Deep Monmouth team poised to make run at MWC playoffs

Release Date: November 11, 2005


MONMOUTH, Ill. — Over Homecoming Weekend, Monmouth College inducted all-time leading scorer Lance Castle into its M Club Hall of Fame. The good news for the Fighting Scots is that they might have their most talented team since Castle-led squads regularly made the Midwest Conference playoffs in the mid 1990s.

However, coach Terry Glasgow said there might be some bad news, too.

“We may be considerably better than we’ve been but not be able to improve in the standings because of all the talented, senior-dominated teams ahead of us,” he said.

A year ago, the Scots nearly qualified for just their third MWC tournament since Castle graduated in 1995. However, an upset victory by Carroll over league and tournament champion Lawrence kept Monmouth sitting at home in fifth place despite a 9-7 league mark (12-10 overall).

“We’re optimistic, certainly so,” said Glasgow, who enters his 34th year on the Monmouth sideline with a record of 451-288, a victory total surpassed by only a dozen or so active coaches in Division III. “We’ve got most of the pieces in place, but we’ve got to play better defensively. No one will score more consistently than we do, except Grinnell, of course.”

Three of last year’s playoff teams return a senior standout, starting with Lawrence’s All-American forward, Chris Braier. Also back are Carroll’s Jason Scheper and Lake Forest’s Franklyn Beckford.

But the Scots have an All-MWC talent of their own in the senior class, sharpshooting guard Anthony Beaird, and the school’s all-time leader in three-pointers is as good a place as any to start when discussing this year’s collection of talent.

“Anthony’s the best shooter in the league,” said Glasgow. “People know that, but what they don’t realize is that he has great instincts for the game, whether it’s how to come off a screen or where to find an open spot on the floor. He has also worked very hard on his defense, and I really like how he’s looked defensively for us so far.”

Possibly the best defense being played on Monmouth’s perimeter has come from Blaise Rogers. The sophomore saw 14 minutes of action per game last year, but that number will increase as he gets much of the playing time that went to graduated All-MWC star Travis Miller.

“Blaise is still inexperienced, and he’s never had to make a lot of decisions with the ball,” said Glasgow, alluding to the fact that Rogers might see time at the point. “But he’s probably the best defender we’ve got.”

Rogers will see time out front when senior Chris Hebeler is not in the lineup. Hebeler transferred to Monmouth last year and made an immediate impact, scoring 12.3 points per game.

“Chris is battling an ankle injury, but when he’s healthy, he’s a player with exceptional quickness who can handle the ball and shoot the three,” said Glasgow.

Another senior in the backcourt is Jim Dibble, and the lean 6-foot-5 veteran is primed for his best year yet, according to Glasgow.

“Jimmy is as strong or stronger than he’s ever been at Monmouth,” he said. “This is the first year he’s been healthy. He had some blood problems his freshman year, and he was never able to regain his strength until the last offseason. He knows this is his last go-round, and I think he’s ready for the challenge.”

Glasgow might want to make sure the former Freeburg star is on the court at the end of games. Dibble has made 87.0 percent of his free throws at Monmouth.

Like Dibble, another strong “stand up jump shooter” is transfer Raun Singleton. The former Roseville star spent the last two years playing for Tony Wysinger at Illinois Central College in East Peoria.

“If you let him get his feet set, he’ll hurt you every time,” said Glasgow of the junior, who is projected as a two-guard. “He needs some work on the defensive end, but I expect him to be a handful for other teams by mid-January, if not sooner.”

Another returner in the mix is sophomore small forward Andy Moore. There’s nothing small about Moore’s game, however. His 6-5 frame is made even longer by his ability to “really elevate.” He blocked 10 shots a year ago and, says, Glasgow, “He’s one of the most athletic kids we’ve had. He’s inexperienced, but we expect big things from him.”

Three freshmen, North Fulton’s Kyle Cook, Moline’s Cory Turner and Geneseo’s Lucas Reschke, are hoping to get some of the playing time that Glasgow regularly dishes out to freshmen. Of Cook, Glasgow said, “He’s a big, strong kid with good agility and shooting range. He just looks like a basketball player, and he works hard.”

The veteran coach praised Turner’s shooting ability and said Reschke is another of the team’s athletic perimeter players, noting “We have a bunch of guards who can dunk the ball, and Lucas is one of them.”

In the post, Glasgow had hoped to open last season with Joe Terwelp and David Price in the starting roles. After overcoming an ankle injury, Terwelp eventually got there, starting 15 times, but Price’s year was cut short by injuries after playing a reserve role in six games.

“If he decides to be, David Price is our best player,” said Glasgow. “He has it all. He’s got a great body (6-6, 215), he’s a good shooter, he’s quick and he’s really active around the basket. He’s a big, big piece of the puzzle.”

Of Terwelp, Glasgow said, “He’s a very, very good inside player. He’s got good instincts, he’s smart, and he’s got good post moves.”

Terwelp, who starred for Quincy Notre Dame, used those abilities to average 7.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in his rookie season at MC.

Sharing minutes with that pair will be senior Tucker Blaser, who posted averages of 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds while starting 14 games a year ago.

“Nobody plays harder than Tucker Blaser,” said Glasgow. “When you put him on the floor, you get 110 percent. His size and skill may be lacking, but he more than makes up for it with effort.”

Other candidates for playing time in the paint are freshman Nick Frericks, “improved” sophomore Jesse Haskett and former Farmington star Wes Wrage.

Rounding out the squad are senior Matt Hammer, juniors Kevin Conrad, Tyler Liston and Chase Ruby, sophomores Brett Peurach, Scott Scholten and Chris Walker and freshmen Nathan Stuckey (Woodruff), Byron Baird (Williamsfield) and Dan Peddicord (Ottawa).

“Everybody’s optimistic,” said Glasgow, when asked about the mood of the team. “The kids are ready to play somebody else now.

“What we’re going to have to overcome is proving to ourselves we can win on the road,” he added. “We have a lot of confidence at home (10-1 last year), and we have to translate that to the road. We’ve got to get the kids over that hump.”

If Glasgow and assistant coach Rob Purlee can do that, qualifying for the playoffs may be just the start of the good things this team can accomplish.

Men's Basketball