Fresh start for Flames

The men’s basketball team is young and hungry for success early in season

The Liberty Flames men’s basketball team heads into the 2015-2016 season with Head Coach Ritchie McKay taking over the program once again.

new day — Flames redshirt sophomore guard Ryan Kemrite is one of four returning players from last year’s roster. Photo credit: Courtney Russo

New day — Flames redshirt sophomore guard Ryan Kemrite is one of four returning players from last year’s roster. Photo credit: Courtney Russo

McKay served as the Flames head coach for two seasons, from 2007-2009, before leaving Liberty to join the University of Virginia Cavaliers as an associate head coach.

“Probably the thing I love most about being back is the people that reside on this campus,” McKay said. “It is just a unique place, and it is a privilege to be a part of it.”

During his two previous seasons with the Flames, McKay posted a 39-28 overall record and a 19-13 record in Big South play, according to libertyflames.com.

During his tenure with the Cavaliers, McKay helped Head Coach Tony Bennett to an overall record of 136-64 in six years. The Cavaliers notched 30-win seasons in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.

“I was very fortunate to have a friend that I worked for in Tony Bennett, who also happens to be one of the best college basketball coaches in the country,” McKay said. “I (had) a chance to learn a defensive system. I think it is going to be a prelude for success in our program because if you get stops and have good players and are able to empower them to play aggressive offensively, I think you can build something special.”

The Flames will be one of the youngest teams in all of college basketball this season, as the majority of the roster is composed of underclassmen.

“What we are not good at is the numbers,” McKay said. “We lack experience and we lack game success. We only have 12 points a game coming back (from last season) and five rebounds as a team. A lot of things will be new for us this year.”

McKay announced Oct. 19 senior guard/forward and leading returning scorer Theo Johnson is suspended from the team indefinitely for a violation of team rules.

“We are prayerful for Theo and his future just as we are with everyone who has passed through our doors,” McKay said. “Theo is a good kid. Sometimes in coaching and leadership you (have) to make choices that are tough, and we did.”

Johnson’s suspension leaves the Flames with 10 individuals who are either freshmen or sophomores and fifth-year senior guard Anthony Fields, who transferred to the Flames this season from
Bradley University.

If Johnson’s suspension stands, sophomore guard Calvin Hoffman, redshirt sophomore guard/forward Ryan Kemrite, sophomore center Evan Maxwell and sophomore guard/forward A.C. Reid are the only returning players for the Flames who saw significant action on the court last season.

Redshirt sophomore guard John Dawson will join the Flames after transferring from Marquette University. Freshman forward Ezra Talbert returns to the Flames after redshirting his first year last season while recovering from back surgery during the season.

Freshmen guards Lovell Cabbil, Hansel Atencia, Ryan Heipler and Caleb Homesley all join the Flames’ roster this year and hope to bring a spark to the backcourt.

Regardless of who plays, McKay made it clear what fans could expect from the Flames this season.

“I want (Liberty) to be a great defensive team,” McKay said. “I want our program to be marked by how difficult it is to score against us or play against us. I hope (we) put defenses in tough match-ups and (spread) the floor and really have a healthy balance between great discipline and great freedom and empowerment.”

Despite the lack of upperclassmen, the team chemistry is still strong, according to players and coaches.

“(The chemistry is) the best I have ever seen in my tenure here at Liberty,” Kemrite said. “That is paying dividends on the court from what we are doing off the court.”

The coaching staff encourages the players to spend as much quality time together as they can.

One way players bond with each other is with three huge televisions, an Xbox One, Playstation 4 and a large leather couch in the newly-renovated locker room. There is also a leaderboard in the room that shows who is the best in different video games they play.

“It is really becoming a family here,” Assistant Coach Omar Mance said. “(The players) are embracing each other and they are getting closer, and that is largely because they are Christian guys and they want to do something special here.”

McKay hopes that the support will be strong in the Vines Center this season to cheer on the Flames.

“We really need (the fans),” McKay said. “What an advantage it is when you have the home crowd backing you up. We are going to need every point we can get, and our fans have the chance to score some points for us this year.”

The Flames open their season Friday, Nov. 13, when they take on the Covenant College Scots at 7 p.m. in the Vines Center.

Dillard is a sports reporter.

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