Oilers Looking for Another Successful Season
The University of Findlay men's basketball team will begin practices for the 2012-13 season on Monday, Oct. 15. The Oilers are coming off of a 24-7 season, which included a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Expectations are high for the team this year as they were recently ranked third in the NCAA DII Bulletin Preseason Poll.
The Oilers return 12 players who saw game action last year. Findlay, who has achieved the highest winning percentage of any NCAA Division II program since the year 2000, will once again be expected to challenge for a conference title and another trip to the national tournament. They will however have to make do without the services of graduated point guard Kyle Caiola, who was a first team all-conference and second team all-region player last year for the Oilers.
"Our team has had a great offseason, probably the best offseason in my 20-plus years here," said head coach Charlie Ernst. "We have gotten better and we have a better understanding of the offensive and defensive systems we want to run. Although are schedule is challenging, we are expecting our team to start the season at a higher level than last year."
At point guard, the Oilers will be looking for junior Sean Samsel to step in and take over for Caiola. Samsel has been a vital part of the Oilers bench in each of the past two seasons and will be counted on to make the transition to the starting lineup.
Last season, Samsel averaged 5.6 points per game and finished second on the team with 44 three pointers.
"Sean is one of our best shooters on the team and is a very good defender on the ball," said Ernst. "He is going to need to make the adjustment of going from a bench player to a starter, but we have confidence he can make the transition."
Also battling for playing time at the point guard position will be freshman Alphonso Baity, a newcomer from Reitz Mermorial High School (Ind.).
"Alphonso gives us an element at the point guard position that we have not had in a long time," said Ernst. "He is a taller point guard and he has great length. He can knock down open shots and is probably the best passer in our program."
Senior Aaron Robinson will return to the Oilers other backcourt position and is undoubtedly the most experienced player on the team.
Robinson has started 81 games during his tenure with the program, accumulating 773 points. As a junior, Robinson averaged 7.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
"Aaron is the heart and soul of our team and is one of the best defenders in the GLIAC," said Ernst. "He is an underrated shooter and his greatest asset to our team is the consistent effort he brings in practice and during games."
Sophomore Josh Brown also returns to provide depth off the bench after averaging 2.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game last year as a freshman.
"Josh has really improved physically and like Aaron, brings great energy to our team."
Freshman Konnor Baker from Ada High School in Ada, Ohio will also look to earn playing time at the position and was voted first team all-Ohio as a senior.
On the wing, the Oilers will have a number of interchangeable parts to choose from. The group is led by junior Greg Kahlig, a second team all-conference player as a sophomore.
Last season, Kahlig averaged 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He also shot 52.2 percent from the field, 82.6 percent from the free throw line and 41.1 percent from behind the three point arc.
"Greg is one of the better offensive players in the GLIAC," said Ernst. "He has improved his shooting each year, is a good rebounder and finisher around the rim. We expect Greg to have a big year for us."
Freshman Dylan Kaufman will challenge for playing time behind Kahlig after a standout career for Berlin Hiland High School where he led his team to a pair of state championships. He was also named the Ohio Division IV Player of the Year as a junior and senior.
"Dylan is a winner and a very smart basketball player," said Ernst. "He understands the game and does whatever his team needs to win."
Sophomore Luke Kohls will also look to add depth to the position during the 2012-13 campaign as well.
At forward, the Oilers will welcome back sophomore Jake Heagen and senior Jack Smith.
Heagen returns after averaging 8.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. One of the top freshmen in the GLIAC last year, Heagen earned a spot on the GLIAC all-tournament team for helping lead the Oilers to the title.
"Jake really came on last year and established himself as a great defender and rebounder," said Ernst. "He is a tremendous athlete and is continually improving on offense."
Smith will return for his senior season after averaging 8.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. During his career, Smith has racked up 687 points during his tenure with the team.
"Jack is a veteran and really hit some big shots for us last year," said Ernst. "He had a great summer and we think that it will translate into an excellent season for him."
Kahlig, Kaufman and sophomore Dallas Smith could also see playing time at this position as the Oilers 2-4 spots are virtually interchangeable in their offense.
In the post, the Oilers have five players who will be looking to earn playing time as the group will be led by senior Brad Piehl.
As a junior, Piehl averaged 9.6 points per game, shooting 54.0 percent from the field, 81.3 percent from the free throw line and 41.5 percent from three point range.
"Brad is one of the most skilled centers that we have ever had at Findlay," said Ernst. "He helps our offense go and we need to find the best way to use him and his skills on the court."
Junior Mark Frilling will be back as well after averaging 4.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game last season.
"Mark is a good defender and rebounder," said Ernst. "He is athletic and fits well with Brad because they have different skill sets."
Also returning to the post will be sophomore Kaspars Brencans, who saw limited time last season for the Oilers.
"Kaspars could be a surprise player for us this year," said Ernst. "He works really hard and has great energy on the floor."
Freshman Quaran Jones and junior Chris Baldwin will also battle it out for playing time at the position.
"Quaran has great potential and is making the adjustment to college basketball," said Ernst. "Once he figures things out, he could be very good."
Baldwin played in 12 games last year, grabbing 1.2 rebounds per outing.
"Chris is a great athlete and has continued to work hard for us as a player off the bench," said Ernst.