It was another trying season for the Youngstown State Penguins as they lost 21 games and went just 5-13 in conference. Only the inept Detroit Titans saved the Pens from finishing last in conference. The Penguins enter this season without their top two scorers from a season ago and nine new faces trying to mesh together and avoid the cellar in the Horizon League. There is some hope in Youngstown, though, as the Pens do return one of the more promising players in the Horizon League.
Vytas Sulskis, a 6’7” sophomore guard, turned some heads last season starting 29 games and being named to the Horizon League’s all-newcomer team. At 6’7” he gives Horizon League opponent’s a very tough match-up at his position. In fact his numbers jump to nearly 11 points and five rebounds in league play, from nine points and better than four rebounds overall. Sulskis was also the club’s top three-point shooter, hitting on 38% of his attempts from beyond the arc. He should be more consistent this season and has some added muscle to his 195 pound frame. The potential to be an all-league performer is there for Sulskis.
Senior forward Jack Liles is the top returning scorer and rebounder for the Pens. Liles averaged almost ten points a contest while grabbing better than four rebounds. At 6’8” and 240 pounds he is a load in the paint. He was fourth in the Horizon League in field goal percentage and was in the top ten in blocked shots.
The other starter returning for the Pens is sophomore guard Vance Cooksey. The six-footer led the club in assists and chipped in just over six points a game. He has a decent shooting touch, but struggled from the floor last season, hitting just under 33% of his shot from the floor.
Senior guard Mikko Niemi saw action is all 30 games, earning ten starts. He should reprise his role as a back-up this season.
Sophomore forward Dan Boudler will look to return from injury this season. He appeared in just ten games last season before going down with a broken hand. Boudler has plenty of size at 6’8” and 240 pounds. If he can stay injury free he has some potential.
More than a handful of newcomers will be looking for their share of minutes in the Pens rotation. Among the nine new faces on the roster Kelvin Bright would figure to have the most impact on a squad that will be hurting to find offense. The 6’4” junior guard was a big time scorer in the junior college ranks, putting up 24 points a night with two steals and three assists. He originally signed with Robert Morris and has been described as having incredible athleticism with a good shooting touch.
Another high scoring guard added to the mix is 6’2” DeAndre Mays. Originally signed with Stephen F. Austin, Mays was the offensive player of the year his senior season in high school. Last season in the junior college ranks he averaged better than 13 points and four assists.
A couple of freshmen guards may also figure into the mix. Ashen Ward is a 6’3” wing from Cleveland who was named the Ohio Division III co-player of the year. Ben Umbel, a 6’2” guard from Poland, Ohio averaged an astounding 7.1 steals per game in high school.
Up front junior college transfer Sirlester Martin averaged a double-double at the juco level. He’ll be joined by fellow juco forward Dallas Blocker, a 6’9” 235 pound forward who is the tallest player on the roster.
Freshman forward Eddie D’Haiti did the same at Orlando’s Oak Ridge high school.
Another juco transfer, sophomore guard Tom Parks, adds a long range threat to the Pens attack. Last season he shot 38% from beyond the arc while averaging better than 14 points and four rebounds a contest.
The Penguins are in the midst of a huge roster overhaul with nine new faces looking for playing time this season. Some of the newbies will have to step up and become immediate contributors if the Penguins hope to avoid the cellar of the Horizon League.
Contact Joe @ joedlugosz@hotmail.com
