Media Guide - Limestone Athletics

2004-2005 OUTLOOK LIMESTONE COLLEGE
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The Limestone College men’s basketball
team returns to the floor this fall looking
for a big improvement from last year.
High expectations are justified considering
the return of four starters and the return of
Darrell Tate to Limestone. Also, the
addition of assistant coach Dennis
Bloomer gives the Saints even more
experience on the bench. With most of the
team intact and another year of experience
under their belt, this year’s squad will look to cause trouble in the very competitive Carolinas-Virginia
Athletic Conference. Last year’s growing pains – the team featured seven freshmen and no seniors – are
gone as roster now features three seniors, two juniors, five sophomores, and four freshmen. Head Coach
Larry Epperly is in his eighth season as head coach at Limestone. The Saints have put together a very
talented group of players for the upcoming season. “We have the people and experience in place,” said
Coach Epperly. “Now we just have to get every one on the same page and working together toward a
CVAC Championship.”
Limestone’s career leader in points, Brandon Shipman, is back after a stellar junior campaign in which
he averaged 17.9 points per game and garnered 2 nd team all-conference honors. He shot 48.5 percent
from the field and 41.1 percent from 3-point range. He also shot an outstanding 85.3 percent from the
foul line. This season Brandon will extend his school record for NCAA Division II points which stands
at 1,111 after three seasons. Shipman brings a deadly element to the Saints game with a shooting
prowess second to none in the CVAC. He forces an opponent’s defense to have to extend out, which
opens up the lane for post play.
Brandon’s fellow backcourt mate, Marquintus Jones, is back for his junior season. Jones, a 6’3
sophomore from Denmark, Tennessee, will bring athleticism and defense for the Saints. Jones had a
major scare during Christmas break last season when his car collided with a truck on his way home for
the break. He was hospitalized for several days with neck and back injuries. The Saints thought they
had lost Jones for the season. However, “Q” showed a toughness that few players possess and returned
to the Limestone lineup in a game at Pfeiffer University on January 17, barely a month after his accident.
Jones scored 9 points that night in a loss to the NCAA tournament bound Falcons, but he had earned a
new respect from his teammates and coaches. His leadership and intensity alone will make the Saints a
better team. Jones averaged 12.2 points per game and is also the team’s leading returning rebounder with
4.8 per game.
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At the point guard position, the reliable Shawn Poppie returns for his
sophomore season. Poppie led the team in assists, steals, and minutes
played last season as a freshman. His steadiness at the point guard
position earned him the reins of the team early last year and he looks to
continue to improve with three years of eligibility remaining. One of the
highlights of Poppie’s freshman season was on the road against Mars Hill
December 13, when he nailed the game-winning three pointer as time
expired, to give Limestone its first win of the season. Poppie had a great
spring by working out in the weight room and in individual workouts. The
coaching staff looks for Poppie to have another great year.
The frontcourt positions will be filled by senior forward Ben Touchberry
and returning forward/center Darrell Tate. Touchberry had a solid first
season as a Saint after red-shirting the 2002-2003 season. He averaged 9.3
points per game and shot 41 percent from behind the arc. Touchberry is a
tough match-up because of his combination of size and shooting ability.
Ben will also see some time in the Saints lineup at the “3” position when
the team decides to go with a bigger lineup. Tate, a junior from Gaffney
High School, returns to the team after a two-year absence. Tate’s return is
a major boost to Limestone’s roster. He brings size, experience,
3 SAINTS BASKETBALL