Oct. 30, 2012
NORFOLK, VA--ODU basketball fans will get their first glimpse of the Monarch Cagers Thursday night when they play an exhibition game against the Trojans of Mount Olive College at 7 p.m. in the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Mount Olive is an NCAA Division II member of the Conference Carolinas League.
The 2012-13 Monarch return five lettermen from last year's 22-14 squad that finished fourth in the CAA and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Collegeinsider.com Post season tournament.
The returnees include: Nick Wright (6-8, Sr.,F, 8.4 ppg/ 5.2 rpg), Donte Hill (6-4, Jr, G, 7.6 ppg,/ 3.7 rpg.); Dimitri Batten (6-3, RSo., G, 8.0 ppg/2.5 rpg); Richard Ross (6-7, RSo., F, 4.3 ppg/ 4.0 rpg), and Anton Larsen (7-0, RJr, F, 1.1 ppg/ 0.6 rpg).
This year's squad will have seven outstanding newcomers which include six freshmen. They include Aaron Bacote (6-5, Fr. G, Hampton, VA.); Ekene Anachebe (6-9, Fr. C, Fayette County, GA.); Deion Clark (6-3, Fr., G, Naples, FL.); Stuart McEwen (6-9, Fr, F, Sydney, Australia); Ambrose Mosley (6-1, Fr., G, Jacksonville, FL.); Keenan Palmore (6-1, Fr., G, Atlanta, GA.) and NC State transfer DeShawn Painter (6-9, Sr, C, Norfolk, VA.) who will be eligible for the coming 2012-13 season.
Mount Olive was picked to finish third in Conference Carolinas. The Trojans return two full-time starters from last year's 21-8 squad that reached the league final. Junior point guard Dory Hines, the 2011 Conference Carolinas Co-Freshman of the year ranked 10th in the NCAA last year with a 6.0 assist Per game average. The 6-2 guard averaged 5.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. 6-5 senior forward Mahamed Ibrahim is the top returning scorer at 9.8 points per game.
There are two players from Hampton Roads on Mount Olive's squad. Deshaune Green (Norcom HS) , a 6-7 senior from Portsmouth and 5-11 senior guard Caleb Henderson (Deep Creek HS) from Chesapeake, VA.). Mount Olive is coached by Joey Higginbotham who is in his fifth season.
The Monarchs play Virginia State on Monday, Nov. 5 in the final exhibition game before the regular season opener against Holy Cross on Nov. 9 in the Liberty Tax Classic at the Constant Center. Morgan State and UT San Antonio will also be in the four-team, three day exempt event.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for faculty staff, military, senior citizens and non-ODU students. For more ticket information, please visit www.odusports.com or call 683-4444.