News

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's basketball team has signed seven players to its junior varsity roster for the 2002-2003 season.

Andrew Dempsey, Chris VanSchepen, Matt Nienaber, Jarrod Hittle, Josh Haumschild, Steve Kordella, and Eric McKenzie have each signed letters of intent to further their education and continue their basketball careers at MVNU.

Dempsey, a 6-foot-2 guard/forward from Columbus, Ohio, averaged 22.8 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior at Liberty Christian Academy as he was named the Mid-Ohio Christian Athletic League Player of the Year. He was also Liberty Christian's all-time leading scorer and career leader in three-pointers made.

"Andrew has had an outstanding high school career," said MVNU head coach Scott Flemming. "He is a versatile player who can play several positions. He can score from inside or from beyond the arc. He has the potential to be a productive college player."

VanSchepen, a 6-foot-4 forward from Columbus, Ohio, averaged 16.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as a senior at Tree of Life Christian School. He was named to the Mid-Ohio Christian Athletic League First Team, the Central District Second Team, and the All-Ohio Division IV Honorable Mention Team after helping Tree of Life to a conference title.

"Chris has good skills for his size," said Flemming. "He comes from a solid high school program where he was coached by former MVNU standout Joe Arndt. I see Chris really developing as he puts on some weight and gains experience."

Nienaber, a 5-foot-11 guard from Springfield, Ohio, averaged 14.1 points and 3.5 assists per game as a senior at Kenton Ridge High School. He was selected to the Central Buckeye Conference First Team and set a school single-season record by making 62 three-pointers.

"Matt can play either guard position," said Flemming. "His strength is his perimeter shooting. He is also an outstanding student."

Hittle, a 6-foot guard from Zanesville, Ohio, averaged 10.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game as a senior at West Muskingum High School and was a Muskingum Valley League First Team selection. He also shot 47.1 percent from beyond the three-point arc.

"Jarrod is a hard-nosed player that will be used at a wing position," said Flemming. "He is also a very fine defender."

Haumschild, a 6-foot-5 center from Warsaw, Ohio, averaged 4.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocked shots per game as a senior at River View High School. He was also a MVL Honorable Mention and Eastern Ohio District Special Mention pick.

"Josh has the ability to score around the basket," said Flemming. "He will be used primarily in the post this first year."

Kordella, a 6-foot-1 guard from Mentor, Ohio, averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game as a senior at Cornerstone Christian Academy. He was also named as a Cleveland Plain Dealer Honorable Mention All-Star.

"Steve is most effective in an up-tempo style of play," said Flemming. "We will use him as a combo guard since he can play either guard position. He comes from a successful high school program."

McKenzie, a 6-foot-1 guard from Alexandria, Kentucky, averaged 12.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game as a senior at Calvary Christian School. He was also named to the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference All-Star Team in 2002 and selected to play in the Northern Kentucky Senior All-Star game.

"Eric is a blue collar wing player," said Flemming. "He will play at both the guard and the forward spot. He plays with a high level of intensity."

MVNU is coming off a 24-11 season in 2001-2002 in which the Cougars won 12 of their final 14 games and claimed the program's first-ever National Christian College Athletic Association national title with a 103-94 victory over NCAA Division I Gardner-Webb (N.C.) University in the championship game of the NCCAA National Tournament.