November 14, 2004

FARMVILLE, Va. -- At Wake Forest. At Illinois. Vs. Cincinnati in Las Vegas. Tournaments in New York City and San Francisco. Reads like a schedule for an ACC or Big Ten member institution, right? Wrong. These are just some of the games that Longwood University, under the direction of second-year head coach Mike Gillian, will play during the 2004-05 men’s basketball campaign.

The Lancers are operating under all NCAA Division I rules and regulations this year, including the scheduling requirements, during the second year of their four-year Division I reclassification period toward official certification in September 2007. The program will be a countable Division I opponent this season, and the Lancers will also be included in the all-important Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).

Coach Gillian returns eight letterwinners from a year ago, including three starters, and has added seven newcomers to the team. Among the 15 players are one junior, eight sophomores, and six freshmen. The young group will be playing 30 Division I games, including 11 home contests. The schedule is highlighted by the December 27 road game at Big Ten member and preseason #5 Illinois, the December 30 game against Conference USA member Cincinnati in Las Vegas, and the February 23 road game at ACC member and preseason #2 Wake Forest – each NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago.

“This first full season of Division I competition is both a tremendous opportunity and a great challenge for everyone in the Longwood University Basketball Program,” explained Gillian. “We are all excited and ready to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead and rise to the challenges that we are going to face in playing against some of the best college teams in the country throughout the season. It is going to be a lot of fun.”

The returning starters are second-year team members Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook), Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams), and Husein Pistoljevic/Richland, Wash. (Hanford), and along with Leland Beale/Poquoson (Oak Ridge, N.C. Military Academy) - comprise Coach Gillian’s first recruiting class.

“Our returning players, now all sophomores, gained a great deal of valuable playing experience last year that will help them be prepared for the schedule we are playing this season,” said Gillian. “If they can continue to improve at the pace they have over the past nine months, especially physically, they will all make a significant contribution to our team being successful.”

Jefferson, a 6-3 guard and team captain, started all 27 games a year ago while leading the team with his 15.1 points, adding 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He shot 41% from the field, including 27% on three-point field goals, and 64% at the free throw line, adding 31 steals and 24 blocks. Jefferson enjoyed eight 20-point games among 22 double-figure scoring games overall, and led the team in scoring 12 times while posting three double-doubles in scoring and rebounding. His season-highs were 28 points and 14 rebounds.

“Michael is a dynamic offensive player and an explosive athlete,” said Gillian. “He is capable of affecting the game in many different ways. Mike is coming off a superb freshman year in which he not only scored effectively but improved a great deal defensively and as an all-around player.”

Sumter, a 6-5 guard-forward, also started all 27 games a year ago while leading the team with his 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, adding 11.1 points. He shot 47% from the field, including 29% on three-point field goals, and 50% at the free throw line, adding 41 assists and 37 steals. Sumter had one 20-point game among 15 double-figure scoring games overall, and led the team in blocks 15 times, and rebounding six times while posting three double-doubles in scoring and rebounding. His season-highs were 29 points and 12 rebounds.

“Maurice is a fantastic multi-dimensional player,” explained Gillian. “He had to play a lot of minutes for us last year at a number of different positions. This season, he will have the opportunity to utilize his talents in playing primarily at his natural position, small forward.”

Pistoljevic, a 6-1 guard, started 15 of 27 games a year ago while leading the team with his 65 three-point field goals, adding 10.5 points and 1.0 assists. He shot 39% from the field, including 36% on three-point field goals, and 64% at the free throw line, adding 18 steals. Pistoljevic established a new single-game record for three-pointers with nine against Virginia Union, also a Willett Hall record. He had two 20-point games among 16 double-figure scoring games overall, and led the team in scoring three times. His season-highs were 27 points and nine rebounds.

“Husein has an impact on the game because he can really shoot the basketball,” said Gillian. “He is going to take and make a lot of 3-point shots for this team, as evidenced by his school-record nine three’s in one game last year.”

Beale, a 6-8, 250-pound forward, played in 12 games a year ago, averaging 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds. He shot 47% from the field, and 70% at the free throw line. Beale had three double-figure scoring games, and led the team in rebounding one time. His season-highs were 13 points and eight rebounds.

“Leland is a big guy who has very good basketball skills and is a fine athlete for his size,” explained Gillian. “He has made tremendous strides physically and in adjusting to the college game over the course of the last year.”

The other four returning letterwinners include second-year team members Jon Larson/Leesburg (Loudoun County), Wes Hager/Henderson, Nev. (Coronado), Darren Holmes/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne), and Joel Rowe/Colonial Heights (Colonial Heights).

Larson, a 6-6 forward, played in 14 games a year ago, averaging 1.7 points and 1.9 rebounds. He shot 30% from the field, and 44% at the free throw line. Larson’s season-highs were seven points and six rebounds.

“Jon had an opportunity last year to compete for playing time on our team and he did just that, compete,” stated Gillian. “He has shown a great deal of improvement over the last nine months, especially physically, and we are thrilled to have him at full strength now competing to add some depth to our frontcourt positions.”

Hager, a 6-1 guard, played in 18 games a year ago, averaging 0.8 points and 0.8 rebounds. He shot 25% from the field, and 40% at the free throw line. Hager’s season-highs were 10 points and four rebounds.

“Wes is an outstanding shooter who had a very good high school career in Las Vegas, Nevada,” added Gillian. “He played for a great high school coach and has an understanding of the game.”

Holmes, a 6-6 forward, played in 23 games a year ago, averaging 2.6 points and 0.9 rebounds. He shot 53% from the field, and 74% at the free throw line. Holmes’ season-highs were eight points and three rebounds.

“Darren is an inside player who makes up for his lack of height with strength and desire,” explained Gillian. “He is an important part of our team in that he adds depth to the frontcourt.”

Rowe, a 6-1 guard, played in 17 games a year ago, averaging 1.0 points and 0.6 rebounds. He shot 38% from the field, and 57% at the free throw line. Rowe’s season-highs were six points and four assists.

“Joel epitomizes what being a college student-athlete is all about,” emphasized Gillian. “He is a hard worker who pushes himself and his teammates to the best of their abilities on a daily basis, whether it be in practice, workouts, the weight room, or conditioning.”

Coach Gillian’s second recruiting class numbers six, including one junior college transfer to the program this season in 6-11, 245-pound center Chad Kosmo/Northport, Maine (Maine Central Institute), and freshmen 6-6 forward Lamar Barrett/Providence, R.I. (St. Andrew’s), 6-4 guard-forward Jason Davis/Windsor, Conn. (Windsor), 5-10 guard Brandon Giles/Gaithersburg, Md. (Magruder), 6-2 guard Kevin Schneider/Phoenix, Ariz. (Brophy Prep), and 6-5 guard-forward Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton). In addition, 5-11 guard Stanley Boateng/Providence, R.I. (Mount Pleasant) has earned a spot on the roster as a first-year walk-on player.

“What we love about this group of incoming players is not only that they are quality players but that they all come to us out of successful programs, they are all winners,” explained Gillian. “They are a diverse group in that they come from different areas of the country but what they have in common outside of basketball is that they are great kids. All six of them made the decision to join the Longwood Basketball Program for the right reasons and they want to be part of building something special here at the University.”

Kosmo played at St. Petersburg (Fla.) Junior College during the past two seasons. He started six of 29 games a year ago, averaging 4.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 57% from the field, and 54% at the free throw line. Kosmo’s season-highs were 14 points and eight rebounds.

“Chad brings something to our program that we did not previously have, size,” stated Gillian. “He is a big guy who runs well and is very agile for his size. We are looking for Chad to make an immediate contribution for us in a number of areas including scoring around the basket, rebounding, and defending our own goal. We are pleased to have a motivated, developing player like Chad in the program here.”

Barrett averaged 11.3 points and 8.9 rebounds as a high school senior while leading St. Andrew's (R.I.) to a record of 25-7 and the New England Final Four. He was a McDonald's All-American nominee while earning honorable mention All-America from Street & Smith's magazine, All-New England, and All-State honors in Rhode Island. St. Andrew's School has retired his jersey.

“Lamar is just the type of player we like to have in the Longwood Basketball Program,” stated Gillian. “He is an all-around player that can play a number of positions, is very athletic, loves the game and is a winner.”

Davis averaged 17.1 points and 8.2 rebounds as a high school senior while leading Windsor (Conn.) to a record of 23-1 and the Connecticut State Tournament Quarterfinals. He earned All-State honors from the Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA), The Hartford Courant, and the New Haven Register, adding two All-Conference selections as well.

“Jason is a high energy player,” added Gillian. “He is an unbelievable athlete who loves the game. His work ethic, positive attitude, and desire for success will be instrumental in his development as a player. Jason's teams have experienced a lot of success throughout his high school career and playing in those type of situations should help him as he goes into playing against college opponents.”

Giles averaged 13.5 points and 4.1 assists as a high school senior, adding 59 three-pointers (41%) while leading Magruder (Md.) to a record of 22-3 and Maryland's Montgomery County Region 4A finals. He earned All-Gazette and All-Journal honors as well as honorable mention All-Met by The Washington Post. Giles played in the regional game of the Jordan Capital Classic and scored 17 points, including five three-pointers. He helped Magruder to a three-year record of 66-11, including two State Tournament Final Four appearances.

“Brandon is a point guard, a true leader, and as good a three-point shooter as you will find,” said Gillian. “He comes to Longwood very well prepared to play an important role in leading our program both on and off the court. As a point guard, we will look to him to be a quarterback on the floor. Brandon played in a very successful high school system that utilized the three-point shot effectively. We'll be expecting him to do some more of that for us at Longwood.”

Schneider averaged 13.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists as a high school senior at Brophy Prep (Ariz.). He earned All-State and All-Region honors, and he was selected to play in the Arizona All-Star Game.

“Kevin is a point guard who has an outstanding knowledge of the game of basketball and an understanding of how it should be played,” explained Gillian. “He grew up around college basketball with his Dad (Jeff Schneider) being a successful Division I Coach. Kevin comes to Longwood from one of the best high school programs in the state of Arizona. He is ready for the college game.”

Smith missed the majority of his senior year at C.D. Hylton in Northern Virginia after suffering a season-ending knee injury. He averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds as a junior, and also played for the Woodbridge Hawks at the 2003 AAU National 17-Under Tournament in Orlando, averaging 18.1 points and 8.2 rebounds while leading the Hawks to the round of 16.

“Dana is a tremendous athlete and talented player,” stated Gillian. “His combination of basketball and physical ability make him an offensive threat every time he touches the ball. He can make open jump shots and is very good scoring around the basket. He also has the desire to be a fantastic defensive rebounder which is a very underrated ability in today's players. We love having players like Dana, from right here in Virginia, who want to help put Longwood Basketball on the map in this state and around the country.”

Boateng averaged 7.3 points and 8.6 assists as a high school senior at Mount Pleasant (R.I.). He earned All-Conference and All-Academic honors, and was named a Rhode Island Top 40 All-Star.

“Stanley is a point guard who has excellent quickness and strength and is here at Longwood and part of our basketball program for all of the right reasons,” added Gillian.

Besides the three Top 20-caliber opponents already mentioned, Longwood will face two other NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago. The Lancers play at Northern Iowa and will play Valparaiso in Las Vegas as part of the exempt Las Vegas Classic. The Classic will be brutal, as Longwood plays four NCAA Tournament teams during a nine-day period Dec. 23-31, in order against Northern Iowa, Illinois, Cincinnati, and Valparaiso. The Cincinnati contest is slated for regional television broadcast on FOX Ohio and FOX Chicago.

Longwood will participate in two other tournaments this season as well. The Lancers will open the 2004-05 campaign in a tournament hosted by Ivy League member Columbia in New York City on November 19-20, joining the host Lions along with Morehead State and Mount St. Mary's. In early December, Longwood will participate in a tournament hosted by San Francisco in California on December 10-11, joining the host Dons, along with another NCAA Tournament team in Saint Joseph's, as well as UC Davis.

“We are very excited to be playing in these three great tournaments in our first year of full Division I competition," explained Gillian. “It gives our team a chance to play around the country in great locations, and certainly play against some tremendous competition.

“We are going to compete against basketball programs that have well established traditions and, in many cases, national reputations. It's great preparation for us to take the basketball program at Longwood where we eventually want it to go.”

The schedule also features in-state road contests against CAA institutions Old Dominion, James Madison, and William and Mary, along with home contests against Big South Conference members Radford and VMI. The Lancers will also play at VMI, while traveling to nearby Division III school Hampden-Sydney in their only non-Division I competition.

The remainder of the home schedule includes Quinnipiac, Hofstra, Howard, South Carolina State, Appalachian State, Northern Colorado, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UMKC, and Utah Valley State. Additional road games include Howard, Hartford, Quinnipiac, Utah Valley State, Northern Colorado, and Appalachian State.

“Putting the rest of our schedule together to play as an independent Division I program and working to put a competitive team on the floor every night for those games has had a lot of parallels,” added Gillian. “It has been very challenging and worked its way into a very fulfilling accomplishment. We have a lot of quality opponents on the schedule, a number of home games for our fans to come out and enjoy, and are ready for the challenges that lie ahead. The coaching staff (assistants Bill Reinson, Doug Thibault, LaMar Taylor) has done a great job getting us to this point where our schedule is complete and our team is ready to go. We need to continue to work hard and take on every positive opportunity we can to move the Longwood Basketball Program in the right direction.”

When Longwood informed the NCAA in November 2002 of its intention to reclassify its intercollegiate athletics program to Division I status, the institution indicated the decision to move to Division I was part of an overall strategic plan to raise the visibility and profile of the University. This year’s schedule for men’s basketball, no doubt the toughest in school history, goes a long way toward accomplishing that plan.