After a record setting 2007-08 campaign in which the Oklahoma Wesleyan University men’s basketball team won a record 26 games and advanced to the NAIA tournament for the first time in school history, the Eagles look to build on last year’s success as they attempt to make the trip back to Branson, Mo. in March.
The 2008-09 schedule includes contest against four NAIA Division I foes and eight contest against opponents who qualified for the NAIA Division II tournament last season.
Highlighting the non-conference schedule are games at Evangel University (Mo.), Southwestern College (Kan.), and at the Southwest Assemblies of God Classic where they play SAGU and Mt. Vernon Nazarene. The Eagles will also play home and home contests with Bacone College and Friends University.
Despite the rigorous non-conference schedule, the Eagles eyes will also be focused on MCAC conference rivals College of the Ozarks and 2008 National Runner-Up Bellevue University as they attempt to win the schools first ever MCAC Conference Championship in 2009.
“Our goal as always will be to focus on the little things, stay humble and honor God. Attitude and effort are choice and we hope to perform better than our opponents every night in those areas. If we do, then sleeping at night, looking in the mirror and living with the results in March will not be a problem. Preparing yourself to enjoy the struggles and what you can learn from them are the keys to how you keep getting better until the end. We hope to build on what we accomplished last year, one way or another we will give all glory to God,” commented head coach Donnie Bostwick.
“We lost a couple of great senior leaders from a year ago in Austin Johnson and Wendell Peters, they will be hard to replace. We do return some very talented players though. Our staff worked hard in recruiting, I think we have added the toughness and depth we needed to take another step in the right direction. We still have to come together as a group and do our best to represent our fine institution,” Bostwick added.
Leading the returnees are MCAC and NAIA honorees Steve Briggs and Sadiel Rojas. Senior’s Isaiah Peterson, Garrett Jones, and Gene Hartman look to take over the reigns of leadership and play key roles as well. Murray Shaw, Aron Crowley, and Levi Mooney are also key returning contributors from a year ago.
Top newcomers are junior transfer Micheal McNeil and a trio from the Dallas-Ft. Worth area of DeAris Johnson, Jacoby Anderson, and Brian James, all freshmen.
Johnson a 5-10 point guard and Anderson a 6-3 wing player both come from Lancaster (TX) High School, while James a 6-3 wing player comes from Colleyville Heritage (TX) High School. All three players played key roles for very successful high school programs and according to Bostwick, should be able to contribute as freshman.
“We have brought in 20 players to add to the 10 returnees we had from a year ago. Our goal is to begin a junior varsity program and develop some of our talent from within our program. I really like the four players mentioned above, but there are a number of players not mentioned who we recruited who can compete for minutes this season. There are a number of players who will help us down the road as well. Competition is good. It can only make you better. I think we are going to be even more exciting to watch than last year. We have some talented young men and I encourage people in the community who have not seen us play to come out and see for themselves. Our kids play hard and most people are surprised at the talent level of small college basketball,” commented Bostwick.
The Eagles begin the climb to the top on Monday, November 3 when Central Bible College (Mo.). For a complete schedule and news concerning the Eagles, visit “www.okwu.edu/athletics”. (needlink)