A strong senior class is looking to lead the Puget Sound men's basketball team back into the top half of the conference in 2011-12. Five seniors will put on the maroon and white this year, including All-NWC selection Kaleb Shelton.
Shelton returns as the Loggers leading scorer and rebounder with an average of 16.5 points per game and seven rebounds per game, ranking seventh in the NWC in both categories. Another senior, Edric Egberaure will return to the backcourt after averaging 11.2 points and 2.2 assists per game in 2010-11.
The only two four-year seniors on the squad started every game last season for the Loggers and combined to average one-third of the team's points per game. Senior Anthony Gittens is also back for the Loggers in the post while seniors Julian Fernandez and Matt Geverola will continue to provide depth in the Loggers backcourt.
"All of our returners have done a great job leading by example and holding each other to a high standard," said head coach Justin Lunt. "Kaleb, Edric and Ryan were all part of our NWC Championship team in 2009 and they have really set the tone for what need to be don daily."
Two-sport athlete Ryan Rogers will return to the squad and look to earn back his starting spot that he held for most of the 2010-11 season. In the post, juniors Gabe Borboa and Riggs Yarbro also return. The pair combined for over nine points and seven rebounds per game last season.
Last season, a youthful Logger squad finished fifth in the NWC with a 7-9 conference record and a 10-15 record overall. Both marks improved upon the Loggers 2009-10 season, a trend that Lunt hopes to see again this season.
"Our team has worked extremely hard!" added Lunt. "Our passion and willingness to improve daily has been tremendous. We definitely have talent but our focus thus far has been centered on improving as a team."
The Loggers were projected to finish fourth in a poll of the NWC coaches, which would put them back in the NWC Tournament after a two-year hiatus.
The Loggers open the season with the annual Tip-Off Classic in Memorial Fieldhouse. They will host Portland Bible on Friday and La Verne on Saturday. Both games are scheduled for 8 p.m.