Sophomore class is key for Air Force men's basketball future

The most encouraging thing about Air Force men’s basketball in 2010-11 might not have been what the Falcons accomplished, but what will return next season.

Seniors Tom Fow, Evan Washington and Derek Brooks will be tough to replace, but most of the points and minutes off a team that increased its conference win total from one to six and went 16-16 overall will be back. Most of that returning talent is from a sophomore class that gives the Falcons a lot of hope for the future.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who have played a lot of minutes,” coach Jeff Reynolds said “We’ll have to see how they develop in the offseason.”

If all of the non-seniors return next season, Air Force will return 61 percent of its minutes and 55 percent of its scoring. Air Force’s first, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth ranked players in scoring average were sophomores.

Before praising the sophomore class, however, Reynolds said the junior class, which will be seniors next season, shouldn’t be overlooked. Taylor Stewart had some good games this season and could move into the starting lineup. Shawn Hempsey and Scott Stucky could play more in the backcourt with Washington gone.

“All three of those guys will be very important to us,” Reynolds said.  

This year’s freshmen didn’t play much, but forward Ethan Michael should be back from a knee injury that cost him his season, and forward Chase Kammerer and guard Jamil Bailey could contribute more as sophomores.

But the Falcons will be a junior-oriented team in 2011-12.

Returning leading scorer Michael Lyons will handle the ball more, moving to Washington’s spot in the lineup. He was a third-team all-conference pick this year and could improve upon that next season. Reynolds said guard Todd Fletcher handled the ball very well late in the season. He should start again. Taylor Broekhuis and Zach Bohannon provide some experienced size, and Mike Fitzgerald could replace Fow’s shooting. Defensive specialist Adam Brakeville will also be a junior, and Reynolds singled out sophomore guard Kyle Green as a player who made tremendous improvement as the season went on.

“I think each and every one of them made strides,” Reynolds said.