The Ancilla College men’s basketball team is finishing preparations for the 2012-2013 season – it’s first under head coach Aaron Butcher.

Coach Butcher proudly stated, “We are excited to see what we can accomplish this season. The effort has been great and hopefully the results will follow.  Equally important, we are working to build a first class program that everyone associated with Ancilla College can take pride in.”

Sophomores Phillip Boyd (Marion, IN/ Marion HS) and Affice Johnson (Indianapolis, IN/ Irvington Prep) are the lone returners for the Chargers.

With limited returners, the Chargers welcome a host of newcomers highlighted by 6’6 Jacob Frazier who transfers in from Lincoln Trail.  5’9 Roosevelt Green (South Bend Adams HS) will also figure to be in the mix as he averaged 19.2 points per game last season while being named First Team All-Northern Indiana Conference.  Lake Station HS product Demetrius Adams will be another freshman to watch as he adds great athleticism to the Charger line up. Corey Burton (Edinburgh High School) and Dominique Hogue (Fort Wayne Northrop High School) are two other freshman that figure to be great contributors to the success of the Chargers.

“Our new guys are going to be asked to play major roles for us this season,” said Butcher.  “Our ability to speed up their learning curve and their ability to adjust to the speed and physicality of college basketball will be a major factor in our success.”

The Chargers will be tested early and often this season with another challenging schedule.  14 of their 26 regular season contests will be at home highlighted by games against NJCAA National Tournament Participant Danville Community College (12/12) and defending MCCAA Western Division Champion Grand Rapids CC (2/16).

Since 2000, 30 men’s basketball players have moved on to finish their basketball playing careers at four-year institutions.

Ancilla will open the regular season on November 1 at home against Concordia Theological Seminary.  Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m.  All home games are held at the Lifeplex in Plymouth, IN.  Admission is $5 with Ancilla staff, students and kids admitted free.

Ancilla College enrolls 500 students in 17 degree programs ranging from accounting to nursing.