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Wilmington University
Men's Basketball
Men's Basketball 2007 Season Outlook
Last season the Wilmington University Wildcats fell victim to a tumultuous season. Plagued by injuries, inexperience, and lack of size, the Wildcats limped into the off-season. Head Coach Kevin Welch and his assistants, Chuck Robinson and Ron Wilson, were determined to turn their program around. “We have brought in a lot of good talent and also have some key players returning that I think can make for a special season”, stated Coach Welch. A few key players that will be returning are seniors, Taurean Temple, Maurice Furrowh and Tim Sowden. They will be relied upon heavily for their leadership and playing experience.
“We are very lucky to have three guys with so much playing experience. Having Taurean at the start of the season is a big plus for our team. Even though he was sidelined until second semester last year, he was still able be our team's leading scorer with 23.2 points per game.” He ranked seventh in NCAA Division II last year for the second year in a row. “We need him on the floor from the beginning. He causes so many match up problems for opposing defenses that it will open up a lot of opportunities for himself and the team” Welch said. Maurice Furrowh, a former Hodgson Vo-Tech teammate of Temple, also returns to the backcourt. Furrowh (10.9 ppg) will bring his much improved outside shooting prowess to a Wilmington squad that finished last in the Central Atlantic Colligate Conference in three-point field goal percentage. “I’ve been really impressed with what I have seen from Maurice this off-season. He worked really hard to make sure his last season would be his best and I expect to see that from him.” Tim Sowden, another local product from nearby St. Elizabeth’s High School will bring his defensive talents to a team that led the conference in blocked shots. “Tim has played out of position his whole career at Wilmington. This year we have brought in some size that will allow him and Antonio Sherrod more freedom to play the wing.”
Sherrod helped pace the Wildcats scoring with 11.1 points per outing and grabbed a team leading 7.3 rebounds. “As the team’s most valuable player, he was the most consistent player both on and off the court. It should be a real exciting year for him now that he is comfortable with his surroundings.” He will have help on the boards with improving sophomores Courtney Hines (6’5”), Kevin Gallagher (6’5”), along with the additions of newcomer Allen Hairston (6’9”) and his post counterpart Justin Tomlinson (6’11”). “Size was a big part of our issue last year. We feel that with Kevin and Courtney having their first year of college playing experience under their belts, coupled with the addition of Allen and Justin, we have addressed that need. Hairston is the most improved player since last year. Having to sit out the season gave him the time to get himself ready to play this year and be one of the most dominant post players in the league. Tomlinson is a great defensive presence in the post with his length and knowledge of the game”
“Last year we were very young at the point guard position, having two freshmen share that duty. It was a tough beginning, but I think the experience they received was invaluable.” Blake Rubenstein, a freshman shooting guard from Hatboro-Horsham High School had to take charge of the helm and learn on the job. To help lead the Wildcats this season, Coach Welch brought in point guard Mike Shipman, which will allow Rubenstein to float from point to his natural shooting guard position. Shipman, who paced Middletown High School to back-to-back state basketball championships in 2004 and 2005, spent the last two seasons playing at NCAA Division I Monmouth University. He decided to come home to help lead Wilmington University, where he has reunited with his former high school teammates, swingman Dominique Barron (6’5”) and all-purpose guard Kevin Cooper (6’2”).
“My coaching staff and I wanted to use this off-season to add the right players to take us to the next level, and we feel we accomplished that goal. We expect a lot from these student-athletes and look forward to the start of the season”, concluded Welch.