Season 66 lookahead

Top returners in the USA South...

Scoring
1. Robert Aceves, Christopher Newport 12.1 ppg
2. Peter Combs, Averett 11.6 ppg
3. Daniel Smith, Piedmont 10.5 ppg
4. Steven Causey, Mehtodist 10.4 ppg
5. William Nicholson, Chowan 10.2 ppg
(Wow! We lose a boatload of scoring in this league this offseason...)

Rebounding
1. Eric Alcorn, LaGrange 8.1 rpg
2. Billy Isom, Piedmont 7.3 rpg
3. Marty Starkweather, Ferrum 6.9 rpg
4. Bryan Finkle, Palm Beach Atlantic 6.6 rpg
5. Mickey Ritter, Shenandoah 5.8 rpg

Assists
1. Eddie Williams, Chowan 6.1 apg
2. Steve Barton, Greensboro 5.4 apg
3. Bradley Hastings, Christopher Newport 4.6 apg
4. John Boswell, Averett 3.7 apg
5. Antone Duvall, Greensboro 3.6 apg

Steals
1. Timothy Erwin, Methodist 1.7 spg
2. Theodore Fields, Shenandoah 1.4 spg
3. John Boswell, Averett 1.3 spg
4. Robert Lachapelle, Shenandoah 1.3 spg
5. Donald Miller, Methodist 1.3 spg
(Note: John Puffenberger, Palm Beach Atlantic, also averaged 1.3 spg in Season 65)

THE HORNETS' NEST -- Season 66 preview

Another era begins for the Shenandoah Hornets, who this year must replace do-everything sensation Dennis Frisch, although an heir apparent did not establish themselves last season. The most likely candidate is redshirt senior Theodore Fields, who averaged 8.6 ppg last season, leaving some to question whether he is capable of picking up the scoring load needed to lead. Junior Mickey Ritter has had a heralded young career in conference award circles, but averaged just 6.3 ppg last season, once again leaving questions to answer about his ability to take on go-to status. That could leave it up to John "Neo" Anderson and his 8 ppg average. We haven't had these sorts of questions in Winchester for a number of years -- how spoiled we have become!

Two new recruits join the program this off-season as Tod Warman and George Stelzer join the program from the Lone Star state of Texas. Stelzer played SG in high school but might transition more to a 3 role in the college game, at least until his court vision improves and allows him to distribute the rock better. He's a high potential speed and defense sort that'll fit in nicely with the Shenandoah "fly to the ball and create chaos" style of play fans have come to know. Warman, on the other hand, is more of a pure SF who will focus on being a defensive specialist with ball distribution capabilities by graduation. Both should see action as freshmen, although to what capacity is unknown. 

Glancing around the league, some were surprised to see Shenandoah escape mention in the preseason rankings. The Hornets appear to be the team to beat on paper in their conference division and remain one of the most athletic and defensive-oriented clubs in the nation, usually that's enough for a few votes preseason. Word out of Winchester is that this year's team might not be quite as speedy as some of the teams of years past, but they should still have plenty of get-up-and-go to keep most of the schedule nervous. Firm expectations remain for another trip to the postseason at year's end and, probably, that will be a date in the national tournament again. 

Season 67 lookahead

Scoring
1. John Boswell, Averett 18.2 ppg
2. John Jackson, Christopher Newport 15.6 ppg
3. Albert Richardson, Greensboro 14.9 ppg
4. William Bradshaw, Chowan 14.6 ppg
5. William Nicholson, Chowan 14.2 ppg
Note: Ira Bowen, Greensboro, also averaged 14.2 ppg in Season 66

Rebounding
1. Dean Hairston, Christopher Newport, 9.4 rpg
2. Joseph Howard, Greensboro 8.9 rpg
3. Billy Isom, Piedmont 8.3 rpg
4. William Theriault, Ferrum 8.0 rpg
5. Ricky Frenette, North Carolina Wesleyan 7.6 rpg

Assists
1. Antone Duvall, Greensboro 5.7 apg
2. Justin Sebring, Piedmont 4.4 apg
3. James Carrington, Greensboro 3.0 apg
4. Kenneth Peters, Averett 2.9 apg
5. James Uribe, Oglethorpe 2.9 apg

Steals
1. John Boswell, Averett 2.0 spg
2. John Puffenberger, Palm Beach Atlantic 1.7 spg
3. James Uribe, Oglethorpe 1.4 spg
4. Michael Gill, Oglethorpe 1.3 spg
5. John Jackson, Christopher Newport 1.2 spg
Note: Jason Holland, Averett; Daniel Houseknecht, Methodist, and Gregory Skipper, Oglethorpe all averaged 1.2 steals per game as well in Season 66.

I reserved Palm Beach Atlantic and will be instilling a 4 guard flex/press within the next few seasons.  Never tried anything like it before, but think it can be competitive with the right guys,  Excited to be joining you all.  Looks like a great conference.