Men's basketball set for season of "Fun and Gun"

Nov. 15, 2004
MARIETTA, Ohio - Marietta enters its 101st season of basketball in 2004-05 with Head Coach Doug Foote returning five seniors and six letterwinners overall. The team will look to increase the tempo of its games with a "Fun & Gun" offense, which incorporates waves of players into an aggressive style defense and a fast offensive assault, sure to bring excitement.

“The seniors will provide great leadership this season and plenty of experience,” said coach Foote, who begins his 13th season. “We will also depend on contributions from our sophomore and freshmen classes.”

The Pioneers have no juniors on the squad, so the underclassmen will play a vital role in the success of the team. Marietta will look for strong play from three-time All-OAC Honorable Mention honoree and 1,000-point scorer Matt Hines to lead them on both ends of the floor. Hines, who currently sits 25th on MC’s all-time scoring list with 1,029 points, led the team in scoring (15.4 ppg.), rebounding (6.3 rpg.) and blocks (0.6 bpg.) in 2003-04.

Marietta’s second leading scorer in 2003-04, OAC Honorable Mention Scott Laslo, also returns this winter. Laslo pitched in 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per game last season.

Seniors Brett Atherton, Jason Collier, Jeff Griffith and Chris Fulton, who returns after an injury held him out of last season, all are anticipated to make impacts in their final season for the Pioneers.

Atherton provided a post presence off the bench last season, averaging 3.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Collier started in 22-of-26 games in 2003-04. His ability to defend in the paint and bring composure to the court will be relied upon again this year. Griffith saw limited action last season, but is expected to make a valuable contribution in the backcourt in 2004-05.

Sophomores Matt Rucker and Ryan Wilkinson both saw extended playing time during stretches a year ago and should play a key role in this season’s game plan.

“This year we must improve on every aspect of the game, especially defensively and our field goal percentage,” Foote added. “If we can do that, we should be able to compete in another great Ohio Athletic Conference race.”

Here is a look at the Pioneers by position:

POINT GUARD: Marietta will be young at the point this season. Fans will see sophomores Chad Sponseller and Ryan Wilkinson split time leading the offense. Three freshmen, Josh Hull, Seth Amburgey and Samuel Rutherford, will also get time at the point in 2004-05.

SHOOTING GUARD: Senior Chris Fulton and freshman Craig Stewart will play the two guard for Marietta. They will be the two main shooters in the new system. Fulton missed last year with a broken foot and Stewart transferred in second semester from Muskingum. Also playing the shooting guard will be Chad Sponseller and Josh Hull.

POWER FORWARD: Senior Matt Hines will conclude his four-year career for the Pioneers. Also playing this spot will be freshman Matt Starner, who missed last year with a knee injury, and freshmen Adam Rockhold and Matt Phillips.

CENTER: Seniors Brett Atherton and Jason Collier, as well as sophomore Matt Rucker will fill the center spot this season. Freshman Adam Rockhold should also see time here in 2004-05.

The Pioneers open the 2004-05 season this Friday (Nov. 19) at the North Central (IL) College Tournament