2007-08 Outlook

2007-08 Walsh University Men's Basketball Outlook

The last three years have been the finest in the history of the Walsh University Basketball program. The Cavs won their first NAIA Championship in 2004-05, reached the “Elite Eight” in 2005-06, and the “Sweet 16” last year. Walsh has won 82 games against only 21 losses, and has posted the second most wins and the second highest winning percentage (.796) in the NAIA the last three years. In the extremely tough American Mideast Conference, they have equaled that success, winning out right championships the first two years and sharing the crown last season. With all of that being said, expectations run high for the 2007-08 season.

Fourth year Head Coach Jeff Young (83-25) returns three starters and eight letter winners from last years “Sweet 16” team. The cupboard is not bare. But, what Young will have to do is replace former NAIA All-American’s Adam Lesch and Jason Hicks. Lesch, who earned honorable mention honors last year, averaged 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and shot .606 from the field. Hicks, the playmaker on Walsh’s NAIA Title Team, averaged 12.7 points and 3.4 assists last year. What these two brought to the floor is immeasurable. Young will also have to replace small forward Derek Chappell, who averaged 10.2 points and 4.2 rebounds. Chappell was always a tough match-up because of his quickness in the post. He shot .584 from the field and at times was dominating. However, the toughest task Young will face is replacing the experience and leadership that came from the above trio. This threesome played in 15 post season games, posting a 12-3 record. They have played on the NAIA’s biggest stage, and have been winners throughout.

The Cavs have plenty of incentive entering the upcoming season, as they try to become the first Walsh team to reach the NAIA National Tournament four consecutive years. Young returns veterans who have played on the biggest stage the NAIA has to offer, and have excelled. The Cavs have also brought in freshmen and transfers that will have an immediate impact.

Point guard Brandon Weems (Sr., 5-10, 170, Akron, OH/Saint Vincent-Saint Mary) pictured left returns to direct the offense. Weems became the first Walsh player in school history to lead the NAIA in a statistical category, when he led the nation in assists. Weems dished out a Walsh single season record 237 assists, for a 7.4 per game average. He also takes tremendous care of the ball, as his 3.12 assist to turnover ratio will attest to. He was ranked second nationally. Weems can score (9.1 ppg) and shoot the three (.400) and is at his best when he is looking to score and not just dish-off for the assist. He is also a top notch defender, who despite being 5-10, averaged 4.0 rebounds a game. Weems was named honorable mention All-AMC South last year. His high school running mate, Corey Jones (Sr., 6-3, Avon Lake, OH/Akron Saint Vincent-St. Mary) has improved each season. Jones came to Walsh as a long range shooter. He begins his senior year a complete player, who can beat you in a variety of ways. Jones has always shot the three-ball well, as his .429 percentage will attest to. With hard work, he has become a player that can drive to the basket, and also create his shot. He doesn’t have to have his feet planted to score. But if you leave him alone, and he gets his feet planted, forget it. He will kill you. While being one of the finest free throw shooters in team history, he has also become a player that rarely makes a mistake on the offensive end. Like Weems, he rarely turns the ball over. Jones was second team All-AMC South last year. Look for this high school duo to complete their great collegiate run as they did their run in high school, as winners.

Seven-foot center Eder Araujo (Sr., Sao Paulo, Brazil/Odete de Freitas) returns for his final year. Araujo led the Cavs in rebounding (8.6) and the AMC for most of the season. The soft-spoken Brazilian can dominate the game when he plays within himself. Despite being a good jump shooter, Araujo is at his best when he works from ten feet and in. His nine double-doubles from last year attest to that. When he takes the ball hard to basket, there is not a better big man. His goal is to lead the AMC in rebounding. Look for the athletic Josh Johnson (6-4. Jr., Warren, OH/Harding) to start on the wing. Josh averaged 6.1 points in 34 games, starting nine and hit all five of his shots in Walsh’s season-ending tournament loss to Cornerstone. Johnson can shoot the jumper, or explode to the basket. His first step will always keep the defense honest.

Junior Eric Love (6-1, Concord, NC/Mt. Pleasant) and sophomore Brandon Speck (6-0, Mansfield, OH/St. Peter’s) will both see plenty of action at small forward and shooting guard. Love became eligible second semester last year after transferring (Pfeiffer) and averaged 5.0 points. He is deadly from the perimeter and should be much improved this season. He is also one of the most athletic players, who when he learns to create and move without the ball, can be a premier player at the NAIA level. Speck earned playing time as a freshman due to his ability to score from just about anywhere on the floor. He shot .467 from three-point and .452 from the field. If he is on the floor the defense had better pay attention, as like Jones, with his feet planted, he is deadly. Speck averaged 6.4 points in only 14.9 minutes per game.

Young has recruited two transfers who will see significant minutes. Look for Kyelce Cescato (6-10, So., Barra Bonita, Brazil/Colmeia Entec) to start at center. Cescato transferred, but did not play at Mount Olive College (NC). He is athletic and runs the floor, and will be effective with his back to the basket. Joe Shardo (6-5, Jr., Yorkshire, OH/Versailles) transferred from NCAA II Missouri-Rolla, where he played in 27 games and averaged 9.4 points. He is physical and can shoot the three very well for a big man. Look for Shardo to spell both Araujo and Cescato, and possibly see time on the wing. Also expected to see time at the point is freshman Lamar Skeeter (5-10, Dayton, OH/Kettering Fairmont). Skeeter garnered plenty of top honors at Fairmont, and left as the all-time scoring leader. His progress has been slowed due to the fact that he is on the Cavs’ soccer team, and having an outstanding season. He is quick, handles the ball well, and has great court sense.

Other returning veterans include Nate Dallas (5-11, So., Canton, OH/GlenOak) and Kevin Stingel (5-10, Sr., Warren, OH/Champion). Dallas made the squad after walking-on last year, while Stingel returns for his final year. Both will provide back court depth.

The Cavs have three other additions to the 2007-08 roster. Jeremy Shardo (6-3, Fr., Yorkshire, OH/Versailles), brother of Joe, comes to Walsh after an outstanding high school career. Jeremy is athletic and should be exciting to watch. Other freshmen include Ryan Butler (6-6, Hamilton, OH/HS) and Greg Fite (6-4, Massillon, OH/Perry).

Walsh plays a 28-game schedule, and starts AMC South play in January. The Cavs open with an exhibition game at the University of Akron on November 8 and play 13 games before their AMC opener at Ohio Dominican University (1/8). The Walsh/Malone rivalry will have a new look, as the Pioneers opted to go to the AMC North this season. The two teams will still play twice, with the Mayor’s Cup game at Walsh on February 7.

Walsh finished 17-1 at home last season, but play only 11 games at Alumni Arena  this season, and just three in November and January. The Cavs take their farthest trip in December, when they travel to Honolulu for the Hoop-n-Surf Classic.