'99-00 SCHEDULE

Dec. 3 -- Tip-Off      4-- Tip-Off      7-- Greenville      10-- at New Wilmington      14-- at Mercer      17-- George Junior      21-- at Meadville      29-- Christmas Tournament      30-- Christmas Tournament Jan . 4 -- Hickory      7-- at Slippery Rock      11-- Sharon      14-- Kennedy Christian      18-- North Hills      21-- at Farrell      25-- Mercer      28-- at George Junior      31-- at Oil City Feb. 2 -- Erie East      5-- at Titusville      8-- at Hickory      11-- Slippery Rock      15-- at Sharon      17-- at Greenville

By The Herald Sports Staff

Coach Don Fee has big shoes to fill in more ways than one.

First, there is the loss of 6-foot-9 Josh Morgan, one of the top players ever at the school who earned MCAC Big School MVP honors. Second, there is the little matter of defending the District 10 title the Eagles (18-9) won in March.

"It's going to be a mystery heading into the season," Fee said. "A lot of it will clear up as we get into the games ‹ who will be the go-to guy and things like that. You like to have one, but right now I don't think we have a star."

Obviously, the 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks given by Morgan each game will be sorely missed, but so too will the play of Ryan Surrena (296), Matt Williamson (195) and Luke McKinley (131).

Whereas those four were a fine complement to Morgan, Fee feels he has a group of seven guys who can complement each other this year.

"This group is fun to coach," said Fee (166-78 entering his ninth year). "It's one of the hardest working groups I've ever had. From the end of last season to now they've been wanting to be in the gym. They've worn me out."

Todd Fisher, a 6-0 guard who scored 86 points last year, and 5-11 guard Craig Otteni (56) are the senior lettermen back for Fee. Other letterwinners include 6-3 guard-forward Greg Mattocks (89) and 6-1 guard Pat Bell (75), both of whom are juniors.

"Those guys are going to be a big part of the lineup and their experience is going to have to carry us," Fee said.

Ready to step into the lineup are seniors Ray Billet (6-3) and Anthony Leone, and junior Jake Jefferis (6-4).

"I think we have about seven guys who are pretty interchangeable," Fee said. "We don't have a lot of size and we're not real quick, we have decent talent. But we have guys who want to play the game and are fundamentally sound. I think they're going to be a good team because of the hard work and the effort they've put in."

Others on the roster include juniors Adam Gould (5-10), Jeff Hodge (5-8), Tristan Butler (5-11) and Adam Cook (6-1) and senior Jesse Fisher (5-9).

"We're looking for that eighth or ninth guy to go in there and fill the void when needed," Fee said. "If you're going to press you certainly can't play the same guys the whole game. We're looking for a little more depth right now."

Grove City tied with Sharon for the league title last year and Fee expects the Tigers to be the team to contend with this season.

"I think Sharon has to be the favorite," Fee said. "They have guys who played a lot of minutes last year coming back. I think Slippery Rock is going to be strong with (Ben) Zajac and (Ryan) Killian back. If they get in a half-court situation they can hurt you inside. Hickory I think will be improved. They can beat anybody on any given night as well. It's going to be strong."

Fee will be assisted once again by Mont Mattocks and Rich Samsa.