Navy returns its top two scorers, along with its rebounding and assists leaders from last season.
However, Navy coach Billy Lange knows that for the Midshipmen to improve on last year?s 10-18 mark they are going to need contributions from a number of young players. They also need to find a way to replace the intangible voids created by the loss of four seniors.
Lange, entering his third season with Navy, believes that is possible as he tries to help turn the Midshipmen back into contenders for the Patriot League title. The key, he said, is for experienced players such as guards Greg Sprink (14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds), Kaleo Kina (10.4 ppg) and Corey Johnson (9.5 ppg) to give the Mids an early-season boost as the team?s younger players, including five freshmen, find their roles.
“We?ve got a process in place now in our third year with our second recruiting class,” Lange said. “We just have to keep working to get more experienced, stronger and get everyone playing our style.”
Navy?s incoming class offers the team a group of dynamic, athletic players, including former Spalding guard Derrick Young. Other plebes include 6-foot-10 forward Trea Stanton (Friendswood H.S./Houston), forward Scott Brooks (Wakefield H.S./Raleigh, N.C.), guard Chris Harris (Fort Union Military Academy/ Richmond, Va.) and forward Bobby Fenske (St. Mark?s H.S./Dallas).
“What we may not have in size, we make up with in our versatility,” Lange said. “We didn?t lose a lot of scoring from last year, but our four seniors from that team had a lot of experience. We?re progressing well with a group of five rising sophomores and juniors that have basically been starting for two years.”
Despite his optimism, Lange knows his team has work to do to be competitive in conference play. This includes getting balanced production throughout the roster, cutting down on turnovers and scoring more. To help get ready for the Patriot League, Navy will take on a number of area teams, including Loyola, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Howard, Georgetown and Ivy League champion Penn.
“The basketball program is on the verge of turning things around and I feel Billy Lange is the coach to do it,” Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuck said.
NAVY NOTES
» Johnson, who was fourth on the team in scoring, missed nine games last year due to injuries.
» Navy?s game against Loyola Nov. 7 will take place at St. John?s in New York as part of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic to benefit Coaches vs. Cancer. Maryland is also among the 16 teams set to participate in the event.
» Navy has added incentive to improve on last season?s 3-11 Patriot League record, as the highest seeds will host all of the games in the conference tournament for the first time in its 15-year history.
