BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The 2012-13 Moravian College men's basketball team looks to return to the Landmark Conference Tournament for the second straight season. Head Coach Jim Walker enters his 33rd season at the helm with a 411-395 record. Walker only lost two starters from last year, Jeff Cullinan and Marcus Hardy, and is returning 11 letter-winners, eight of which are upperclassmen.
Leading the way are senior guards D.J. Strayhorn and Garrett Johnson. Strayhorn and Johnson combined to score 42 percent of the Greyhounds offense last winter. Strayhorn, who has a Landmark All-Conference First Team selection last season, was the floor general after dishing out 82 assists to go with his team-high 19.1 points per game and 51 steals. Strayhorn also shot .833 (95-of-114) from the free throw line and led the squad with 39 three-pointers. Johnson, who was a 2011-12 Landmark All-Conference Second Team honoree, averaged 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest go with his 75 assists and 42 steals.
Junior center Blake English returns to the team after missing the 2011-12 season with an injury. English made his presence known when he last played during the 2010-11 campaign, averaging 10.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game to go with his 32 steals and team-best 51 blocks. Junior guard Kenny Gula returns after starting 14 of 25 contests last fall to go with his 25.5 minutes and 7.4 points per contest. Gula put up 27 three-pointers, 36 assists and 15 steals. Sophomore guard Izel Dickerson started 17 of 26 games while averaging 6.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game to go with his 47 assists and 15 steals.
Junior center Cameron Cullen averaged 19.7 minutes, 5.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while senior forward Aaron Thieme put up 18.2 minutes, 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest to go with his 16 blocks. Sophomore guard Kevin Pankonien averaged 10.5 minutes per game while tallying 59 points, 26 rebounds and 23 assists.
Senior forward Mike Weinert, junior guard Mike Bonavita and sophomore forward Garrett Kashmer each saw limited action last season and will add depth to the bench.
Coach Walker brought in six freshmen for this winter's campaign. Center Jimmy Smith helped lead his high school team to a New York state basketball championship. Forward Zachary Arcona was named County Player of the Year, First Team West Jersey, First Team All-Area and First Team Express Times while guard Kerry Reider was a Colonial League First Team and Express Times Second Team player. Forward Hunter Guard earned First Team All-League honors his junior and senior year, First Team All Hearald his senior year and Second Team West Jersey his junior season. Forward Matt Bosch and guard Jarrod Dilts will add depth to the bench.
The Greyhounds begin their regular season on Friday, November 16th when they travel to the Albright Tournament where they will take on Elms College. Moravian's home opener will take place against DeSales University on Tuesday, November 20th. The Hounds will then open up Landmark Conference play on Saturday, December 1st as they host Juniata College.
