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11.08.05 Flying Fleet basketball teams preparing to open 2005-06 season The Erskine College men's and women's basketball teams are days away from the tip-off of the 2005-06 season and there is reason for optimism in both camps. Men's head coach Mark Peeler's squad returns its six top scorers from last year's team that won 14 games and finished tied for fourth in conference play. The Fleet is picked to finish third in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference this season — the first time Erskine's men's basketball team has been picked higher than seventh in the pre-season poll. Key returnees from last year's team are 6-7 junior Craig Williams, a first team All-CVAC performer in the post; 6-5 junior wing Reed Long, a second team All-CVAC honoree; 6-5 junior Matt Odom, a lethal 3-point threat; and CVAC Freshman of the Year T.J. Taylor, a 6-1 sophomore guard who played the entire season with a broken hand. Other returnees include 6-5 senior Jay Waring, a solid contributor on the perimeter for the last three years, and 5-10 junior Jason Winecoff, who logged quality minutes at point guard last year. Key additions to the Flying Fleet this season are 6-7 senior Lindokuhle Sibankulu, who returns after redshirting last year, and 6-5 junior college transfer Dan Marsella, a rugged inside force who averaged 24 points per game in junior college. Junior guard Tom Heffernan was a teammate of Marsella and should help Erskine on the perimeter. Women's head coach Maggie Peeler has a similar experience factor heading into the new season, returning her entire team from last year. The Fleet captured 17 wins in 2004-05, the most wins by a women's team at Erskine since 1995. Erskine was picked to finish fourth in the CVAC standings in the pre-season poll, after having finished fourth a year ago. The Fleet was slated eighth in last year's pre-season poll. While last year's team didn't have any fourth-year players, this year's women's squad will be led by a number of seniors — three-year starting point guard Melissa Woods, who was named to the 2005 CVAC All-Tournament Team, sharpshooter Anita Owens, a 2005 All-CVAC Honorable Mention honoree, and defensive specialists Stephanie Jenkins and Chacee Whittington, as well as redshirt Garreth Smoak, who sat out last season because of a knee injury. Also returning are juniors Lisa Jackson, a starting guard and 2005 All-CVAC second team, and post player Leigh Gray. Returning sophomores are Jenna Foster and Kristy Vaughn. Six freshmen have been added to the roster — Lauren Brendle, Lacey Williams, Kristin Pearson, Megan Powell, Ashley Stiles and Knyesha Hilton. Redshirt freshman Karen Anger will hit the college court for the first time after a season-ending injury last fall. The men's and women's teams open the 2005-06 campaign Nov. 17 on the road at Montreat, followed by a Nov. 22 visit to Greenwood to take on the Lander Bearcats. The women's team opens its home schedule Nov. 30 against Converse while the men's team opens at home Nov. 20 against Presbyterian. |
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