A Look at 2012–13: The Frontcourt
Last week we previewed the backcourt for the upcoming 2012–13 campaign for Mike Gillian’s Lancers. This week we’ll move to the frontcourt where there will be plenty of new faces.
Returning Lancers
Jeff Havenstein, 6'8, Junior: Havenstein returns for his junior year as the most experienced Lancer in the frontcourt. With the injury bug hitting the Lancers hard last year he appeared in 28 games averaging 13 points per game. The downside is despite valuable minutes he didn’t produce on the stat sheet, where he averaged one point per game and just over two rebounds. So can Havenstein start? Or will one of the newcomers move into the starting role for the Lancers? Either way Havenstein will be a valuable asset for the Lancers in 2012–13.
Mark Parker, 6'7, Junior: It’s hard to classify Parker as a forward because he is more of a wing/three point shooter. He was hit be injury last year and only appeared in 13 games, averaging about 10 minutes and four points. Parker should be a valuable weapon as a shooter off the bench for the Lancers this year.
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Jeylani Dublin, 6'6, Junior: Dublin is perhaps the biggest wild card on the roster, just because we haven’t seen that much of him. He played sparingly as a Freshman and played in only five games due to injury as a sophomore. While in he only averaged about four minutes and one point per game. It will be interesting to see how he will be used in the coming year.
Newcomers
Karl Ziegler, 6'5, Freshman: Ziegler is likely the most heralded Lancer recruit. He comes way of Fishburne Military Academy where he was known as a playmaker. Scouts also rave about his ball-handling, versatility, and defensive skills. He was labeled as a “glue” guy, which is exactly what this squad needs. Ziegler should make an immediate impact and be set to start for the Lancers this fall.
Anthony “AD” Banks, 6'7, Junior: AD Banks will be coming to Longwood after two years of playing at Monroe College in New York. He was originally signed by UT-Chattanooga out of high school and averaged eight points and six rebounds his freshman year at Monroe. He was hampered by injury in his time at Monroe, so his stats could be higher. He chose Longwood after turning down UNC-Greensboro, Georgia State, and Southern. Banks should be a key player in the Lancers’ rotation this upcoming year.
Frank Holloway, 6'7, Sophomore: Holloway was a Top 100 Junior College recruit this year coming from Garrett College. He actually set out this year due to injury, but was able to play in December. His coach said he felt it wasn’t fair to play Holloway and waste a year of Division-I eligibility, so Garrett’s loss is Longwood’s gain as they will have him for three years instead of two. In his freshman year he averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game. Holloway is an athletic forward who can challenge for a starting spot this fall.
Kirk Staine, 6'6, Freshman: Mike Gillian established a Long Island to Longwood pipeline by signing Lucas Woodhouse and Kike Staine this year. Staine is a very raw, but very athletic forward. He’s known for his length and shot blocking ability, and has also been working on his shooting quite a bit. By all the descriptions, video, etc. he reminds me quite a bit of former Lancer Kirk Williams. It may take awhile for Staine to develop, but he should be a valuable asset down the road for Mike Gillian.
