Coming off of a tough and disappointing 2-23 record a year ago, Thiel's men's basketball squad is expected to rebound –and score- in the 2009-10 season.

 

“Last season was the most difficult in my twenty three years of coaching,” said head coach Tim Loomis. “At one point -at the beginning of the second semester- we lost six of our top eight players which made for a long season.

 

“I was very proud of the remaining players for their competitive spirit and competing until the end of the season.”

 

But that was last year.

 

Now Loomis and his Tomcats are re-tooled and ready to show both their fans and opponents that they can meet and overcome any challenge.

 

Returning to the hardwood at Beeghly Gymnasium are senior guards Cory Chaffee (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria), Sean Devinney (Arsenal, Pa./Central Catholic) (Arsenal, Pa./Central Catholic) and Wes Siko (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg-Salem) (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg-Salem); junior forward Allen George (Brunswick, Ohio/St. Edward); junior guard Devon Adams (Philadelphia, Pa./George Jr. Republic); and sophomore guard Jonathan Novo (Miami, Fla./G. Holmes Braddock) (Miami, Fla./G. Holmes Braddock).

 

Chaffee and Adams averaged over 11 points-per game last season, while Devinney returns with a team-high .587 field goal percentage. George, Siko, and Novo should make significant contributions this season after seeing action last year.

 

Loomis also has added several new players who, in tandem with his veterans, make him optimistic that the Tomcats best days are not far off.

 

“This season will bring us back on track in our plan to build a competitive program that can compete at the top level of (the Presidents' Athletic Conference),” Loomis said. “We have added six good freshmen and an outstanding (NCAA) Division-I transfer who will help turn the program into a contender.”

 

Blair Rozenbald (Youngstown, Ohio/Kennedy Catholic), a 6'-3” guard, joins the Tomcats after transferring from D-I Youngstown State. His arrival in Greenville is a homecoming of sorts, as he played under Loomis for three years in high school.

 

Several other new faces will factor into Thiel's quest for success. Those expected to see action are: Bradley Stevenson (Cleveland, Ohio/Lutheran East), Ladell Trottie (Cleveland, Ohio/Lutheran East), Austin Forbes, Andra Jones, Matt May, George Sanders, and Jamal Priester.

 

“If the freshmen and the team can develop over the next two months I believe we will be very competitive in the league.” said Loomis. “We have added quality young men that have come out of elite high school programs and are also very good students.

 

“These young men are typical of the recruits I had in the previous programs that I have built into winning teams. I am excited and look forward to the season” 

 

Thiel opens its 2009-10 season Nov. 16 when it travels to D-II power Indiana University of Pa. PAC action begins with a Dec. 2 trip to St. Vincent.