As the tri-campus winds down for fall break, Holy Cross College’s basketball teams are gearing up to hit the ground running as they prepare for their upcoming seasons.
Men’s basketball
Last season, the Saints compiled a 9-18 overall record, were 6-14 in conference, 7-7 at home and a dismal 2-11 on the road. That said, six of those overall losses came by 10 points or less.
The team will welcome back many players who had made an impact on the team last year, but they also lost some important contributors. Guard Justin O’Neal played in every game this past season, averaging 15.5 points per game on 39% shooting, but exhausted his eligibility. Guard Nash Hostetler also played in all 27 games last season for the Saints and averaged 8.7 points per game on 44% from the field with an average of 4.6 rebounds per game.
Two key returners, sophomore guard AJ Roseman and junior guard Joey Garwood, will spearhead the Saints efforts this year. While only appearing in 16 games last season, Roseman finished averaging 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Garwood, on the other hand, was a key starter for the Saints, competing in all 27 games. He finished his season averaging 17.4 points and 2.9 rebounds a game.
The Holy Cross men’s basketball team will kick off their season with a game against Ancilla College on Oct. 17.
The Saints will kick off their season with an exhibition on Oct. 17 against Ancilla College. The regular season gets underway when Holy Cross hosts East-West University on Oct. 29.
Women’s basketball
Last year the Saints women’s basketball team saw a lot of success as they finished 16-13. They look to continue that momentum but will have to fill in the gaps vacated by last year’s seniors, guards Jordyn Smith and Kayliana Hammel and forward Grace Adams.
Smith, who played in 24 games, finished her final year with the Saints averaging 10.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from the field. Next to her was Hammel, who competed in 28 games during her senior year, averaging 9.8 points per game. In addition to this, she averaged 3.2 rebounds a night. Adams, the team’s on-court leader, played in all 29 games last season, averaging 18.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game and shot 52% from the floor.
Despite the loss of some personnel, the Saints welcome back strong players, including sophomore forward Allie Caldwell. Caldwell finished her first campaign playing in all 29 games, 15.7 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game. Another critical returner is sophomore guard Lilly Toppen. During her freshman season, Toppen played 28 games, averaged 6.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game.
The women’s basketball team now prepares for their second exhibition this Wednesday, Oct. 15 against Lake Michigan with tip-off set at 6 p.m. The Saints will start the regular season on Oct. 25 with Taylor University.
