Monday, October 25, 2004

MORAVIAN MEN’S BASKETBALL SQUAD PICKED EIGHTH IN COMMONWEALTH CONFERENCE PRESEASON COACHES POLL

ANNVILLE, PA --- The Moravian College men’s basketball team has been selected to finish eighth in the Commonwealth Conference in the 2004-05 Commonwealth Conference Preseason Poll conducted by the conference coaches.

Head coach Jim Walker, who enters his 25th season at the school, has seven letterwinners and two starters back from last year's 10-15 squad. Even though the Greyhounds had a 2-12 record in the Commonwealth a year ago, Moravian was competitive in all its conference games including being tied or holding a lead at halftime in eight of 14 contests.

Senior forward Brandon Zaleski (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown HS), who was named to the Commonwealth All-Conference First-Team, D3hoops.com All-Region Third Team, the Most Valuable Player of the Scotty Wood Tournament and the 26th Annual Greyhound Rock Classic a year ago, will lead the Greyhounds on the court this season. Zaleski became the 17th player in school history to reach 1,000 points during the Scotty Wood Tournament last November. He currently has 1,461 points, which is fifth all-time, and he has 546 career rebounds. He led the team in scoring and rebounding last season with 19.7 and 7.2, respectively and in blocked shots with 20. Zaleski also contributed 37 assists and 37 steals.

Junior forward Steve Wenderfer (Chester, NJ/Mendham HS) was second on the team in rebounding last season with 5.1 rebounds per game. He also added 7.1 points per game, 22 steals, ten assists, and six blocked shots. Classmate Zach Zsilavecz (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty HS) averaged 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per game and contributed 19 steals, 14 assists, and five blocked shots. Both players will contribute inside for the Greyhounds this winter.

Junior guard/forward Ed Reid (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl HS) contributed 4.7 points per game, 48 rebounds, 21 assists, 14 steals, and 13 blocked shots. Junior guard Chris Betley (Lenape, NJ/Lenape HS), who will be out until at least midseason after surgery on an injury this fall, added 71 points, 34 rebounds, 21 assists, and nine steals for the Greyhounds.

Junior forward Tyler Tripuka (Glen Ridge, NJ/Glen Ridge HS) had three points and two rebounds, while sophomore forward Matt Devlin (Sadsburyville, PA/Coatesville HS) contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, and one steal in his debut season at Moravian.

The Greyhounds will begin their 2004-05 season at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. on Friday, November 19th in a 7:00 p.m. non-conference contest.

2004-05 Commonwealth Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll