For the second consecutive season, the Brevard College men’s basketball team will rely upon a large group of newcomers for success. With only one starter returning from the Tornados 9-18 season a year ago, BC will have fresh personnel taking to the court this season in the school’s last year of provisional NCAA Division II membership.
The lone returning starter for the Tornados is a very important one, in sophomore post Jonathan Whitson (Clyde, NC). Last season, Whitson led Brevard in scoring, rebounding, blocks, and in steals en route to being named the All-ICAA (Independents Collegiate Athletic Association) First Team and All-ICAA Freshman of the Year. With his long arms, soft touch, and uncanny nose for the ball, Whitson will serve as the anchor for BC’s post game once again this season.
Joining Whitson in the post this year will be junior Joseph Chilton (Brasstown, NC), who sat out last season due to transfer rules. Chilton will compliment Whitson down low with his inside/out game and shooting range that extends past the three-point line. Also in the mix for playing time down low this year will also be freshman Dakota Benson (Lake Lure, NC).
Although BC has no returning starters on the wing, it may be the team’s deepest position this season. Junior Sean Ferretti (Buffalo, NY) returns this year after playing the second half of last season, and is a versatile wing capable of playing up to four positions. Ferretti will be joined on the wing this year by sophomore Shane Galloway (Rosman, NC), who at 220 pounds is able to post up smaller wings but also has a nice stroke from beyond the arc. Sophomore Tom Young (Brevard, NC) also returns from last year’s team, and brings a high basketball I.Q. to the court besides being the Tornados strongest player in the weight room.
Several newcomers will also look for playing time on the wing this year. Junior college transfer Radosav Babic (Podgorica, Montenegro) is a pure shooter who shot 43 percent from long range in his junior college career. Sophomore Andrew Freeman (Asheville, NC) is another great shooter, who despite taking two years off after high school is still arguably the team’s best long-range threat.
Freshmen Tripp Taraldsen (Hickory, NC) and Whit Galloway (Rosman, NC) should also compete for minutes on the wing. Taraldsen is an exceptional athlete who shot over 40% from three point range as a high school senior, while Galloway is a spot up shooter who was named conference player of the year in his last year of prep basketball.
The success of the 2007-08 Tornados will likely depend on the play of a group of untested point guards. Sophomore Cody Siniard (Brevard, NC) has the most experience of the group, having played in 23 games during the 2005-06 season for Mars Hill College. Siniard took a medical red-shirt last season, but is healed now and should lead the team with his steady, pass-first play at the lead guard spot. Freshman Jermichael Tanner (Columbus, NC), who led Polk County High School to a 26-3 record last season is a quick player with excellent ball handling abilities that will allow him to see quality minutes as a freshman. Sophomore Chase Lance (Brevard, NC), who red-shirted last year after transferring from Southern Wesleyan, is a third point guard who is strong with the ball and has college experience as a floor leader.
Brevard College will play a full South Atlantic Conference schedule in 2007-08, and will open the season at Alaska-Anchorage on Nov. 16.
Team Photo Courtesy of Duane's Photography
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