Basketball season begins

This archived article was written by: Chase Andrizzi

One long season ends and a new exciting one begins. With the Golden Eagles’ volleyball team ending a long season of drought, it’s time to fill the excitement of the BDAC with men’s basketball.
The CEU men’s basketball team opened their 2005-06 season with a successful tournament in Southern Utah, where they defeated a talented Yavapai, and All-Star team.
They spent the past months preparing and working hard and the time arrived for them to prove what they are worth. “I feel we are more developed and ready this year than we were last year at this time in the season,” said head Coach Bryan Zollinger.
The Eagles have eight sophomores including five returning players, two last season red-shirts and a Fresno City Community College transfer. These sophomores are backed by seven freshmen who are more than capable of carrying the team at times, Zollinger added.
Utah’s 5A MVP Ryan Sanchez, will be a key component for the Eagles. “He is a smart player. He has an inner confidence most people do not see in him,” Zollinger said. Sanchez suffered an ankle injury and Zollinger is unsure of how long it will affect him, but he is supposed to make a full recovery quickly.
Tyler Kepkay is another contributing freshman. He is strong and crafty and will be a threat from behind the arc. His efforts will be added to by those of Jeremy Lathan and Kenyour Williams, who both have much to prove this season.
The Eagles have a strong lineup and no one player is a stranger to the game. Returning sophomores Tate Sorensen and Tyler Billings are expected to fill leadership roles that the Eagles need.
“These guys show great leadership and poise out on the floor,” admits Zollinger. They will have significant contributions from John Rogers, Michael McCrary, Belford Williams, Chandler Pearson and Tanner Nicholson.
This season is going to be exciting to watch. Zollinger wants at least 80 shots a game from his team. “There are going to be a lot of points scored,” he said with a slight grin. “We will be running and shooting the whole game. We are ready.”
Eagle fans get ready because the men’s basketball team is one of the best teams in the conference. With a conference that hosts two nationally-ranked teams, CSI and Dixie State, these men need to be ready; they are ready.