The Rocket Special Edition 11-22-2013

2013-2014 SRU BASKETBALL D'ASIA

TABARI

CHAMBERS

PERRY

The Rocket presents

Get ready to Rock

E2 - Men's Roster // E3 - Transfers take on leadership role for SRU E4 and E5 - Rock basketball takes flight: Recruitment techniques shape futures of the programs E6 - Women's basketball leans on captains // E7 - Women's Roster E8 - Changes to PSAC-West intensifies competition Illustration by Matthew Morgan

ROCK JAM

E-2

November 22, 2013

2013-14 Men's Basketball Roster Martin is in his first season with the Rock after transferring from 6'2 / Guard / Senior Bridgeport, Connecticut where Philadelphia, PA his main statistical highlights were 12.1 points per game, a 40.7 shooting percentage and 38 total steals on the season. Martin is looking to earn close to 24 minutes per game, which was what he got last year at Bridgeport. His best game for The Rock this season came against Shepherd University where he scored seven points in 25 minutes and also had four assists.

Jones is redshirting in his first T.J. #20 season with the Rock, but his Jones hope is that the team will be able 6'1 / Guard / Soph. to win over 20 games this year. Stafford, VA His basketball career highlights include being named to the AllState team in South Carolina then again in Virginia during his senior year at North Stafford High School. As a freshman at St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York last year Jones averaged 33.6 minutes and 13.8 points per game and was named Rookie of the Year. Jones came to play at SRU because he liked the coach and the program and it seemed like a good opportunity to continue his basketball career.

Lewis-Briggs #2

Lewis-Briggs is new to Slippery Rock this season after spending last 6'8 / Center / Senior season in the Ohio Valley Norristown, PA Conference with Morehead State University. The best part of Lewis-Briggs' game is his rebounding. His prior contact with Coach Kevin Reynolds was a determining factor in his decision to come to Slippery Rock for his senior year. His goal for the season is to get the Rock farther than last season and put himself in a good position to compete at the next level.

Hayes is entering his third Chris #22 year at SRU. He was a Hayes manager for the team his 5'7 // Guard // R-Soph freshman year before being Lansdale, PA given the opportunity to join the team last year. His goal is to do whatever he can do to help the team win the PSAC Championship and get the team back to the NCAA Tournament. The highlights of Hayes' basketball career were having the opportunities to play games at Michigan and Pitt. He initially came to SRU for academics and the Exercise Science program before making the basketball team last year.

Rynd is in his third season with Slippery Rock after redshirting 6'2 / Guard / R-Soph. in 2011-2012 and playing in Oil City, PA seven games last season. His career high in points came against Ohio Eastern last season with 10 points, as he shot 2-4 from three point territory. Rynd is one of the few players on the roster that has been with the team since he was a freshman. Rynd came to SRU from Venango Christian High School where he lettered in basketball four times.

Butler is coming into his first Antonio #23 season at SRU and hopes that Butler he can make an immediate 6'4 // Guard // R-Junior contribution to the team. The Lorton, VA highlight of his basketball career was being named to the first team all conference team last season as a sophomore at Garrett Community College. Butler played for Garrett Community College from 2011-2013 where he averaged 19.8 points per game, recorded 188 rebounds and was a two-time Maryland Junior College All-Star.

Grady is in his second season with Slippery Rock after 6'5 / Forward / R-Soph. starting his collegiate basketball Cumberland, MD career at Garrett College in Maryland. While at Garrett College, Grady redshirted the 2010-2011 season and played in six games the 20112012 season before being sidelined with an injury. He transferred to Slippery Rock last season and played in 13 games where his best game came against Ohio Eastern in which he had 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Perry is going into his senior Tabari #24 year with the Rock and his goal Perry is to do whatever it takes to 6'8 / Forward / R-Senior get the team into the playoffs. Cambridge, MD His career highlight was last year at Bloomsburg where he recorded a double-double with a career high 24 points and 12 rebounds. He earned second team All-PSAC West honors after his sophomore year at SRU and was the player of the year as a senior at Cambridge South-Dorchester High School. Perry started in all 32 games for The Rock last year and averaged 10.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and is the team’s leading returning scorer.

Delinac is in his first season with Slippery Rock and transferred 6'2 / Guard / Junior to SRU from Marshalltown Toronto, Canada Community College. Delinac's best performance with the Green and White so far this season is the win over Shepherd University on Nov. 10.

"Winning the Shepherd game got us going on the right path," Delinac said. His team mentality encompasses his goals for the season. "Whatever Coach needs from me," Delinac said. "I'm just trying to help the team anyway I can."

Jackson is entering his junior Daivon #32 year with the Rock. His goal Jackson for the season is to get back 6'4 / Forward / R-Junior onto the court after tearing his Philadelphia, PA ACL last year. Jackson is also a member of the football team but was forced to miss this season as he recovered from his knee injury. His career highlight was an AAU game in the summer going into his senior year of high school in which he scored 20 points and had 20 rebounds. Jackson decided to come to SRU because it was the best place for him to continue his education as well as his athletic career.

King is an inter-conference transfer, and came to Slippery 6'4 // Guard // Junior Rock after attending Kutztown Philadelphia, PA University from 2011-2013.

King saw playing time in 24 games while at Kutztown, where he had a 41.4 percent shooting proficiency and averaged 1.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. King also totaled 11 steals, three blocks and 15 assists with the Golden Bears. King is a Sport Management major and has seen playing time in all three games this season for Slippery Rock.

Dixon is entering his first Kelvin #40 season with SRU after playing Dixon two years at Iowa Western 6'6 / Forward / Junior Bronx, NY Community College.

His goal for the season is to be the best player he can be to help the team win a PSAC championship. He also wants to average double figures in rebounds. The highlight of his career was recording 13 double-doubles at Iowa Western C.C. and was named to the All Region Second Team in the 2011-2012 season.

Moore is in his third season with Slippery Rock and has been on 5'10 / Guard / R-Soph. the team since he was recruited Deptford, NJ as a freshman. Moore's career high in assists came last season against Ohio Eastern, where he nearly hit double digits and had nine assists in 19 minutes. Moore is a Communication major at Slippery Rock and appears on various sports segments on WSRU-TV. "I want to help the team win a championship," Moore said. "That's my goal here."

Hartung came to Slippery Rock Luke #42 University after attending Butler Hartung Area High School.

Hartung 6'4 / Guard / Freshman Butler, PA lettered twice while playing varsity basketball under the Tornado's head coach, Matt Clement. As a redshirt, Hartung will focus on learning and understanding the Rock's playbook. He will be leaving the team to attend a two-year missionary retreat but will return as a sophomore with four years left of eligibility to play at SRU.

Davis is in his second season with the Rock and is focused 5'9 / Guard / R-Senior on making the team better than Washington, DC last season. "We're trying to do better than last year, trying to win a PSAC Championship," Davis said. He is also focused on improving himself as a player and finishing his college career strong both on and off the court. Davis said that his career highlight was beating IUP last season and being able to send the seniors off with a win on their senior night.

Raleigh is entering his Erik #44 first year with the Rock Raleigh and hopes to make an 6'8 / Forward / R-Soph. immediate impact helping Philadelphia, PA the team to win the PSAC championship.

Raleigh's personal goal on the season is to win PSAC Defensive Player of the Year. The highlight of his basketball career to date was winning the High School City League Championship. He felt that SRU was a good place for him to be able to focus on basketball.

Last year, Raleigh appeared in nine games as a freshman at Central Connecticut State University.

Josh

Martin

#1

Maurice

Maxx

Rynd

Jordan

Grady

Matej

Delinac

Abdul

King

Kenny

Moore

Sa'Quan

Davis

#3

#4

#5

#10

#11

#12

ROCK JAM Transfer takes on leadership role for SRU E-3

November 22, 2013

By Cody Gray Rocket Contributor

With the departure of seven seniors at the end of last season, the Slippery Rock men’s basketball team will look to incoming senior transfer student Maurice Lewis-Briggs to step up as a leader on the team.

Lewis-Briggs, or “Mo”, transferred to the Rock from Morehead State University.

Lewis-Briggs signed to Morehead State after being recruited by head coach Donnie Tyndall and former SRU assistant coach Jareem Dowling. Both Tyndall and Dowling left Morehead State for Southern Mississippi before Lewis-Briggs stepped on the court for the Eagles. Tyndall was replaced by Sean Woods.

Lewis-Briggs played in 17 games for Morehead State and averaged 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. He also averaged 17.9 minutes per game.

Arguably the biggest game of Lewis-Briggs’ collegiate career came on Nov. 21, 2012, when Morehead State took on defending national champions, the University of Kentucky, in the home of the Wildcats, Rupp Arena.

Lewis-Briggs faced off against two 2013 NBA first round draft picks, center Nerlens Noel, currently with the Philadelphia 76ers, and guard Archie Goodwin, currently with the Phoenix Suns.

Lewis-Briggs played 23 minutes, recorded 13 points and had six rebounds. Despite facing NBA talent and the coaching style of John Calipari, LewisBriggs remains humble about the experience.

“It was a great experience but I took it as a regular game,” Lewis-Briggs said.

After a game against Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 12, 2013, where he played 17 minutes and posted four points, Lewis-Briggs left the Morehead State program permanently.

“It was a great program,” Lewis-Briggs said, “The problem was I didn’t see myself succeeding there when Coach Tyndall left for Southern Mississippi.

I liked the school and program, but I didn’t do my research on the new coach.”

After Lewis-Briggs’ departure from Morehead State, Reynolds and Walker recruited Lewis-Briggs to come to the Rock.

“My friendship with Jareem and Donnie played a

significant role,” Reynolds said. “Maurice had a very close relationship with them.”

Lewis-Briggs enrolled at Slippery Rock in the fall of 2013 as a professional studies major. Even with his prior knowledge of Reynolds, Lewis-Briggs is still adjusting to his new coach.

“Coach Reynolds is different,” Lewis-Briggs said.

“He is the most different coach I have ever had, but he knows what he’s doing. He is getting us ready to play at the professional level. His thoughts to the game are different once you buy into them.”

Lewis-Briggs’ faced off against his former recruiter, Tyndall, in his first game with the Rock in a preseason match against Southern Mississippi.

Lewis-Briggs classified the game as a good reunion with Coach Tyndall. Lewis-Briggs was SRU’s second leading scorer with 14 points in 22 minutes of action as Southern Mississippi won 77-65.

The Rock’s second preseason game was against another Division I opponent, the Pittsburgh Panthers.

The Panthers won that preseason contest 9660. Lewis-Briggs played 28 minutes, earned eight rebounds and scored 20 points.

“Pitt was another good experience,” Lewis-Briggs said, “Even though it was a bad outcome.”

Last season, SRU finished with a 23-9 (16-6) record, including losses to Indiana University of Pa. in both the PSAC Championship game and the second round of the Division II National Championship.

Even with eight incoming transfers, Lewis-Briggs has high expectations for himself and the program this upcoming season.

“My goal is to do better than last year’s team did before me,” Lewis-Briggs said. “I don’t know what the other teams are doing but I just want to win more games than they do.”

In the meantime, Lewis-Briggs looks forward to improving himself and his teammates. His biggest asset is his 6'8'' frame and being a large presence on the court. Lewis-Briggs knows there are still things that need improvement.

“I want to help teammates out in practice,” LewisBriggs said, “Do the little things in practice. My defense and rebounding can be improved.”

Reynolds knows the potential impact Lewis-Briggs can bring to his team this season.

PHOTO BY JULIE JURICH

Senior forward Maurice Lewis-Briggs looks to make a pass at the Nov. 1 game against the University of Pittsburgh.

Lewis-Briggs totaled 20 points and eight rebounds against the Panthers.

“We are excited to have Maurice on the team,” Reynolds said, “He is a talented player that has a big upside. If he continues to work hard to improve certain facets of his game on a daily basis in practice, he will have a positive impact in helping our team reach our goals.”

PSAC-WEST MEN'S "MONSTARS"

CALIFORNIA

CLARION

EDINBORO

GANNON

California University of Pa. was picked to finish fourth in the PSAC-West. The Vulcans went 12-15 last season with a 11-11 record in conference play. Cal returns five players from last year’s team, including PSAC-West Freshman Of The Year Jake Jacubec. He shot 42 percent from the three point line and averaged 6.9 points per game. Cal also brings back seniors Chris Williams and Tynell Fortune. Last season, Fortune scored 10.7 points per game while Williams averaged 6.3 points a game and 5.3 rebounds.

Clarion University was picked to finish fifth in the PSAC-West. Last season the Golden Eagles finished with a 6-20 record, with a 4-18 record in conference play.

The team welcomes back All-PSAC West forward senior Mike Kromka. He was the team’s leading scorer last year with 12.5 points a game and 8.5 rebounds a game.

The Golden Eagles also welcome back junior Marques Jones who was second on the team in points. He averaged 10.3 points and also led the team in assists.

Edinboro was picked to finish eighth in the PSAC-West. Last season the Fighting Scots went 18-10 with a 13-9 record in conference play. They’re led by head coach Pat Cleary. The team welcomes back Preseason All-PSAC-West senior Brian Theriot, who averaged 18 points a game and 9.3 rebounds last year. He was third in the PSAC in rebounding and fourth in scoring. The team also welcomes back senior forward Johnathan Logan, who averaged 10.7 points a game.

Gannon University is picked second in

INDIANA Indiana University of Pa. was picked to win the PSAC- West. The Crimson Hawks were also picked 14th in the National Association of Basketball Coaches. IUP will be looking for their fourth PSAC crown in five years.

Last season IUP had a 26-6 record with a 17-5 record in conference play. IUP has two players that were named to the All-PSAC preseason West team. Seniors Marthis Keita and Marcel Souberbielle. Keita led IUP with 13.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season. Souberbielle averaged 10.8 points a game and 4 rebounds a game.

the PSAC West. Gannon finished 22-7 last season and went 16-6 in conference play; they finished second only to IUP. Gannon welcomes back guard Adam Blazek who averaged 11.5 points points per game and 4.1 rebounds. He scored in double digits thirteen times last season. Blazek was named PSAC-West freshman of the year in 2011 and was also named to the second All-PSAC west team last season.

PITT MERCYHURST JOHNSTOWN SETON HILL Mercyhurst University comes into this

Pitt-Johnstown is brand new to the PSAC-

season picked to finish sixth in the

West and was picked to finish fifth in the

PSAC-West. Last season, Mercyhurst

preseason standings. The Mountain Cats,

went 16-13 and 12-10 in conference play.

separated by just one vote from No.4

The Lakers will rely on senior Jonathan

Cal-U, went 15-13 last season. The team

Ouegnin and junior Callon Dailey.

will rely on seniors Bill Luther and Andrew

Ouegnin averaged almost 7.7 points a

Cressler. Luther, a senior forward, averaged

game with 4.1 rebounds. He also shot

12 points a game and 4.5 rebounds. Cressler

80 percent from the free throw line.

had an average of 10.8 points a game

Dailey was the second leading scorer and

with 6.1 rebounds. Pitt-Johnstown will

averaged 8.5 points per game last season.

look to make a stand in the PSAC-West.

Seton Hill is new to the PSAC-West and were picked to finish seventh. Last season, the Griffins had a 16-12 record overall and finished seventh in the WVIAC tournament.

Seton Hill will rely on returning seniors Malachi Leonard and Max Kenyi. Leonard played in 26 games last season and averaged 13 points a game with 6.8 rebounds.

Kenyi was the second leading scorer on the team with 12.6 points a game with a season total of 42 steals. Both Kenyi and Leonard were named the WVIAC team.

ROCK

E-4

Novembe

Rock basketball takes flight:

By Brian Hepfinger Rocket Contributor

PHOTO BY JULIE JURICH

Head coach Tanya Longo observes her team's performance during the home opener on Nov. 13 against Wheeling Jesuit University. Longo is in her fourth season as head coach of the women's basketball program.

Recruiting for collegiate sports is a strategic process that can set the tone for a program’s season and even its future.

Some universities thrive on their program's past success or their coach's reputation to bring in prospective athletes.

This technique can be difficult to implement at Division II schools that aren't as widely known as Division I schools.

At Slippery Rock University, for example, the men’s and women’s basketball programs have been looking for recruitment techniques that will produce a successful season and build the teams' futures.

The Green and White are led by head coaches Kevin Reynolds and Tanya Longo.

Despite having similar recruitment techniques, the men's and women's teams have had mixed results under the supervision of Reynolds and Longo.

The men’s team has had a winning record in all five of Reynolds’ seasons as head coach, while the women’s team has had a losing record in all three of Longo’s seasons as head coach.

Before Longo took over, however, the women’s team still had not had a winning record since the 2001-2002 season.

After finishing their 2012-2013 season 23-9, with a 16-6 record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, the men’s team was picked to finish third in the PSAC-West.

The women’s team ended last season with a record of 4-22, with a 3-19 PSAC record Preseason polls predicted them the finish ninth in the PSAC-West.

“I am disappointed by the preseason ranking,” Longo said. “However, I am more concerned with what the end of season ranking will be.”

Since becoming head coach in 2010, Longo said her four recruiting classes have consisted of more transfer students than freshman overall.

This season, her roster consists of three transfer students and 11 non-transfer students.

There are also four freshmen on the team.

“There are benefits to going with veteran players and transfers, but there are also drawbacks,” Longo said. “Freshmen lack collegelevel experience, but a program reaps the benefits of having third and fourth year players in the long run because they can understand and execute offensive and defensive schemes.”

Longo said she gets her recruitment classes from all over the country.

“I have many connections coast-to-coast at the high school, junior college, Division I, and Division II levels,” Longo said. “From those contacts, we get a plethora of young ladies to evaluate and consider for our program.”

She went on to say that each year her recruitment class changes.

“Each recruiting class looks different based on our needs, the athletes available, and our scholarship resources available,” Longo said.

Freshman guard and recruit Kara Houppert said that she started to get recruited by SRU after her junior year in high school after the coaches saw her play in summer basketball tournaments.

“It started with a letter and a questionnaire for me to fill out to show interest,” Houppert said.

“After that, I started to get emails and more letters, and then phone calls.”

Since taking over the men’s program in 2008, Reynolds has leaned towards the recruitment of transfer students more than the recruitment of freshmen.

Reynolds agreed with Longo and feels the rankings aren’t a major concern.

“We are more worried about the final standings in the PSAC-West Division and the NCAA Atlantic Regional rankings,” Reynolds said. “We

K JAM

E-5

er 22, 2013

PHOTOS BY JULIE JURICH ILLUSTRATION BY MATTHEW MORGAN

Recruitment techniques shape futures of the programs don’t put much stock in preseason predictions.”

“We know we recruit unconventionally, but it is a necessity here,” Reynolds said. “We are proud that almost all of our student-athletes, that have finished their eligibility with us, have graduated.”

Over half of each of Reynolds’ rosters has been filled with transfer students.

The team has 11 transfer students and five non-transfer students on the roster this season.

Reynolds said that he, like Longo, has people from different schools in Division I, II and high schools who give him recommendations regarding who to target for his next recruiting class.

“We really appreciate the help we get from our friends and coaches in D1, D2, the NCAA and high schools,” Reynolds said.

Last season, the men’s team fell in the PSAC Championship game to Indiana University of Pa. and ended their season with another loss to IUP in the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament.

Slippery Rock was picked to finish below both IUP and Gannon University in the preseason polls.

“Our daily expectation is to get better every day,” Reynolds said. “We do not put much stock in preseason predictions.”

Despite coming off of a losing season, Longo has faith in her team and is pleased with the work they put in.

“I expect that my team will continue to work each and every day so that we improve and compete to win games in the PSAC-West,” Longo said.

Both Longo and Reynolds are focused on their team’s records and rankings at the end of the season.They both said that their starting lineups aren’t set in stone and are subject to change.

“We do not put a lot of emphasis on our starting lineup; we are going to play nine-to-

ten players per game,” Reynolds said. “We have many talented players, and we will use them in the best manner to make SRU basketball successful.”

Longo, like Reynolds, said that her lineups will be based off of several factors.

“We’ll put the team on the court that will be the best match for the opponents and who will give us the best opportunity to win,” Longo said.

Longo’s current roster isn’t loaded with a lot of height, as 6’1’’ junior forward Danielle Garroutte is the tallest member of the team.

Longo said that she is less concerned with the team’s height and more concerned with their work ethic and talent level.

“Having size on a roster is nice, but I’m more concerned with our skill level and ability to compete in our league,” Longo said.

Longo expects members of the front court to step up in big ways this season.

“Jazmyne Frost has the potential to be a very impactful center for us this season," Longo said.

"I expect contributions from Danielle Garroutte and Kaylee Bush off the bench at that position as well.”

Reynolds also said that he expects a lot of success from his frontcourt this season.

The men’s team will rely on the height and efforts of junior forward Erik Raleigh, senior forward Tabari Perry, and senior center Maurice Lewis-Briggs. Raleigh, Perry and Lewis-Briggs top the Rock's roster in height with all three players being 6'8''.

“We feel we have depth upfront, and we are counting on Maurice, Tabari, Kelvin, Jordan, and Erik to be good players,” Reynolds said.

“They are all going to be impactful in some fashion throughout the season.”

Reynolds and his team will look to make another run at the PSAC Championship title while Longo and her team will fight for their first winning season in 10 years.

PHOTO BY JULIE JURICH

Head coach Kevin Reynolds gives orders to his team during the exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Panthers Nov. 1. Reynolds is entering his sixth season as head coach of the men's program.

ROCK JAM

E-6

November 22, 2013

Women's basketball leans on captains

PHOTO BY JULIE JURICH

Senior forward Jazmyne Frost prepares to take a foul shot at the Nov. 12 game against Wheeling Jesuit University. Frost finished the game with 26 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 10 of 13 from the field.

By Alex Larkin Rocket Contributor

After suffering an MCL injury last season, senior forward and Slippery Rock women’s basketball captain Jazmyne Frost returns ready and focused for the upcoming season.

The injury caused Frost to sit out the majority of her first season with SRU. “I wasn’t cleared to play until March when the season was over,” Frost said. “I had to strengthen the muscle again and for a while I couldn’t actually get my knee to bend at all. It was a long

and frustrating process.”

Frost’s absence was upsetting to head coach Tanya Longo, who had high hopes for the transfer recruit from Division I Niagra University.

“The injury to Jazmyne left a huge gap and at this level you just don’t have a tremendous amount of depth,” Longo said. “She was keyed in as our starting center who we expected to be extremely impactful. She was getting better in the first few games then all of a sudden she was totally removed from the situation.”

Longo admitted that Frost’s absence opened an

opportunity for others to step up, but it was inevitable that losing her would prove extremely costly to their season.

“Before the injury I felt as though I was playing well,” Frost said. “We were only getting off to a start, so it’s hard to say if things might have been different.”

Originally from South Euclid, Ohio, Frost started her college basketball career at Niagra University.

Frost had five starts at Niagra and averaged 1.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.1 assists.

Frost decided to leave Niagra after her 2011 season

with the Purple Eagles.

“I was a better fit here at Slippery Rock,” Frost said. “I played off and on over there, so the transition was easy. I think some of the concepts I learned at Niagra have made it easy for me to adapt to playing in Division II.” Although she was sidelined for the majority of her first season with the Rock, Frost consistently practiced throughout her rehabilitation program and travelled with the team to away games.

“Jazmyne has really grown in her time here,” Longo said. “She had a frustrating season-ending injury, but she continued to be an active and very supportive member of our team and program from the sidelines in a different capacity.”

This season, Longo stressed that the team had worked particularly on defense and shooting throughout the summer and into preseason.

“Each individual has worked on things that we thought would help them have a greater impact on the program we’re trying to run here,” Longo said. “Since the start of the year we’ve begun working on team concepts and chemistry which automatically fell into place for our veteran players returning to the program.”

Frost will be leading Slippery Rock alongside cocaptain sophomore Erica Aiello.

The selection was a surprise to Aiello but she plans to embrace the opportunity to

help lead the team.

“I wasn’t expecting to be in this role at such a young age,” Aiello said. “I thought a senior would come in and take that role because there are three of them. I was definitely honored, but shocked.”

Coach Longo said that despite Aiello's age, she fully backs her decision to appoint the young point guard as captain and expects her to step in and take responsibility for her teammates.

“From day one she’s come in here and asked what she needs to do to be an impactful player in this program and a solid leader,” Longo said. “We sit down and talk pretty consistently about what her role is and things she needs to work on physically. She has worked as hard as anyone that I have coached to grow her game.”

The coaching staff hopes that the two captains can strike a perfect balance between Frost’s experience and Aiello’s eagerness to guide them to a much more successful campaign than last year’s.

Aiello said she believes Frost’s experience will be crucial to their teamwork together as captains.

“Jazmyne has been through this many times before and the fact that she’s a transfer means she’s probably already experienced bad leadership so she knows what to avoid,” Aiello said. “Hopefully we can feed off each other and motivate ourselves to be better together.”

PSAC-WEST WOMEN'S "MONSTARS"

CALIFORNIA

CLARION

EDINBORO

GANNON

California University of Pa., finished last season with a 22-9 overall record and 15-7 conference record. Cal-U is returning this season after making it to the third round of the NCAA tournament before losing to PSAC-West rival Gannon University. Cal has been selected in the preseason poll to finish in a tie for No.3 with IUP. Cal-U is led by senior guard Kate Seebohm, who was selected as a preseason All-American after being selected Second-team All-PSAC last season. Last season, Cal defeated the Rock by an average of 20 points per game.

The Clarion Golden Eagles finished last season with a 13-16 overall record and a 9-13 record in the conference.

The Golden Eagles were picked to finish 6th in the PSAC-West this season after last season. Clarion didn’t make postseason play last year. They are led by preseason All-American selection Hannah Heeter, who averaged 14.4 points a game and 13.3 rebounds a game last season and was named first team all-PSAC. The Golden Eagles beat the Rock by an average of 14 points in two games last season.

The Edinboro Fighting Scots posted a 22-7 overall record and finished 18-4 in the conference. Edinboro made it to the first round of the NCAA tournament, but lost to PSAC-rival California University of Pa. 80-72. After last season’s success, the Fighting Scots were selected to finish 2nd in the PSAC-West. Edinboro is led by guards Darche’ Jackson, who is their top returning scorer from last season with 10.7 points per game, and Laurel Lindsay, who averaged seven points per game last year. Edinboro beat the Rock by an average of 11.5 points a game last season.

Gannon University won the PSACWest last season and finished the year with a record of 31-5 and a 20-2 conference record. The Golden Knights made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament before losing to Ashland University in San Antonio, Texas.

Gannon has been selected to repeat as PSAC-West Champions and are led by PSAC preseason All-Americans Jen Papich, Brittany Batts, and Nettie Blake.

Last season, the Golden Knights beat SRU by an average of 25 points a game.

INDIANA Indiana University of Pennsylvania, finished last season with a 23-9 overall record and 16-6 conference record, and is coming off a second round loss in the NCAA tournament to PSACWest rival Gannon University last season. The Crimson Hawks were picked to finish in a tie with the Cal-U Vulcans at third place in the PSAC in preseason polls. IUP is led by junior guards, Lindsay Stamp and Marita Mathe. Last season, they beat the Rock by an average of 27.5 points per game.

PITT MERCYHURST JOHNSTOWN SETON HILL Mercyhurst finished last season with a 7-20 overall record and posted a 7-15 conference record. In the preseason poll, Mercyhurst was selected to finish seventh in the PSACWest. The Lakers finished last season with a first round PSAC tournament loss to IUP. After losing seven seniors, they will be led by sophomore point guard Adrienne Kloecker, who averaged 7.8 points per game and hit 44 three-point field goals as a freshman. The Lakers won both contests against the Rock last season and won those games by an average of 12 points.

The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown is a new member to the PSAC-West after their five-year stay in the WVIAC. Pitt-Johnstown finished last season with a 14-12 overall record and a 1210 conference record. Pitt-Johnstown lost in the first round of the WVIAC tournament last season and will look to make it into PSAC playoff play in hopes that they will have a good transition into the PSAC. They will be led by returners Kayla DeCriscio and Kelsey Sleighter, who will look to lead the Cats to a successful first season in the PSAC-West.

Seton Hill is new to the PSAC-West and will be looking to make an immediate impact in conference play. In their first season in the PSAC-West, the Griffins were selected to finish 5th in the preseason polls. Seton Hill finished last season in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) with a 19-13 overall record and a 14-9 conference record. Seton Hill made it to the WVIAC tournament championship last year before falling to Fairmont State. The Griffins are led by first team All-WVIAC guards Paige Alviani and Katie Gattuso.

ROCK JAM

November 22, 2013

E-7

2013-14 Women's Basketball Roster Last season, Rathman played in one game and scored 5'5 / Guard / Senior two points. At Slippery Stevens, PA Rock University, Rathman has played in seven games and is averaging 0.6 points, and 0.4 rebounds per game. Rathman hopes the team can take steps to improve their play every day and beat some some of the teams in their conference. She hopes to contribute by improving her game and stepping up as a leader.

As a freshman, Hardiman Megan #23 appeared in 20 games and averaged Hardiman 4.4 points, 0.6 assists, three 5'10 / Guard / Soph.

Loudon, NH rebounds, and 0.4 steals per game.

She had a career high 19 points against Gannon. As a team, Hardiman hopes they will continue to grow as a unit and work on their chemistry. Individually, Hardiman wants to grow as a leader. Hardiman attended Brewster Academy High School, where she lettered five times and was named the Capital City MVP in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Last season, Aiello played in 26 games and started seven 5'3 // Guard // Soph. of them. She averaged 19.9 Columbus, OH minutes per game. Aiello also averaged 5.1 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. Last season, Aiello had a career high of 14 points two times. Aiello hopes that the team will work as a team to have a better season than last year. She strives to grow as a leader as well as being able to help direct her team on the floor.

While at the Rock, Chambers D'Asia #24 has played in 43 games and Chambers started in 26 of them. She 5'11 / Guard / Junior Sharon, PA has averaged 9.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, has had 38 assists, 21 blocks, and 42 steals in her time at SRU. Chambers had a career high 21 points in the 2012 season against

As a freshman, Geise appeared in 10 games and averaged 5'11 / Forward / Soph.

1.3 points, 0.3 assists, 1.1 Fredonia, NY rebounds, and 0.6 steals per game. Geise had a career high of four rebounds and two steals against IUP. Geise hopes the team will continue to improve as the year progresses and work on winning more games than last season.

Individually, Geise hopes to improve her game as well and do whatever her coaches ask of her to help her team.

O'Keefe

Frost transferred from Niagara University prior 6'0 / Forward / Senior to the beginning of last South Euclid, OH season. With the Purple Eagles, Frost averaged 1.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.4 steals per game. While at Slippery Rock University, Frost has played in nine games, starting all of them. She has averaged 6.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Frost believes the team needs to focus on their consistency and chemistry.

While at SRU, Garroutte Danielle #31 has played in 50 games, Garroutte averaging 2.6 points and 2.2 6'1 / Forward / Junior rebounds per game. Last Darnestown, MD season, Garoutte appeared in all 26 games of the season and was one of only three players to do so on the SRU squad. Garroutte hopes the team can improve and go on to win a PSAC championship. Garroutte hopes that being a returning player will help her bring the team together as a unit.

Brown transferred to SRU last year from State Fair 5'7 / Guard / Senior Community College.

In Washington Park, IL her first season at the Rock, she averaged 9.4 points, 3.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while starting in 23 games. Brown hopes that their team will work together and improve on last year. She hopes to be a role model to the younger players and encourage them to get better.

Olkosky appeared in 12 games

As a freshman, McClure played in three games and 5'9 / Guard / Junior made her collegiate debut Indiana, PA against Millersville. As a sophomore, McClure played in 10 games. McClure scored a career high of five points against Clarion last season. McClure looks to see the team improve this season and hopes they can come together and achieve their goals. As a returning player, McClure will take on a leadership role for the team.

Holenka lettered four times Hayley #33 in basketball, two times in Holenka softball, twice in cross country, 5'6 / Guard / Fresh.

Shadyside, OH once in track, one time in volleyball, and one time in golf at Shadyside High School. She was a Special Mention All State and First Team All Eastern Ohio. Holenka wants to see a vast improvement in the team from last year and hopes that they can continue to get better. Holenka hopes to improve her shot throughout the season.

Houppert was a three-sport athlete at Webster Thomas 5'9 / Guard / Fresh.

High School and lettered five Webster, NY times in basketball. Houppert is the all time career-scoring leader with 1,129 points at WTHS. In 2013, she was on the AA All-State Team.

Houppert wants to see the team get better every game and win more games than they did last year. Individually, Houppert wants to get adjusted to playing collegiate basketball and try to help her team in any way she can.

While attending Middletown Kaylee #34 Madison High School, Bush Bush lettered twice in soccer, three 5'11 / Forward / Fresh.

Middletown, OH times in basketball, and three times in softball. Bush was a member of the All-League and All-District teams.

Bush hopes that the team can improve day by day and ultimately end up as a more complete, consistent team than in past years. Bush hopes to contribute by improving her own skills and giving her all throughout the season.

Katie

Rathman

Erica

Aiello

Aidan

Geise

Jazmyne

Frost

Alexas

Brown

Bridget

McClure

Kara

Houppert

Editor-in-Chief Kristin Karam

#5

#10

#11

#12

#14

#15

#21

Urbana. Chambers hopes that the team can win more games than last year and become conference champions.

Chambers also hopes for an NCAA tournament birth. attended

Chartiers

Valley High School where she lettered once in softball and

Kassidy

#25

O'Keefe

5'7 / Guard / Fresh.

Heidelberg, PA

three times in basketball. She was named to the All-Section Team and was part of a two-time Section Championship team. O'Keefe hopes that the team can get better every game and improve on last season. She hopes to refine her skills and contribute to the team in any way she can.

as a freshman and averaged 0.4 points, 0.2 assists, 0.6 rebounds,

Rebecca

#32

Olkosky

5'3 / Guard / Soph.

Pittsburgh, PA

and 0.2 steals per game. Olkosky had a career high 3 points against Millersville last season. Olkosky hopes the team will win more games than last year and get better every day. Individually, she wants to work on her game and do whatever is asked of her to help make her team successful.

Basketball Preview Special Section Editorial Board

Reporting Team Steve Bartley

Alex Larkin

Lead Reporter Brian Hepfinger

Cody Gray

Levi Lewis

Design Heads Matthew Morgan Ryan Noblet

Photo Editor Julie Jurich

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mark Zeltner

Mike Hurlimann

Kenny Moore

Allie Lairamore

Ryan Oglesby

Colton Powden

ROCK JAM Changes to the PSAC-West intensifies competition E-8

November 22, 2013

By Ryan Oglesby Rocket Contributor

For the first time in five years, the PSAC-West will have a different look to it.

Seton Hill University and the University of Pittsburgh -Johnstown men’s and women’s basketball teams are leaving the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to join the PSAC. “Slippery Rock basketball is now entering its most difficult era in its history with these additions,” men’s head coach Kevin Reynolds said.

“Six schools in the conference are now able to offer the maximum scholarships under NCAA rules. The conference is already the best, and arguably the most challenging in all of Division II and it is only going to get more difficult.”

SRU women’s head coach Tanya Longo also said that the level of difficulty in the conference will be higher than ever.

“These additions keep the competition very similar,” Longo said. “It is an extremely competitive conference. Now we have two more teams that are in the upper half of Division II basketball.”

Pitt-Johnstown has held the advantage in head-to-head meetings against the Rock in their series history.

The Rock men’s team holds a 13-30 record against the Mountain Cats, but they haven’t met in a regular season game since the 20032004 season.

“We have scrimmaged Pitt-

Johnstown one time in my five years here and they beat us,” Reynolds said. “They were the better team that day.

It is going to make it very difficult playing them twice a year now.”

The Rock has had more success against Seton Hill.

They hold a 2-2 all-time record against the Griffins.

Being unfamiliar with a team can make it hard to prepare for them, and the Rock will face some unfamiliarity this year dealing with teams they haven’t played in two years.

“We go see them play in person because NCAA rules allow us to scout them,” Reynolds said. “We are 2-1 against Seton Hill since I began coaching here. We won two games at home and lost one at their place.”

Like the men, the Rock women’s team hasn’t had much success against PittJohnstown, but they have performed better against Seton Hill. They are 9-28 against Pitt Johnstown and 3-2 all-time against the Griffins. They have not seen either team since the 20102011 season.

“Both teams are going to be very different from the last time we met them,” Longo said. “They have new personnel and new coaches.

When we meet these teams for the first time, we will have a lot of film on them, and by the second time we play them we will have that first meeting to evaluate. They will also have film on us which really makes the games more of a dogfight.”

The addition of the two teams will make it harder for Slippery Rock to enter the postseason.

The percentage of teams that qualify for the conference tournament has now dropped from 75 percent to 66 percent.

Also new to the PSAC this year are the changes to conference records.

Beginning this year only games played against PSACWest opponents will count towards conference records for PSAC-West members, the same will go for PSACEast members.

“Every game is the biggest game of the year,” Reynolds said. “We are one of the only conferences where all of the teams don’t get in. Why every team doesn’t make the conference tournament is one of the most confusing things I have dealt with since I’ve been here. Giving each team the opportunity for a March dream is what makes March madness such a special thing.”

The women’s team will be fighting this season for their first winning season in ten years.

The addition of their new competitors and the changes to conference records are a concern for Longo.

“Only games against West teams dictate who makes the conference tournament and those 16 games are vital,” Longo said. “The percentage of teams that make the postseason went down slightly which puts even more pressure on each game.”

With the addition of two

11/09/2013 ....... vs University of Charlston ................ L 68-73 (OT)

11/12/2013 ...... vs Wheeling Jesuit University ................. L 77-80

11/14/2013 ...... vs Ohio Valley University ...................... ......................W W 91-77

11/17/2013 ....... @ Urbana University (Ohio) .......................L ....................... L 63-83

11/20/2013 ...... vs Clarion University (PSAC) ................ ................W W 79-65

11/20/2013 ...... vs Clarion University (PSAC) ................. L 80-95

11/23/2013 ....... @ California University (PA) (PSAC) ...... 5:30 PM

11/23/2013 ....... @ California University (PA) (PSAC) ...... 3:30 PM

11/24/2013 ...... vs Ohio University Eastern .................... ....................3:00 3:00 PM

11/30/2013 ....... vs Lourdes University ................................ 3:00 PM

11/30/2013 ...... vs Lake Erie College ............................... ...............................3:00 3:00 PM

12/04/2013 ...... vs Gannon University (PSAC) ............... ...............6:00 6:00 PM

12/04/2013 ...... vs Gannon University (PSAC) ............... ...............8:00 8:00 PM

12/07/2013 ....... @ Pitt-Johnstown (PSAC) ......................... 1:00 PM

12/07/2013 ....... @ Pitt-Johnstown (PSAC) ......................... 3:00 PM

12/17/2013 ...... vs East Stroudsburg University ............. .............5:30 5:30 PM

12/09/2013 ...... vs Penn State New Kensington Kensington............... ...............7:00 7:00 PM

12/18/2013 ...... vs West Chester University .................... ....................5:30 5:30 PM

12/17/2013 ...... vs East Stroudsburg University ............. .............7:30 7:30 PM

12/21/2013 ....... @ Cheyney University ............................... 1:00 PM

12/18/2013 ...... vs West Chester University .................... ....................7:30 7:30 PM

01/03/2014 ....... @ Millersville University ........................... 1:00 PM

12/21/2013 ....... @ Cheyney University ............................... 3:00 PM

01/04/2014 ....... @ Shippensburg University ....................... 1:00 PM

01/03/2014 ....... @ Millersville University ........................... 7:30 PM

01/08/2014 ...... vs Kutztown University .......................... ..........................5:30 5:30 PM

01/04/2014 ....... @ Shippensburg University ....................... 7:30 PM

01/11/2013 ....... @ Edinboro University (PSAC) ................ 1:00 PM

01/08/2014 ...... vs Kutztown University .......................... ..........................7:30 7:30 PM

01/18/2014 ...... vs Mercyhurst University (PSAC) (PSAC).......... ..........1:00 1:00 PM

01/11/2013 ....... @ Edinboro University (PSAC) ................ 3:00 PM

01/22/2014 ...... vs Seton Hill University (PSAC) ............ ............6:00 6:00 PM

01/18/2014 ...... vs Mercyhurst University (PSAC) (PSAC).......... ..........3:00 3:00 PM

01/25/2014 ....... @ Indiana University (PA) (PSAC) .......... 5:30 PM

01/22/2014 ...... vs Seton Hill University (PSAC) ............ ............8:00 8:00 PM

01/29/2014 ....... @ Clarion University (PSAC) ................... 5:30 PM

01/25/2014 ....... @ Indiana University (PA) (PSAC) .......... 7:30 PM

02/01/2014 ...... vs California University (PA) (PSAC) ... ...1:00 1:00 PM

01/29/2014 ....... @ Clarion University (PSAC) ................... 7:30 PM

02/05/2014 ....... @ Gannon University (PSAC) .................. 5:30 PM

02/01/2014 ...... vs California University (PA) (PSAC) ... ...3:00 3:00 PM

02/08/2014 ...... vs Pitt-Johnstown (PSAC) ..................... .....................1:00 1:00 PM

02/05/2014 ....... @ Gannon University (PSAC) .................. 7:30 PM

02/12/2014 ....... @ Mercyhurst University (PSAC) ............ 5:30 PM

02/08/2014 ...... vs Pitt-Johnstown (PSAC) ..................... .....................3:00 3:00 PM

02/19/2014 ...... vs Edinboro University (PSAC) ............. .............6:00 6:00 PM

02/12/2014 ....... @ Mercyhurst University (PSAC) ............ 7:30 PM

02/22/2014 ....... @ Seton Hill University (PSAC) ............... 1:00 PM

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Illustrations by Ryan Noblet

02/19/2014 ...... vs Edinboro University (PSAC) .............8:00 ............. 8:00 PM

03/01/2014 ....... PSAC Tournament Begins ...............................TBA ............................... TBA

competition will help the teams become better and overall help the PSACWest maintain a solid reputation among Division II conferences.

11/09/2013 ....... @ Ursuline College ......................................L ...................................... L 65-86

11/10/2013 ....... vs Shepherd University .............................. W 76-68

02/26/2014 ...... vs Indiana University (PA) (PSAC) ....... .......8:00 8:00 PM

new teams into the PSACWest for the first time since the 2007-2008 season, the competitiveness of the conference will be at an all-time high. The added

2013-14 Women's Basketball Schedule

2013-14 Men's Basketball Schedule

02/22/2014 ....... @ Seton Hill University (PSAC) ............... 3:00 PM

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALI SINGLE

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown junior forward Bill Luther takes a shot over sophomore guard Kameron Taylor of Seton Hill University.

This season will be both teams first season as members of the PSAC- West.

02/26/2014 ..... vs Indiana University (PA) (PSAC) ....... .......6:00 6:00 PM 03/01/2014......

03/01/2014 ...... PSAC Tournament Begins ...............................TBA ............................... TBA

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