HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The 2009-10 men's basketball season got under way this week, starting with 'measuring stick' games leading up to this weekend's Mutual Benefit Group Doc Greene Invitational hosted by Juniata College inside the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center on Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21.
The Eagles welcome in Hilbert College, Penn State-Dubois and Grove City College to play in the annual tournament.
Friday's matchups with include the Nittany Lions versus the Wolverines of Grove City starting at 5:30 p.m. Juniata will take on the Hilbert Hawks in the nightcap, tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
The invitational is in a tournament format, so Saturday's pairings will depend on the results from Friday night. The consolation game will start at 2 p.m. while the winners will play for the championship starting at 4 p.m.
The Eagles have played one game leading up to the tournament, an 81-59 loss to Division II Seton Hill University. Leading Juniata was senior guard Jeff Berkey (Stoystown, Pa./Shanksville-Stonycreek), who scored 17 points on 6-10 shooting. He also grabbed six rebounds in 29 minutes of action. Berkey is a smooth guard with a solid handle and has the ability to knock down shots from anywhere on the floor and can also break down opposing defenses off the dribble.
Hollidaysburg native, Alex Raymond (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Altoona) took over the reigns at the point as a true freshman and scored 12 points, adding five assists and five rebounds in his first collegiate start. Raymond is a true point guard and will look to help facilitate the Eagle offense throughout the season. He has strong ball skills and a quickness that will create problems for opponents on defense.
Hilbert won its opener against Waynesburg University, 72-67. Daren Cleveland led all scorers with 21 points. The Hawks feature one of the youngest teams in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference with one junior, four sophomores, and ten true freshmen.
Junior Cody Troutman and sophomore Nick Piccone also had a good game versus Waynesburg, posting 15 and 10 points, respectively.
Penn State-Dubois opened its season with a 69-66 victory over Alfred University on November 15. Sophomore Chris Dickison, who had 26 points and 12 rebounds, led the Lions. Senior Marcus Genevro also posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Josh Salter pitched in with 10 points and five rebounds.
Dubois has two seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and eight freshmen to lead them through the Penn State University Athletic Conference.
The Grove City men's basketball team returns seven players from a season ago. Joe McCoy and Andy O'Keefe. O'Keefe, a 6-foot-7 center, averaged a team high 12.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest a season ago. McCoy was third in both categories last year, averaging 11 points and 3.5 rebounds.
The Wolverines open their season on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Penn State-Altoona, before playing Penn State-Dubois in the opener of the tournament.
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