MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM PICKED THIRD IN PSAC WEST PRESEASON POLL

Donaldson, Sims Named To All-PSAC West Preseason Team

EDINBORO, PA - The Edinboro University men's basketball team was picked for third place in the 2004-05 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division Coaches Preseason Poll released on Wednesday. The Fighting Scots finished with a 14-14 record last season, and were second in the Western Division with an 8-4 ledger.

Despite returning just one starter, California(Pa.) is the preseason favorite after finishing first a year ago with an 11-1 league mark. The Vulcans were 23-7 overall. Indiana(Pa.), with four starters back, were picked second by the coaches. The Indians were 21-10 and won the PSAC Tournament.

Clarion (16-12), followed Edinboro in fourth place, with Shippensburg (10-17) fifth, Lock haven (4-23) sixth, and Slippery Rock (8-19) seventh.

Edinboro returns three starters, led by two-time All-PSAC West first team performer Jakim Donaldson (Pittsburgh, PA/ Oliver). The 6'8" senior forward averaged a double-double for the second straight year at 14.8 ppg. and 11.5 rpg. Donaldson led the PSAC in rebounding and ranked second in Division II. He also ranked second in the PSAC in blocked shots with 62. Donaldson was chosen a Street & Smith's preseason honorable mention All-American. He stands ninth in career rebounds with 694, is fifth in career blocked shots with 133, and 31st in career scoring (850).

Donaldson and teammate Rob Sims (Bedford Heights, OH/St. Peter Chanel) were named to the All-PSAC West Preseason Team. Sims, a 6'3" guard, was a first team All-PSAC West choice two years ago and earned second team accolades a year ago. The senior averaged 14.4 ppg. while battle a season-long shooting slump. He added 4.8 rpg. with 59 assists. As a sophomore Sims averaged 17.0 ppg.

Dan Grabill (Edinboro, PA/General McLane) returns alongside Sims in the backcourt. A 5'10" junior, Grabill averaged 8.2 ppg. with a team-leading 45 three-pointers after sitting out the 2002-03 season. He also paced the Scots with 65 assists.

The Fighting Scots should benefit greatly from the addition of three transfers. Torry Mitchell (Erie, PA.Central) and Chris Ravello (Odenton, MD/Archbishop Spalding) transferred from Mercyhurst and Canisius, respectively, and will bolster the backcourt. Mitchell is a 5'10" junior who averaged 6.3 ppg. a year ago for the Lakers, but as a freshman was at 14.1 ppg. with 70 three-pointers. Ravello is a 6'3" junior who sat out the 2003-04 campaign. A strong defensive performer, he averaged 4.1 ppg. for the Griffs as a sophomore but may need some time to shake off the rust.

Another player who may battle court rust is Daren Tielsch (McKees Rocks, PA/Montour), a 6'8", 235 lb. junior who began his career at Penn State, then played one game at Robert Morris a year ago. Tielsch averaged 4.0 ppg. and 3.4 rpg. in x28 for the Nittany Lions in 2001-02.

In addition to Donaldson and Sims, the rest of the All-PSAC West Preseason Team includes Sahrif Bray of California(Pa.), IUP's G.J. Macon and Ed Peterson, and Ryan Wells of Clarion.

Edinboro opens the 2004-05 campaign this Saturday, November 13, playing at West Virginia Wesleyan.

~ Fighting Scots ~

Edinboro Athletic Press Release Index

Created on ... November 10, 2004