HUNTINGDON, PA- Last season, Juniata men’s basketball went 18-10 and won its second straight ECAC South Championship on the strength of play of its senior starters. This year, the team will sport a much different look. With its starting lineup from a year ago departed due to graduation, the Eagles will look to a mix of returning players and some promising newcomers to make an impact.
“Through preseason, our attitude is right where it needs to be,” said head coach Greg Curley. “Our talent level we feel is there, it’s the matter of developing it, staying together, working together, and building on experience.”
Returners
Six players who saw time last season return to the team this year. Leading the way are juniors Justin Fleming (Doswell, VA/Benedictine College Prep) and Kyle Koehler (Chester Springs, PA/Devon Prep). Fleming played in all 28 games for the Eagles last season with Koehler seeing time in 27. Fellow junior Nate Ogle (Falls Church, VA/George Mason) saw action in 23 contests.
“Justin has been consistent from Day 1,” said Curley. “He has put a lot of time in and played with some really good players. He is ready to take the next step. He has really improved as much as any player I’ve had and is the right guy at the right time for us.”
On Koehler Curley said he has been happy with his progress on the defensive end. He noted that Koehler is going to have to help carry the scoring load.
Curley calls Ogle the “ultimate glue guy.” “He does a lot of things very well. He is extremely tough and a heck of a teammate. He is going to be an invaluable member of the team and play a significant role,” he said.
“Those three guys will form a real core with our experience. We will look to fill around it with some really talented guys.”
Among the sophomores who saw significant playing time last year is Dennis Fisher (Bellefonte, PA/Bald Eagle Area). Fisher played in 26 games and tied for the team lead in blocked shots with seven. He will be looked at to provide a strong defensive presence.
“The two best teachers are example and experience,” noted Curley. “Our juniors and sophomores had a great example set for them about how to approach this and what they need to do. We are hoping it gives us a head start.”
Newcomers
10 new players will look to make their mark this season with nine of them freshmen. “There are several that are going to have to play and have significant roles,” Curley noted. “It’s a challenge but a huge opportunity and its something as a program we are excited about. I’m very proud of the example our returners have set this year for our younger guys. Our approach and our work ethic are all the things we can control at this point. Now all this is left is to play the games.”
Schedule
The Eagles will open the 2014-15 season on the road against Penn State-Altoona this Saturday as Juniata takes part in the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament hosted by Mount Aloysius. The Eagles will host their first home game on November 19th against Allegheny College.
“Our schedule is extremely challenging even opening up this weekend,” Curley noted. “You have a group in Penn-State Altoona that returns everybody back and can really score. Washington and Mt. Aloysius are very similar too.”
JC begins Landmark play on the road against conference newcomer Elizabethtown on December 3 followed by defending conference champion Scranton on December 6. Juniata then hosts the Doc Greene Tournament December 12 and 13. After wrapping up 2014 at Carnegie Mellon on New Years Eve, the Eagles return to conference play on January 3 against Drew.
“The Doc Greene Tournament is full of very good teams,” said Curley. “Penn State York won 29 games last year. Dickinson is a preseason top 10. North Central College (IL) has been ranked #1 in the nation.”
Overall, Curley says with the current group he sees it as a two-year season. “We don’t lose anybody and those opportunities don’t happen very often,” he said. “We have to be urgent but at the same time keep some perspective and patience. We are going to have to have a vision on what we can be, what we want to be, and where we are going to weather some storms.”
