MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

MEN'S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

2008-09 Season Preview

In his second year as head coach of the Olivet College men’s basketball program, Gene Gifford continues toward the goal of rebuilding it into one of the elite teams in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).

With the help of brothers and 2007-08 second-team All-MIAA selections Brandon and Michael McClary (Bellaire), Olivet looks to take another step toward Gifford’s goal during the 2008-09 season. A year ago, the Comets tied for fifth in the league standings, one spot higher than they were the previous season.

Brandon, who transferred to Olivet from Muskegon Community College (MCC) prior to the start of last season, led the Comets and ranked among the MIAA leaders in scoring 14.4 points per game (ppg). In addition, he shot 54.0 percent (155-for-287) from the floor and blocked 28 shots.

In his first season of collegiate basketball, Michael was the only player in the MIAA to average a double-double, scoring 12.1 points and pulling down 10.1 rebounds per game, for the season. He also posted a league-best 11 double-doubles. In addition, Michael shot 52.1 percent (135-for-259) and recorded 42 blocks, which is the second most for a single-season in school history.

Also returning with significant varsity playing time is junior Joel Kerns (North Judson, Ind.). A 6’6” forward, he has played in every game with 10 starts in each of his first two seasons at Olivet. In 50 total games, Kerns has scored 269 points and grabbed 118 rebounds.

The other three returning letterwinners, juniors Chris Beal (Holland) and Blake Brannick (Jackson/Lumen Christi) and sophomore Joe Post (Olivet), combined to play a total of 215 minutes and score 38 points last year at the varsity level.

Beal began last season on the junior varsity team before being moved up to the varsity team at semester break. Brannick has been a part of the varsity team the last two years and has played in 40 games. In his first season at Olivet, Post was the starting point guard on the junior varsity team and was given a chance to dress for varsity games during the final weeks of the season.

Juniors Kyle Henion (Ludington) and J.W. Seekman (Martin) have landed spots on the varsity team after being members of the JV team during their first two seasons at Olivet. Junior Bryan Dutton (Brooklyn/Napoleon) played at Olivet his freshman season, spent last season at Trine (Ind.) University and is back at Olivet this year.

The remaining six spots on the varsity team will be filled by newcomers, three by true freshmen and the other three by junior college transfers.

The freshmen are Jaren Edsall (Whitehall), David Harmon (Muskegon) and Randy Jenkins (Cleveland, Ohio/Treasure Coast). The transfers include junior Andy Clark (Lansing/Perry) from Lansing Community College, sophomore Andre Evans (Muskegon/Muskegon Heights) from MCC and junior James Scott (Detroit/ Finney) from St. Clair County Community College.

There is also added excitement this season, as Olivet is playing home games in its new $5.1 million multi-purpose facility, The Cutler Event Center. Amenities to be used by the basketball team include an all-maple playing surface, portable baskets, scoreboard and shot clocks, locker room and fitness center.