Retic is the unquestioned leader of the backcourt entering the season
It is that time of the year again, with the Flames’ season tipping off in 3 weeks when they host Randolph College on November 14th. The first part of our 2014-15 men’s basketball season preview takes a look at the guards.
Point Guard
Joe Retic (6’3″, 190, Jr) is the unquestioned starter at point guard for the Flames. He is coming off his first season at Liberty where he averaged 4.8 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game while getting an average of 19 minutes of game action. Head coach Dale Layer says, “He has everything we need for that position. He has size. He can defend. He can score it in different ways. He has leadership ability. We’re counting on Joe to shoulder a big load.”
The other true point guards on the roster are freshmen Jordan Dembley (6’1″, 175, Fr) and Calvin Hoffman (6’0″, 165, Fr). Dembley is a pass-first point guard, and Hoffman chose to walk on at Liberty where his parents went to school.
Shooting Guard
Following the graduation of JC Sanders, Davon Marshall, and Casey Roberts, the only off guard who saw playing time last year that returns is walk-on Ethan Layer (6’1″, 160, RJr). Newcomers Peter Moller (6’3″, 185, Fr) and A.C. Reid (6’5″, 190, Fr) will compete with Layer and Ryan Kemrite (6’4″, 200, RFr) for playing time in the backcourt alongside Retic.
Ethan Layer is the only returning shooting guard with playing time
“He plays older than his year in school,” Layer describes Moller. “He can score it and has a great feel for the game. He can really shoot and has that international experience.” Moller is currently projected as the starter at shooting guard, and will also be asked to spell Retic at the point guard. He played as a combo guard in Denmark where he was the 2nd-leading scorer in the Danish league he played in. Moller averaged 15.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game for Vaerloese. At the age of 20, he is older than a typical true freshman, and he plays like it. Layer agrees, “his game is way different than a freshman’s. I’d say he plays more like a junior than a freshman. He can play all three perimeter positions.”
Reid is a long, athletic swingman who can shoot from distance or drive, and Kemrite redshirted last season. Expect one of them to break into the normal rotation.
Outlook
Success for the 2014-15 season largely hinges on the guard play. Retic needs to be the poised leader he is expected to be. The biggest hole on the team is at shooting guard, and it looks like Moller is doing his best to assert himself as the starter. Coach Layer has to replace 25 points per game that he lost from last season’s guards. Where will they come from?
Stay tuned for our next 2014-15 season preview as we take a look at the forwards.
