Head Coach Steve Platt |
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The Season Outlook
Fans Can Expect another Successful Season
OPTIMISM REIGNS
The Huntington University Foresters are coming off a 22-11 season, but they were better than that record implies.
In fact, they were rated in the top 10 of the NAIA D2 national polls all last season, partly because some of those losses came against NCAA D1 opponents (to whom they lost by no more than 10 points).
The Foresters were able to capture their seventh Mid-Central Conference Title and made their fourth straight trip to the NAIA National Championship Tournament -- their fifth trip in the past six years.
With eight returning lettermen and seven outstanding new players, the Foresters will have what Coach Steve Platt calls his most talented team ever from top to bottom.
LEADERSHIP AND TALENT
Coach Platt has always emphasized that seniors will make or break a team. Good leadership is important and, that being the case, he’ll have little to worry about this coming season.
"Chase and Steve have learned from past players and have gone above and beyond my expectations to this point," observes Coach Platt. "They’re not only leading by example on the court, but they’ve taken the younger guys under their wings and helped them out off the court, too."
Even though the Foresters only have two seniors, there will be a lot of experience on the floor. Huntington returns five juniors and a sophomore, the core of last year’s team; Adam Bontreger was the only senior on last season’s roster.
"This group has one solid year under their belt together, and they understand each other a lot better now than they did a year ago," says Platt.
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Foresters Kock, Ganton, Verba and Snider
SEVEN NEW PLAYERS
The Foresters have expanded their roster with seven new players for the 2005-06 season. Three of them (Kyle Benge, Geoff Scheetz, and Ty Riddle) played in the 2005 Indiana State High School Championship game, and Kyle Benge was the second leading scorer in the entire State last year, averaging 26.8 points a game.
"I think these guys will come in and make an immediate impact. They have played in the big games and have a confidence level that doesn’t come with many freshmen," says Platt. Having talked to them myself, I can assure you they are confident and can make a difference. They’re ready to play.
In addition to those three, Huntington also added inside strength with Ben Haifley, Nate Beron and Todd Dale, and added an outstanding home school prospect at the guard position, Ryne Thornton.
You can expect Ben Haifley to see a lot of playing time this year. In fact, Platt is optimistic about this entire class and feels good about having a full roster this year.
ONE NEW COACH
Not only have the Foresters added a lot of new players, but they’ve also added a new
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