Heading into his sixth season as head coach of the Avila University men's basketball program, Anthony Hall, will have a mix of experience and youth on his squad in 2009-2010. The Eagles will feature three players on their roster that are seniors academically.  Tommy Cochran is a junior. Throw in mix six sophomores that saw lots of playing time and the Eagles could have one of the most experienced lineups in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. But Avila also has a recruiting class that will add athleticism and depth to the squad.

I'm excited about our team,” Hall said. The freshman class from last season has really brought into the system, so I feel like this team can be special. I think we'll be improved and we' be better on this season. I think we will be deeper and able to do more things, and we'll be more athletic.  I think we'll have a better defensive team and our team chemistry should carry us further.

Despite the injuries to one of our major post players, Cory Prindiville, we had a number of impressive wins last season, including a thriller against William Jewell College. Fans of the Eagles knew to stay until the final buzzer last season, as Avila player in 13 games that were decided by 7 points or less, going 6-7 in those contest.  It was the heart that Avila showed in those games that impressed Hall the most. “That team never quit,” Hall stated. “Last season could have been disastrous with not have Prindiville at his normal self. We had to fight to win 11 games, but when you look at the 11 wins, so many of them were last-second wins.  It was a test of their heart and character and all you can ask of a team is for them to go out, put it all on the line and be the best they can be, and they did that a year ago. “That's what we're going to ask this team to do I'm looking for this team and this group of kids and the players we have coming back to take us over the hump towards a winning program. We still have a long way to go, but I want this team to start proving that they are winners.”

With that in mind, let's take a look at the 2009-2010 Avila University men's basketball squad.

Backcourt

Avila will no doubt miss the services of Justin Lott in the backcourt.  The Lemoore, CA., native lead the team in steals and assist and was second leading scorer and rebounder. “What I see with this basketball team is we will miss Justin Lott because he is a guy that proved he could do everything to help the team win.” Hall commented. “You just don't replace that.  We will miss that, but I do think we will be deeper as a whole especially in the backcourt.”

Senior Adam Short will be one of the top returning scorers in the Heart of America Athletic Conference with an average of 19.3 points per game.  He also shot 34.7 percent from the 3 point arch and shot 77 percent from the free-throw line.  Kelby Phelps will also return as a combo guard.  He averaged 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game on last season. Ben Dierkes also play lot of minutes and averaged 3.2 points per game. Drury University transfer Quinton Branch should provide a scoring punch to the program. At Drury, Quinton averaged over 7 points per game at started on 16 occasions.  He is a very athletic wing guard that can really score the ball.

Running the point will be junior college transfer Lamar Williams.  He comes from Division III power Joliet Community College. During his freshman season he was a teammate of Adam Short and helped to lead Joliet to the finals of the NJCAA National Tournament. He will look to inject that same winning attitude in the Eagles. His quickness and ability to lead a team on the floor will be vital for the Eagles, especially with this group of players. Junior returner Tommy Cochran was a backup to Justin Lott and will compete for playing time at the point guard position.

Frontcourt

Sophomores Kevin Booker and Jason Haase have all of the marking of a great group of young talented players for the Eagles.  Both were regular starters on last season and the both of them had great summers in preparation for the 2009-10 season. Kevin averaged 6.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and Jason averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds.  Seniors Alex Marler and Cory Prindiville are two of the three Avila seniors wanting to go our as winners.  “The seniors understand what the system is about and to leave here with the foundation moving forward,”  Hall stated “That responsibility is on them to make sure they go our of here winners and they want to do that.  Each one of those seniors wants to win. Our focus is for them to help us get to that point.” Marler averaged 7.7 points and lead the team in rebounds with an average of 6.3 rebounds per game.  Prindiville, before going down with an ankle injury, was averaging double figures. He finished the season with an average of 9.4 points and 3.5 rebounds.

Sophomore Zach Smith also played major minutes at the power forward position. Penn Valley Community College transfer Logan Sullivan will provide the Eagles with a scoring threat from both inside and outside.  He handles the ball extremely well for a 6'7” player and is a good wing player.  Sophomore Austin Stockard will battle for playing time at the small forward position. He can really shoot the ball.