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WildCats enter their second season of play in the ODAC
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Lynchburg, VA -- The Randolph College men’s basketball team will look to build on last season’s success as the WildCats enter their second season of play in the prestigious Old Dominion Athletic Conference in 2009-2010. The WildCats finished 6-19 overall and 3-13 in the ODAC in 2008-09, and return all five starters and some talented depth from a season ago. To view an interview with Coach Nunley conducted by ODAC Sports Information Director, J.J. Nekoloff click here.
Under the direction of third-year Head Coach Clay Nunley, Randolph will play a competitive schedule that includes colleges from the Capital Athletic Conference, USA South Athletic Conference, Commonwealth Coast Conference, and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Nunley will look to his upperclassmen to provide leadership and guidance to a wealth of talented newcomers in 2010. “We are looking forward to building on the steps we’ve taken from our previous seasons,” stated Nunley.
Nunley’s roster includes quality student-athletes from Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Leading the WildCats in the backcourt will be juniors Timothy Clarke (Frederick, MD/Richard Montgomery), Pete Hamilton (Roanoke, VA/Cave Spring), Caleb Pearson (Franklin, VA/Southampton Academy), Cameron Shepherd (Roanoke, VA/William Byrd), Aurimas Lekavicius (Silale, Lithuania/Miller School), senior Jason Rutschman (Botetourt, VA/Lord Botetourt), and sophomore Malcolm Nelson (Richmond, VA/Trinity Episcopal). Clarke, an All-ODAC Honorable Mention performer last season, returns as the team’s leading scorer at 12.5 points per game shooting over 42 percent from the floor. Clarke is a tough matchup for opposing defenses with his size and athletic ability and his creativity making plays for the WildCats. Hamilton is also back after averaging 10.8 points per game with a team-high 47 three-pointers. He will look to continue his outside presence giving the WildCats a threat from beyond the three-point arc. Pearson returns to the squad and will likely play the point for Randolph with his steady play and decision making. Shepherd saw action in 23 contests and remains one of the WildCats weapons from behind the arc. Lekavicius returns as a solid ball-handler and effective one-on-one defender. Rutschman is also back after averaging 9.0 points per game and shooting a conference-high 46.7 percent from behind the arc. Nelson returns after finishing the year as one of the WildCats solid performers off the bench.
In the frontcourt, sophomore Derrick Woods-Morrow (Greensboro, NC/Northeast Guilford) is back giving the WildCats a solid post player whose aggressiveness makes him a strong presence around the basket. The reigning ODAC Rookie of the Year averaged 10.8 points per game and a team-high 8.7 rebounds per game a season ago. Joining him in the frontcourt will be junior Jimmy Greene (Charlotte, NC/Providence), an active forward who passes well from the post position.
Nunley’s incoming first-year class comprised of four guards and seven forwards will look to make an immediate impact this year for the Wildcats. Colton Hunt (Whittier, NC/Smoky Mountain), Jameille Williams (Washington, DC/Maret School), Cameron Colquitt (Mechanicsville, VA/Atlee), and David Conrow (South Riding, VA/Freedom) round out the incoming class of guards. Hunt, Williams, Colquitt, and Conrow all have the ability to score from the outside including behind the arc. Stuart French (Woodstock, VA/Central), Aaron McRorie (Charlotte, NC/Providence), Dylan Shiflett (Virginia Beach, VA/Cape Henry), Andy Parsons (Richmond, VA/Mills E. Godwin), Jeremy Patterson (Woodbridge, VA/Gar-Field), Ahsan Ford (Virginia Beach, VA/Salem), and Phil Bowling (Madison Heights, VA/Amherst) round out the incoming class of forwards who will look to add depth to the frontcourt for the WildCats.
“I’m excited to coach this current group,” stated Nunley. “It’s a good mix of veterans and new faces, and they’ve been eager to work hard and learn.” The WildCats will open their season on November 15th at Gallaudet University. The team’s conference slate begins December 2nd at Randolph-Macon College.
CONTACT: Jamie Chagnon, Sports Information Director
