LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - When asked last week where he thought his Lock Haven Bald Eagles would fall in the preseason PSAC rankings, John Wilson Jr. took a few seconds to think before responding.

“Probably around fifth,” he smiled. “But that’s all right. We like to sneak up from behind and surprise people.”

Fifth is exact where Lock Haven was in the preseason picks. But don’t expect the Bald Eagles to stick to that spot. With talented players like Billy Arre and Justin Wilson back, the goal is the playoffs and beyond for the crimson and white.

“They are confident in the preseason,” coach Wilson said. “They are committed to taking care of business and taking another step toward a successful season. I expect that we will have a good shot at a nice season as long as we stay away from injuries. I think we are on track, and it could be an exciting year.”

In 2006-2007, Lock Haven (12-15) finished one game out of the PSAC playoffs with a 5-7 record in conference. More impressive was the 9-2 record inside the Thomas Fieldhouse.

Of course, almost all of the focus will be on Arre. A Pittsburgh native, the junior has already eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in his Lock Haven career, and has earned a preseason All-American honorable mention nod from The Sporting News.

Arre, who sports a power game with a sweet stroke from the outside, started in all 27 games last season where he averaged close to 22 points and seven rebounds a night.

There’s no doubt opposing defenses will focus on him. John Wilson knows opponents will draw up certain schemes solely based on slowing him down.

More than just points, Arre’s biggest attributes in the 2007-2008 season may very well be his on-court leadership, passing and rebounding.

“He understands that people are going to come after him,” coach Wilson said. “The thing about Billy is he’s an all-around basketball player, and he’s very unselfish. He doesn’t have to score. He understands the idea of how he will be double-teamed or how teams will do certain things to limit his touches. He’ll be a screener when he needs to, and he understands when to make the proper pass.”

Some of the scoring duties will fall on two other players.

Justin Wilson, also a junior, will move into more of a perimeter role after spending a good majority of the time last season in the four-man position. He averaged 11 points and five rebounds each game, but has the ability to break out. Case in point is the 40-point night he had against East Stroudsburg last season.

Denny Mortimer returns back to Lock Haven after playing in 14 games last year. A transfer from Mansfield, Mortimer played well in his brief stint proving to be a force on the boards.

It’s up to Mortimer and classmate Jeff Eveillard to provide that senior leadership that Lock Haven lost in James Chappell and Krunch Senadhi, who both graduated from the program.

“You don’t replace leadership, it sort of evolves,” John Wilson said. “Billy’s success is more of the lead by example. Jeff and Denny are seniors, and need to emerge as leaders too. We talked to them about their senior years and their last go-around at this level.”

A.J. Zimmer and Jarrell Spence also return and will be joined by key newcomers Kelvin McLean, Tyrone Palmer, David Blackwell, Sharif Bolton and Eli Hanna.

The biggest keys for Lock Haven is protection of the rock and rebounding.

“Offensively, the biggest improvement we must continue to make is taking care of the ball,” coach Wilson said. “During the early part of last season, we turned the ball over way too much. Kranthi Senadhi’s move to the starting spot at the point improved our assist-to-turnover ratio, and translated into big wins. He has graduated and we must find out if our point guard candidates will be able to understand the value of the basketball, and how important it is not to have empty possessions.”

As it has always been, John Wilson’s philosophy of a challenging schedule is in place again. With two Division I games (Youngstown State and St. Francis) and challenge non-conference contests against C.W. Post, Charleston, Shepherd and West Liberty, the Bald Eagles should be tested when the rigors of the PSAC West season begins.

“Experienced depth is something we don’t have, so we need those top guys to stay healthy and come in every night and have big games,” John Wilson said. “I feel much better at the end of practices. Last year, I was a little worried about how we were playing. The guys come in every night and put a hard, two hours on the floor.”

LHU opens the season Friday at Youngstown and turn back around for the home opener in the Thomas Fieldhouse Saturday against C.W. Post.

Article Courtesy of the Lock Haven Express and Sports Editor Tom Fox, article written by Tom Fox (tfox@lockhaven.com)