NOVEMBER 14, 2015

KING'S MEN'S BASKETBALL OPENS SEASON SATURDAY AT HOME VS. PSU-SCRANTON

ANNVILLE — The King's College men's basketball team will officially open its season Saturday night when the Monarchs host Penn State Scranton at 7:00 p.m. in Scandlon Gymnasium.

Fans unable to attend can follow the action on LiveStats at:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/kings/mbball/

The Monarchs are looking to improve on their records of 14-11 overall and 7-7 in the Freedom Conference last season. King's missed the league playoffs last year and is optimistic of making a return trip despite the graduation losses of the teams top two scorers in Kyle Hammonds (17.4 ppt ) and Joe Caffrey (13.8 points).

 

King's will welcome back 6-foot-5 sophomore power forward Dan Rutecki who was named the 2014 Freedom Conference "Rookie of the Year" after averaging 11.4 points and 5.7 rebounds each contest.  The Monarchs also return junior Tom Heston, a 6-foot-5 center, who has started the past two season and averged 7.7 points and 6.3 rebounds a year ago. More experience comes in the form of 6-foot-3 senior forward Tim O'Shea who contributed 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds last season.

 

The Monarchs do bring back several players who came off the bench to make solid contributions. Heading the list are junior point-guard Connor Hughes (4.1 ppg) and sophomore guard Nate Oliver (4.8 ppg). In the paint, King's also returns 6-foot-8 sophomore center Christian Skrepenak (3.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 6-foot-5 sophomore power forward Derek Wilkins (3.0 ppg), and senior point-guard Rich Douglas (1.3 apg) . Other players hoping to see increased roles include sophomore forward John Dini and junior forward Dalton Ell.

Several newcomers are looking to contribute.  Heading the list is 6-foot-2 sophomore guard John Fazzini, a transfer from East Stroudsburg University who has four years of eligibility and can play either the point-guard or shooting guard positions.  Fazzini's younger brother, 6-foot-4 true freshman Chris Fazzini, will see time, most likely at the small forward and power forward slots.  Both Fazzini's could find their way into Coach J.P. Andrejko's starting line-up.

Also competing for time in the back court are guard Tyler Burns and Tanner Reyan. In addition 6-foot-3 Garrison Wilson is versatile enough to play at both the shooting guard and small forward positions.  Adding inside depth will be 6-foot-5 forward Dan Borner and 6-foot-8 center Mike Prociak. Borner has been impressive in both practices and scrimmages and could earn a starting spot

King's will then return home Monday with a 7:00 p.m. matchup against Penn State Hazleton.