Men’s Basketball

0-2 is not the ideal way to start a season. Scoring 49 then 56 points in the two games is not ideal either – nor 18 and 19 turnovers.

Yet the men’s basketball team will find themselves unfazed by these early missteps. They return nine experienced players to this year’s roster, including four starters. Only two of last season’s starters, seniors Pedja Lazic and Jordan Torres, even dressed for the two games the Saints played last weekend. Among those who did not play in the weekend tournament were senior guard James Telman (will miss pre-conference season), juniors Dave Baldwin (out for the season) and John Lierman and sophomore AJ Schmidt.

The two games against Indiana Wesleyan then Spring Arbor provided crucial learning experience for the host of young players added to the roster this season. Freshmen Demacious White and Jake Shockey started in both contests, with White contributing 18 points in the 61-49 loss to Indiana Wesleyan.

Junior guard Ty Motley also started both games in his first season after transferring from Lansing Community College. Mitch Briggs and John Oostema round out the freshmen that will see playing time this season.

The team struggled primarily with turnovers, racking up 19 in their 67-56 loss to Spring Arbor.

The team has a difficult non-conference schedule planned that includes tournaments in Colorado, Kentucky and Ohio. The tough schedule will help the team prepare for what promises to be a challenging conference. Indiana Tech is the pre-season favorite. Head coach Dave Hammer, in the team’s website, says winning on the road will be crucial.

“Someone is going to have to win consistently on the road to win the championship this year,” said Hammer. “I think the teams that are good enough and strong enough to do well at home and can win on the road are the ones that will be in contention for the championship in the regular season.”

The Saints will face a difficult test at home on Dec. 10 when they take on Calvin at 7:30 p.m. Conference play will begin after the New Year with Siena Heights in the field house on Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

The Aquinas women’s basketball team is looking to improve on their success from last year. Just a few weeks into the season, the team has a 2-3 record. The Saints have victories against Spring Arbor (81-40) and against Goshen (84-44), with three losses belonging to Olivet, Huntington and St. Francis.

Last season, the Saints went 25-8, making it their fourth consecutive season with over 20 wins. The women also made a trip to the NAIA National Tournament for the second time in four years, making it a successful season overall.

Head coach Linda Nash is entering her thirteenth year at Aquinas and is excited about the upcoming season. While Aquinas graduated three starters last year, Nash says that there is still plenty of talent on the team.

“We have seven returning players who know the system and don’t have to learn how we operate,” she said. “We try to empower the upperclassmen to lead the team in the season. The three seniors, Marie Carbee, Carrie Abdo, and Courtney Miles will be essential to the team this season as leaders.”

Nash also said that the freshman and transfer students are adapting well to the Aquinas basketball system.

“There are still a few things to work out with them, but that will come in time,” she said. “You have to learn to crawl before you can walk.”

The Saints pride themselves on being able to not only rely on a single player. Their balanced offense allows the opportunity for all players to shine in the spotlight, gives many players the chance to get in double figures and doesn’t hurt the team if their “star player” is out of commission.

As for the future of the season, Nash and the team are optimistic.

“We always shoot for over twenty wins in a season. That always seems to be a goal each season,” Nash said. “But, as far as seasonal goals go, we just lay them out there. We believe the conference and national championship are all within grasp. However, we just take it one game at a time and try not to think too much about what’s ahead of that.”

Nash stressed the importance of staying healthy and focused throughout the season to achieve these goals.

“It’s a long season, and we have to be playing at our best in February,” she said. “If we peak too early, come February the girls will be too worn out and our season will not end well.”

Nash says that the women are preparing for several good competitions in the Grand Rapids area.

“Historically, our biggest competition has been local competition. Cornerstone University and Davenport University are two good teams to contend with,” the coach said. “Those will be interesting games.”

The Women’s Basketball team will play this Friday and Saturday in the Aquinas Classic Tournament in the Fieldhouse. The Saints will also play against Purdue-Calumet on Wed. Dec. 3 in the Fieldhouse at 7 p.m.