>> HISTORY
Since the arrival of Bob Huggins and Dan Peters in the 1980’s, the Walsh basketball program has done nothing but win, reaching heights never before imagined by the program’s closest followers. However, the last five years truly represent a “Golden Era” for Walsh University Basketball. Under Head Coach Jeff Young, the Cavs have rattled off 135 wins, won the NAIA National Championship, captured five straight conference championships and made five straight national tournament appearances. Ranked sixth, with one first-place vote in the 2009-10 Preseason Poll, Walsh, along with Oregon Tech carry the longest streak of consecutive weeks in the top 25 at 52. Last year, despite the losses of Corey Jones and Brandon Weems, Walsh kept on winning (27-4). Stepping up to lead the charge was AMC Player of the Year and first-team NAIA All-American Joe Shardo. Shardo put together one of the finest years in team-history, averaging 18.6 points per game, while shooting .510 from the field and .445 from three-point range.
>> TRANSFER TO MAKE IMPACT/TRANSFER VETS WILL WAIT
The biggest addition to the 2009-10 Cavs is transfer Ricky Jackson (6-7, 210, Sr., Canton, OH/McKinley) from West Virginia State. A local high school standout, Jackson will start at the four spot. He will make an immediate impact. He is strong, athletic and runs the floor. His presence down low will strengthen the Cavs on both ends of the floor. Isaac Knight (F, 6-8, 235, Sr., Detroit, MI/Crockett/Kent State) and Greg Howard (G, 6-4, 218, Jr., Cincinnati, OH/Withrow/West Liberty University) both transferred in last season and will be key components for the Cavs. Unfortunately, Knight has only one semester to play (winter). He suffered an ACL injury in the preseason last year, and has yet to play a minute for the Cavs. Howard will see plenty of action at the three-spot, but not until second semester as well. He played in only 18 games last year after suffering a broken foot at Wilberforce. He averaged 10.1 points and shot .530 from the field.
>> BACKCOURT: MAYBE THE BEST
Walsh’s starting backcourt maybe the finest in the American Mideast Conference, and possibly in the NAIA. Jeremy Shardo (6-3, 185, Jr., Yorkshire, OH/Versailles) matured into one of the finest point guards in the NAIA last year. Shardo set a single season assist mark (249) for the Cavs, while leading the NAIA (8.0). The first-team All-AMC and NAIA Honorable Mention All-American guard proved to be an “Iron Man” as well, averaging almost 36 minutes per game. Shardo averaged 15.4 points, shot .451 from three-point and led the team with 54 steals. While handling the ball the majority of the time, Shardo’s assist to turnover ratio (.311) led the AMC and was fourth nationally. When on the floor, all eyes are always on Shardo. Brandon Speck (6-0, 175, Sr., Mansfield, OH/St. Peter’s) returns for his final season. The sharp-shooting Speck will start at two-guard, after putting together his finest season in a Walsh uniform last year. Speck averaged in double figures (12.1) for the first time and led AMC in three-point percentage (.462). He also proved to be one of Coach Young’s most valuable defenders. Look for Speck to have his finest season to date.
The Cavs welcome back Lamar Skeeter (6-0, 175, Jr., Dayton, OH/Kettering Fairmont), who suffered a broken leg eight games into the season. One can only wonder how far the Cavs would have gone with a healthy Skeeter. At the time of the injury, he was averaging 15.1 points per game, shooting .480 from the floor, .563 from three-point and averaging 5.0 rebounds per game. Joining the Cavs after transferring from Cleveland State University in mid-season is Eric Schiele (6-0, 164, Jr., Atwater, OH/Waterloo). Schiele, like Speck, can drill the three from anywhere on the floor and provide instant offense. The versatile guard can also play the point.
>> INSIDE GAME STRONG
Kyelce Cescato (6-10, 245, Sr., Barra Bonita, Brazil/Colmeia Entec) will again provide a veteran presence for the Cavs in the paint. Cescato came into his own last year, earning second-team All-AMC accolades. Cescato reintroduced his soft hook shot in 2008 and continued to have success with the throwback move last year. The soft-spoken big-man averaged 14.1 points and led the AMC and finished second in the NAIA in FG% (.644). The additions of Jackson and Knight will aid the Cavs in the post. Freshman Kenny Kornowski (6-9, 225, Marshallville, OH/Smithville) provides great depth and future stardom in the post. The lefty, with a soft-touch from the perimeter earned Division lll Player of the Year honors last year. Look for big things from Kornowski.
>> BENCH HAS DEPTH, VETS, TRANSFER
The Walsh bench will again play a key role in the success of the team. L.J. Sutton (6-5, 193, So., Youngstown, OH/Cardinal Mooney) gained valuable experience his freshman season. Sutton came off the bench, then started the 15 games after the injury to Greg Howard. Sutton fit in the offensive flow and averaged 5.3 points, while shooting .485 from the floor. His fine play earned recognition on the All-AMC Freshmen Team. He should only get better. Wheeling Jesuit transfer Lance Randall (6-3, 171, Jr., Canfield, OH/Ursuline) will be counted on at the three-spot.
>> YOUNG PUPS
Freshmen Tim Congrove (5-10, 154, Circleville, OH/Logan Elms), Jason Davis (5-10, 183, Westerville, OH/South), and Nikola Knezevic (6-0, 167, Fr., Belgrade, Serbia/Conotton Valley) round out the roster. The trio will gain valuable experience in practice day-in and day-out, which should ready them for game action.
>> CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
This year’s American Mideast Conference schedule resembles the old Bob Dylan song, The Times They Are a-Changin’. After playing a round robin schedule with one division last year, the AMC goes back to the traditional North/South format. Walsh will play in the South with Cedarville University, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, the University of Northwestern Ohio, Shawnee State University and Wilberforce University. The North will feature Daemen College, Houghton College, Malone University, Notre Dame College, Point Park University and Roberts Wesleyan College. Ohio Dominican University and the University of Rio Grande have left the AMC.
>> OHIO STATE, AGAIN
The Cavs travel to the Ohio State University (Nov. 4) for an exhibition game for the third time in four years. The Cavs and Buckeyes met last year, and in the 2006-07 season. The exhibition game is the first test for the 2009-10 Cavs.
