The Yellow Jackets, who went 6-20 overall and 2-12 in PAC play, placed seventh at the end of the 2011-12 regular season and exited in the first round of the conference tournament. However, the Jackets did enjoy a major highlight to the year at the end of the regular season when they knocked off then-17-7 Geneva 80-70.
Waynesburg returns two starters from last year's squad in senior two-time All-PAC forward Jeff Young and fellow senior front-courter James Allenby. Young led Waynesburg in scoring (10.3 ppg), rebounding (6.2 ppg) and blocks (.77 bpg) last winter and also became known for his electrifying slam dunks that entertained the crowds at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse. Allenby brings 6.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg averages with him to his fourth year with the team and his second as a starter.
While there are just two returning starters from last year on the 2011-12 roster, Waynesburg also welcomes back 2009-10 All-PAC point guard Ben Altmeyer. Before missing all of last year to an injury, Altmeyer proved to be very productive at the point. During his first year with the team, Altmeyer averaged 8.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. The junior will battle senior Patrick Crawford and freshman Casey Hope to regain the starting job.
A slew of experienced Jacket contributors will be amongst the leaders for the other starting jobs on the floor. Senior forward Lou Galante was arguably Waynesburg's top reserve last year. The 6-4 Pittsburgh native averaged 7.5 point and 3.7 rebounds per game while playing an average of 14.7 minutes per contest.
Two more seniors, Luke Baker and Aaron Cromwell, also look to be in good position to make a run at starting minutes. Baker averaged 4.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest, while the 6-6 Cromwell, who can play guard and forward, averaged 5.4 points and 3.5 rebounds while posting 17.3 minutes per game.
Junior center Kurt Bonnet is one of Waynesburg's most efficient shooter, hitting on 50 percent of his tries from the field in 10-11, while averaging 6.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Jeff Nairne, senior guard Larry Alexander and sophomore forward Josh Schinkovec are also back and will be looking to play bigger roles on this year's team.
Joining this year's 11 veterans, which includes an eight-man senior class, is an eight-man freshman class that looks to increase Waynesburg's scoring pop and depth. First-year Jackets Jacob Fleegle and Jason Propst not only bring height, 6-5 and 6-6 respectively, to the team, but were proven high school scorers. Fellow rookies Kenny Klase (6-2) and Thomas Ellis (6-2) have looked very strong in the preseason and are more than capable of pushing their veteran teammates for time on the court.
The Jackets tip the season off on Nov. 16 with a road trip to Steubenville, Ohio to face Franciscan. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.