Nov. 18, 2003

ABILENE, Texas - When the American Southwest Conference preseason poll came out the Cowboys were picked eighth in the eight team West Division.

That has just added fuel to the fire to the revamped Hardin-Simmons' basketball roster.That is hoping to continue the improvement under third-year head coach Dylan Howard.

"I think the guys felt a little disrespected with the poll, but that is natural," said Howard. "We hope it serves as some motivation to the team. We have a lot of new players that will make an immediate impact and there is no reason this team can't contend in this league in the near future if not now."

The Cowboys return just four players from last season's 5-20 team. Senior point guard Carl Thompson and reserve guard Jonas Fuller are the only two Cowboys that have played for more than one season in the purple and gold.

Sophomore Grant Justus (4.6 ppg) and Adam Shoupe (4.3 ppg) also return to give the Cowboys a solid nucleus of returning players. Tanner Kudrna transferred in last season after Christmas and was and continues to be impressive in workouts.

Add two talented but sometimes lost-in-the-numbers transfers, Andy Saenz (6-6, 260, Sr.) and Dathan Jones (5-11, 180, Jr., DeSoto), from McMurry and the Cowboys have six players that have been through the wars in the ASC. Garrett Pool is a transfer point guard from Luther College in Iowa where he had a solid campaign as a freshman.

Tory Peters at 6-5, 215 has been out of basketball for a few years but will not give up an advantage to anyone in the conference athletically. He will be an immediate impact player on the post for the Cowboys.

Howard also had his best freshman recruiting class to date. James Peters from Abilene Cooper highlighted the group and was going to be in the lineup from day one, before a preseason knee injury cost him the season. Chris Gammage and Zach Pickleman are expected to be in the rotation in the frontcourt from the opening tip.

. Matt Brackett will give the Cowboys some talented depth at either guard slot. Josh Bryant and Felix Woods will add depth at guard. Bryant can also go inside and play the power forward. Zach Jones, a 6-6 player from Abilene Cooper, will redshirt following knee surgery in the fall.

"We have upgraded out talent level, we are going to be able to get up and down the floor and I think we have a lot better shooting than in the past," said Howard. "This team comes to practice everyday and works hard and is trying to get better. For the most part they are coachable and have bought in to what we are teaching."

Point Guard

Thompson and Pool are battling it out for the starting job and Brackett continues to make strides daily and will have a role on the team.

Two Guard

This was Peters' job up until his knee surgery. Now Grant Justus, Dathon Jones and Brackett will fight for playing time. Jonas Fuller is a hard worker and will be the Cowboys' defensive stopper. Fuller can play any of the three guard slots. Felix Woods could also see time at guard.

Small Forward

Kudrna will start the season at the three and is poised for a solid season. Justus, Jones and Pickelman will see time at the three. Josh Bryant also could see action at the three with his ability to shoot and his 6-4 frame.

Power Forward

Tory Peters will be one of the Cowboys' first options each time down the floor, but Gammage and Pickelman are athletic, heady players that simply make plays. All three will see plenty of time in the Cowboy rotation.

Center

Saenz gives the Cowboys' legitimate size at center and likes to bang in the post and Shoupe is 6-6 and more of a defensive player and shot blocker, that has a nice mid range game. Both bring an effective type of game to the floor when they are giving maximum effort.