Sept. 11, 2007

9/11/07 - OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The first day of practice for the men's basketball team provided much excitement for not only the new group of players on campus, but for boosters, faculty and students.

"It wasn't one of the prettiest practices that I have held, but it was a productive one", Head Men's Basketball Coach Willie Holley said.

This will be a season of transition for the Evangels with only five players returning off last year's NCCAA Division II National Championship team. Returning players are seniors Stevan Thomas, Donald Thorne, Joe Brown and Tracy Wilkins, as well as junior haves Jackson.

The newest members of the men's team include transfers: Josh Ball, a 6'9" transfer from Seward County Community College, 6'10" Thiago Lucas, a transfer from Western Oklahoma State College, 6'2" Clint Nixon from Angelina College, Derek Winston, 6'0" from Murray State College, 6'5" Tyron Goldsmith from Seminole State College, Terrance McCollister 6'2" from Eastfield Community College, Will Cranford 6'1" transfer from Central Arkansas State University and Preston Cranford 6'7" from University of Arkansas.

Four incoming freshmen on the team include: 5'8" Donell Lewis, 5'10" Brandon Williams, 6'3" Xavier Bell and 6'4" Darius Gregory.

"This will be a fun group to coach and a fun team to watch," Holley said. "They can get up and down the floor and can shoot the ball. Rebounding and defense will be the test for this group. If they buy into our defensive system and will play hard, I think we will surprise a lot of people.

If you are interested in playing men's basketball for MACU or would like more information about the men's basketball program, contact Coach Charles Goar at 405-692-3267 or via email at cgoar@macu.edu.