Lions looking for a return to Kansas City in 2011

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.

Lions ranked No. 23 in preseason NAIA coaches poll

KANSAS CITY - For the second straight year the Freed-Hardeman Lions found themselves among the NAIA's top 25 preseason teams, coming in at No. 23 in the preseason poll released on Monday, Oct. 25.

The Lions were also picked to finish second in the TranSouth Conference behind defending champion Union (Tenn.) University, as was announced at the annual basketball media day held on Union's campus and broadcast on Jackson's EPlusTV6.

FHU was one of two TranSouth teams to rank in the top 25, with Union checking in at No. 10. The Bulldogs were the only conference team to play in the national tournament last March.

Ken Bingham and Jesse Moulton were among the 10 players selected to the preseason all-conference team, with Bingham finishing second in the voting behind preseason player of the year Michael France of Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University.

The Lions open their season on Saturday, Nov. 6, hosting Bryan (Tenn.) College at 4:00 PM.

Follow the Lions on Twitter

I have set up a twitter account for the program. If you would like to follow us, go to http://twitter.com/fhulionsbball and click follow. It will have quotes of the day from practice and also some inside info. I will be tweeting as well as one of our Senior players to give everyone a peak into the every day happenings of the program.

Lions ink Chandler Mack to incoming class

The Freed-Hardeman Lion basketball team added another player to its incoming recruiting class with the recent signing of Chandler Mack of Huntsville, Ala.

Mack, a 6-foot-7 forward, played his senior season at Madison Academy in Huntsville under head coach Andy Blackston, where he helped lead the Mustangs to the AHSAA Class 3A state championship game. He averaged 14 points and four rebounds per game on his way to being named Northwest Regional MVP, Area MVP and second team All-State.

Before coming to Madison Academy, Mack played his freshman through junior seasons at Mary Carroll HS in Corpus Christi, Texas.

"The term 'tremendous upside' is thrown around a lot these days, but Chandler is definitely in that category," said FHU head coach Jason Shelton. "He is a 6-foot-7 athletic perimeter player who with added weight and strength will be able to excel at our level. Chandler's year with Coach Blackston has him on the right path to success."

Mack joins six other players in FHU's 2010-11 recruiting class: Vincent Dotson (Charlotte, Tenn./Creek Wood HS), Ben Meis (Memphis, Tenn./FCA Nighthawks), Michael Tomlin (Jackson, Tenn./North Side HS), Quintin Lee (Ripley, Tenn./Ripley HS), Reginald Gilmore (Chattanooga, Tenn./Tyner Academy) and Sam Fleischman (Hartselle, Ala./Hartselle HS).

Chandler is the son of Brenda Mack.

Lions sign Hartselle's Fleischman for 2010-11

The Freed-Hardeman Lions expanded their incoming recruiting class for 2010-11 with the recent signing of Sam Fleischman of Hartselle, Ala.

Fleischman, a 6-foot-4 guard/forward, prepped at Hartselle High School where he averaged 16.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in his senior season. He is a two-time all-area and all-county selection and was named to the Decatur Daily All-Area 4A-6A team after his senior year. Fleischman shot 53 percent from the field as a senior and scored over 1000 career points.

"Sam's toughness and basketball IQ attracted us to him initially," said FHU head coach Jason Shelton. "His work ethic and skill will allow him to succeed on our level. He comes from a tremendously supportive community and family and we are blessed to have him joining our program."

Fleischman joins Vincent Dotson (Charlotte, Tenn./Creek Wood HS), Ben Meis (Memphis, Tenn./FCA Nighthawks), Michael Tomlin (Jackson, Tenn./North Side HS), Quintin Lee (Ripley, Tenn./Ripley HS) and Reginald Gilmore (Chattanooga, Tenn./Tyner Academy) in the Lions' signing class.

Sam is the son of John and Beth Fleischman.

Lions add Tyner's Gilmore to incoming class

The Freed-Hardeman Lion basketball team picked up another player in its 2010-11 recruiting class with the recent signing of Reginald Gilmore of Chattanooga, Tenn.

Gilmore, a 6-foot-5 forward, prepped at Tyner Academy where he was an all-district, all-region and TSWA All-State selection after averaging 16.7 points and 7.6 rebounds during his senior season under the direction of Coach Gerald Harris. He led the Rams to their first appearance in the state tournament since 1999 and was also named to the Chattanooga Times Free Press "Best of the Preps" team.

"Reggie's work ethic and skill level will allow him to contribute for us right away," said FHU head coach Jason Shelton. "He's a very good rebounder with the ability to play both facing the basket and with his back to the basket. His three years with Coach Harris have prepared him to play at the college level. He comes from a very supportive family and we are excited to have him in our program."

Gilmore joins Vincent Dotson (Charlotte, Tenn./Creek Wood HS), Ben Meis (Memphis, Tenn./FCA Nighthawks), Michael Tomlin (Jackson, Tenn./North Side HS) and Quintin Lee (Ripley, Tenn./Ripley HS) in the Lions' 2010-11 signing class.Reggie is the son of Reginald and Yolanda Gilmore.

Lions' recruiting class grows with signing of Ripley's Lee

The Freed-Hardeman Lions added a fourth player to their 2010-11 recruiting class with the recent signing of Quintin Lee of Ripley, Tenn.

Lee, a 5-foot-11 point guard, prepped at Ripley HS for Coach Ralph Turner where he posted an outstanding senior season, averaging 20.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game on his way to being named District 13-AA MVP. He was also named all-district tournament and all-region and played in the Golden Circle All-Star Game.

He was also an all-district selection following his junior season and played AAU with the Midstate Ballerz in the summer.

"Quintin is a true point guard with a great feel for making those he plays with better," said FHU head coach Jason Shelton. "His 3-point shooting ability allows him to be able to break down the defense off the dribble. His high school coaches, Coach [Blaine] Mahaffey and especially this last year with Coach Turner, have prepared him to be a contributor right away at the college level."

Lee joins Vincent Dotson (Charlotte, Tenn./Creek Wood HS), Ben Meis (Memphis, Tenn./FCA Nighthawks) and Michael Tomlin (Jackson, Tenn./North Side HS) in the Lions' recruiting class.

Quintin is the son of Curtis and Wanda Lee.