BABSON PARK, Fla. (November 1, 2018) – The Webber International University men's basketball team enters the 2018-19 season under second-year Head Coach Allen Corbin and staff, who have high expectations for their revamped roster.

There are always growing pains and learning lessons as a new program, and that is something Coach Corbin mentioned when talking about last season's 11-14 overall record and 7-11 conference record during his first season.

Headed into the 2018-19 season, Webber was ranked eighth out of ten teams in The Sun Conference's preseason men's basketball poll.

When asking Coach Corbin about the rankings he said, "The rankings are valid, we don't deserve a high ranking yet. However, I do believe that this year's team is a playoff caliber team because we are much improved as an overall unit from last season's team which missed the playoffs by just one game."

The outlook for the 2018-19 season is a positive one due to the growth of the athletes in all aspects.

"The culture is changing as the players are growing as basketball players, scholars and people off the court," said Corbin. "I am really excited, and I feel like it is my program now having my guys and philosophy." 

The highest priority for Coach Corbin and staff during the offseason was to keep and add kids to the roster that represent what being a "Warrior basketball player" truly means.

Corbin said, "Forming a team that will create a winning culture is always the biggest challenge for a new program, and that's what makes this group of returners and transfers so exciting."

Key returners are senior guards Nicholas Blocker, Nikita Orap and Garrett Woodmansee.

Blocker, the Warriors' leading returner in assists, finished the 2017-18 season averaging 4.6 points per game with 45 total assists. He also has the reputation as a lock down defender.

Orap returns as the team's 3-point specialist, averaging 41.7 percent from behind the arc with almost nine points per game. Orap had two separate games last season where he hit eight 3-pointers.

Woodmansee comes back as a seasoned veteran and leader. He averaged 4.5 points per game in just under 15 minutes of playing time per game in 2017-18.

Key underclassman returners are sophomore big man Austin Evans and sophomore Tommie Luke, the reigning TSC freshman of the year. Evans, in limited games and minutes due to injuries, averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season while Luke, as a freshman, was Webber's second leading scorer who averaged 13.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and two assists per game.

There are also three new Warriors who have transferred in to Webber hoping to make a difference this season.

Senior Simon Fransis, a 6-foot-7 forward; junior Malik Morrow, a 6-foot-7 guard; and junior forward Kevin Grace all are coming from other programs where they played significant minutes.

"The transfers that have come in bring experience and leadership to the relatively young team," said Corbin.

Newcomers from Wellington High School Nicholas Toledo and Jonathan Philistin are the only freshmen brought into the Warrior program for the 2018-19 season.

"Toledo and Philistin come from a really good high school program" said Corbin. "Both Nico and John are very talented and have great work ethics. They have a lot of potential and could be a spark to the team this year with their high energy and the ability of knowing how to win."

Key losses from the last season's team include Osandai Vaughn, Johnathan Childs, Joseph Serrano and Sheldon Durant.

Vaughn was a First-Team All-Sun Conference selection and was the Warriors' leader in points, rebounds and steals averaging 21.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Childs, a 6-foot-10 center, was the Warriors' rim protector and featured big man. Serrano was a stat sheet stuffer for Webber as he averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.9 steals per game. The last key loss is Durant, who was a defensive specialist, team leader and great example of character to his teammates.

Corbin also believes another reason his team will be more successful this season is due to the confidence and comfort he has with his staff to coach the team how he wants the program to be ran.

"Assistant coach Gabriel Rutledge and graduate assistant coaches Brian Skelly and Brady Beech have grown so much together as a staff" said Corbin. "I have full trust in them and they have earned that. They bring a great work ethic and energy and more importantly know how I want the program to be ran. We will be a better program because of it."

Webber has also added Student Assistant Coach Damion Witty to the coaching staff.

The Warriors will begin their 2018-19 season at the Trinity Baptist College Tip-Off Tournament scheduled for Friday, November 2, and Saturday, November 3, in Jacksonville, Florida. The Warriors will battle St. Andrews University at 3 p.m. on Friday and will then take on Southeastern Baptist College at 12 p.m. on Saturday.

Webber's home opener will also be its 2018-19 Sun Conference opener as the Warriors host preseason favorite Southeastern University on Thursday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center.

To follow the Webber International University men's basketball team all season long, please visit Webber's Stretch Internet and Live Events pages above for all of the video and live stats details.