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West Virginia State Picked Atop WVIAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll
11/3/2009

(PRINCETON, W.Va.)---Despite a bevy of new faces dotting league rosters in the 2009-10 season, WVIAC men's basketball coaches are calling for more of the same by making defending regular season champion West Virginia State the overwhelming favorite to repeat.

All nine players from last season's first team All-WVIAC squad have departed, including four of the top five scorers in the NCAA Division II ranks. However, traditional powers dot the top of the pre-season prognostications with West Liberty, Alderson-Broaddus, and 2009 WVIAC Tournament winner Pitt Johnstown comprising the top four.

Charleston, Fairmont State, Wheeling Jesuit, West Virginia Wesleyan, Concord, and Seton Hill occupy the fifth through tenth spots in the poll. The ratings are completed by Shepherd, Davis & Elkins, Glenville State, Bluefield State, and Ohio Valley. Salem International is not eligible for the 2009-10 WVIAC men's basketball championship.

West Virginia State (24-6, 19-1) loses four starters from last season's NCAA Tournament squad, but senior guard Darren Jones (5-9, 16.3 ppg, 6.2 apg) is back on hand to direct the Jacket attack. Head coach Bryan Poore will reload with Division I transfers Will Thomas (6-5, G, West Virginia University), Bo King (6-1, Soph., Presbyterian), and Josh "Cookie" Miller (5-7, G, Nebraska). Junior college transfers Justin Banks (6-6, F) and Fred Harris (6-6, F) will need to contribute on the boards for an athletic, but undersized squad.

West Liberty (23-7, 16-4) returns six lettermen from Division II's highest scoring team in 2008-09 at over 98 points per game. The inside-outside junior duo of Corey Pelle (6-0, G, 17.4 ppg, 5.6 apg, 2.9 spg) and John Wolosinczuk (13.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg) hope to lead head coach Jim Crutchfield's Toppers to their first WVIAC crown since 1971. Senior guard Mike Mathey (6-1, 9.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.0 apg) started all 30 games a year ago.

Alderson-Broaddus (27-6, 17-3) has won 22 or more games during all eight seasons that head coach Greg Zimmerman has been at the helm, but the Battlers must replace six key contributors from last season. Senior guard Terrell Eargle (6-4, 11.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 5.7 apg) is one of the most versatile players in the Atlantic Region. Juniors Mark Summerfield (6-2, G, 4.2 ppg) and Jordan Morrison (6-2, G, 3.0 ppg) will look to handle expanded roles in 2009-10.

Pitt Johnstown (24-8, 15-5) head coach Bob Rukavina describes this season's Mountain Cats as the youngest squad of his 21-year tenure. Sophomore center Patrick Grubbs (6-7, 10.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 62% FG) proved to be imposing at times during his rookie campaign and is the lone returning starter. Guards Danny Branch (6-4, Jr., 8.0 ppg) and Andy Byer (6-1, Sr., G, 5.0 ppg) are seasoned, but a crop of eight newcomers could see plenty of playing time for UPJ.

Charleston (13-15, 8-12) should benefit from the return of senior forward John White (6-5, 14.0 ppg in '07-08). Brandon Ross (6-4, Soph., G/F, 11.4 ppg) and Ronald Kinney (6-6, Soph., F, 11.4 ppg) were double digit scorers for head coach Greg White last season as freshmen.

Fairmont State (20-9, 12-8) has eight players back from a 20-win squad, including senior forward Dan Bruner (6-8, 11.4 ppg). Sophomore guard Steve Custis (6-0, 10.3 ppg) made a splash during his first collegiate season. Junior Michael Lopez (6-2, G, 9.0 ppg) should contribute to a solid Falcon backcourt.

Wheeling Jesuit's (14-16, 10-10) freshman-dominated squad began to make noise late in the 2008-09 campaign, capped by their WVIAC Tournament upset over West Virginia State. Danny Sancomb's Cardinals will remain one of the WVIAC's youngest teams, but big things are expected from sophomores Obi Ukwuoma (6-5, F, 8.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg) and Steve Catich (6-5, G/F, 9.2 ppg). An 11-player freshman class should also pay quick dividends for WJU.

West Virginia Wesleyan (10-18, 10-10) looks to contend behind a trio of returning starters that scored 13 or more points per game last year. Justin Caldwell (6-2, Jr., G, 14.7 ppg), Ryan Hoehner (6-5, Sr., F, 13.1 ppg), and Neven Zeravica (6-9, Jr., C, 13.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg) give head coach Bill Lilly a solid foundation to build on.

Concord (10-18, 8-12) hopes to climb back into the league's upper half with three returnees that averaged in double figures last season. Cory Willard (5-11, Soph., G, 12.1 ppg) and Matt Parker (6-3, Sr., G, 11.8 ppg) are prolific three-point shooting threats. Rafee Smith (6-2, G, 11.2 ppg) also returns to the Mountain Lion backcourt.

Seton Hill (10-18, 7-13) must replace standout guard Jordan Thomas, but the Griffins should receive a boost from the return of Emmanuel Jackson (6-2, Sr., G, 14.3 ppg in '07-08) from an injury. Cody Boone (6-9, Sr., F, 9.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg) has been one of the league's top defenders during his career. Chris Giles (6-5, Jr., G, 12.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg) is the team's leading returning scorer.

Shepherd (13-16, 11-9) suffered heavy frontcourt losses, but the Rams have a pair of returning starters at guard. Jonathan Motichka (6-0, Jr., 12.7 ppg) and Tyrone Roach (5-11, Sr., 11.9 ppg) pace the talent back on hand for SU. Seven different states or countries are represented in the Rams' ten-player recruiting class.

Explosive guard Tim Turner (6-1, Jr., 22.3 ppg) ranked ninth nationally in scoring last season and will be a key for Davis & Elkins (7-21, 5-15). First-year head coach Bruce Martin also welcomes back another double figures scorer in senior Danny Manuel (5-10, G, 12.8 ppg).

Glenville State (20-9, 13-7) will have a completely new look as the top five scorers from last season's 20-win campaign have departed. Former Alderson-Broaddus standout Stephen Dye takes over as the program's head coach and only has one senior on an inexperienced roster.

Bluefield State (3-25, 3-17) welcomes back high-scoring guard Raylon Almon (6-1, Sr., G, 20.6 ppg). Fellow seniors Brian Tingle (6-5, F, 13.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Shannon Thomas (6-4, F, 8.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg) will help the Big Blues field one of the league's most-experienced squads in 2009-10.

Ohio Valley (5-23, 3-17) looks to increase their win total in year two for head coach Mike Snell. Potomac State transfer Donavin Vinson tallied 22 points in a recent exhibition contest versus NAIA power Mountain State.

Salem International (3-25, 3-17) head coach Andy Sorine hopes to return the Tiger program to brighter days, but must replace four seniors from last year's club.

The WVIAC basketball regular season opens on November 15. The league's 73rd annual post-season tournament is slated for March 2-6.

The complete WVIAC men's basketball pre-season coaches' poll follows:

# School (1st place votes) '08-'09 W-L Pts.
1. West Virginia State (12) 24-6, 19-1 216
2. West Liberty (1) 23-7, 16-4 190
3. Alderson-Broaddus (1) 27-6, 17-3 183
4. Pitt Johnstown (1) 24-8, 15-5 168
5. Charleston 13-15, 8-12 163
6. Fairmont State 20-9, 12-8 151
7. Wheeling Jesuit 14-16, 10-10 132
8. West Virginia Wesleyan 10-18, 10-10 119
9. Concord 10-18, 8-12 102
10. Seton Hill 10-18, 7-13 95
11. Shepherd 13-16, 11-9 79
12. Davis & Elkins 7-21, 5-15 72
13. Glenville State 20-9, 13-7 59
14. Bluefield State 3-25, 3-17 33
15. Ohio Valley 5-23, 3-17 28
Note: Salem International is not eligible for the 2009-10 WVIAC men's basketball title.