Last season, the Lemoyne-Owen Magicians men’s basketball team went 21-10, good for second in the Western Division in the SIAC. They made it to the conference championship game before losing to 70-46 to Miles College. Miles received the automatic bid to the NAIA tournament and LOC’s season came to an end.
Devin Booker and Tyron Banks were key pieces to last season’s success. Booker was named to the All-SIAC first team and Banks was named to the All-SIAC second team. Both players are back, along with six more returning players and five newcomers this season. The Magicians were the best offensive team in the conference last season.
“(Booker and Banks) were leaders on the court, LeMoyne-Owen head coach William Anderson. “They really gelled together. It was their first year playing. Booker was the Freshman of the Year in the conference. WE depended on them to do everything for us on offense.”
Booker is expected not only to be a leader with his play, Anderson wants him to be a vocal leader as well. He’s already quite the recruiter – the sophomore guard from Chicago helped attract his brother Jordan to join him this season at LeMoyne-Owen.
Banks, the senior from Southwind High School, is the floor general. He can score off the dribble as well as from outside. He is the glue that keeps the team together. He helps to get everyone involved.
The other returners from last season are Torreious Carwell (BTW), Jaquan Lawrence, Tory Mason, Toriano Stokes, Jalen Jackson and Andrew Anderson. The newcomers are Jamal McGlowan (Westwood), Jarod Wilson (Oakland, CA), Jaquiz Blount (West Palm, FL), Jordan Booker (Chicago), and Kevin Perkins.
Anderson wanted to instill a new culture with the team last season. It paid off with the return of a very dominant team. This year’s team is expected to be even better with all of the experience that will be returning. That team was willing to be coached and wanted to be better.
The expectations for the season is to not to rest on what was done last year, but to build upon and achieve more this season.
“These guys are students of the game,” Anderson said. “They are trying to learn more about the game. One of the main goals for the season is to be better defensively.”
The Magicians hosted the annual Alumni game on Sunday, October 20. LeMoyne-Owen scored 52 of their 104 points in the paint against the alumni team. The final score of the game was Magicians 104 to 86 Alumni. Devin Booker led the Magicians with 22 points while Tory Mason notched a double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds.
Next up is an annual exhibition match with the University of Memphis on Monday, October 28 at FedExForum. LOC faithful fans always show up to the arena full of pride and spirit for the entire game regardless of the score.
“This year, (the Mempis tigers) have the No. 1 recruiting class and we expect them to be even better,” Anderson said. “My mentality (is) we are going to play our game. We are not as deep as they may be, but we are not going to change our style of play.”
The regular season will tips off Oct. 26 when they play conference newcomer Edward Waters College. EWC is playing in its first year in the SIAC and will visit the Magicians for the season opener.
TSD’s Terrisa Mark interviewed the coach and several players . . . check out the clip above!
