By Dave Morrison
In games that mattered at the Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center, Justin Caldwell always came ready to play.
And the native of Mullens never lost a big game in a Wyoming East uniform in the building during his outstanding prep career.
The 6-foot-2 West Virginia Wesleyan junior had that streak stopped last year when the Bobcats fell to Mountain State University in early November.
But he’ll have a chance to make up for that tonight when Wesleyan travels to Beckley to face the Cougars (3-0) at 7 p.m.
“He’s an outstanding player,” Bolen said. “He’s solid and strong and shoots the ball well. He’s from Wyoming East and that’s a tremendous basketball tradition there. He’ll have a good following. We’ve always respected him as a player.”
Caldwell played well for the Bobcats last year, averaging a team-high 14.7 points per game, including a team-best 39 three-pointers.
He had 15 points against Mountain State last year.
In addition to Caldwell, the Bobcats also return double-figure scorers in sophomore center Nevan Zeravica (13.1 ppg, 6.9 rebounds) and junior forward Ryan Hoehner (13.1 ppg, 3.8 rebounds).
“Zeravica is really athletic at 6-foot-9 and he gets off the floor quick,” Bolen said. “ With a European background, he is strong fundamentally but he is really active as well. And Hoehner is an outstanding shooter.”
The Bobcats also added Dominique Ngniman out of Notre Dame Prep in Washington, D.C. He was the first person to make the All-City team three consecutive seasons since Adrian Dantley, who went on to star in the NBA for years after a celebrated career at Notre Dame.
“They have good team size and they are also athletic,” Bolen said. “I know they’re expecting to have a good season.”
MSU is led by Nick Aldridge’s 26.7 points per game and nine rebounds. Alvin Mitchell averages 14.3, Andrew Lee 13.7 (and 8.3 boards) and point guard Barry Wellington 13.0 (and 6.3 assists).
Bolen also said Marcus Hunter will start in place of Vedrin Zivic at a wing tonight.
“Marcus gives us a lot of energy when he is in there,” Bolen said. “He’s been playing well and performing well in practice. We just thought it was time to give him a shot in there (with the starters).”
Mountain State will play an exhibition game at West Virginia University at 1 p.m. Sunday at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown.
Wesleyan will play an exhibition game at Marshall Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
