Lethbridge - Despite a disappointing end to the 2013-14 season, the first with alumnus Mike Hansen at the helm, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's basketball team has plenty to build off for the upcoming season.
 
To open the 2014-15 Canada West season, the Pronghorns travel to Brandon to face the Bobcats, Friday and Saturday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00pm CST Friday night and 7:00pm CST Saturday night. Both games can also be viewed on http://canadawest.tv.
 
The 15-win season was the most the program had achieved in 14 years and the 'Horns came within one win of hosting their first playoff series since 2001.
 
After leading the conference in scoring a season ago, the 'Horns will have to re-tool their offensive game following the graduation of three of the four top scorers. Gone is Canada West second team all-star Logan Reiter, who led the team with 17.6 points per game. Also departed from last season are fellow guards Alex Fletcher and Morgan Duce, who combined to average nearly 25 points per game.
 
While the back court was ravaged by graduations, the 'Horns front court should be a strength of the program this season. Aussie Brandon Brine had an exceptional first season with the program, averaging 16.2 points per game while electrifying the crowd with his athleticism. 6'10" American junior college transfer Brent Watkins also showed great promise during his inaugural season with the Pronghorns.
 
The versatility of Jared Baker, who has played both guard and forward positions, will be key during the 'Horns transition this season.
 
6'6" centre Tyson McIntrye also returns to the program after a two-year LDS mission and looks to build off a solid rookie season from 2011-12.
 
For the first time in a number of years, the Pronghorns are excited to add three true freshmen with southern Alberta pedigrees. All Southern Alberta High School Basketball League (SAHSBL) standouts, Josh Sparkes, Zac Overwater and Mike Pierzchala look to make an impact in their first seasons.
 
Sparkes was named the SAHSBL MVP last year and led the league in scoring, while both Overwater and Pierzchala were first team all-stars.
 
If the preseason is any indication, the 2014-15 edition of the Brandon Bobcats men's basketball team should be a fun squad to watch.
 
In preseason exhibition games this fall, the Bobcats rattled off five straight wins against non-conference opponents, and looked impressive in doing so.
 
Import combo guard/forward Earl Thompson, Jr. earned double-doubles in all five preseason wins, including a 20-point and 22-rebound effort against the Acadia Axemen in the Bobcats' last home preseason game. In those five wins the Henderson, Nev. product averaged 18.2 ppg and 14.4 rpg.
 
Fellow American import D.J. Jordan has been impressive in the preseason as well, making some powerhouse dunks as well as hitting a clutch three-pointer that sealed Brandon's win over Acadia on October 10.
 
Returning import guard Kenonte Ramsey is expected to shoulder much of the offensive load for the Bobcats. The speedy shooter led the team (and finished third in the conference) in three-pointers last season, and has shown much of that same flair from beyond the arc early. Fellow co-captain Ali-Mounir Benabdelhak has also shown the hot-hand in the preseason. The Montreal product is coming off a season in which he led BU in rebounding and finished third on the team in scoring. In the preseason, Benabdelhak had an impressive 27-point and 10-rebound performance against Acadia on October 10.
 
Canadian transfers Samy Stanson Desir (Collège Édouard-Montpetit) and Denham Buchanan (University of Waterloo) are also joining this year's squad, as well as B.C. high-school standout Ryan Cowley (Delta Secondary).
 
The 'Horns will return to their home court next weekend to host their home opening weekend when they welcome the Winnipeg Wesmen to town.
 
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