EMORY, Va. - The Emory & Henry College Men's Basketball Team is off to a hot start in the 2017-18 season. After four non-conference games, the Wasps are a perfect 4-0 headed into Old Dominion Athletic Conference play, their best start in over 20 years. Head Coach David Willson, now in his fifth year at the helm, has built something special at Emory & Henry. His student-athletes have grown into great leaders on and off the court, and now have their eyes set on another deep run in the ODAC Tournament.
This squad is currently playing at a much quicker pace than in years past under Coach Willson. At 90 points per game, the Wasps currently lead the league in scoring, a massive shift from las season's 79.4 points per contest. E&H also leads the ODAC in field goal percentage at 51 percent from the field and 81.5 percent from the free throw line. The team also has the second fewest turnovers per game in the conference. Even though it is early, the Wasps will look to keep up these solid offensive numbers.
The Wasps are led by 6-7 forward Chase Branscomb (Bristol, Tenn.). The senior is currently fifth in the conference with 19.0 points per game and paces the league with 12.3 rebounds a game. He has posted double-doubles in every game so far this year. Senior guard John Shelor (Giles, Va.) is tied for the lead in scoring at 19.0 points per game. An assassin from all over the court, Shelor is reliable from deep, short, and everywhere in between. Reigning ODAC Rookie of the Year, sophomore guard Colin Molden (Apex, N.C.), continues to be a volume shooter for the Wasps. Molden has already dropped two 20-point games, while also picking up a career-high 12 assists at Ferrum College earlier this week.
Seniors Johnny McLean (Charlotte, N.C.) and Noah Walker (Bristol, Va.) add quality depth in the games they have played thus far. Both bring a leadership and toughness to a relatively young team that will need their guidance through an always tough ODAC season. Junior Alic Wynn (Asheville, N.C.) is averaging 10 points and 8.5 rebounds on the year, thanks in part to a 18-point, 17-rebound peformance at Ferrum. The biggest statistic for the 6-6 forward has been his free throw shooting, as he is currently perfect from the stripe. Junior guard Jarris Hendricks (Mechanicsville, Va.) had a coming out party in game one of the season, dropping 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting while junior forward Andrew Davis (Wake Forest, N.C.) has been a critical piece for the Wasps depth this season. He is already making an impact for the team on the defensive end.
The Wasps have some key newcomers already making a huge impact. Freshman guard Tharon Suggs (Raleigh, N.C.) has started all four games at guard in his first season with the Wasps, living at the free throw line with 6.2 attempts per game. In fact, he is averaging more free throw attempts than field goal attempts on his way to a 11.3 point scoring average on the year. Sophomore guard Daniel Spencer (Concord, N.C.) has been a spark plug off the bench for E&H, averaging 11.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. These two newcomers will play a large role in the success of the Wasps this season and in the future.
E&H travels to Shenandoah University for its first ODAC game Saturday, December 2 at 2:00 p.m. The Hornets are currently 3-1 on the season.
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