Eagles Voted #1 in WHAC Poll
Oct 9, 2009
Cornerstone University’s men’s basketball team was chosen as the team to beat this year garnering the No. 1 position in the preseason poll.
The men's basketball coaches in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) tagged Cornerstone University as the team to beat nudging out both Davenport University and Aquinas College.
“We were a little surprised, but we knew that we would probably be 1 or 2 in the preseason poll,” said Kim Elders, coach of the men’s team. “I thought that Davenport might edge us out because they beat us twice last year and they are bringing a lot of players back.”
The Golden Eagles beat out Davenport by one point for the top spot. Aquinas College was voted No. 3.
“I expected us to be voted high (on the list) because we’re also bringing back a lot of players,” said Elders, who has 12 returning players. “We have four new players coming in that we think will make an impact for us. Our expectations are to make a run at the WHAC title and get back out to Branson in March.”
Cornerstone returns its top nine players from a 21-12 team last year, including honorable Mention All-American Matt Kingshott and Second Team All-Conference member Caleb Simons. The duo combined for nearly 30 points and 12 rebounds per game last season.
Joining them is WHAC All-Newcomer Ronald Bates who shot a staggering 47 percent from behind the 3-point arc. Joining the returning lettermen is Bryan Pasciak, a two-year starter at Ferris State University (Mich.).
Cornerstone finished third in the conference race in 2008-09 before losing to Aquinas in the championship game of the conference tournament. The Golden Eagles lost five games by three points or less.
For a complete list of team ratings, visit www.cornerstone.edu/athletics.
