Charger News
Wed, Mar 4, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Briar Cliff men's basketball coach Todd Barry has been selected as the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Coach-of-the-Year.  Despite losing four starters and his top three scorers from a year ago, Barry has led his Chargers to a 23-7 record, an NAIA national ranking throughout the season and a possible at-large berth into the national tournament.   
Senior Brett Ratcliff and sophomore Kyle Semprini were both named first team all-conference.  Sophomore Chase Vander Feen earned second team honors, while senior Derek Mechaelsen and sophomore Matt Geelan were honorable mention all-conference choices.
 
Ratcliff leads the Chargers with 121 assists and 57 steals.  He is fourth in the GPAC in both assists and steals. The point guard shoots an impressive 53.4 percent from the field and averages 13.0 ppg.  He is third on the team in scoring and also third on the team with 5.1 rpg.  Semprini averages 14.8 ppg and has registered 95 three-pointers.  Vander Feen also averages 14.8 ppg and has contributed a school-record 98 three-pointers.  Vander Feen and Semprini are first and second in the conference in three-pointers made.  Vander Feen shoots a team-best 46.7 percent from downtown.  Mechaelsen leads the team with a field goal percentage of 58.8 percent, which was second-best in the GPAC.  He chips in 9.7 ppg and 5.4 rpg.  Geelan leads the Chargers on the glass with 6.3 rpg and 19 blocked shots.  He also contributes 9.4 ppg and 103 assists.
 
The Chargers finished the regular season with a record of 23-6.  They earned the No. 3 seed for the GPAC Tournament.  Following an opening bye, the Chargers fell to Concordia, 101-97, in overtime, in the quarterfinals.  Coach Barry's Chargers now await to see if they will earn an at-large berth into the national tournament.  The final regular season poll will be released today with this year's national qualifiers, while the tournament brackets will be released tomorrow.
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