Links

» Athletics › Men's Basketball

2005-2006 Season Outlook

After back-to-back PAC Championships, the 2005-2006 Gwynedd-Mercy Men's Basketball Team has retooled to make a run at a third title. Gone is two-time PAC Player of the Year and All-American Badou Gaye, who is currently is playing professionally in Europe, and Jeff Thomas, a first-team All-PAC pick last year.

Only six letterwinners return from last season's team, but fourth-year head coach John Baron will depend on his captains, juniors Chris DelBrocco and Rashid Santiago and senior Rick Haas, to help guide the upperclassmen and newcomers.

The backcourt has the most experience as both DelBrocco and Santiago returning. DelBrocco, who led the team in three-point shooting and assists, is the team's second-leading scorer while Santiago held a team-best 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Senior Francis Bowe and junior Frank Barder gained valuable experience and were excellent in their supporting roles last year in their first season as Griffins. Look for the two to push for a starting spot at guard. Haas saw also action at guard and has the versatility to play at forward. Rookies Corey White, Mike Payne, Jack Forth, and Larz Jeter provide great athleticism and should compete for playing time as well. Junior Tom Keenan returns after an injury-shortened 04-05 season.

In the low-post poses the biggest question as the Griffins will have to fill two major voids. Leading candidates senior Anthony Williams and sophomore Kevin Lauer along with a bevy of freshman will look to step up at forward and center. Junior Dave McFadden, a transfer from Delaware County Community College, along with freshmen Rodney Norris, Haven Wroten, and Dennis Delli will battle for a starting spot. Sophomore Troy Bixler, who came on nicely late in the year, will miss the season due to an injury.

The schedule this season features two tournaments and two games against Division II opponents as well as the always competitive Pennsylvania Athletic Conference slate. The Griffins open with Franklin & Marshall in a weekend tournament followed by games with Wesley and Rowan before the team journeys to Golden, Colo. to play Colorado College and Div. II Colorado School of Mines.

Before the winter break, Gwynedd will play at Div. II University of the Sciences. The Griffins will take on Immaculata and former GMC assistant coach Jamie Chadwin on January 9th and again on the 14th. On January 11th, Gwynedd will welcome Alvernia to the Griffin Complex for a rematch of last season’s PAC Championship.

Back to Men's Basketball Main Page