The Elizabethtown College men’s basketball team got a glimpse at what their season could hold for them when they took on Shippensburg University and Misericordia University at Kauffman Court two weekends ago. With a pair of victories, the squad should be feeling confident entering their season-opening tournament, The Dutch Burch Tip-Off, at Lycoming College.
Sophomore forward Josh Eden felt his team was in control throughout the scrimmages. “In the scrimmages, we have done a nice job of being patient with our offensive sets and taking what the defense gives us,” he said. “We also have been doing well in our transition offense.”
As far as their defensive frame of mind goes, “we have closed out better on shooters, and have tried to limit teams to, at most, one shot per possession,” Eden said.
An overtime victory against Shippensburg and a narrow victory over Misericordia may have shown what the Blue Jays need to work on, but these two victories will surely give the team the confidence they need going forward. What Eden believes the team should focus on is having that “killer instinct.”
“Last year, we lost a lot of close games, and in order to achieve what we want to this year, that is very crucial for our success,” he said. He also said that defense is a major part of where they will look to improve following their performances last season. “We have been working on our communication and help-defense a ton in practice,” he said. “If we can play solid team defense, it will help us win a lot of games this season.”
The team will look to the leadership of their seven returning seniors: Captain and guard Phil Wenger, guard/forward Evan Hathaway, guard Joe Bodnar, forward Tyler Warner, guard/forward Tyler Simpkiss and forward/center Lee Eckert to give them the edge they need in close games. Eden said they were a big help in the scrimmages and gave the team “a lot of balance.” The team showed well from top to bottom according to Eden, and this run of form, if sustained, could help them greatly down the road. “This depth and leadership should allow us to make a deep playoff push,” Eden said.
Coach Bob Schlosser was satisfied with the team’s opening performance. According to Eden, Schlosser is pleased with how the players are picking up skills in practice. “He likes our offensive production so far and feels we have had good moments on defense as well,” Eden said. “Obviously we have things to work on, but he is pleased so far with the teams performance and hopes it carries into the season.”
As far as the team’s hopes for the season, a Landmark Conference Championship is the goal. The team potentially has all the tools needed to achieve it. Senior leadership is anything but lacking, up-and-coming young talent is present, and their coach is behind them all the way. “With our experience and leadership,” says Eden, “I think we’ll be a tough team to handle.”
The Blue Jays travel to Lycoming College for the Dutch Birch Tip-Off this weekend from Nov. 15 and 16, in Williamsport, Pa.
