ERIE, Pa. – Mercyhurst College head men’s basketball coach
Gary Manchel has announced his 2010-11 incoming recruiting class. The seven newcomers include three Division I transfers and one junior college transfer. By position, the class features four guards and three forwards.
The class will join five returning letterwinners, including three returning starters, from last year’s squad that went 18-10 overall (8-6 PSAC West) and qualified for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship tournament.
"Overall, we brought in guys that have basketball character along with talent," says Manchel. "I also wanted to keep the depth we had last year because I think that helped us throughout the season."
Also according to Manchel, the Lakers addressed the needs of a starting point guard and a front court.
"We signed two point guards that will help solidify the starting role as well as two inside guys. We lost our entire front court that saw a majority of the minutes a year go so we're not as deep as we were last year. That's where we will look to key reserves Pat McLain and Iddo Cohen to help with that depth.
And, with our entire starting backcourt returning, the addtion of Joe Penn, Andrew Rickard and Keith Ellington, who redshirted last year, will help. Matt Durisko will also provide depth."
The Lakers begin the 2010-11 season at the Shippensburg University Tournament on Nov. 19 and 20 when they take on Philadelphia and Nyack, respectively. Mercyhurst's first of 14 home games is slated for Nov. 27 against Lake Erie at 7:30 p.m.
Oliver Dupiton (F, 6-7, 235, Gr., Montreal, Quebec/Stetson University)
Dupiton spent three years at Stetson University, including a redshirt year, and played in 56 games for the Hatters. He played in 26 games as a freshman in 2007-08 while earning action in 28 of 30 games in 2008-09. For his career, he averaged 8.4 minutes per game, recording 1.3 points and 1.6 rebounds.
Jamal Turner (G, 6-4, 190, Jr., Boston, Mass./Fairfield University)
Turner spent two seasons with the Stags of Fairfield University, collecting 11 starts in 30 games during the 2009-10 season where he averaged 0.9 points and 1.7 rebounds while tallying 26 assists, 12 steals in 13.4 minutes. In his freshman campaign, Turner appeared in 25 games, including seven starts.
Bill Weaver (F, 6-4, 215, Jr., Hampton, Va./Liberty University)
Weaver played in 56 games for the Liberty Flames, appearing in 22 contests during his freshman campaign in 2008-09 before earning time in 34 as a sophomore. He averaged 1.0 points and 0.8 rebounds while adding 12 steals, nine assists and two blocks.
Joe Penn (G, 6-0, 175, Jr., College Park, Md./Brown Mackie)
Penn averaged 7.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game at Brown Mackie. A threat from long-distance, Penn hit 39-of-105 three-pointers.
Matt Durisko (F, 6-3, 220, Fr., Hermitage, Pa./Hickory)
A multi-sport athlete at Hickory High School, Durisko contributed 18.5 points and 11.1 rebounds per game during the 2009-10 season. He also averaged 4.3 assists and 1.7 blocks en route to All-District 10 honors and All-Region First Team accolades.
Jonathan Ouegnin (G, 6-4, 200, Fr., LeChesnay, France/Westwind Prep)
At Westwind Prep, Ouegnin averaged 2.3 points per game with a 50 percent field goal percentage and a 71 percent free-throw percentage.
Andrew Rickard (G, 6-3, 175, Fr., Girard, Pa./Girard)
A three-time AP Class AAA All-State selection, Rickard signed during the NCAA early signing period. He averaged 24.2 points per game during his senior season at nearby Girard High School, closing out his Yellowjacket career with 1,805 points, the highest total for any player in program history. Rickard also contributed 7.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game en route to an All-District 10, All-Region First Team and Region Player of the Year honors.