DONALDSON, IN – The Ancilla College men’s basketball team is finishing preparations for the 2011-2012 season – its second under head coach Greg Neeley.
The Chargers return two starters from last year’s 6-18 squad, including Joby Renbarger (Greentown, IN/ Eastern HS) and Josh Wilson (Montezuma, IN/ Riverton Parke HS).
Renbarger averaged 11.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season, earning Honorable Mention All- MCCAA Western Conference honors. Wilson added 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest for Ancilla.
They will be joined by fellow sophomores Ben Gilbert (Argos, IN/ Argos HS) and Affice Johnson (Indianapolis, IN/ Irvington Prep). Gilbert averaged 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in 2009 while Johnson saw limited action in 2010.
“With such a large group of freshmen, we’re going to rely heavily on our sophomore leadership,” said Neeley. “Even though we only have a few sophomores, they have a lot of experience that will help our freshmen get acclimated to the college game.
“We’re going to ask a lot out of Joby, but he’s earned that responsibility. We’re going to ask him to lead on and off the floor.”
There are nine newcomers to the roster, led by the talented guard trio of Alexander Hutson (Williamsport, IN/ Seeger HS), Chris Holt (Elkhart, IN/ Elkhart Central HS), and Jazz Drane (Indianapolis, IN/ Perry Meridian HS).
Hutson was a Top-100 selection in Indiana and earned Honorable Mention All-State honors his senior year. Holt was a First Team All-Area and Second Team All-NIC pick and Drane averaged 14.5 points, five assists, and four rebounds per game for Perry Meridian.
Other freshmen include guards Marc Constable (Kaplan, LA/ Kaplan HS), Andre Hampton (Indianapolis, IN/ Howe HS), and Phillip Boyd (Marion, IN/ Marion HS). The forward include Dylan McDaniel (New Albany, IN/ New Albany HS), Darrell Freeman (Indianapolis, IN/ Northwest HS), and Jordan Coe (Indianapolis, IN/ Pike HS).
Both Hampton and Constable will not be eligible until second semester due to NJCAA transfer rules.
“Our new guys are going to get thrown into the fire right away, but I think they embrace that challenge,” said Neeley. “They are excited about growing our tradition and playing a major role.”
The Chargers will be home for 13 of their 26 regular season contests this year highlighted by home games against MCCAA Eastern Conference runner-up Delta College (12/3), perennially nationally ranked Lansing Community College (1/11), and defending MCCAA Western Conference champion Kalamazoo Valley Community College (2/18).
Ancilla will also host the men’s and women’s Region 12, District 8 Final Four and Championship games on March 4 and 5.
Ancilla will open up the regular season on Tuesday, November 1 when they travel to Fort Wayne, IN, to play Concordia Theological Seminary. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m.
2011-2012 ROSTER
# Name Pos Ht Yr Hometown/High School (Previous School)
2 Alexander Hutson G 6’0 FR Williamsport, IN/ Seeger
3 Dylan McDaniel F 6’6 FR New Albany, IN/ New Albany
5 Chris Holt G 6’0 FR Elkhart, IN/ Elkhart Central
12 Marc Constable G 5’10 FR Kaplan, LA/ Kaplan
13 Andre Hampton G 6’2 FR Indianapolis, IN/ Howe
20 Jazz Drane G 5’10 FR Indianapolis, IN/ Perry Meridian
22 Affice Johnson G 6’0 SO Indianapolis, IN/ Irvington Prep
23 Phillip Boyd G 6’0 FR Marion, IN/ Marion
30 Joby Renbarger F 6’7 SO Greentown, IN/ Eastern
32 Darrell Freeman F 6’5 FR Indianapolis, IN/ Northwest
33 Josh Wilson G 6’3 SO Montezuma, IN/ Riverton Parke
42 Ben Gilbert F 6’2 SO Argos, IN/ Argos
44 Jordan Coe F 6’4 FR Indianapolis, IN/ Pike
Greg Neeley, Head Coach – 2nd Season
Kirk Weiss, Assistant Coach – 3rd Season
Kevin Ecenbarger, Assistant Coach – 2nd Season
George Mendoza – Student Assistant – 1st Season
