Nov. 12, 2007
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College men's basketball team begins a new era in 2007-08, as first-year Head Coach Jon VanderWal, a 2001 graduate of Albion (Mich.) College, takes over the program's reins after spending the last four years as an assistant coach at Ohio Wesleyan.

The Pioneers return four lettermen but just one starter, junior All-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) guard Isaiah Creasap, from the 2006-07 squad. The veterans were joined in camp by 15 newcomers, many of who will be asked to contribute immediately.

Creasap, who averaged 14.4 points, 1.6 assists and 1.6 rebounds, was the top three-point shooter in the OAC last season, hitting 89-of-204 (.436) from long range. The co-captain also ranked tenth in scoring.

As a young team, Marietta will look for senior center Adam Rockhold to step up this season. Rockhold, a co-captain, averaged 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 15.5 minutes off the bench during his junior year.

The Pioneers open the season against the host Bullets at the Gettysburg (Pa.) College Tournament November 16. Marietta will then travel to Meadville, Pa., for Allegheny College's National City Tip-off Tournament November 24-25. The team's home opener is slated for November 28 versus Franciscan. The Pioneers open OAC play at Ohio Northern December 1 and will host the Marietta Shrine Classic December 29-30 at Ban Johnson Arena. Alumni Day will take place during Winter Weekend on February 16, when Marietta takes on John Carroll.

Here is a closer look at the Pioneers by position:

Point Guard: Sophomore Jordan Johnson is the early favorite to run the point for the Pioneers in 2007-08. Johnson, who will also see time at the wing, came off the bench in 20 games and averaged 2.5 points last year. Freshman Jordan Cox has emerged as someone ready to contribute immediately and will assist in the point guard duties. Freshmen Blaine Carey, Jay Chadwell and Donnie Jenkins are also competing for minutes at the point.

Wing: Junior All-OAC sharpshooter Isaiah Creasap returns at one of the wing positions this season. Creasap, who averages 11.6 points over his 50-game career, has hit a three-point field goal in 48 of those contests. In addition to ranking 10th in scoring, he finished last season ranked first in the OAC in three-point field goals made and fifth in three-point percentage. Juniors Andrew Good, who returns after not playing in 2006-07, and Mike Stanek also return with in-game experience, while newcomers Jay Chadwell, Nate Edick, Jarel Floyd, Justin Floyd, Donnie Jenkins, Ronnie Jenkins, Matt Kubachka and Chip Strock will battle for time at the wing this season.

Junior Isaiah Creasap is the lone starter back from last year's team