer from Mount Vernon Nazarene while red shirt freshman Guy Rathmell is ready to see some time at a forward slot. Junior forward Josh Zarrilli brings his long range shooting ability back to the squad while freshmen Eric Leininger and Scott Tarvin are expected to make contributions right away. The Callan Athletic Center atmosphere is back to being a popular place on campus. The Jackets averaged 2,151 fans last year including 2,754 for weekend games. "I have a theory about Christian schools" Slagle remarked. "If the kids on the floor that play for that institution represent the student body well, then the students will come to see them play. By God's grace I think we've been extraordinarily fortunate to bring in good, honorable Cedarville kids who our students feel that they can back 100 percent." The schedule is arguably the toughest in school history beginning with a season-opening date at Indiana Wesleyan. The Jackets face Taylor in the first round of the 26th Annual Cedarville Invitational, host non-conference foes Central State and Wittenberg, and have road dates at NCAA Division I Wright State, the Georgetown Classic, and Taylor Classic. There are 18 dates in the always-demanding American Mideast Conference South Division awaiting CU as well. | |||||||||||||||
