Heidelberg Faces Ohio Wesleyan in First Round NCAA Championship Game

The 2008 Ohio Athletic Conference Champion Heidelberg College men’s basketball team is slated to play Ohio Wesleyan University in a first round game of the 2008 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championships. The Berg will face the Bishops on Friday, March 7 at Centre College in Danville, Ky.

Heidelberg is one of just 59 teams that have made it to the NCAA Tournament. The championship game will take place March 22 in Salem, Va.

“We are very excited to represent HC in the NCAA championships, especially for all those former players that worked so hard to help get the program to this level.” stated sixth-year head coach Duane Sheldon. “We know we are playing for anyone that ever wore a Heidelberg jersey. I am very excited for our seniors. They deserve this.”

Heidelberg is making its third appearance in the NCAA Tournament, joining the 1983-84 and 1994-95 teams. Over the weekend, Heidelberg won the program’s first conference tournament title which included an automatic bid to the championship.

Under the guidance of Sheldon, the DIII News February Coach of the Month, Heidelberg stands at 23-5 overall heading into the tournament. The 23 wins include a 20-5 mark in the regular season, which ties for the best regular season since the inception of the program in 1903. Heidelberg is one win shy of tying the school record for wins in a season.

Heidelberg brings an up-tempo style of basketball to the hardwood, with five players averaging double figures. Leading the way it the OAC Tournament Most Valuable Player senior Andrew Lemmon (Port Clinton, Ohio / Port Clinton) with 14.9 points a contest. Backing Lemmon is fellow classmate Brian Schmidt (Hinckley, Ohio / Brunswick) at 14.3 points a night followed by junior Chad Szalay (Lorain, Ohio / Clearview) (14.2), seniors Shawn Shriver (Bellevue, Ohio / Western Reserve) (11.8) and Greg Tyson Jr. (Lima, Ohio / Lima Senior) (10.1). Lemmon leads the way on the glass, hauling in 9.6 rebounds a game. Sophomore point guard Josh Calver (Shelby, Ohio / Shelby) leads the offense with 94 assists, while Szalay has pocketed a team-best 44 steals on the year to lead the defense.

To get more details and follow along with the championships visit www.ncaa.com and be sure to visit Heidelberg’s men’s basketball web page to follow the Berg’s trek through the tournament.