Heidelberg Tabbed Eighth In OAC Preseason Coaches Poll

The Heidelberg College men's basketball team has been picked to finish eighth in the Ohio Athletic Conference in 2006-07 according to a vote by league head coaches.

Baldwin-Wallace was picked as the preseason favorite after receiving five first place votes. Ohio Northern earned three first place votes and is picked second followed by John Carroll with two first place votes. Muskingum and Capital round out the top five while Otterbein and Wilmington sit above Heidelberg and Mount Union and Marietta were picked ninth and 10th, respectively.

Heidelberg is under the guidance of fifth-year head coach Duane Sheldon and returns nine letter winners, which includes a solid nucleus of six players that have seen significant action since the day they entered the Heidelberg program.

Leading the way in 2006-07 is junior all-conference performers Shawn Shriver (Wakeman, Ohio / Western Reserve) and Greg Tyson (Lima, Ohio / Lima Senior) as well as fellow juniors Andrew Lemmon (Port Clinton, Ohio / Port Clinton) and Brian Schmidt (Hinckley, Ohio / Brunswick). Surrounding the junior class is senior Ron Higgins (Vermillion, Ohio / Firelands) and sophomore Chad Szalay (Lorain, Ohio / Clearview).

Heidelberg opens its 2006-07 campaign against Kalamazoo Nov. 17 at the Mt. St. Joseph Tip-Off Tournament.