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Western Carolina men will open in Cincinnati tourney
Western Carolina’s men’s basketball team will open its season Friday in the Peggy Cronin Classic at Cincinnati.
The Catamounts will play Bowling Green at 5 p.m. Friday, Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Saturday and Belmont at 5 p.m. Sunday.
The first home game will be against Methodist at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14.
“Practices have gone well,” said Coach Larry Hunter, who is preparing for his third season. “The players are bringing a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the floor. There has been good intensity and competition all over the court.”
Western got a head start on other teams with 10 days of practice followed by a pair of games during a trip to Costa Rica over the Labor Day holiday. WCU won both of its games on the trip.
“Because we were able to get in 10 days of practice in August, our five new players (already had) somewhat of a feel for our practice routine with regards to fundamentals and drills,” Hunter said.
The Cats return seven players from an 11-20 squad. Heading that list is sophomore Nick Aldridge, who earned All-Southern Conference honors after averaging 18.3 points and 7.0 rebounds as a freshman. He also was named to the preseason all-conference team.
Returning seniors include Arnold Gore (9.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg), Negus McKenna (6.2 ppg) and defensive specialist Eric Wilson (3.5 ppg). Other returnees are sophomores Jake Robinson (8.9 ppg), Brigham Waginger (3.7 ppg) and Brandon Giles (6.6 ppg).
Freshmen include Michael Porrini (Massillion, Ohio), Cam Miller (Wheelersburg, Ohio), Blake Gallagher (Monroe) and Richie Gordon (Atlanta, Ga.). Junior college transfer Tim Magowan (Elkton, Md.) joins the team from Cecil Community College.
“It is easy to see we have lots of potential, and our players are displaying a great attitude and work ethic, but we have a long ways to go before we get where we want to be,” Hunter said.
In a preseason media poll, the Cats were picked to finish third in the Southern Conference’s North Division. UNC-Greensboro and Appalachian State were chosen one-two with Chattanooga and Elon picked behind WCU.
Western tuned up for the season Oct. 31 with a 102-61 victory over Milligan in an exhibition game at the Ramsey Center. Aldridge, Giles and Miller all scored 15 points. McKenna added 12 while Robinson and Porrini each netted 11. Gallagher led the team in rebounds with eight.
The schedule is as follows:
Nov. 9 – Bowling Green at Cincinnati; 10 – at Cincinnati; 11 – Belmont at Cincinnati; 14 – Methodist; 20 – UNC-Asheville; 27 – at Elon.
Dec. 1 – College of Charleston; 5 – N.C. Central; 15 – at Indiana; 17 – at Illinois; 27 – Presbyterian.
Jan. 3 – at Furman; 5 – at Davidson; 10 – Furman; 12 – at Chattanooga; 21 – Davidson; 24 – Elon; 26 – at Wofford; 28 – Georgia Southern.
Feb. 2 – Appalachian State; 4 – Chattanooga; 7 – at Georgia Southern; 14 – at Citadel; 16 – at College of Charleston; 21 – UNC-Greensboro; 23 – Citadel; 28 – Wofford.
March 1 – at Appalachian State; 3 – at UNC-G; 7-10 – Southern Conference Tournament at Charleston, S.C.
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