2005-06 Men's Basketball Preview: Talented Fighting Scots Seek Second Straight PSAC Crown
October 12, 2005

Few teams can lose two 1,000-point scorers, one who also ranks as the all-time leading rebounder, and feel that the upcoming season could be better than the year before. That is particularly true when the previous year’s team finished 24-7, which is just what the Edinboro men’s basketball team did in 2004-05.

The Fighting Scots enjoyed one of the finest seasons in school history, with the 24 wins tied for the second-highest win total in school history. Edinboro defeated Millersville to capture its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship since 1998, and made the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since that ’98 campaign.

Ah, but now the problem of replacing two 1,000-point scorers. Jakim Donaldson, a consensus All-American and the PSAC West Player of the Year, not only averaged 16.3 ppg. and 13.1 rpg. a year ago, but departed as the eighth all-time leading scorer with 1,355 points and as the all-time leading rebounder with 1,100 rebounds. Rob Sims was named the PSAC Tournament’s MVP, and concluded the year at 11.1 ppg. A three-time All-PSAC West honoree, Sims finished his career with 1,138 points.

Yet long-time head coach Greg Walcavich, not one to throw out undeserved praise, is optimistic. Part of the optimism stems from the eight returning players from last year’s squad, including three former transfers who should feel more comfortable after a year in the system. Add in a pair of transfers who should pay immediate dividends, and Walcavich sees his Fighting Scots once again battling down to the wire for the PSAC West crown. That’s nothing new, since Edinboro has finished either first or second in the PSAC West each of the last five seasons.

“I think we have a chance to have a good team,” stated Walcavich, who enters his 17th season as the head coach. “We have a real good core group of people who have really played a lot. They were instrumental in helping us to a great season last year. Some will have to take on different roles and responsibilities, but we have a chance to have a fine season.”

Walcavich isn’t about to downplay the contributions of Donaldson and Sims, two players very dear to him.

“When you lose guys like we lost, that’s a lot to replace. You have to try to do things a little bit differently. You try to be as effective, but in different ways. It will be interesting to see how the personality of this team emerges. You can’t get a feel for that until you begin practice.”

Losing Donaldson and Sims also leaves Walcavich wondering who will emerge as the go-to player down the stretch.

“For the last two years they’ve been our end of the game options,” related Walcavich. “Somebody is going to become that. I think that will shake out. Clearly it will have to be someone. We have some good candidates."

A year ago the Fighting Scots were a deep and versatile team, featuring speed and quickness. It was a formula that worked on both ends of the court, averaging 75.6 ppg., fifth in the PSAC, while giving up just 66.5 ppg. a figure that ranked fourth in the PSAC. In addition, Edinboro held opponents to 40.3 percent shooting from the floor, ranking 15th in Division II and second in the PSAC.

Those qualities are once again inherent in the 2005-06 edition, but the loss of Donaldson leaves the Fighting Scots without the second-leading rebounder in the country. Thanks to Donaldson, Edinboro has rated as one of the top rebounding teams in Division II the last few years, including 24th a year ago.

“It concerns me that we don’t have a real physically big team,” admitted Walcavich. “There can be nights where that can be a negative factor, but it’s not a grave concern.”

Standing in the way of another run at the PSAC title and a the NCAA playoffs is a demanding schedule that features 13 games against teams with 15-or-more wins, including 12 contests with opponents who won 18-or-more contests in 2004-05.

“The schedule is more difficult than last year because we have fewer home games,” pointed out Walcavich, referring to 14 games at McComb Fieldhouse this season, as opposed to 18 at home last year. “The conference part will be even more challenging. Last year, we knew IUP and Clarion would be good. Everybody didn’t know that Shippensburg would be as good as they were. Now Ship has everybody back, Clarion has a lot back and had people sitting out. When you have the resources California and IUP have, you’re never far away. And I think Lock Haven and Slippery Rock feel good about themselves.

“Then look at the crossovers,” he continued. “Last year we had three on the road and four at home. We only played one of the top four teams from the East on the road. Now we have four on the road. You throw in Charleston and Alderson-Broaddus, plus playing both Gannon and Mercyhurst both on the road. Last year we had both at home.”

With such a demanding schedule awaiting his team, Walcavich was able to hook up with Penn State for an exhibition game on November 10.

“I think that will be a really good experience for us,” he related. “It has a chance to put an exclamation point on our preseason. We will play somebody better than anybody we’ll play the next 27 nights. That will be a measuring stick.”

The regular season gets started for the Fighting Scots on Tuesday, November 15, as Edinboro tips off the 2005-06 campaign by hosting West Virginia Wesleyan.

Here’s a look at the 2005-06 Fighting Scots:

Backcourt
Walcavich employs a three-perimeter, two-frontcourt alignment, and he has plenty of quality guards to choose from.

“We had five guys last year who played point guard at one time or another,” Walcavich pointed out. “We lost one and picked up one. That’s a positive thing. We like to have good dribblers and good passers.”

While the Fighting Scots must replace Rob Sims, three players who started at least 13 games return. Leading the way is Torry Mitchell, a 5’10” senior who transferred from Mercyhurst a year ago. Mitchell came off the bench the first seven contests, then started the final 24. He finished the year with a rush, scoring in double figures five of the final six games, including 29 points vs. Shippensburg and 30 in the NCAA playoff loss to Indiana(Pa.), making nine three-pointers in the latter contest.

Mitchell ended the season as the second-leading scorer with 364 points, an average of 11.7 ppg., making 67 of 196 three-pointers. The 67 three-pointers made ranks eighth, and the 196 attempts is tied for sixth. In addition, he was second on the team in assists (83) and steals (36).

“It’s hard to have a better game than Torry had in the NCAA’s,” related Walcavich. “He hit nine three’s in the biggest game of the year. It shows what he’s capable of. He’s poised to have another very good year.”

Another transfer who made a large impact was Chris Ravello, who played two seasons at Canisius. The 6’3” senior had his ups and downs after sitting out the previous season, but when on, he was a dangerous three-point threat. In addition, he’s a strong defensive performer. Ravello averaged 7.8 ppg. and 3.1 rpg. while starting 25 games. He made 36 of 132 three-pointers, adding a team-high 45 steals.

“Chris got better as the season went on,” stressed Walcavich. “He was negatively impacted by sitting out a year. He’s a really good defender, probably our best ball defender. He’s in better condition this year.”

Dan Grabill, a 5’10” senior, has started 64 games in his career. A year ago he started the first 13 games before being relegated to a reserve role and playing in 28 contests. He provides the Scots with an extremely experienced bench performer. Grabill averaged 4.7 ppg. with 47 assists, and made 25 of 72 three-pointers.

“Dan is in his fourth year and has played two or three positions since he’s been here,” assessed Walcavich. “He’s a really super-competitive kid who wants Edinboro basketball to succeed. He grew up watching Edinboro basketball.”

As did his brother, Tom Grabill, a 5’8” junior. He played in 14 games, with 22 points. He made 6 of 14 three-pointers, with all but one of his field goals from behind the three-point arc.

“Tommy hit some really big shots for us off the bench,” Walcavich commented. “He did it for us at East Stroudsburg. I really feel good about him. He has begun to physically mature. Plus his confidence will serve him well. He’ll play a very important role.”

Last, but certainly not least of the returning backcourt players, is Devon Knight. The 5’8” sophomore was a dynamic addition to the Fighting Scots a year ago, and he’s a proven winner. After leading Penn Hills High School to the PIAA AAAA State Championship as a senior, he was a key performer in Edinboro’s playoff run. Knight averaged 5.9 ppg., had 28 steals and shot a team-high 78.3 percent from the line (47 of 60) while averaging just over 16 minutes a game. Knight scored in double figures in five of the final ten games, and was twice named the PSAC West Rookie of the Week during that period.

“I look for him to have a very good season,” Walcavich admitted. “He really had some incredibly big games in the last ten games. Sometimes it was just his play on the floor. He’s a very good defender, a good ballhandler, and a capable shooter. He got better as the season went on.”

As if the backcourt didn’t have enough, Walcavich brought in what he hopes will be the missing piece. With a need for a big guard with Sims gone, the Fighting Scots added Curtis Ingram, a transfer from Division I Wofford College. Ingram is a 6’3”, 191 lb. junior who provides the Scots with a strong guard with size and outside shooting skills.

“Curtis has a chance to be an outstanding player,” stressed Walcavich. “He is physically mature, and a superior athlete. He has a willingness to be a part of the operation. Curtis can play all three perimeter positions. I think he will play in a role and fashion similar to Rob Sims. We’re just glad he’s on our side.”

As a sophomore Ingram played in 10 games at Wofford, scoring 35 points and making 9 three-pointers in 20 attempts. He played shooting guard a year ago after playing point as a freshman. He played in 18 contests his first season, with 39 points and 9 of 21 three-pointers. Ingram enjoyed an illustrious career at Cardinal Mooney (Oh.) High School, earning first team All-Ohio honors as a junior and senior.

Frontcourt
The frontcourt will no doubt miss Donaldson, a player who produced a double-double each of the last three seasons and is now off playing professionally in Portugal. But the departure will likely open up things even more for Daren Tielsch, a player with immense offensive skills. Tielsch joined the Fighting Scots a year ago after playing one season at Penn State and one game at Robert Morris. Rust was no doubt also a part of his game, since that season at Penn State came in 2001-02, when he started nine games as a freshman, only to sit out the 2002-03 season, then go down with an injury after one game at Robert Morris.

With a year under his belt, Tielsch is now in much better physical condition than he was a year ago, not to mention much healthier. He is noticeably leaner while carrying 240 lbs. on his 6’8” frame, and ready to serve notice as one of the top players in the PSAC.

“I think Daren is ready for another very good year,” Walcavich pointed out. “He’s healthier than he was last year. He’s had the pins removed from his leg. That has enabled him to work harder, to be in better shape. I think he’s going to have a terrific season.”

Tielsch averaged 13.4 ppg. and 7.2 rpg., ranking 18th in the PSAC in scoring and 12th in rebounding, while playing in 25 games. His big-time leaping ability led to many dunks, yet he can step outside and hit the three-pointer (17 of 47). If he can improve on his free throw shooting (41.6 percent) and stay out of foul trouble after fouling out of five contests, Tielsch has a chance to have a memorable senior season.

Sophomore Ryan McLemore will likely start alongside Tielsch. At 6’8” and 200 lbs., McLemore bears a striking resemblance physically to Donaldson. While it would be unfair to expect McLemore to make the same strides Donaldson did, the raw McLemore has already brought his game to another level.

Walcavich brought McLemore along slowly a year ago. He played in 29 games, averaging just under 12 minutes per game, with 2.7 ppg. and 3.7 rpg. and shooting 52.5 percent from the floor. With his long arms, he showed the ability to block shots, ranking second with 32.

“Ryan made huge strides as a freshman,” stated Walcavich. “What he could do at the beginning of the year doesn’t compare to what he could do at the end. That improvement has continued this summer. We think he will take a big step forward.”

Walcavich looks for senior Joe Cephas and sophomore Justin Moore to give the Fighting Scots four solid frontcourt performers. Cephas is 6’5”, 200 lbs., and can play inside or outside. A year ago he played guard. A former walk-on, he has made himself into a valuable performer. A year ago he scored 24 points and pulled down 19 rebounds in 17 games, while missing time with a back injury.

“Joe is someone whose role and responsibility has expanded every year,” stressed Walcavich. “He has moved to forward this year. He’s ready to have his best year.”

Moore joins Ingram as the other addition to the Fighting Scot roster. A year ago, the 6’6”, 221 lb. sophomore played at New Haven, where he appeared in 23 games, with 19 starts. He averaged a modest 3.9 ppg. and 3.8 rpg. while shooting 58.5 percent from the floor, adding 15 blocks. As a prepster at Canon-McMillan(Pa.) High School, and then Massanutten Military Academy, he was a Street & Smith honorable mention All-American.

“Justin will really help the other three in the frontcourt, and vice-versa,” predicted Walcavich. “He has a pretty good skill level, although he may be a bit undersized at times. He is a good player. He’ll fit right in. Justin is the kind of guy we’ve had a lot of success with.”