November 15, 2007
Eagles Basketball Tips Of In Tourney Action Friday, Saturday
- Men to Host Best Western Tip Off, Women Visit Plymouth State -
 

Nashua – The 2007-08 basketball season tips off this coming weekend as both the Eagle men and women open up with tournament action.

The Eagle men will play tournament host for the first time as they welcome Green Mountain of Poultney, Vt., the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) of North Adams, Mass. and Centenary College of Hackettstown, N.J. for the Best Western Tip Off. The weekend’s action marks the beginning of the 2007-08 season for all four participating programs. The tournament is sponsored by the Best Western Granite Inn of Nashua, N.H. located at 10 Saint Laurent Street, just two miles from the College campus. The Best Western Granite Inn is serving as the host for all three traveling teams.

On Friday, MCLA faces Centenary at 5:30 p.m. with Daniel Webster hosting Green Mountain at 7:30 p.m. The tournament concludes Saturday with a consolation game at 1:00 p.m. and the championship to follow at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets for the games are $3.00 for adults. Children under 12 are free. Students with a valid college ID are admitted free of charge.

The Eagle women travel north to Plymouth State University for the Days Inn of Campton Tournament, featuring the Eagles and Panthers, as well as New England College and Wellesley College. The Eagles face Plymouth State Friday at 5:30 p.m. with NEC and Wellesley following at 7:30 p.m. The consolation and championship follow on Saturday at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.

First Year Head Coach Heather Jacobs will work to create a quick start as the Eagles return nine letter winners and all five starters from last year’s 8-15 squad.


A look at the Best Western Tournament Field:

Host Daniel Webster has a new look across the board as Jeremy Currier begins his first season behind the helm after serving as assistant coach last year. The Eagles posted a 6-18 overall mark last season including a 2-12 mark in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play, bowing in the GNAC quarterfinals. Only two letter winners/starters return in senior Ryan Middlemiss (Methuen, Mass.), who serves as the sole captain and averaged 5.9 ppg, 3.1 rebounds and a team best 4.0 assists last year. He is joined by sophomore guard Ray McKie (Bronx, N.Y.) who averaged 15.8 ppg and 3.7 rebounds. Newcomers (18 in all) to watch include Brian Inge (Fort Washington, Md.), Chris Hanson (Salem, Mass.), Ahmad Hemingway (Staten Island, N.Y.), Steve Savage (Salem, N.H.), Joel Prince (Woodbridge, Va.) and Jason Marshall (Staten Island, N.Y.).

Centenary enters the 2007-2008 campaign, anticipating a bounce back year last year’s 3-21 mark. 4th year Head Coach Andy DeStephano looks to captains Josh Davidson and Drew Baker to lead this team as the Cyclones enter into the PAC after departing the Skyline Conference. Junior Tom Van Benschoten and sophomore Marquis Chandler headline a list of returnees who will be looked upon to provide both offensive and defensive sparks this winter.

MCLA, under first year Head Coach Jamie Morrison, looks to improve on a 6-19 overall mark that included a 1-11 mark in MASCAC play last season. Senior guard Dave Bisesi returns after averaging a team best 18.7 ppg and adding 3.9 rebounds.

Green Mountain, coached by Todd Montana, looks to improve on a 3-21 2006-07 mark. Sophomore Abraham Saccoh led the Eagles with 9.2 ppg and added 4.1 rebounds, while Aaron Brooks added 8.6 ppg and a team best 5.8 rebounds.

Best Western Tip Off At Daniel Webster College
at Vagge Gymnasium, Nashua, N.H.

Friday, November 16
MCLA vs. Centenary, 5:30 p.m.
Daniel Webster vs. Green Mountain, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November, 17
Consolation, 1:00 p.m.
Championship, 3:00 p.m.