| Jake Nelson (3) battles for the ball during a game last winter at the BDAC. Nelson returns to the CEU lineup along with five other players from last years team. |
The College of Eastern Utah men’s basketball team gears up for the upcoming season. This year, the team looks to better their 7-11 Scenic West Athletic Conference 2004-2005 record. Although the team only has five returning players on the roster this year, the Eagles feel that their skills far exceed their experience.
The Eagles have already posted a 3-2 record in the pre-season and look to better their standing this Friday night as they host the Utah All-Stars at 7:30 p.m. at the BDAC.
Returning to CEU’s lineup is Tate Sorensen who concluded last season ranked eighth in the SWAC standings in rebounding. Sorensen averaged 6.2 rebounds per game. He also finished the year with a 57 percent field goal rating which was fifth in the conference.
Belford Williams followed Sorensen in field goal percentage in the scenic west conference with a 52 percent rating. Williams will return to the Eagles squad this year and is expected to be a key player for the team.
Also returning this year is Tyler Billings, Jake Nelson and John Rogers. These players had quite a bit of floor time last season and are expected to step up and play big for the Golden Eagles this season.
Rogers, was another key player for CEU last year as he pulled down a 5.2 rebounds per game average.
The Golden Eagles will look to their young players this year for strength at the guard position. Former Emery Spartan, Chandler Pearson will play his first year in college with the Eagles.
Also kicking off their college career with CEU will be Tanner Nicholson, Tyler Kepkay, Jeremy Lathan, Trent Goodfellow, Ryan Sanchez, Brian Towner, Kenyour Williams and Eric Allred.
Michael McCrary will round out the lineup as he comes to the Eagles as a sophomore out of Fresno City Community College.
The Golden Eagles will continue to prepare for the regular season by competing in the Lower Columbia Tournament in Washington next weekend. The team will then march ahead into the regular season Dec. 1 as they host Dixie State College at 7:30 p.m.