Thursday, October 31, 2002

MORAVIAN MEN’S BASKETBALL SELECTED FIFTH IN COMMONWEALTH PRESEASON POLL

ANNVILLE, PA --- The Moravian College men’s basketball team has been picked fifth in the Commonwealth Conference Preseason Poll based upon a poll of the leagues coaches.

Moravian received 34 points and to trail preseason favorite Elizabethtown College, Widener University, Lebanon Valley College and Susquehanna University. Rounding out the poll was Messiah College in sixth and Albright College and Juniata College tied for seventh.

Greyhounds head coach Jim Walker enters his 23rd season at Moravian with a record of 301-250 at the Bethlehem school and a career record of 316-260 as he begins his 24th year as a collegiate coach.

Coach Walker’s top returning player is sophomore forward Brandon Zaleski (Hackettstown, NJ/ Hackettstown HS). Zaleski led the Greyhounds in scoring at 19.1 points per game and he was second on the squad with 6.6 rebounds per game while being named the 2001-02 Commonwealth Conference Rookie of the Year and a Second Team All-Star. Zaleski, who had 32 steals, 24 assists and 17 blocked shots a year ago, also ranked nationally in field goal percentage at 59.9 percent and he helped the Greyhounds lead the country in free throw shooting at 79.5 percent by shooting 82.9 percent.

The Greyhounds have two talented seniors and four juniors with playing experience to place around Zaleski on the floor. Senior forward Ken Greb (Mount Holly, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional HS) led Moravian in rebounding last season at 6.7 boards per contest and he was second to Zaleski in scoring at 11.5 points per game. Greb shot just under 50 percent from the floor, making 49.7 of his field goal attempts while connecting on 83.1 percent of his free throws and contributing 41 assists, 30 steals and 12 blocked shots.

Senior guard Willie Reynolds (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty HS) provided a spark for the Greyhounds off the bench last season, averaging 3.2 points per game and contributing 25 rebounds and 17 assists. Reynolds, who shot 89.7 percent from the foul line, had 20 points to lead the Greyhounds to a season opening win a year ago.

Junior guards Steve Weiler (Edgewater Park, NJ/Burlington City HS) and Lucas Malishchak (Wanamie, PA/Nanticoke HS) ran the Greyhound offense on the court last season. Weiler was Moravian’s third leading scorer at 11.1 pointers per game while leading the team with 35 three-pointers. Weiler also contributed 61 assists, 69 rebounds and 38 steals while shooting 75.0 percent from the foul stripe. Malishchak topped Moravian in assists and steals with 84 helpers and 45 thefts while scoring 5.6 points per outing. Malishchak, who had 45 rebounds, was a 77 percent shooter from the foul line.

Junior guard Kevin Wyers (Hamilton Square, NJ/Notre Dame HS) came off the bench to tally 4.8 points per contest while contributing 36 rebounds, 16 three-pointers and 15 assists. Juniors guard Kevin Burke (Turnersville, NJ/St. Augustine Prep HS) provides backup. He played in 17 games last year with 18 points and 12 assists.

Joining Zaleski in the sophomore class are forward Mike Howell (Floral Park, NY/Holy Cross HS) and guard Andy Fisher (Hatboro, PA/Hatboro-Horsham HS). Howell played in 24 games last season, netting 3.8 points per game to go along with 43 rebounds, 18 assists and 16 steals.

Coach Walker has brought in another strong recruiting class and some more size to help Zaleski and Greb on the inside which should help the Greyhounds challenge for a Commonwealth Conference playoff berth this winter.

Moravian will begin its 2002-03 season November 23rd and 24th with a trip to Boston to compete in the Emmanuel College Tip-Off Tournament.

2002-03 Commonwealth Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Poll