Belhaven College

Jackson, MS-The 2008-09 season for the Belhaven men’s basketball team was one of the programs best over the last few years. The Blazers finished the season with an overall record of 18-13 and 9-9 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference tournament. Belhaven finished the season sixth in the GCAC and made a strong conference tournament run eventually falling to LSU-Shreveport in the semifinals. The Blazers have a great foundation to build on they look forward to the upcoming 2009-10 season.

2008-09 Season in Review:
Belhaven had three players who averaged double figures in scoring throughout the course of the 2008-09 campaign. Korey Whiting, a native of Stafford, VA, averaged 14.2 points per game and grabbed an average of 7.8 rebounds per night during the 2008-2009 campaign. Whiting also recorded nine double doubles and scored at least 10 points in 27 of 31 games played. Whiting also led the GCAC in rebounds per game at 7.84 and was second in the league in steals with 2.29 per contest. Whiting was also near the top of the conference in field goal percentage at 51 percent second only to Dexter Middleton of William Carey.

Nathaniel Roche’, a native of New Orleans, LA, averaged 14.1 points per game and also paced the team in rebounding pulling down an average of 8.6 boards per night. Roche’ recorded six double doubles since joining the team at the beginning of January and has reached double figures in scoring in 16 out of 18 games played. Roche’ will be one of the key returners for Belhaven as they look forward to the 2009-2010 season.

Iman Walcott, a senior from Atlanta, GA, was a consistent force all season long for the Blazers checking in with a season average of 12.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per night. Walcott set a new career high for points scored in a game with 25 at William Carey on January 31st.

As a team last year, Belhaven averaged 68.4 points per game while surrendering just 64.6 points to their opponents. The Blazers defense was third in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in points allowed behind only Xavier and the University of Mobile. Belhaven was strong on the boards in 2008-09 as they grabbed an average of 37.3 rebounds per game as a team. The Blazers were third in the GCAC in defensive rebounding, second in offensive rebounding, and second in rebounding margin at 31.6, 13.1, and 5.7 respectively.

“We will have to replace key four year players Iman Walcott and Korey Whiting,” says Belhaven Head Coach Tom Kelsey. “Walcott and Whiting both played key roles on both ends of the floor for us last season. Whiting was a two time all-conference player during his career as a Blazer.”

The 2009-10 Blazers:
The Blazers will have a number of solid players returning this year including Roche’, Detrick Johnson, Krayleon Winston, and Chase Hudson who all gained valuable experience this past season.

“Our key returnees include seniors Krayleon Winston, AJ Taylor, Larel Bailey and from the Junior Class All Conference Player Nate Roche, and Detrick Johnson look to add on their previous valuable experience. We will also look to sophomores Allen McClain and Chase Hudson to step up and play key roles,” stated Coach Kelsey.

Bailey will return for his senior season after averaging 13 points per game two years ago as a junior. Belhaven went to the junior college ranks and signed four impact players for the 2009-10 season. Rob Wallace a 6’0 junior transfer from Co-Lin Community College averaged 19 points, three assists and three steals per game last year.

Josh Luckette from East Central Community College averaged 16 points and seven rebounds per game during the 2008-09 campaign. Luckette will be a junior as he begins his first season in a Blazer uniform. Woody Howard is also another solid scorer and rebounder that Belhaven signed for the upcoming season. Howard, a junior transfer from East Mississippi Community College, tossed in 12 points per night and hauled in eight rebounds a year ago.

Tensely Cowan is the fourth major junior college transfer for the Blazers. Cowan comes to Belhaven after spending his first two years at Coahoma Community College. Cowan averaged 15 points and eight rebounds per game last season and will be a junior this year for Belhaven. Along with Roche, Krayleon Winston is back for his senior year and will be called upon to run the offense at the point guard position. Junior Detrick Johnson will also be in the back court with Winston to help distribute the ball to the many scorers that Belhaven will have this season.

“We were fortunate to sign a solid class of junior college players and transfers that will give added help on the front line and in the back court,” adds Kelsey. “In addition to the upper classmen coming there is a freshman group of players coming in that will battle for playing time and give us added height and depth along the front line.”

With the new faces and returning players to this year’s team it should be another exciting one for Belhaven basketball.

2009-10 Blazer Opponents:
Belhaven will open the season on the road at Wesley College on October, 31st and will travel to Blue Mountain College November 1st prior to their first home contest of the year on November 7th versus Pensacola Christian. Other non-conference opponents include cross town rival Millsaps College, Union University (TN), Mississippi College, Rust College, and Trevecca Nazarene University. The Blazers will battle Trevecca in the Coaches versus Cancer Classic on December 18th and 19th.

Belhaven will open their final season in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference beginning with a January 7th matchup at Dillard University. The Blazers will play two games each with Dillard, William Carey University, University of Mobile, Spring Hill College, Southern University at New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana, Tougaloo College, LSU-Shreveport, and Loyola University of New Orleans.

“One big advantage for us is playing in the tough Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC),” says Kelsey. In addition to a strong non-conference schedule the conference schedule allows us to get a true test of our team’s ability.”

Belhaven was picked to finish 6th in the GCAC Pre-Season poll as voted on by the league’s coaches. Tougaloo took the top spot with 69 points and four first place votes followed by LSU-Shreveport with 69 points and one first place vote. Loyola was chosen third with 64 points.