By Corey J. Corbin

Allied News Sports Editor



PITTSBURGH — The key to winning the Presidents’ Athletic Conference men’s basketball title may have nothing to do with play on the hardwood in 2007-08.

It was noted at the PAC’s winter media day at Mellon Arena that over the past several years the coach of the eventual men’s champion became a father at some point during that calendar year.

That may be good news for Bethany College coach Aaron Huffman, and not so good news for the rest of the conference. But the coaches, sports information directors and media in attendance didn’t buy it, naming Grove City College, which received 12 first-place votes as the preseason favorite.

Fourteen points separated the top four teams. The rest of the preseason picks were: Bethany (215), Westminster (205), Washington and Jefferson (204), Thiel (127), Waynesburg (102) and Thomas More (73). Bethany (7), Westminster (11), W&J; (7) and Thiel (2) all received 1st-place votes.

“It’s anybody’s league, as the PAC is extremely balanced,” Grove City College coach Steve Lamie said. “Every night will be a challenge for us and every team in the league.”

 In the women’s voting for the preseason pecking order was: Washington & Jefferson (306), Thomas More (296), Westminster (278), Bethany (170), Waynesburg (170), Thiel (127), Grove City (112) and Chatham (80).

“I think our kids are definitely ready for the challenge,” W&J; coach Gena DeRubbo said. “It’s a different mind-set coming in favored to win the conference. We have a group that works very hard and is a little more balanced than in past years.”

After winning their 6th PAC title since 1989, the Wolverines return 3 double-digit scoring guards in seniors Ryan Carr (11 points, 5.7 rebounds and a school record 65 three-pointers) and Ryan Gerber (10.5 ppg. and 38 three-pointers) and junior Ryan Gibson (11.9 ppg. and 122 assists), but in need of a post presence.

“On the plus side, we return three backcourt players,” Lamie said. “Our inside game will be a question mark. We lost our ‘four’ man and our ‘five’ man. Their key back-up is out with a back injury. We’re not sure what we’re going to do, except maybe start five guards. We will rely on our outside game, but that can come and go.”

Up in Greenville, the Tomcats welcome a bevy of new faces.

“Last year at this time, I didn’t know what to say, because I was just learning names,” Thiel men’s coach Tim Loomis said. “Not much has changed. We have 18 new players. Right now, we’re trying to figure out where they’re from and if they’re any good.”

Thiel does return preseason All-American Joe Herrmann (Jamestown High), who led the conference in scoring (18.6), rebounding (9.1) and blocked shots (41) while posting his 1,000th career point. Also returning are guards senior Gary Gates, junior Brandon Mirizio (12.4 ppg., 4.1 assists, Kennedy Catholic High) and sophomore Wes Siko.

“I expect a big season out of Joe,” Loomis said. “We really recruited this year’s team around him. I saw all the double- and triple-teams that he faced last year and felt it was our responsibility to go out and get him some help. It’s up to Joe to focus on playing, rather than worrying about the double- and triple-teams people were throwing at him over the years.”

Meanwhile, Westminster’s men return just one starter in 2nd-Team all-conference guard Craig Hannon, who has posted over 1,500 points in his career.

“We lost a lot from last year,” coach Larry Ondako said. “I’m not exactly sure what we have. Someone may see that we have one starter coming back and say, ‘Boy, we’re in trouble.’ But we’ve got three or four players who could have easily started for us last year.”

Other potential starters for the Titans are letterwinner David Richards, 3-year letterwinners Chauncey Whitlow and Zach Zatchok, transfer Bobby Glass and Ryne Murray.

“This is the most together team that I’ve had,” Ondako said. “They’re really working hard. We’ll be a good team if we realize our potential. I’m just not sure how many wins that’ll be.”

The Lady Titans return 4 players from last year’s 22-7 team, including 1st-Team All-PAC performer Emilee Ackerman (13.7). Also back are Gina Brunetti and Terese Marszalek.

“The key to this year is our young kids have to step up,” Westminster coach Rosanne Scott said. “We have some good leadership and I’m confident in our prospects for this year. Staying healthy will be important, especially since we start PAC play in early December.”

The Thiel women have to return 4 of 5 starters from last year’s 8-17 season. One of those players isn’t preseason All-American Amber Broderick (22.1 ppg., 8.4 rpg., 2.2 steals). Other players in the rotation are expected to be Jena Cook, Michelle George, Elysa Farrell (Kennedy Catholic High), Catie Sieber, Taylor Radeff and Jasemine Jones.

“As a team, there’s room for improvement,” Thiel coach Artina Trader said. “The returnees that had limited roles last year will be looked upon to step up this season. The success of this group will be contingent on the ability of the younger players filling in for those who departed.”

The GCC women may be easy to overlook in ’07-08, but that has nothing to do with their 5-20 record in Sarah Harris’ initial season at the helm. The Lady Wolverines are lacking in height with 5-11 junior Brittany Anderson as the lone player on the roster over 5-9.

“We’re going to look different than we did last year,” Harris said. “We’re downright puny. We’re going to rely on our quickness and athleticism. I told the players to know the ‘one’ through ‘five,’ because you’re going to play them all. We’re going to pick up the pace a little and see what we can do.”

With the additions of Geneva and Saint Vincent, the PAC men’s and women’s champions gain automatic berths into the NCAA Division III tournament next March.

“This year is important for everyone,” Loomis said. “It changes a lot in how we do things, especially recruiting.”