The varsity men’s basketball team will open their season on the road this weekend as they travel to Babson Park, Mass. to compete in a tournament at Babson College. With unofficial captain’s practices since the beginning of the semester and over a month of grueling practices under the rule of Head Coach Frank “Happy” Dobbs, the Yeomen are eager for the excitement of competition to begin.

Last season, the basketball team finished ninth in the conference with a 3-13 NCAC record and an overall record of 7-18. Although Oberlin graduated a full hand of exceptional players, including Chris Ikpoh, Cameron Leverett, Bosko Tomasevic, Julius Hill and Tony Richardson, this year’s team looks as strong as ever.

Leading the team this season are senior co-captains Steve Reid and Dewayne Evans. “Stevie and DeWayne bring a lot of experience to the team. This is their fourth year with the program. They’ve seen the ups and the downs, and they will be great leaders on and off the court,” said Dobbs.

Senior forward Ronnie Goines and forward Matt Kaplan, who is joining the team in his sophomore year will supply height to the team.

Although more than half of the Yeomen’s squad is new to the team this year, they clearly aren’t new to the sport. First-years Jordan Beard and Matthew Godwin and sophomore transfer Quinton Spencer come to Oberlin College with impressive statistical histories.

While playing for Oberlin High School, Beard averaged 24 points per game and scored over 1400 points. Last year, Beard was also named Mr. Basketball for Lorain County. Beard is currently recovering from a knee surgery that he had over the summer, but he hopes to be back on the court sometime next month.

At St. Rita High School in Chicago, Ill., Godwin averaged 14 points and five assists per game and last year received first-team all-conference honors. In his first year at Lake Forest College, Spencer shined on defense, finishing first on the team in steals, second in blocks and third in rebounds.

The Yeomen’s roster is rounded out with sophomore Mark Allen-Gifford, first-year Kingsley Ewenike and junior club sport crossovers Ethan Witkovsky and Dan Greif.

“First off, we are looking to improve on our record from last year, but this is also going to be a fun season. There is a very good chemistry on the team with the mix of old and new players,” said Dobbs.