LAST SEASON. The Warriors posted an overall record of 16-10 and placed fourth in the Olympic Conference National Division. They qualified for the South Jersey Group 4 sectional playoffs, but were eliminated by Shawnee in the first round.
PLAYERS LOST. Several talented Warriors graduated, including guard Nick Blackshear, an all-conference performer who is now playing at Shippensburg (Pa). University, forward John McCrae and point guard Jermaine Roane.
PLAYERS RETURNING. A number of talented veterans should help the Warriors to another winning season.
They include high-scoring senior forward Tim Corbett, who averaged 14.5 points and 7 rebounds per game, and 6-foot, 6-inch senior center Wayne Hughes, who averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds.
Also expected to contribute will be 6-3 senior forward Kenyatta Watson, who sat out most of last season with a knee injury, and 6-5 sophomore forward Kenny Layne, who saw considerable playing time last winter. Watson averaged 8.5 points per game as a sophomore.
NEWCOMERS. Key newcomers to the roster from a 17-6 junior varsity team are junior guards Vince Jones, Dwight Way and Mike Gabriel, senior guard-forward Rob Curtis, freshman point guard Terrell Baker, senior forward Eric Cooper, and sophomore forward James Rush.
"We feel there is a nucleus of solid players up from the JV team," Lewis said. "They will make contributions. Once they get experience, their contributions could be significant."
OUTLOOK. Although the Warriors lost solid players to graduation, they should be a competitive team in the Olympic National Division.
"We'll do a lot of running and try to use our talented players in a productive way," Lewis said. "It might be tough to compete for the league championship, but we should give a few teams some tough games."
Watson, a 6-3 guard, may provide the key to a winning season if he is fully recovered from a knee injury suffered last year.
"Watson has a nice outside shot, and he looks like he's over his injury," Lewis said. "We're looking for a team leader, and perhaps he will fill that role."
Hughes, a center, should also be a solid force by improving his overall point and rebounding production.
Layne and James also appear to be solid players, and will lend nice size to one of the tallest lineups in the league. Corbett's double-figures scoring production will also be important.
The Warriors will open at Olympic Conference National Division rival Deptford on Friday.
