Toledo Christian Preview

Fast facts

Opponent: Toledo Christian

Enrollment (9-12): 261

Division/League: D-IV

Team Nickname: Eagles

Coach: Dave McWhinnie, 12th season

Last season: 17-7 overall, 10-4 TAAC

This season: 1-1 overall, 1-0 TAAC - after a three point opening season loss to Lake, the Eagles smacked Cardinal Stritch by 17 points, 62-45 in Oregon.

Outlook - From the Toledo Blade TAAC preview

Seniors Eric Cellier, 6-3, G; Josh Winzeler, 6-2, G; Dominique Pittman, 5-9, G; Ben Ivan, 6-3, F; Cordell Miller, 6-2, F; Melvin Thomas, 5-9, G.

 The Eagles return four starters, led by Cellier (17.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg), who was second in the TAAC player-of-the-year voting last season. Winzeler (12 ppg, 3.3 rpg), Pittman (7.0 ppg, 4.0 apg), and Ivan (5.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg) make a formidable foursome, although an injury may keep Ivan sidelined for the first month.

Adding to the mix will be Thomas, a transfer from St. John’s Jesuit who sat out the 2011-12 season.

Strengths for the Eagles should be quickness, depth, and shooting ability, while McWhinnie’s chief concern is an overall lack of size that may lead to rebounding trouble at times.

“We have the potential to be very good, but we need to keep working hard and play great defense in order to reach our potential,” McWhinnie said. “The league has improved significantly over the past 3-4 years and this will be a very competitive league top to bottom. We need to stay humble and hungry, and we need to be unselfish with the ball. If the players start thinking about their own points, it could be a long year. If they play hard and play for each other, we could have a pretty special year.”

Hawkblogger notes: Mamuee Valley defeated the Eagles three times last season, including a come from behind victory in the District Final at Lakota...MV and TC are familiar foes from summer league play as well...The Eagles are the pre-season favorites in the TAAC, selected to finish first by six of the Conference's eight coaches...Ottawa Hills received the other two votes..get there early, it's going to be packed...the game will be broadcast on BCSN, both JV and varsity..