Wilson College Men’s Basketball Preview
The Wilson College Men’s basketball team is ready to open their 2017-18 season under third year head coach Brian Zoeller.
Coach Zoeller stated “I’m looking forward to watching this team grow. We have a great bunch of men on the team, and they represent Wilson College very well. I’ve been extremely proud of the progress we have made as a team in the classroom over the last two years, and now I’m anxious to see the same type of progress on the court. We’ll play an exciting brand of basketball that will be fun to watch so I hope to see a bunch of students, staff, and faculty at our games. With our team ready to make great strides for this program, a new pep band on the way, and the Fire Pit full of wild Wilson students, Gannett Memorial should be hopping this winter.”
The Phoenix men will face Messiah College in the opening game of tournament play with an opponent to be determined for the second game. The men will be take on a challenging non-conference match-up with NCAA Division II Shippensburg University to be played at Shippensburg University on Dec. 19. Other non-conference games will include McDaniel College, Christendom University. Hood College and Penn State York.
Coach Zoeller continued, “I want our team to come to work every day, be extremely focused and intense in our approach, and realize our potential each day. Obviously, everyone in our locker room wants to be a playoff team this year, but I’m more focused on ensuring that we are producing the best versions of ourselves every day. If we do that, a winning record, making playoffs, etc. will the byproduct of our focus on the process rather than a goal for which we are striving.
Last season the team was led by Keion Adams ’19, who averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds a game while Rashaan Bean ’20, averaged 18.2 points and rebounds 7.9 per game.
Adams stated “I am very excited for the season; you can feel the energy in the gym when we have practice because we all know this is the time we’ve been waiting for all year.”
This year the team added several new additions, including four freshmen and the return of senior guard Willie McDowell, ’18. McDowell stated “My main goal this season is to come together a team and focus on making playoffs and winning a championship. We have a lot of work to do but I know we’ll get through it.”
The men played their first conference game against rival Lancaster Bible College on Nov. 28 and will host Bryn Athyn on Saturday, Dec. 2. For more information on Wilson College Athletics visit www.wilsonphoenix.com.