In his third year, Coach Andrew Sachs has led the Bethany Bison men's basketball team to success, compiling a 40-17 record and winning the PAC title last season. This year's team returns 4 starters, including top players Nick Wilcox and British Alexander, giving the team more experience. However, Coach Sachs knows complacency could be an issue and is pushing the team to maintain their determination to defend their title and return to the NCAA tournament. Key players James Barton and Reece Mabery will be relied on for ball handling and defense throughout the season as the Bison look to repeat as PAC champions.

1. Anthony Sparks
The Tower
November 9, 2011
Bethany Men’s Basketball Review 2011
In only his third year, Coach Andrew Sachs has sealed the Bison into being a constant elite team in the
Presidents Athletic Conference each season with an instant impact since his first season. Sachs has had
the natural approach of having high expectations, in a result compiling an impressive 40-17 record since
been the Head Coach. Last year, the Bison upset #1 Thiel Tomcats in the PAC Championship game by a
thrilling score 76-67 to achieve their 13th PAC Title. With that win, the Bison received a bid to the NCAA
Tournament, despite losing in the first round to Manchester 70-58.
This year, with 4 returning starters, the Bison holds more veteran play than previous years. “The thing
that this team has learned from last year is that these guys saw first-hand what success really looks like,
and they know what it takes to get there to be PAC Champions again and to make it to the NCAA
Tournament,” says Sachs. Nick Wilcox (junior forward, Venetia, Pa. /Peters Twp) and British Alexander
(senior forward, Dayton, Ohio/Trotwood Madison) bring the most talent and leadership to the team,
having both honored with several PAC recognitions in their careers. Those types of players lead by
example and, with many new freshmen at hand, watching and observing them will be key into the
evolution of the underclassmen.
Nonetheless, the idea of complacency also kicks in. Knowing Bethany’s success last year, Sachs is striving
to keep the same determination of his players on another title and another trip to the NCAA
Tournament as last year. “The preparation of this upcoming season will be focusing in on every practice,
every meeting and every game because there isn’t a team we can’t beat in this conference, however if
we don’t show up, there isn’t anyone we can’t lose to,” says Sachs.
The two players in the front court, James Barton (junior guard, Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) and Reece
Mabery (junior guard, Natrona Heights, Pa./ Highlands) are the guys that Sachs will be looking to lean
onto for much of the ball control throughout the season. “Those two players are very much needed for
our team to win, like we were last year. They both stepped up in critic situations, especially when Ryan
McFadden went down with injury at the end of last year. Mabery is one of the best defenders in the
conference, without a doubt. With Barton, he can shoot the heck out of the ball.”
With the start of the 2011 Men’s Basketball season, Coach Sachs and corp. are all looking forward into
defending their PAC title and hopefully generating another great season of Bison basketball.