2009-10 Season Outlook The 2009-10 season brings many new faces, and an optimistic excitement for the Wheeling Jesuit University basketball program. Head Coach Danny Sancomb returns for his third year after guiding the Cardinals to a WVIAC semi-finals appearance one year ago. During their tournament run, the youthful Cards started four freshmen and knocked off nationally ranked West Virginia State, who had won 18 games in a row.  The squad finished the year 14-16, but it is clear that the future is bright for Wheeling Jesuit basketball. “I’m excited about how hard our returning players have worked in the off-season. The team has great chemistry and they all want to win. They believe in each other and are ready to take this program to the next level”, said Sancomb.   The Cardinals graduated two key seniors in Maqsood Harrington and Derek Wise.  Harrington was last year’s second leading scorer (14.9 ppg) while Wise was a steady role player who started 18 games until an injury ended his season.  The Cards also lost leading scorer and WVIAC Freshman of the Year Cedric Harris, who transferred to pursue Division I opportunities. Nonetheless, the Cards return a solid nucleus of experienced sophomores and a talented group of freshmen recruits. “We lost some good players, but I think we will have more balance offensively and that we will be a much better defensive team”, remarked Sancomb. Coach Sancomb's entire coaching staff from last year will return, Chad Dickman (6th season), Jay Morris (5th season), and Ryan Kostur (3rd season). Last year’s team captain, Maqsood Harrington, will join the staff as a graduate assistant. Greg Andrews, a 6’9” senior power forward and 6’5” junior wing Joe Suchy will be the only upperclassman on the budding Cardinals. Andrews was second on the team in blocked shots and will be counted on this year as a presence in the lane. Suchy (7ppg, 4rpg) was starting to come into his own last year when an unfortunate ACL injury ended his season prematurely.    Jesuit’s dynamic sophomore class will be back to pick up where they left off last year.  Obi Ukwuoma 6’5” athletic forward (8ppg 8rpg), 6’5” guard/forward Steve Catich (9ppg 5rpg), and 6’5” power forward Marquis Moore (4ppg 3rpg) will provide the Cards with a formidable frontcourt.  On the perimeter, the squad returns 6’3” sharpshooter Brian Yahn, 5’11 guard Pete Brogdon, and 6’2” shooting guards Doug Smith and Colt Street. The deep freshmen class boasts eleven new players.  Recardo Gaddy, a 6’2” shooting guard from Good Counsel HS (MD) was named 1st-Team All-WCAC (Washington Catholic Athletic Conference), one of the toughest high school conferences in the country.  Brenden Bazilio is a 6’1” combo guard from Bishop McNamara HS (MD) who was an honorable mention selection in the renown WCAC, and Philip Green, a 6’0” guard and another WCAC alum, who manned the point position at legendary DeMatha Catholic (MD). The Cards have also added Ben Siefert, a 6’2” combo guard from Bishop Hartley HS (OH), who was named 1st-Team All-State Division III, 6’7” forward Joe Prati, a 3rd Team All-State Division I selection from Zanesville (OH), and Aaron Cross, a 6’7” forward from Ohio State Final Four participant Ada HS. Also joining the freshmen class are two players who redshirted with the club last year. Andre Harris, a 6’5” southpaw wing from Zanesville HS (OH) and 6’6” forward Aaron Tiknis from Chicago, IL will both look to be significant contributors. Rounding out the class are 5’10” shooting guard Anthony Tabler from Marietta HS (OH), 5’6” point guard Anthony Capuano from Massillon Perry HS (OH), and 6’2” guard/forward Sean Sweeney from Gonzaga HS in Washington D.C. Once again, the Cardinals will encounter a rigorous non-conference schedule, as well as, an always tough WVIAC slate. In early play, the Cards will square off against California (PA), Indiana (PA), Millersville (PA), and West Liberty State out of conference.  Wheeling Jesuit opens the season with Bethany College at the Wendy’s Classic at West Liberty State on Friday, November 20th.