Olivet College men’s and women’s basketball teams picked fourth and sixth in MIAA preseason coaches’ polls

The Olivet College men's and women's basketball teams have been picked to finish fourth and sixth, respectively, in the 2008-09 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Preseason Coaches' Polls. Each coach was not allowed to vote for his/her own team. Calvin College was selected as the preseason men's favorite, while Hope College was selected as the preseason favorite for the women.

The Comet men are under the leadership of second-year Head Coach Gene Gifford and will be led by senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) and sophomore Michael McClary (Bellaire). Brandon led Olivet in scoring last year with 14.4 points per game. Michael was the only player in the league last year to average a double-double, scoring 12.1 points and grabbing 10.1 rebounds per game. Brandon and Michael were 2007-08 second-team All-MIAA selections.

The Comets will open their season Tuesday, Nov. 18, when they travel to play Aquinas College at 7:30 p.m.

Olivet's preseason women's roster features six seniors -- Emily Brown (Muskegon/Mona Shores), Lauren Fishwick (Trenton), Sarah Mangold (Sterling Heights/Bishop Foley), Shannon Tennant (Saginaw/Arthur Hill), Vallen VanZyll (Lowell) and Sheena West (Kalamazoo/Plainwell).

Under the guidance of second-year Head Coach Heather Bateman, the Comets will begin their season next Saturday, Nov. 15, when they host Defiance (Ohio) College at 3 p.m.

There is also added excitement this season, as Olivet is playing home games in its new $5.1 million multi-purpose facility, The Cutler Event Center. Amenities to be used by the basketball team include an all-maple playing surface, portable baskets, scoreboard and shot clocks, locker room and fitness center.