HENDERSON, Tenn. - After narrowly missing out on a bid to the NAIA National Tournament last season, the Freed-Hardeman Lions are eager to earn another trip to Kansas City in 2011.
Though a solid nucleus returns, the Lions did graduate two-time All-American Zack Frey along with two other starters, Logan Greer and Kirtiss Brown.
"Those three guys had been in the program for four years and played significant roles from the time they got to Freed," said FHU head coach Jason Shelton. "Losing Zack, a two-time All-American, in the post is substantial."
With that in mind, the talent pool of the returning players is hardly shallow.
Leading the way are Ken Bingham and Kyle Teichmann. Bingham (6-4; Sr.) was named the TSAC Newcomer of the Year last season after averaging 15.4 points per game and shooting 83.1 percent from the foul line.
"Ken is a strong, physical wing," said Shelton. "He shoots it well, finishes at the basket and can get to the line."
Teichmann (6-6; So.) earned Freshman of the Year honors, averaging 12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while backing up Frey and Greer in the four and five spots. This year, he will be expected to fill the offensive void left in the post after Frey's graduation.
"Kyle plays differently than Zack," Shelton said. "He can face the basket and is a good passer out of the post. He's not as physical [as Zack] but is a very good player in his own right. He can stretch the defense with his ability to shoot the 3 and play on the perimeter."
Also returning in the backcourt are Jesse Moulton (6-4; Sr.) and Anthony Sampson (5-3; Jr.). Moulton led the team in 3-pointers made (66) while averaging 11.4 points per game.
"Jesse has a good understanding of how to play the game, particularly in our motion offense," said Shelton. "He is a very good post feeder and knows how to get others and himself open."
Sampson, meanwhile, came into his own midway through the season to lead the team in assists (4.1 per game) and steals (1.6 per game) while posting three games with double digits in assists.
Those two will be joined by Brian Pearson (6-3; Sr.), Cedric Austin (6-0, Sr.), Jonathan Milewski (6-0, So.) and Michael Young (6-2, So.) to give the Lions a deep and talented backcourt.
Versatile forward Vincent Barnes (6-3, Sr.) elevated his level of play last season and will be counted on as a key contributor in the frontcourt this year, as will James Haddix (6-9, So.).
Austin, Pearson and Barnes have all been with the program for five years.
"They bring an understanding of how we want to try to play," Shelton said of his seniors. "They all bring different things to the table."
The Lions also look for quality minutes from redshirt freshman Daniel Gravatt (6-7), an exceptional athlete who can play multiple positions.
Shelton, who begins his sixth season, will test his team with its non-conference schedule with six games against teams which played in the national tournament last year.
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