2003-2004 LYCOMING COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Lycoming College men’s basketball team will begin a new era during the 2003-2004 season under the direction of first-year head coach Don Friday. Friday is the seventh head coach in the history of the Warrior basketball program and is eager to take the team to new heights. He welcomes back a wealth of experience with four starters and 10 players returning from last year’s squad.

Providing the leadership for the team will be senior co-captains Matt Stackhouse (Hughesville, Pa.; Hughesville) and L.J. Huggler (Kersey, Pa.; St. Marys). Stackhouse is a two-time all-conference player who averaged 17.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game last season. Huggler added 12.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest.

“Having two players the caliber of Matt and L.J. is a coach’s dream,” said Friday. “Obviously their contributions on the floor will be a major part of any success we have, but it’s their leadership in practice and off the court that I really love. Matt and L.J. are terrific role models for our younger players to learn from.”

Also returning from last season’s starting line-up are sophomore Jonathan Pribble (Woolrich, Pa.; Central Mountain) and junior Shaun Morris (Camp Hill, Pa.; Trinity). Pribble was the Freedom Conference rookie-of-the-year following the 2002-2003 season. He averaged 14.4 points and 5.5 rebounds a game for the Warriors. Morris was a two-guard but led the team with 98 assists while also scoring 5.1 points per game.

Junior Jeremiah Edison (Mifflinburg, Pa.; Mifflinburg) and sophomores Brad Musser (Mifflinburg, Pa.; Mifflinburg) and Patrick Baylor (Broomall, Pa.; Cardinal O’Hara) rounded out Lycoming’s primary rotation in 2002-2003. Edison provided depth in the paint, contributing 2.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while giving Stackhouse or Huggler a breather. Musser apprenticed at point guard behind Tommy Wesner last season. He scored more than three points per game and averaged nearly two assists per contest in his role off the bench. Musser is expected to start at point guard for the Warriors in 2003-2004. Baylor is a scrappy swing player who provides Lycoming with versatility when matching up with opponents. Last season, he averaged 3.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Other players returning from last year’s squad include: senior J.J. Manikowski (Duboistown, Pa.; South Williamsport), junior Nick Myers (Shamokin, Pa.; Shamokin), and sophomore Michael DiNatale (Pennington, N.J.; Hopewell Valley Central). All three saw limited action last season and hope to contribute even more this year.

“Our experience is certainly one of our greatest strengths,” said Friday. “There is no doubt that this team understands the level they need to play at to compete in the conference and beyond. The key to this season will be their willingness to combine that experience with the new perspective and ideas that my coaching staff and I will bring to the table.”

The Warriors also welcome back sophomore Curtis Mays (Philadelphia, Pa.; University City) for the 2003-2004 season. Mays was a key member of Lycoming’s NCAA playoff team two seasons ago, when he averaged 6.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Joining the Warriors for the first time will be a group of four freshmen. Greg Arrow (Ivyland, Pa.; Archbishop Wood), Scott Corrigan (Lake Ariel, Pa.; Western Wayne), Derrick Dull (Ephrata, Pa.; Ephrata), and Jeff Warner (Jackson, N.J.; Jackson Memorial) all hope to contribute early in their collegiate careers. Arrow comes to Lycoming from a strong high school program and has the ability to be a significant scorer once he learns the system. Corrigan plays with high energy and passion, and is an excellent ball-handler with the ability to distribute. Dull is a hard-nosed, athletic player who will improve as he adjusts to the college game. Warner will become a mainstay in the program as he gains experience, because of his willingness to work hard, especially in the defensive end of the floor.

“With this being my first year at Lycoming, everyone started with a clean slate. The incoming class did not have to overcome a returning coach’s preconceived ideas on players’ abilities,” said Friday. “I think that has allowed them to be more comfortable and confident as they learn our system and adjust to the speed of the college game. I’m confident this class will contribute both this season and in the future.”