2024-25 WCU Basketball Game Program: MBB vs Wilmington

2024-25 Women’s Basketball Schedule

2024-25 Men’s Basketball Schedule

November Sat. 9 West Virginia State#..........................................L, 96-68 Sun. 10 @ Charleston#..................................................L, 64-59 Thu. 14 @ Holy Family.................................................L, 70-54 Mon. 18 Wilmington (Del.)......................................... 5:30 P.M. Fri. 22 @ Slippery Rock............................................. 3:00 P.M. Sat. 23 @ Edinboro..................................................... 1:00 P.M. December Sun. 1 Jefferson........................................................ 1:00 P.M. Fri. 6 California...................................................... 3:00 P.M. Sat. 7 Indiana (Pa.)................................................. 1:00 P.M. Sun. 15 @ Chestnut Hill.............................................. 1:00 P.M. Tue. 17 @ Pitt-Johnstown............................................ 1:00 P.M. Sat. 21 Seton Hill...................................................... 1:00 P.M. January Fri. 3 @ Shepherd*................................................... 5:30 P.M. Mon. 6 Lock Haven*................................................. 5:30 P.M. Wed. 8 @ East Stroudsburg*...................................... 5:30 P.M. Sat. 11 Kutztown*+.................................................. 2:00 P.M. Sat. 18 Shippensburg*.............................................. 1:00 P.M. Wed. 22 @ Mansfield*.................................................. 5:30 P.M. Sat. 25 Bloomsburg*................................................. 1:00 P.M. Wed. 29 @ Millersville*............................................... 5:30 P.M. February Sat. 1 @ Lock Haven*.............................................. 1:00 P.M. Wed. 5 Shepherd*..................................................... 5:30 P.M. Sat. 8 Mansfield*!................................................... 1:00 P.M. Wed. 12 @ Shippensburg*............................................ 6:00 P.M. Wed. 19 East Stroudsburg*....................................... 5:30 P.M. Sat. 26 @ Bloomsburg*.............................................. 1:00 P.M. Wed. 26 Millersville*.................................................. 5:30 P.M. March Sat. 1 @ Kutztown*.................................................. 1:00 P.M. * = PSAC East Game # = MEC/PSAC Challenge

November Fri. 8 @ #17 West Liberty#......................................L, 114-91 Sat. 9 Wheeling#.........................................................L, 88-68 Sat. 16 Wilmington................................................... 4:00 P.M. Wed. 20 Jefferson........................................................ 6:00 P.M. Fri. 22 @ Slippery Rock............................................. 5:00 P.M. Sat. 23 @ Edinboro..................................................... 3:00 P.M. Wed. 27 Chestnut Hill................................................ 2:00 P.M. December Sun. 1 Jefferson........................................................ 3:00 P.M. Fri. 6 California...................................................... 5:00 P.M. Sat. 7 Indiana (Pa.)................................................. 3:00 P.M. Sat. 14 @ Caldwell..................................................... 1:00 P.M. Tue. 17 @ Pitt-Johnstown............................................ 3:00 P.M. Sat. 21 Seton Hill...................................................... 3:00 P.M. January Fri. 3 @ Shepherd*................................................... 7:30 P.M. Mon. 6 Lock Haven*................................................. 7:30 P.M. Wed. 8 @ East Stroudsburg*...................................... 7:30 P.M. Sat. 11 Kutztown*+.................................................. 4:00 P.M. Sat. 18 Shippensburg*.............................................. 3:00 P.M. Wed. 22 @ Mansfield*.................................................. 7:30 P.M. Sat. 25 Bloomsburg*................................................. 3:00 P.M. Wed. 29 @ Millersville*............................................... 7:30 P.M. February Sat. 1 @ Lock Haven*.............................................. 3:00 P.M. Wed. 5 Shepherd*..................................................... 7:30 P.M. Sat. 8 Mansfield*!................................................... 3:00 P.M. Wed. 12 @ Shippensburg*............................................ 8:00 P.M. Wed. 19 East Stroudsburg*....................................... 7:30 P.M. Sat. 26 @ Bloomsburg*.............................................. 3:00 P.M. Wed. 26 Millersville*.................................................. 7:30 P.M. March Sat. 1 @ Kutztown*.................................................. 3:00 P.M. * = PSAC East Game # = Atlantic Region Crossover Challenge

!=Pink Zone & Senior Day ^ Parent’s Day + Alumni Game

!Pink Zone & Senior Day + Alumni Game

University and Athletic Administration University President Dr. Lorraine Bernotsky

Director of Athletics Terry Beattie

Dr. R. Lorraine (Laurie) Bernotsky was unanimously named the 16th president of West Chester University by the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), effective July 1, 2024. A longstanding champion for public education and State System students, Dr. Bernotsky is a first-generation college graduate who leads the largest *R2 institution within Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. Prior to being named president, Dr. Bernotsky held the position of interim president of Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) as a loaned executive from West Chester University. Known for being a transformative leader in higher education, Dr. Bernotsky is prepared to help West Chester University chart its path toward the next 150 years.

As a collaborative and inclusive leader who is centered on student success, Dr. Bernotsky holds nearly three decades of progressive experience in higher education. She began her career at West Chester University in 1996 as a member of the political science faculty. When the opportunity opened to serve as associate provost and dean of graduate studies at West Chester University, she competed in a national search for the role and served for several years before becoming provost in 2015.

As West Chester University’s provost, Dr. Bernotsky successfully led the University’s Academic Affairs Division, which oversees approximately 850 faculty and is comprised of six colleges, as well as two schools, that offers more than 100 academic degree programs while also housing the Office of Institutional Research, the Center for International Programs (now the Center for Global Engagement), the offices of undergraduate admissions, enrollment management, financial aid, the graduate school, and undergraduate student support services.

Executive vice president was added to Dr. Bernotsky’s role in 2017 and, as the University’s second-in-command, she also assumed leadership of the University’s budget and labor relations function.

Recognized throughout the Commonwealth as a highly respected and effective higher education leader, Dr. Bernotsky was asked by Chancellor Daniel Greenstein to serve PennWest temporarily in the fall of 2022 as executive vice president and chief operating officer, providing guidance and direction in all operational areas. From October 2022 through June 2023, Dr. Bernotsky worked collaboratively in this loaned capacity to help strengthen PennWest’s operational excellence, strategic enrollment management systems, and long-term plans for financial sustainability. The positive effects of Dr. Bernotsky’s work ultimately led to her appointment as interim president of PennWest on July 1, 2023 by PASSHE’s Board of Governors; she assumed the role four months after her appointment as PennWest’s acting president and following the retirement of PennWest founding president, Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson.

Terry Beattie begins his ninth athletic campaign as the Director of Athletics at West Chester University and 20th overall as a member of the Golden Rams’ athletic department. Previous to being named the Interim AD in 2017, Beattie served as the Associate AD overseeing facilities and game day operations. He also oversaw all of the grounds and equipment room operations for the athletic department.

A 32-year veteran in college athletics, Beattie recently spearheaded the development of the Michael Horrocks Emerging Leaders Institute at WCU, which provides leadership training and development to a select group of outstanding student athletes who, as recognized future leaders, will be taking on the mantle of leadership within their team sometime in the future.

In his eight years as the university’s athletics director, Beattie created a Sports Performance aspect to the athletic department implementing additional resources from which WCU student-athletes could benefit. His collaboration with a number of other areas on campus gives student-athletes access to mental health and sport psychology experts, an expanded and much improved strength and conditioning program as well as education on sport nutrition.

His work in the field of Sport Leadership Training gives West Chester University’s coaching staff and administrators access to some of the cutting edge research on how to become a better leader, coach and mentor to young adults.

He has also served on a number of strategic planning committee’s both within the athletic department and in conjunction with the university. During his previous 14 years in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Beattie has chaired search committees to replace head coaches and assistant athletic directors while coordinating scheduling for West Chester University’s numerous athletic facilities. He has also served on search committees on the university side.

Beattie supervised the athletic department’s nine on-campus facilities, including both John A. Farrell Stadium and Serpico Stadium as well as Vonnie Gros Field.

A member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Beattie was recently named the chair of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Athletic Administrators for the 2023-24 campaign. He has also served roles on the NCAA regional and national advisory committees overseeing selections to the NCAA Division II Tournament in a variety of sports.

About West Chester University West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, regional, comprehensive institution committed to providing access and offering high-quality undergraduate education, select post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania.

West Chester University is committed to attracting, enrolling and graduating quality students from a wide variety of educational, cultural and economic backgrounds. This endeavor requires the University to attract and retain highly qualified faculty and staff and to provide each member of the University community with learning and leadership development opportunities. To this end, the University supports and encourages programs which benefit all people and which seek to eradicate discrimination and injustice. We treasure what we believe to be the highest principles of American society: the worth and uniqueness of each individual, the belief that success is to be earned by individual effort put forth in an environment founded on equality of opportunity, and the appreciation of the ideal of an inclusive society.

We believe that it is incumbent upon all members of our community - staff, students, faculty and administrators - to conduct themselves with civility toward one another at all times. We value the special talents and contributions of each member of our community. We further affirm the worth and dignity of each member and the shared responsibility of all to treat each other as individuals, with respect and courtesy.

As a university owned by the citizens of Pennsylvania, we value our mission to provide the best educational opportunities possible which will enable the University community to successfully address the concerns of a global society. To this end, West Chester University seeks to provide diligent advising for students and to focus on teaching students to think clearly and critically, to make logical and ethical judgments, and to communicate effectively with others.

West Chester University’s community strongly supports the principles of academic integrity and academic responsibility, viewing both as the province of every member of the campus community. We hold the highest esteem for teaching directed toward student learning and affirm that mastery of content as well as mastery of teaching skills necessary to communicate such content are paramount.

As a university owned by the citizens of Pennsylvania, we value our mission to provide the best educational opportunities possible which will enable the University community to successfully address the concerns of a global society.

West Chester University will be a national model for excellence for public regional comprehensive universities and is especially noted for: l Undergraduate programs that actively engage students in connecting the life of the mind to the world in which they live and work. l The responsiveness of its graduate and post-baccalaureate programs to regional needs. l Its focus on providing lifelong-learning, technical, and applied skills essential to graduates’ success now and in the future. l A commitment by faculty, staff, and administrators to provide access and to serve effectively the educational needs of a diverse student body. l Its role as a leading educational and cultural resource and partner in fostering the economic, social, and cultural vitality of southeastern Pennsylvania.

ABOUT TODAY’S GAME WEST CHESTER

VS.

Wilmington

Head Coach: Damien Blair

ALL-TIME SERIES: WCU Leads 13-3 Streak: L2 First Meeting: 11/16/04 W, 81-57 Last Meeting: 11/19/23 L, 85-79

Head Coach: Justin Namolik

(0-2)

Career Record: (280-155)

(1-2)

Career Record: (122-144)

OPENING TIP... After opening its season with a pair of 20-point setbacks in West Virginia to No. 17 West Liberty (114-91) and Wheeling (88-68), the West Chester University men’s basketball team returns home on Saturday evening for its home opener in search of its first win of the season. While back-to-back 20-point losses to open the season are never calming, the last time WCU went 0-2 in its opening weekend, the Golden Rams returned to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row and finished the year 22-9 after falling to IUP in the Round of 64. West Chester holds a 13-3 lead in the all-time series vs Wilmington, although the Wildcats have won each of the last two meetings and three of the previous six, including an 85-79 victory over the Golden Rams in Wilmington a year ago. West Chester had four players in double figures, led by 17 points from Delaware native Elijah Allen, but a late cold snap and a 9-for-11 free throw shooting down the stretch by Wilmington lifted the Wildcats to the six-point victory.

WCU Men’s Basketball Notes ... West Chester was back in action on Saturday afternoon, looking to rebound from a 114-91 loss at the hands of No. 17 West Liberty to open the season on Friday evening. West Chester led early, but its lead lasted only the first four minutes. Wheeling closed out the first half with a 49-23 halftime lead. Despite outscoring the Cardinals by six (45-39) in the second half, West Chester fell by an 88-68 final as the Cardinals shot a stellar 50.9 % from the field, 29.2 % from three-point range, and 79.4 % from the free throw line. Davante Dennis led West Chester in scoring with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including a 3-for-3 effort from three-point range, while fellow Division I transfer James Johns Jr. finished with 10 points in the setback. Elijah Allen and Dennis are tied for the team lead in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game, while Dennis also leads the group in rebounding, averaging 5.5 rebounds per game. Saleem Payne, who set a new career-high for scoring with 12 at West Liberty on Friday night, leads the team in assists, averaging 3.0 per game. West Chester is first in the PSAC and third in Division II in rebounding, averaging 51.0 rebounds per game, while the Golden Rams 28.0 offensive rebounds per game is the best in Division II. Tonight’s game is the first game of a new era in West Chester basketball as the Golden Rams open Kane-DeLaney Court at Hollinger Field House. Refinished and renamed in honor of the two legendary head coaches in West Chester basketball history, Deirdre Kane and Dick DeLaney, the project was announced to the University Community last January during a doubleheader vs East Stroudsburg and was formally unveiled earlier this fall.

Wilmington Men’s Basketball Notes...Wilmington enters play on Saturday evening after falling to PSAC East member Shippensburg at home on Wednesday night by a 90-74 final. The Wildcats kept the game close through the early going, trailing by just two at the half, but a second-half surge, which saw the Raiders outscore their hosts 59-45, was enough to guide the visitors to the 16-point victory. Justin Perez drilled five threes to lead Wilmington in scoring, finishing with 21 points to help guide the Wildcats, who shot 39.7 % from the field and 32.0 % from three-point range in the setback. Wilmington committed 16 turnovers in its loss and also lost the rebounding battle 43-37. Entering play on Saturday, Perez is first on the team in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game. Manir Waller, who transferred to Wilmington from Mansfield, is first in rebounding, averaging 7.0 rebounds per game. Waller is also third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.7 points per game, while Denim Perkins is first in assists, averaging 4.7 per game.

With a Win ... With a win, West Chester would improve to 1-2 on the season, halt a two-game losing streak against Wilmington, and improve to 10-1 in its last 11 home openers after losing its first home opener since 2012 to Fairmont State a year ago. A win this evening would also give West Chester a chance to enter PSAC Crossover play at .500 on the year if the Golden Rams can vanquish Jefferson when the Rams visit Hollinger on November 20.

Head Coach Damien Blair completed his 16th season at the helm of the Golden Rams in 2023-24. In his 16years with the Purple & Gold, Blair boasts a 281-153(.647) overall record with four NCAA Tournament appearances in the last nine years.

Blair has orchestrated a 191-108(.639) mark in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) contests throughout his tenure, and under his tutelage, the Golden Rams have landed inside the top-three of the PSAC East standings nine times, including a share of the regular-season title in 2022-23, and six second-place finishes. West Chester has advanced to the PSAC Championship Game on three occasions. The West Chester University alum boasts a 12-13 record in the PSAC Tournament and a 1-4 record in the NCAA Tournament.

Last season, Blair guided West Chester back to the PSAC Tournament as the fourth seed in the PSAC East and after defeating Shepherd in the First Round of the PSAC Tournament before falling to Lock Haven and ending the year with a record of 19-11 overall and a mark of 15-7 in league action. Blair saw two of his players eclipse the 1,000-point plateau in 2023-24 as Robert Smith did so first as part of a 100-97 road victory over No. 9 and previously unbeaten California (Pa.) before Elijah Allen accomplished the feat on January 10 vs Shepherd. Smith became the first WCU player to score all 1,000 points at WCU since Matt Penecale and Jackson Hyland in 2018-19. On the Golden Rams regular-season finale and Senior Day, Blair and the Golden Rams made national headlines after orchestrating a surprise reunion for graduate student forward Jordan Kellier and his parents, who were visiting from Jamaica to watch him play for the first time in his collegiate career. Kellier earned PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year honors and First Team All-Conference recognition nad was joined on the First Team by Allen while Smith was named Second Team All-League for the third year in a row.

In his 15th season, Blair guided West Chester to its seventh 20+-win season, ending the campaign with a record of 21-8 overall and a mark of 16-6 in PSAC East action en route to a share of the squad’s first PSAC East Regular Season title since 2006. This effort, which included a sweep of East Stroudsburg for the first time since the 2008-09 season, also saw the Golden Rams score the most points they ever have against the Warriors in a 106-98 victory in Hollinger Field House. Blair also mentored a pair of All-PSAC East honorees once again as Kyle McGee secured First Team honors while Robert Smith was named Second Team All-League for the second year in a row.

Coming off a shutdown of athletics due to the COVID-19 pandemic that wiped out the 2020-21 campaign, Blair guided his squad to a 17-12 overall record and a fourth-place finish and an opening round win in the PSAC Tournament that pushed West Chester into the quarterfinals. Two Golden Rams were named all-conference in the postseason announcements. He did all of this without a senior on his roster.

The 2019-20 campaign saw West Chester finishing the regular season with a 20-10 record, including a 13-game win streak to start the year, to earn third place in the PSAC East standings. With West Chester sitting at 13-0 to start the winter, the Golden Rams climbed to as high as eighth in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II national poll - it’s highest ranking since 1983 - the school’s first year at Division II, after re-classifying from Division I the previous year.

West Chester continued its upward projection in 2018-19, as the Golden Rams broke multiple records on their way to the 2019 NCAA DII Atlantic Regional. After starting the season at 6-5, WCU went on to win its next 15 straight contests to set a new school record for most consecutive victories in program history. In the midst of all the winning, Blair became just the second West Chester men’s basketball coach in history to eclipse the 200-win plateau, which secured Blair the No. 2 spot on WCU’s all-time wins list behind his former mentor and Messikomer Hall of Famer, Dick Delaney, who ended his 21-year career with 370 victories - a number that stands as the fourth most by any PSAC coach in conference history.

The Golden Rams capped off the 2018-19 season as one of the most dominating rebounding units in the entire country.

Heading into the postseason, West Chester paced NCAA DII in total rebounds per game (45.3) and offensive rebounds per game (18.1), while sitting fourth in the nation in both total rebounds (1,359) and rebounding margin (+10.5).

Individually, the 2018-19 Golden Rams featured three All-PSAC selections in Jackson Hyland (First Team), Matt Penecale (Second Team) and Malik Jackson (Second Team). Hyland ended his illustrious career as a two-time All-PSAC selection and his 1,448 career points are the 10th most by a Golden Ram in program history. He continued his basketball career overseas in England for a season following graduation. A two-time Academic All-District selection by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Penecale capped off his career with the Purple & Gold as the program’s all-time career leader in assists (505) and No. 2 on the West Chester all-time career free throw percentage list (.869). A former PSAC East Freshman of the Year, Jackson’s 81 triples in 2018-19 were the third most makes by any WCU men’s basketball player in history. Jackson graduated in 2020 as the school’s fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,826 career points.

West Chester tallied a 22-7 overall record in 2017-18 to qualify for the NCAA Atlantic Regional for the second time in the last three years. Entering the tournament as the sixth seed. West Chester managed to clip the favored Cardinals, 82-77, inside the Virginia State University Multi-Purpose Center to give the Golden Rams their first NCAA Tournament win in nine appearances.

During the 2015-16 campaign, Blair guided his charges to a 23-7 mark, a spot in the PSAC Championship Game and a second trip to the NCAA Tournament in the past three campaigns. He did all of that with a pair of freshmen in his backcourt running the offense. Along the way, senior forward Matt Wiseley was named NABC All-Atlantic Region while also taking home PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year honors. Malik Jackson was the PSAC East Freshman of the Year as well. West Chester cracked into the NABC national poll for the first time since 2009 and rose as high as 16th in the country. That marked the Golden Rams’ highest national ranking since 2003.

In 2013-14, West Chester cracked the 20-win plateau for the first time in a decade and the first time under Blair’s watch. The Golden Rams finished with a 20-8 record and finished second in the PSAC East with a 17-5 mark. WCU’s 17 conference wins also set a record for most in a single season in school history. The Golden Rams defeated Millersville in the PSAC Quarterfinals, before falling to eventual champion Indiana, Pa., in the semifinals.

The 20 wins set a new season record in Blair’s five years at his alma mater while the team’s appearance in the conference semifinals was West Chester’s second straight.

In 2011-12, Blair guided his charges to a 19-win season and helped the Golden Rams finish third in the PSAC Eastern Division. The Golden Rams upset Bloomsburg in the first round of the conference tournament, and when East Stroudsburg upset top-seeded Kutztown, West Chester earned the right to host the conference semifinals and finals as the highest remaining seed in the East.

Blair engineered an upset win over conference favorite and nationally ranked Indiana (Pa.) in the semifinals, landing the Golden Rams in the PSAC Championship Game.

In 2009-10, Blair led the Golden Rams to a 18-9 overall record and a 5-9 conference mark during one of the most competitive league slates in quite some time. That season’s Eastern Division champion suffered five losses in conference play.

It was Blair’s mission that winter to orchestrate a return to the PSAC semifinals and with it a shot at a PSAC championship.

Blair led West Chester to the PSAC postseason tournament in his first season on the sideline in 2008-09, after inheriting a squad that had not reached the playoffs the previous two campaigns.

One of the top guards in school history, Blair made a big splash in his first season as head coach at his alma mater. The Golden Rams finished 18-10 overall and 9-5 in conference play, finishing third overall in the Eastern Division and leading the Rams to the quarterfinals of the PSAC postseason tournament. A loss to cross-town rival Cheyney ended Blair’s inaugural season prematurely.

In his first two seasons on the bench, Blair mentored three first-team All-PSAC players and four all-leaguers total. Former all-league selection, Ralph Hegamin, continued his basketball career overseas in Portugal. Hegamin was also an All-ECAC pick and two-time Herb Good all-star selection under Blair’s tutelage.

Additionally, one former Golden Rams player, Kenneth St. George, was named to the PSAC academic honor roll both years with Blair while also being named a two-time recipient of the Arthur Ashe Scholar-Athlete Award.

The program’s second all-time leading scorer during his playing days, Blair became the program’s fifth head coach since 1960 and the first African-American mentor in program history in July 2008. During his collegiate playing career, Blair set seven individual scoring records on the career, season and game levels. His 2,025 career points stands second all-time at West Chester University and 12th all-time in PSAC history. The flashy guard was a two-time PSAC East player of the year (1994, 1995) and four-time all-league selection, including three first-team nods, during his illustrious playing career. Blair was inducted into the Messikomer Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame at West Chester University in 2001.

Blair received his bachelor’s of science degree in Education from WCU in May 2006 and is a certified Health & Physical Education instructor in the state of Pennsylvania. He completed his master’s in Athletic Administration from WCU in May 2007.

Blair resides in Downingtown, Pa., with his wife, Carolyn, a 1997 graduate of West Chester University and former women’s basketball player under former women’s head coach Deirdre Kane. The couple has four children: Hunter, Dylan, Autumn and Hayden.

Hunter graduated from West Chester University while Dylan is a sophomore at West Chester after joining the Golden Rams from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Autumn will attend the University of Florida on a women’s lacrosse scholarship.

TONIGHT’S LINEUPS

West Chester Golden Rams Men’s Basketball Roster (0-2)

No. 0 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 22 23

Player Myles Grey Anthony Purnell Jr. Larenzo Jerkins Saleem Payne Elijah Allen Anthony McCall Davante Dennis Luke Boyd Joshua Walker Dylan Blair Darrius Phillips James Johns Jr. Nix Varano Gavin Dalen Moro Osumanu Alex Walinski

Pos. G G G G G G/F F G F G F G/F G F G/F G/F

Ht. 5-10 6-0 6-4 5-10 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-2 6-8 5-10 6-8 6-6 6-2 6-9 6-6 6-4

Wt. 175 150 190 160 180 200 220 170 230 165 225 195 175 220 180 180

Cl. So. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr.

Hometown/High School Reading, Pa. / Reading Chester, Pa. / Kiski Prep Chester, Pa./Neumann-Goretti Philadelphia, Pa. / Phelps School Dover, Del. / Dover Philadelphia, Pa./ANC/Rider Baltimore,Md./Red Lion/UIW Somerton, Pa. / Archbishop Ryan Upper Marlboro, Md. / Riverdale Baptis Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West/Army East Stroudsburg, Pa. / Seton Hall Prep Claymont, Del./Long Island Lutheran/Fairfield Chalfont, Pa. / La Salle College High School Milford, Oh./Milford Reading, Pa. / Reading New Hope, Pa. / New Hope Solebury

Head Coach: Damien Blair (West Chester ’06) 17th season Assistant Coach: Ben Kay (Drexel ’12), Eric Anderson,Tyler Smith, Isaiah Lester

Wilmington Wildcats Men’s Basketball Roster (1-2)

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown/High School 0 Hamahrie Bowers G 6-6 190 So. Chicago, Ill./Hillcrest (Minnesota State) 1 Skip Burton G 6-0 165 Jr. Chester, Pa./Stem Academy (Taylor Made Prep) 2 Manir Waller G 6-3 205 Gr. Abington, Pa./Abington (Mansfield) 3 Jaylin Horsey G 6-4 185 Fr. Wilmington, Del./William Penn 4 Denim Perkins G 5-7 150 Fr. Dover, Del./Dover 5 Jihad Simpson F 6-9 210 Jr. Washington, D.C./Roosevelt (Clarion) 10 Dorien Johnson G 6-4 185 So. Indian Trail, N.C./United Faith Christian 11 Tre Hawkins F 6-7 210 Fr. Waldorf, Md./Grace Brethren Christian 12 Jalen Sample G 6-0 155 R.Fr. New Castle, Del./William Penn 13 Arnaldo Rodriguez G 6-1 170 R.Fr. Vineland, N.J./St. Joseph Academy 14 Jadyn Humber F 6-6 175 Fr. Woodbridge, N.J./Arts HS 15 Hiram Alexander G 6-4 185 Jr. Arlington, Texas/James Bowie 20 Jeff Bogg G 6-0 155 Fr. Nevada, Texas/BigTyme Prep 23 Izaiah Credle G 6-3 195 Sr. Smyrna, Del./Smyrna (Holy Family) 24 Jordan Moore F 6-4 180 Jr. New Castle, Del./William Penn (Del Tech 33 Justin Perez G 6-2 190 Jr. West Warwick, R.I./Bishop Hendricken (Adelphi) 34 Fidel Mpanzo C 7-0 200 Jr. Luanda, Angola/Combine Academy (Allegany College) Head Coach: Dan Burke, 11th Season (Chestnut Hill ’08) Assistant Coaches: Andrew Feeley, Ron Solomone, Shai Henry, JJ Rapczynski

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Notes 2024-25 Men’s Basketball Conference Standings and Statistics as of 11/15/24

Conference Standings 2023-24 Eastern Division Place School Conf.

1.

Lock Haven (1)* 18-4

Millersville (2)* 18-4

E. Stroudsburg (3)* 18-4 4.

West Chester(4)* 15-7 5.

Shepherd (5)* 10-12 6.

Mansfield (6)* 6-16 7.

Shippensburg 4-18 8.

Bloomsburg 3-19 9.

Kutztown 3-19 Western Division Place School Conf.

1.

Gannon(1)* 20-2 2.

Cal (Pa.) (2)* 19-3 3.

Slippery Rock (3)* 13-9 4.

IUP (4)* 13-9 5.

Mercyhurst(5)* 11-11 6.

Seton Hill (6)* 11-11 7.

Edinboro 6-16 8.

Clarion 6-16 9.

Pitt-Johnstown 4-18

Statistical Leaders 2024-25

Overall 20-7 23-5 24-4 18-10 13-14 8-19 8-20 5-23 4-24

POINTS/GAME

Overall 26-2 25-3 15-13 16-12 15-15 16-12 7-21 8-20 6-22

ASSISTS

Name Lakeem McAliley Jomo Goings Markus Frank

School ESU ROCK SHIP

Ppg. 26.0 23.0 23.0

School BORO ROCK GAN

Rpg. 12.7 11.0 10.4

School CLAR LHU IUP

Apg. 8.0 6.7 6.0

School ESU ESU ROCK

Stlpg.

4.0 3.5 3.3

REBOUNDS Name Cenker Evran Jomo Goings Tasman Goodrick Name Trey Nelson Eli Washington Kymani Merraro STEALS Name Cam Young Lakeem McAliley Jomo Goings

PSAC East Preseason Coaches’ Polls PSAC East Place 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

School Conf.

East Stroudsburg (7) 18-4 West Chester (1) 15-7 Millersville 18-4 Shepherd 10-12 Lock Haven (1) 18-4 Kutztown 3-19 Shippensburg 4-18 Mansfield 6-16 Bloomsburg 3-19

PSAC West Overall 25-5 19-11 24-7 13-15 21-8 4-24 8-20 8-20 5-23

Place 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

School California (5) Slippery Rock (3) Gannon Indiana (Pa.) Seton Hill Pitt-Johnstown Clarion Edinboro

Conf.

19-3 13-9 20-2 13-9 11-11 4-18 6-16 6-16

Overall 28-5 16-14 32-3 17-13 16-13 6-22 8-20 7-21

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Visit www.wcufoundation.org/athletics or contact Matt Marzzacco at mmarzzacco@wcufoundation.org to support your sport.

2024-25 West Chester University Cheerleaders From late August through early-to-mid March each school year, West Chester University’s cheerleaders are front and center at all Golden Rams football games in the fall and both men’s and women’s basketball games in the winter.

Additionally, West Chester University’s cheerleaders have traveled to Orlando, Fla., and the Wide World of Sports in January to compete in the UCA Nationals. The Golden Rams Cheer Squad placed among the top five at UCA Nationals in each of the past four years, including a national championship effort last winter and a runner-up performance in 2023.

The cheerleaders work hard in the preseason learning mostly new material for the upcoming campaign, conditioning and developing a pride in the West Chester University community. Aside from preparing their 35-member team for the year ahead, the West Chester University cheerleaders also host high school clinics in order to develop cheerleading around the area.

The West Chester University cheerleaders take on many community service projects focusing mainly on breast cancer awareness, as well as doing many youth and high school cheering clinics, donating to needy schools and volunteering with the elderly within the West Chester community.

The team also makes many public appearances as representatives of WCU, highlighted each holiday season with a spot in the borough’s annual Christmas Parade.

Name Pos. Cl. Alexis Aguiar Base Gr. Jess Berry Base Fr. Brooke Bradley Base Fr. Heights Jasmin Bullers Base So. Valley Alexis Casale Back Jr. Aubrey Fink Base Fr. Alexis Grimes Flyer So. Emily Ham Backspot Jr. Justice Haynes Flyer So. Cameron Heron Base So. Madison Hines Flyer Jr. Sarah Hogan Base Sr. Julia Hunt Base Jr. Reese Kucher Backspot Fr. McKenna Maffei Flyer Sr. Adelyn Mariani Flyer So. Aubrey Moyer Backspot Fr. Allison Nadin Base Jr. Samantha Noble Base So. ton Kylie Orseno Backspot So. Rosalia Passanisi Base Fr. Camrynn Pellegrini Base So. Madison Polansky Flyer Jr. Aubreigh Rogers Base Fr. Abby Roman Base Sr. Noelle Schusko Backspot Jr. Bryanna Shunk Flyer Fr. Grace Smith Backspot Fr. East Kylie Smith Base Fr. Devon Stein Base So. Lexi Swisher Flyer Sr. Kyleigh Taylor Base So. Peyton Taylor Base So.

Hometown / High School Delran, N.J./Delran Warrington, Pa./CB South Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Springfield, Pa./Springfield York, Pa./Dallastown Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley West Grove, Pa./Padua Academy Reading, Pa./Conrad Weiser Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Hubert Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley Holland, Pa./Council Rock South Ridley, Pa./Archbishop Carroll Quakertown, Pa./Lansdale Catholic Oxford, Pa./Oxford Area Springfield, Pa./Springfield Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson Chadds Ford, Pa./Unionville Bordentown, N.J./Northern BurlingNorth Wales, Pa./North Penn Northampton, Pa./Northampton Doylestown, Pa./CB West Lansdale, Pa./North Penn York, Pa./Dallastown Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood Malvern, Pa./Pope John Paul Reading, Pa./Exeter Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield Norristown, Pa./Norristown Morgantown, Pa./Twin Valley Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Hubert Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom