Toledo Christian Preview

Fast Facts

Opponent: Toledo Christian
Enrollment (9-12): 261
Division/League: D-IV / TAAC
Team Nickname: Eagles

Coach: Dave McWhinnie, 10th season


Toledo Blade preview of the Eagles:

Last season: 12-10, 8-4, T-2 in TAAC
This season 1-1, 1-0 in TAAC

Top players: Seniors Nick Rightnowar, 5-11, G; Josh Whitlow, 5-9, G; Zach Brumbaugh, 6-0, G; Luke Sims, 6-0, F; David Westmeyer, 6-0, F. Sophomore Dominique Pittman, 5-9, G.

Outlook: The Eagles are expected to push the Green Bears. They have the experience and enough skilled athletes for some to think they're the team to beat this winter.

Rightnowar (8.0 ppg) and Westmeyer (5.0 ppg) are expected to provide early guidance for a team that returns three players who saw time as a starter last season. Rightnowar helped lead the Eagles to a TAAC title in football.

Whitlow, Brumbaugh, and Sims are also experienced with winning, which makes the Eagles a team to be reckoned with.

"We're excited," McWhinnie said. "We have good depth. I have eight kids who will be in our rotation.  Our goal is to win the league and to keep getting better."

Last year vs. MV

The Hawks opened at TC with a 52-42 loss after seeing an early lead evaporate. The rematch became The Game Which Must Not Be Named.

Hawkblog Preview

Last year was a big first step for MV.  The Hawks made their move into the ranks of TAAC contenders, playing TC to an almost-win at home and finishing second in the conference.  This year, the home team is looking for a breakthrough with its first wins against TC and/or OH for many years.

Looking at the height stats and Coach McWhinnie's comments on depth, expect all pressing all the time this evening. TC’s biggest advantage in the game is the experience factor (five Seniors). If the paper is correct, MV will be facing a very experienced team. TC’s best hope may be to try a running game against MV – full-court pressure defense and fast break offense. We’ll see if this is effective. If the Hawks can handle the press, it could be a big night for the home team.

In any event, this is a great game to start off TAAC play.  I expect all Hawk fans to do their duty and create a frenzied atmosphere this evening.