Badger News

The 2008-09 Spring Hill College men's basketball team came tantalizingly close to a return visit to the NAIA Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., but a 67-58 loss in the conference championship game at LSU-Shreveport kept the Badgers from achieving their goal.  This season, however, Head Coach Robert Thompson believes his team is hungry for a championship and more focused than ever.

"Last year our team really didn't start the year understanding how good they were and that they could play for a championship," Thompson says.  "It wasn't until the end when they won 11 of their last 13 that they fully understood what they were capable of.  This year they have a bit of a swagger to them and they truly believe they can win."

The Badgers return four of five starters and will be one of the most experienced teams in the GCAC.  "We return enough players to be competitive and we also have experienced players coming off the bench now which is nice," says Thompson.

Replacing All Conference guard and emotional leader Jeremy Price is a top priority for Thompson, but sophomore Chris Dee, Jr. of Picayune, Miss., is ready to step into the role.  "Chris has really transformed his body over the summer," Thompson says. "He spent a lot of time in the weight room and doing the things that he needs to do to play in this conference."

Other options for Thompson at point guard include sophomore Tyler Schwab of Panama City Beach, Fla., who played more than 500 minutes in all 30 games last season, and sophomore Antonio Burch from Pontiac, Mich.  "Antonio has really improved his skill set, especially his shooting," Thompson says.

Senior shooting guard Marcus Coleman returns following one of the most successful shooting seasons in Spring Hill history.  An Honorable Mention NAIA All American, Coleman finished the year with the second most made 3-point buckets in the NAIA last season with 111 long distance baskets.  Thompson is quick to warn fans that Coleman is more than just a shooter.  "Marcus is going to put the ball on the floor more this year," Thompson says.  "He's worked on that this summer and we're going to look for him to use that skill more often."

Seniors guards Stefano Bajos of Miami, Fla., and Patrick Grant of Mt. Vernon, Ala., will provide valuable experience in reserve for the Badgers this season as will junior Rico Dread of Jackson, Ala., and sophomores Hilton Grant from Mobile's LeFlore High School and Travis Aubin of Slidell, La.