The Chart Online

Men's basketball preview
Eric Scott

Assistant Sports Editor

Coming off a 20-8 last year, Lions basketball hopes to gain its fourth all time appearance to the NCAA Division II Tournament, and its first tournament berth since since 1999-2000.

Southern returns one starter, senior forward Jamahr Warren, from a squad that went 12-6 in the MIAA in 2001-2002.

We haven t really changed anything with our offensive and defensive strategies, said Robert Corn, head coach. We re going to continue what we ve done in years past.

Corn said the two seniors, Warren and Zach Scheirer, center, will be important in helping with the leadership of the team.

In its exhibition game on Nov. 16 against the Dream Builders, the Lions outscored the Dream Builders 51-25 in the first half and shot 48.6 percent for the game. Sophomore shooting guard Hiram Ocasio scored a team high 14 points. Junior point guard Ameer Watts added nine points, eight rebounds, and eight assists as Southern defeated the Dream Builders, 84-65.

We played very well in the first half, Ocasio said. We were able to finish the game strong.

Corn said the team did a great job of making extra passes. He also said the players pushed the ball up the court well, and they also played good defense.

Corn said the starting lineup for the first game will be the same as it was against the Dream Builders.

There are several guys on this team capable of starting, Corn said. As the year progresses, several guys will be battling for playing time.

Corn said the team plans to go about 10 players deep because it is hard to play beyond 10 players.

Ocasio said the team is working on many things right, which includes defense, boxing out for rebounds, and offense. He said the strategy on offense is to penetrate inside the lane, and if that doesn t work, kick it out.

We need to work on rebounding the ball because we have a small team, so boxing out will be important, Corn said. Ball control and consistency for 40 minutes is also important.

Corn said every game is a challenge in the season. He considers the toughest games to be against Rockhurst, Southwestern Oklahoma, Northwestern Oklahoma, Pittsburg State and Washburn.

We have to make sure we re prepared every night, Corn said.

Corn said the keys to the season will be solid rebounding and good defense.

Defense will be important, he said. If you play solid defense, it will create offense.

The team s goals are to become the best team they can, take it game by game and try to grow as a team.

We need to play like a team, Ocasio said. If we play like a team, we ll win a lot of games.