Men's and women's basketball teams enter new eras with start of practice for 2007-08 season
October 18, 2007 - The two Hillsdale College basketball teams have undergone a facelift since the conclusion of last season, and this week, the two teams took to the court for the official start of practice.
There's a new leader for the Charger men's basketball program, as John Tharp begins his first season at Hillsdale after a successful 13-year stint at Division III Lawrence University. Tharp brought back former, and now current Charger assistant coach Sam Hargraves. Dan Evans, a former point guard for Tharp at Lawrence, serves as the other assistant coach.
The coaching staff is not the only place where change is abundant for the men's program. Ten new players join the roster this season, to go along with four returning starters from last year's 15-11 team.
There are just two seniors on this year's team, and only one back from last year. Forward Tim Homan is poised to join the school's 1,000-point club and will enter his fourth season as a starter. Forward Tony Gugino led the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots a year ago, and is one of the quickest and most athletic big men in the GLIAC.
Guards Evan Steward and Travis Worst also return from last year, and figure to be penciled into the starting lineup with their fellow returning veteran players.
Three transfer players lead the group of newcomers for the Charger men, though only two will be allowed to play this season. Guards Keith MacKenzie (Oakland University) and Tyler Brand (University of Indianapolis) provide plenty of skill and experience to the team. MacKenzie was fourth in the Mr. Basketball voting in the state of Michigan after the 2004-05 season, coming out of Warren DeLaSalle High School. Brand started a game for the Greyhounds a year ago.
One familiar name to Hillsdale basketball fans is Luke Laser, who has transferred to Hillsdale College after spending his first two collegiate campaigns at Saginaw Valley State University. Laser was a star at Hillsdale High School from 2002-05, and led the Hornets to a 25-1 record as a senior.
Coach Tharp said competition for playing time is wide open, and is anxious to see the development of the team through its preseason practices.
The men's team has 14 home game this season, starting with an exhibition game against Kalamazoo College on Monday, Nov. 12. The team plays its first home regular season game on Monday, Nov. 19 against the University of Indianapolis.
On the women's side of the ball, head coach Claudette Charney is back for a sixth season on the bench, and will be working with a revamped team that has to find a way to replace seven
letterwinners from last year's 19-9 squad.
Charney won her 400th career game last year, and has spent more than 20 seasons coaching women's basketball in the GLIAC. Assistant coach Tim Wells becomes the team's full-time assistant this season, after filling a part-time position last year. Former assistant coach Tracy Bruno accepted a head coaching job at Division III SUNY-Oswego during the offseason.
The Chargers advanced to the GLIAC Tournament Championship game and enjoyed a successful season led by a senior class of six players. All have since graduated, leaving behind lots of points, rebounds and minutes played for this year's team to pick up. Hillsdale lost 77.1 percent of its scoring, 79.9 percent of its rebounding, and 77.1 percent of its minutes played to players who aren't back on this year's roster.
There is still lots of talent on Hillsdale's roster, led by returning senior Julie Slot and juniors Claire Aubrey, Katie Eckinger and Katie Cezat. Sophomore guard Brooke Knight was also part of the team's regular playing rotation last year, and will lend valuable experience and ball handling to the team.
Knight is part of a sophomore class ready to put its stamp on this team. Guards Janay Miller and Kayla Whitmyer are athletic and figure to make a positive impact on this team with increased playing time.
Redshirt-freshman forward Tara Burgett will make her much-anticipated Charger debut this season, after sitting out the 2006-07 campaign. Other first-year players on this year's team include center Catherine Nass, forward Laura Barczak and guard Kara McCormick.
This year's women's basketball schedule is highighted by an exhibition game at Notre Dame on Nov. 5, and its participation in four tournaments before Christmas. The longest trip the team has is to San Antonio, Texas, where it will play in the St. Mary's (Tx.) Tournament from Dec. 19-20.
Click on the links below for quick facts sheets on the two Charger basketball teams. The 2007-08 rosters and schedules for both teams are also available on the Hillsdale College athletic website.
2007-08 Men's Basketball Quick Facts
2007-08 Women's Basketball Quick Facts
There's a new leader for the Charger men's basketball program, as John Tharp begins his first season at Hillsdale after a successful 13-year stint at Division III Lawrence University. Tharp brought back former, and now current Charger assistant coach Sam Hargraves. Dan Evans, a former point guard for Tharp at Lawrence, serves as the other assistant coach.
The coaching staff is not the only place where change is abundant for the men's program. Ten new players join the roster this season, to go along with four returning starters from last year's 15-11 team.
There are just two seniors on this year's team, and only one back from last year. Forward Tim Homan is poised to join the school's 1,000-point club and will enter his fourth season as a starter. Forward Tony Gugino led the team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots a year ago, and is one of the quickest and most athletic big men in the GLIAC.
Guards Evan Steward and Travis Worst also return from last year, and figure to be penciled into the starting lineup with their fellow returning veteran players.
Three transfer players lead the group of newcomers for the Charger men, though only two will be allowed to play this season. Guards Keith MacKenzie (Oakland University) and Tyler Brand (University of Indianapolis) provide plenty of skill and experience to the team. MacKenzie was fourth in the Mr. Basketball voting in the state of Michigan after the 2004-05 season, coming out of Warren DeLaSalle High School. Brand started a game for the Greyhounds a year ago.
One familiar name to Hillsdale basketball fans is Luke Laser, who has transferred to Hillsdale College after spending his first two collegiate campaigns at Saginaw Valley State University. Laser was a star at Hillsdale High School from 2002-05, and led the Hornets to a 25-1 record as a senior.
Coach Tharp said competition for playing time is wide open, and is anxious to see the development of the team through its preseason practices.
The men's team has 14 home game this season, starting with an exhibition game against Kalamazoo College on Monday, Nov. 12. The team plays its first home regular season game on Monday, Nov. 19 against the University of Indianapolis.
On the women's side of the ball, head coach Claudette Charney is back for a sixth season on the bench, and will be working with a revamped team that has to find a way to replace seven
letterwinners from last year's 19-9 squad.Charney won her 400th career game last year, and has spent more than 20 seasons coaching women's basketball in the GLIAC. Assistant coach Tim Wells becomes the team's full-time assistant this season, after filling a part-time position last year. Former assistant coach Tracy Bruno accepted a head coaching job at Division III SUNY-Oswego during the offseason.
The Chargers advanced to the GLIAC Tournament Championship game and enjoyed a successful season led by a senior class of six players. All have since graduated, leaving behind lots of points, rebounds and minutes played for this year's team to pick up. Hillsdale lost 77.1 percent of its scoring, 79.9 percent of its rebounding, and 77.1 percent of its minutes played to players who aren't back on this year's roster.
There is still lots of talent on Hillsdale's roster, led by returning senior Julie Slot and juniors Claire Aubrey, Katie Eckinger and Katie Cezat. Sophomore guard Brooke Knight was also part of the team's regular playing rotation last year, and will lend valuable experience and ball handling to the team.
Knight is part of a sophomore class ready to put its stamp on this team. Guards Janay Miller and Kayla Whitmyer are athletic and figure to make a positive impact on this team with increased playing time.
Redshirt-freshman forward Tara Burgett will make her much-anticipated Charger debut this season, after sitting out the 2006-07 campaign. Other first-year players on this year's team include center Catherine Nass, forward Laura Barczak and guard Kara McCormick.
This year's women's basketball schedule is highighted by an exhibition game at Notre Dame on Nov. 5, and its participation in four tournaments before Christmas. The longest trip the team has is to San Antonio, Texas, where it will play in the St. Mary's (Tx.) Tournament from Dec. 19-20.
Click on the links below for quick facts sheets on the two Charger basketball teams. The 2007-08 rosters and schedules for both teams are also available on the Hillsdale College athletic website.
2007-08 Men's Basketball Quick Facts
2007-08 Women's Basketball Quick Facts
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