Lock Haven University Men's Basketball

Head Coach Mike Nestor Entering 14th season: 154-197 (All at Lock Haven) When he took over the program in March 2011, Lock Haven head men’s basketball coach Mike Nestor was charged with rebuilding the Bald Eagle basketball program, and he’s done just that.   Under Nestor’s leadership, the Bald Eagles have become a fixture in the PSAC playoffs, having made their sixth-straight conference playoff appearance this past season in 2024-25.   Overall, the upcoming 2025-26 season will mark Nestor’s 14th as the head coach. - The 2024-25 season by the numbers: The Bald Eagles finished the regular season 15-12 overall and 12-9 in the PSAC. Lock Haven earned the No. 5 seed to reach the PSAC Postseason Tournament for the sixth straight season.  The Bald Eagles scored 90-or-more points four times and went an impressive 9-3 overall at home in front of the Thomas Fieldhouse crowd. Following the season, Eli Washington and Isaiah Stewart were named to the All-PSAC Second Team in the back court. Washington and Blake Deegan were also honored for their accomplishments in the classroom as members of the 2024-25 CSC Academic All-District Team. Of note, Washington surpassed the 1,000-career point milestone during the season. - The 2023-24 season by the numbers: Nestor helped lead the Bald Eagles to a PSAC Eastern Division Championship after securing a 20-7 overall record and 18-4 conference mark. The East title was the first for the program, while the 18 conference wins is a program best and the 20 overall victories was the most since the 1989-90 season.   The historic season led Nestor to his second PSAC East Coach of the Year honor, after earning his first following the 2013-14 season.   The Bald Eagles won their first PSAC Championship quarterfinal game since 1990 by downing fourth-seeded West Chester in a dominant 100-76 performance.  Justice Shoats was tabbed PSAC East Player of the year, while also being named to the All-PSAC East First Team as a guard. Collin Jones was named to the Second Team as a forward. - The 2022-23 season by the numbers: After three straight PSAC Eastern Division Postseason appearances, the Bald Eagles finally broke through with their first postseason victory in 33 years as they upset the No. 4 seeded Millersville University, 66-57, in the quarterfinals.  The Bald Eagles upset the only nationally-ranked team on their schedule, traveling to No. 25 East Stoudsburg and downing the Warriors, 83-75.  Following the season, senior guard Jay Davis was named All-PSAC Second-Team.  Davis posted team-highs in both points per game with 14.4 and in three-point shooting with 62 made and a .380 percentage. The guard also grabbed 4.5 rebounds per game and totaled 35 steals on the defensive side. - 2021-22 season by the numbers:  Following a year of inactivity during the COVID-19 global pandemic, Nestor and the Bald Eagles picked up right where they left off by making a third-straight appearance in the PSAC tournament. The 2021-22 season was a special one for Coach Nestor as he reached the 100 win club with a win over Shepherd. Nestor currently sits just four wins away from becoming the all-time leader in wins in program history. On March 4, Jesse McPherson was named a 2021-22 PSAC All-Conference performer and earned Second-Team honors in the Eastern Division. The Philadelphia-native is second all-time at LHU in blocks with 130, and etched his name in the record books with his stat-stuffing career. McPherson is the only player in the program's history to have over 950 points, 550 rebounds and 100 blocks. In July, MarkAnthony Fidelis, Adam Freese, Elijah Washington each earned PSAC Scholar-Athlete honors after maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 upon completion of the academic year.   - The 2019-20 season by the numbers: Last season (2019-20) was exciting in many ways as coach Nestor and the Bald Eagles continued to elevate their game. Headlined by a second straight playoff appearance, the Bald Eagles finished the season with an overall 12-15 record and managed a 9-13 record in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play. As a team the Bald Eagles upset two nationally ranked teams for the first time in LHU history. They upset No. 12 West Chester on January 15th and No. 24 Shippensburg on February 15th. Leading the team, Christian Kelly and Matt Cerruti both managed to etch their names into the LHU history books, as the duo reached the 1,000-career point mark. Coincidentally, both players were also named to the All-PSAC first team. - The 2018-19 season by the numbers:   Looking back at the 2018-2019 season, LHU finished the season at 12-15 overall and went 8-12 in PSAC action. The Bald Eagles made a return trip to the postseason for the first time since the 2016-17 season, but fell in a thrilling upset bid against Shippensburg, 71-70.   Highlighting the year was two players earning All-Conference honors.   Sophomore Matt Cerruti and junior Christian Kelly both earned spots on the 2019 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Team.   Cerruti, a guard, was named to the First Team and Kelly, a forward, earned a spot on the Second Team.   Cerruti was phenomenal for LHU all season long and led the team in scoring, averaging 20 points per game. That mark was good enough for fourth in the PSAC and his 43.1 percent from beyond the arc was a team-high. Cerruti also shot 80 percent from the free throw line and was a workhorse for the Bald Eagles, totaling a staggering 37.4 minutes per game the third highest mark in the PSAC.   Kelly and Cerruti led the scoring attack all season for The Haven and Kelly finished fifth in the PSAC with 19.4 points per game. Kelly's 67 made 3-pointers were best on the team and his 37.6 percent from beyond the arc was ninth among PSAC qualifiers. Kelly was tremendous on the glass and finished the year ninth in the PSAC with 7.4 rebounds per game, and totaled five double-doubles.   Lock Haven was first in the conference as a team in free throw shooting percentage at 72.7 percent. Highlighting this impressive stat was Noah Warren shooting 83 percent and Cerruti at 80 percent from the stripe.   In a dominating win over Carlow, The Haven scored a season-high 96 points. Cerruti highlighted the offensive explosion with what was at the time a career high 26 points. Cerruti's big night included a stellar 6-9 from beyond the arc.   The Bald Eagles were lights out from downtown, making 14 3-pointers on two separate occasions, wins over Clarion (Dec. 1) and Salem (Feb. 2).   A closer look at the Nestor profile:   The 2017-18 season saw the Bald Eagles finish 8-16 and 6-16 in PSAC play. A record marked by season sweeps over Mansfield and Cheyney in conference action and a 107 point outburst against Penn State Mont Alto.   Lock Haven saw a breakout year from freshman guard Matt Cerruti who averaged 10.9 points per game. Cerruti also led the team with 37 made 3-pointers and shot 39% from behind the arc in the process. Jihad Barnes a redshirt sophomore was second on the team in assists with 2.5 per game and also averaged six points per game.   In 2016-17, the Bald Eagles appeared in the PSAC playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. They joined three other PSAC East teams who have made an appearance in the playoffs over the same span. This is the first time LHU has made four consecutive playoff appearances since the 86-87 to 89-90 seasons.   Lock Haven was led by freshman sensation Amir Hinton who received numerous accolades. Hinton broke the LHU single season scoring record as he averaged 24.2 points per game. That mark led the PSAC and was one of the top marks in all of Division II. His 642 total points broke the PSAC All-Time mark for a freshman. Hinton was named the PSAC Freshman of the year as well as earning First Team All-Conference. He also made the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Atlantic Region Men's Basketball Team Second Team.   The 2016-17 Bald Eagles qualified for the PSAC playoffs after finishing the regular season 12-15 overall and 8-14 in PSAC East action (6th in conference).   The 2015-16 season was one where the ball was shared by five guys averaging at least 9 points per game. Also senior Tracy Peal joined the prestigious 1,000 point club making him the 17th Bald Eagle to eclipse the mark.   Coach Nestor also had the privilege to travel to Indianapolis where he attended the 2016 NCAA DII Identity Workshop.   The 2014-15 season LHU qualified for the PSAC playoffs after going 10-17 overall and 10-13 in PSAC East play (5th PSAC East standings).   Highlighting the 2014-15 year was Hepburn who earned All-Region status after also earning a spot on the PSAC East First Team for the second straight year.   During the 2014-15 season marked the second consecutive season where Hepburn led the league in scoring, closing his career as one of the best players in LHU history. His 19.3 points per game during the regular season led him to the scoring title and he finished the year with 19.4. Hepburn scored in double-figures in 23 of 25 games and went over 20 points, 13 different times. The Preseason All-American made history on February 4 at West Chester, becoming the first player in LHU men's basketball history to record a triple-double. Hepburn scored 22 points, dished out 11 assists and grabbed 10 rebounds. He was the only PSAC player last season to record a triple-double. In just three seasons with the Bald Eagles, Hepburn scored 1,609 points. He netted 26 as a freshman at Shippensburg, giving him 1,635 for his career, the fourth-most of any LHU men's basketball player in school history.   The 2013-14 season, Nestor’s third at the helm of The Haven program, marked one of the best season’s in school history. Lock Haven went 17-10 and 10-6 in PSAC East play, earning a trip to the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2003. The 17 wins were the most for the Bald Eagles since winning 26 in 1990.   Nestor was named the 2013-14 PSAC East Coach of the Year.   Wali Hepburn was named the PSAC East Player of the Year after leading the league in scoring. Hepburn was also an All-Region and All-American selection. Hepburn was one of two Bald Eagles to earn All-PSAC honors as senior Kasheef Festus grabbed a spot on the Second Team.   In all, Nestor has led four Bald Eagles to All-Conference honors in his previous four seasons.   In 2012-13, Nestor led the Bald Eagles to a six-win season, the most wins since the 2009-10 season.   Prior to Lock Haven, Nestor was an assistant with the Shippensburg University Red Raiders from 2000-11 and helped head Coaches Dave Springer (2001-2011) and Rodger Goodling (2000-01) in all aspects related to running a successful Division II program.   Among many other duties, Nestor coordinated Shippensburg’s recruiting efforts and oversaw the team’s conditioning program.  He also played a huge role in his player’s academic success, monitoring their academic progress and proctoring study hall. While at Shippensburg, Nestor also played a key role in the team's fundraising efforts and alumni outreach program.   Nestor helped Shippensburg post a 59-32 record in a three-season stretch in the mid-2000s (2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07) in which the program reached the PSAC playoffs each year and advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2006.   Working primarily with guards during that time, Nestor mentored Marcus Hudson, who became Shippensburg’s career steal leader, and Chuck Davis, a PSAC Western Division Player of the Year who graduated as the leading scorer in school history.   A two-year captain at Shippensburg, Nestor enjoyed a sensational playing career from 1995-99. He was a four-year letter winner and scored a total of 631 points. In addition, he added 263 rebounds and 218 assists.   Nestor and his wife live in Lock Haven with their two children.   *Updated May 10, 2024

Head Coach Jennifer Smith Entering 18th season at Lock Haven: 192-269 at Lock Haven 20th season overall: 216-302 overall   Since taking over the Lock Haven women’s basketball program, head coach Jennifer Smith has rebuilt the team into a contender.   Overall, Smith enters season No. 18 at Lock (2025-26) as the head coach. Smith is the program's all-time coaching wins leader after breaking the previous record during an historic 2023-24 season. In 2024-25, Smith reached the 200-career coaching victory milestone and is just eight wins shy of achieving the mark as the leader of the Bald Eagles.    She was hired in July 2007 and faced the daunting task of rebuilding the program. She’s done that and looks for more in the future. - The 2024-25 season by the numbers: The Bald Eagles were picked to win the 2024-25 PSAC East in the preseason coaches poll.  The Haven finished the regular season with an impressive 20-9 overall mark and 14-7 Eastern Division record. The Bald Eagles tied Kutztown for the top record in the PSAC East, earning the Bald Eagles their second straight claim of the Eastern Division regular season championship.  On Dec. 21, Lock Haven upset PSAC West power and No. 4 Gannon at home.  Lock Haven earned their seventh straight trip to the PSAC Conference Championship Tournament after winning 20 games for the second year in a row.  The Haven took down Bloomsburg in the PSAC Tournament Quarterfinals, earning its second straight trip to the conference champioship final four.  The Bald Eagles were featured in the NCAA DII Atlantic Region top-10 throughout the season and came in at No. 10 in the final announcement of the poll.  Following the regular season, Alana Robinson was named the PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while Robinson was also joined by Kiera Baughman, Jenadia Jordan and Madeline Evans on the All-Conference team. Kiera Baughman and Olivia Smith were honored for their work in the classroom as CSC Academic All-District Athletes.  Both Jordan and Robinson scored their 1,000th career point in 2024-25.  On Dec. 10, Evans was honored as the top women's basketball player in the country after being named the WBCA/D2CIDA National Player of the Week. - The 2023-24 season by the numbers: After leading the Bald Eagles to a record-breaking season and a trip to the NCAA DII Tournament, Smith was named a finalist for the 2023-24 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Coach of the Year.   Smith guided the Bald Eagles to an historic season in 2023-24, which finished with the program's first NCAA Tournament Atlantic Region Semifinal appearance in over three decades.   The Bald Eagles finished with a program-record 29 victories, a PSAC East regular season title, a 21-1 conference mark and the first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1991. Lock Haven's run of 19 consecutive victories from earlier this season was also a program-record. Lock Haven's four loses all came at the hands of NCAA Tournament teams.   The Bald Eagles also reached the NCAA DII WBCA and CSC National Rankings for the first time in program history.   On Wednesday, Jan. 31, Smith became the all-time winningest head coach in Lock Haven Bald Eagle women's basketball history with 162 career victories. She surpassed Frank Scarfo's (1986-97) previous record of 161 and will enter next season 172 Lock Haven coaching wins.   Following the regular season, Alana Robinson (First Team, Defensive Player of the Year), Jenadia Jordan (First Team) and Rhlyn Rouse (Freshman of the Year, Second Team) were honored as members of the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Teams. Robinson was also named a Second Team All-Atlantic Region Forward. - The 2022-23 season by the numbers: In 2022-23 the Bald Eagles took another step forward after yet another PSAC Quarterfinal appearance. Under Coach Smith in 2022-23, the Bald Eagles secured a spot in the PSAC postseason tournament for the fourth consecutive season.  The Bald Eagles are coming off an 11-17 overall record and 9-13 mark in the PSAC East, which earned them the sixth seed in the 2022-23 conference tournament. The Haven fell in the first round to the No. 3 seed Kutztown University, 68-60.   Lock Haven's defense ranked fourth in the PSAC as they held opposing offenses to under 60 points per game and 39 percent shooting for the field. The Bald Eagles upset 15th-ranked California (Pa.), 70-62, inside Thomas Fieldhouse on Dec. 3. Leading the charge was Alana Robinson, who was named PSAC Eastern Division Freshman of the Year, while landing on the all-conference second team.    The Bald Eagle forward is just the second PSAC Freshman of the Year in Lock Haven women's basketball history since Rachel Ebeling brought home the award in 1996-97. Robinson made her mark early and set the LHU single-season record for blocks with 53, surpassing the previous record of 46 held by Shameka Lee since 2006. Her season tally also placed her second-best in the PSAC.   - The 2021-22 season by the numbers: Despite a season plagued by injuries, Coach Smith took the Bald Eagles all the way back to the PSAC quarterfinals for the second time in three years and their third straight trip to the conference playoffs. Highlighting the postseason run was a 64-34 playoff dismantling of Shippensburg in the opening round of the PSAC tournament. The Haven capped the season at 14-13 overall and 10-12 in the PSAC. Following the season, Ahnera Parker and Jaynelle Robinson were selected to the 2022 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Second Team. Both Parker and Robinson find themselves all over the LHU Record Book in rebounds, blocks and scoring. Under Smith's guidance, the Bald Eagles are also a leader in the classroom as the team notched an LHU second-best 3.338 GPA over the 2021-22 academic year. The team also placed 11 on the PSAC Scholar-Athlete list, which requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 upon completion of the academic year.   - The 2019-20 season by the numbers: In 2019-2020 Smith made history again. Smith led the Bald Eagles to their second consecutive winning season and to a second consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Playoff bout. This was the second time Smith managed this feat with the team, since reaching the PSAC playoffs in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. Those two seasons were the first time back-to-back playoff seasons had been accomplished since the 1990-91 seasons. Smith and her team have now been to the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. Yet the team’s successes were not just highlighted by their record, this season Smith and her defensive schematic had newfound success. In fact, the squadron set a new a school record in opponent shooting percentage by limiting opponents to a meager .365. They also allowed just 63.1 points per game and were ranked the sixth best defense in the PSAC. That success translated to the glass as the Bald Eagles racked up an astounding 1,159 total rebounds, good for second best in the PSAC. And when they needed her, Rileigh Devine was there to take the pitch out as she shot her way over the 1,000 career point mark and ended her career at LHU first all-time with 203 career made three pointers.   - The 2018-19 season by the numbers:   Highlighting the 2018-19 season was LHU’s playoff win and Smith’s 100th victory at Lock Haven. For Smith, the win over East Stroudsburg on February 13 marked her 100th at LHU. Overall, the 15 wins last season pushed Smith to 103 at Lock Haven, as she became just the second head women's basketball coach in school history to go over 100 wins at The Haven. She now has 127 career collegiate wins overall.   When the Bald Eagles won their First Round PSAC Tournament game over ESU, it marked the Bald Eagles first PSAC postseason win in 28 years. Prior to the win, LHU's last playoff win came in 1991. LHU eventually fell in the quarterfinals, marking the Bald Eagles first quarterfinal appearance since the 1990-91 season.   LHU finished the season at 15-14 and the 15 wins served as the most in a single season since the Bald Eagles won 17 during a 17-9 season in 2005-06. Lock Haven entered the PSAC Tournament as the No. 4 seed. It was quite the jump and season, after the PSAC Eastern Division coaches slotted the Bald Eagles at No. 7 in the preseason poll.   Early in the season, the Bald Eagles hit a six-game win streak on the way to their 7-1 start. The sensational start led to Lock Haven's first regional ranking in 28 seasons. The six-game win streak marked Lock Haven's longest since a seven-game win streak during the 2005-06 season. The next longest win streak was nine straight wins during the 1989-90 season after Lock Haven opened the season 9-0. The 7-1 start to the season therefore marked the best start to a season since the aforementioned 9-0 start back in 1989-90.   The Bald Eagles used balanced scoring all season and in the end, two players finished in double-figures. All-Conference pick Ahnera Parker led Lock Haven (13.4 pts./game) and Rileigh Devine chipped in with 12.2. Four players netted an average over 8.2.   Parker was named to the All-PSAC East Second Team and sharp-shooter Devine finished the season with 70 3-pointers. The 70 3's for Devine mark the all-time single-season school record. For her career, the junior has 139 made career 3-pointers, which leaves her just three away from tying the all-time school record for made 3's in a career (142).   A closer look at the Smith profile:   Previous to last season, Smith had already led the Bald Eagles to prominence within league, reaching the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. This was the first time back to back playoff seasons had been accomplished since the 1990-91 seasons.   The 2017-18 season was marked by a big home win versus Millersville, the eventual PSAC runner-up and wins over PSAC rivals Bloomsburg, Cheyney, and Shippensburg.   Standing out for the Bald Eagles was sophomore guard Rileigh Devine who led the team in points per game with 10.9 and averaged two made 3-pointers per game while shooting 33% from beyond the arc. Also freshman guard Bink Redman finished the season averaging seven points per game and a team high 5.4 RPG. She led the team in rebounds per game, assists per game (2.4), blocks (0.7) and steals per game (1.2).   The 2016-17 season was hindered by four season-ending injuries, but the young team was able to pick up major wins over perennial PSAC powers: Gannon, West Chester and Millersville. The team finished in sixth place, losing the playoff tie-breaker to Millersville. LHU won three of its last five games as the Bald Eagles fought until the end for that final playoff spot.   Senior Lysa Mealing was named the 2016-17 PSAC Eastern Division Defensive Player of the Year and also earned All-Conference honors after landing on the All-PSAC East Second Team. Mealing finished with a league-best 12.7 rebounds. It marked the second straight season where Mealing led the PSAC in rebounding and she finished ranked second in DII. The squad led the PSAC in three statistical categories: rebounding offense, defensive rebounds and field goal percentage defense.   The 2015-16 season was highlighted by junior, Lysa Mealing, leading all of NCAA Division II in rebounds per game (13.7). She totaled 343 boards on the year which set a new season school record. She also broke the single-game rebound record with 25 in an overtime win versus Kutztown University. The team finished first in the PSAC in rebounding margin, second in field goal percentage defense, and third in 3-point field goal percentage defense while ending the season with an 11-16 overall mark, before falling to a strong Millersville squad in the first round of playoffs.   Smith led LHU on a sensational run during the 2014-15 season. Lock Haven made its first PSAC playoff appearance in 24 years and finished the season with an overall record of 11-16 (10-12 in conference play). The Bald Eagles downed Smith’s alma mater - Millersville University - for the first time in ten years. The team also was clutch down the stretch as the Bald Eagles won four of their last five games to finish tied for fourth in the PSAC Eastern Division.   During Smith’s tenure at LHU two players have reached the 1,000 career point milestone. Only 13 players overall have hit that mark in the program’s history.   Off the court, the Bald Eagles have been very active in the Lock Haven community, helping with projects such as the YMCA Easter Egg Hunt, YMCA Healthy Kids Day 5K race, YMCA youth basketball clinic, YMCA after-school program, Liberty Baptist Church youth basketball league, Fraternal Order of Eagles blood drive, Salvation Army Kettle campaign and AAUW book sale.   The Bald Eagles have been successful in the classroom as well as on the court. Under Smith’s tutelage, the program has had 31 student-athletes earn Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) scholar-athlete honors for their extraordinary academic efforts. In order to achieve PSAC Scholar-Athlete status, a student-athlete must maintain a 3.25 cumulative grade point average while competing in an intercollegiate varsity sport.   Prior to LHU, Smith spent two years as head coach at NCAA Division II, Goldey-Beacom College, located in Wilmington, Delaware. In just two seasons with GBC she was able to turn the program around leading the Lightning to their most wins in school history in 2006-07.   The team went 18-11 overall and 14-8 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play. The 18 wins set a school record for overall wins in a single season and the 14 conference wins also marked a single-season high. During the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, she guided the Goldey-Beacom Lightning to the third most improved overall record in all of Division II women’s basketball. While at Goldey-Beacom, Smith also served as the school’s sports information director.   Coach Smith served as an assistant coach at Millersville University from 2002-2004. Her duties included guard development, recruiting, scouting, camps and extensive help with offensive schemes.   Before stepping into coaching, Smith played for the Lady Marauders from 1998-2002 and was a four-year varsity letterwinner. At Millersville, she broke school records for most games played in a career and most three-pointers made in a game. Smith earned the 2002 Elwood J. Finley award as top senior female student-athlete. She served as team captain in 2002, while earning team MVP and offensive player MVP awards. During Smith’s playing career, her team advanced to three NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances and earned PSAC East titles in 2000 and 2002. In 2009 she was named to the Millersville All-75th team that commemorated the greatest players in school history.   Of note, Smith was also a NCAA D-II track and field All-American in the javelin in 2000.   Smith graduated from Millersville in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in speech communication and an athletic coaching minor. She earned a master’s of education in sports management and administration in 2004.   Smith is an active member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and participated in the 2009 NCAA Leadership Academy, the 2009 NCAA Women’s Coaching Academy and the 2015 Center for Coaching Excellence. She has also served on the Division II Regional Advisory Committee and the WBCA Coach of the Year Committee.   Smith is married, has three children and resides in Bellefonte, Pa.   *Updated May 10, 2024

Brian Oleksiak enters his 13th season as the assistant coach with the Bald Eagle men’s basketball program in 2024-25.   Oleksiak has been with head coach Mike Nestor every step of the way as the two have rebuilt the Lock Haven men’s basketball program from the ground up - to perennial fixture in the PSAC playoffs. - The 2024-25 season by the numbers: The Bald Eagles finished the regular season 15-12 overall and 12-9 in the PSAC. Lock Haven earned the No. 5 seed to reach the PSAC Postseason Tournament for the sixth straight season.  The Bald Eagles scored 90-or-more points four times and went an impressive 9-3 overall at home in front of the Thomas Fieldhouse crowd. Following the season, Eli Washington and Isaiah Stewart were named to the All-PSAC Second Team in the back court. Washington and Blake Deegan were also honored for their accomplishments in the classroom as members of the 2024-25 CSC Academic All-District Team. Of note, Washington surpassed the 1,000-career point milestone during the season. - The 2023-24 season by the numbers:  Oleksiak helped lead the Bald Eagles to a PSAC Eastern Division Championship after securing a 20-7 overall record and 18-4 conference mark. The East title was the first for the program, while the 18 conference wins is a program best and the 20 overall victories was the most since the 1989-90 season.   The historic season led Head Coach Mike Nestor to his second PSAC East Coach of the Year honor, after earning his first following the 2013-14 season.   The Bald Eagles won their first PSAC Championship quarterfinal game since 1990 by downing fourth-seeded West Chester in a dominant 100-76 performance.  Justice Shoats was tabbed PSAC East Player of the year, while also being named to the All-PSAC East First Team as a guard. Collin Jones was named to the Second Team as a forward. - The 2022-23 season by the numbers: After three straight PSAC Eastern Division Postseason appearances, the Bald Eagles finally broke through with their first postseason victory in 33 years as they upset the No. 4 seeded Millersville University, 66-57, in the quarterfinals.  The Bald Eagles upset the only nationally-ranked team on their schedule, traveling to No. 25 East Stoudsburg and downing the Warriors, 83-75.  Following the season, senior guard Jay Davis was named All-PSAC Second-Team.  Davis posted team-highs in both points per game with 14.4 and in three-point shooting with 62 made and a .380 percentage. The guard also grabbed 4.5 rebounds per game and totaled 35 steals on the defensive side. - The 2021-22 season by the numbers: Following a year of inactivity during the COVID-19 global pandemic, Oleksiak helped the Bald Eagles picked up right where they left off and, despite a multitude of changes over the two years, saw LHU return to the PSAC playoffs for the third straight season. On March 4, Jesse McPherson was named a 2021-22 PSAC All-Conference performer and earned Second-Team honors in the Eastern Division. The Philadelphia-native is second all-time at LHU in blocks with 130, and etched his name in the record books with his stat-stuffing career. McPherson is the only player in the program's history to have over 950 points, 550 rebounds and 100 blocks. In July, MarkAnthony Fidelis, Adam Freese, Elijah Washington each earned PSAC Scholar-Athlete honors after maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 upon completion of the academic year. - The 2019-20 season by the numbers: Last season (2019-20) was exciting in many ways as the Bald Eagles continued to elevate their game. Headlined by a second straight playoff appearance, the Bald Eagles finished the season with an overall 12-15 record and managed a 9-13 record in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play. As a team the Bald Eagles upset two nationally ranked teams for the first time in LHU history. They upset No. 12 West Chester on January 15th and No. 24 Shippensburg on February 15th. Leading the team, Christian Kelly and Matt Cerruti both managed to etch their names into the LHU history books as the duo reached the 1,000-career point mark. Coincidentally, both players were also named to the All-PSAC first team.   - The 2018-19 season by the numbers:   Looking back at the 2018-19 season, LHU finished the season at 12-15 overall and went 8-12 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action. The Bald Eagles made a return trip to the postseason for the first time since the 2016-17 season, but fell in a thrilling upset bid against Shippensburg, 71-70.   Highlighting the year was two players earning All-Conference honors.   Sophomore Matt Cerruti and junior Christian Kelly both earned spots on the 2019 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Team.   Cerruti, a guard, was named to the First Team and Kelly, a forward, earned a spot on the Second Team.   Cerruti was phenomenal for LHU all season long and led the team in scoring, averaging 20 points per game. That mark was good enough for fourth in the PSAC and his 43.1 percent from beyond the arc was a team-high. Cerruti also shot 80 percent from the free throw line and was a workhorse for the Bald Eagles, totaling a staggering 37.4 minutes per game the third highest mark in the PSAC.   Kelly and Cerruti led the scoring attack all season for The Haven and Kelly finished fifth in the PSAC with 19.4 points per game. Kelly's 67 made 3-pointers were best on the team and his 37.6 percent from beyond the arc was ninth among PSAC qualifiers. Kelly was tremendous on the glass and finished the year ninth in the PSAC with 7.4 rebounds per game, and totaled five double-doubles.   Lock Haven was first in the conference as a team in free throw shooting percentage at 72.7 percent. Highlighting this impressive stat was Noah Warren shooting 83 percent and Cerruti at 80 percent from the stripe.   In a dominating win over Carlow, The Haven scored a season-high 96 points. Cerruti highlighted the offensive explosion with what was at the time a career high 26 points. Cerruti's big night included a stellar 6-9 from beyond the arc.   The Bald Eagles were lights out from downtown, making 14 3-pointers on two separate occasions, wins over Clarion (Dec. 1) and Salem (Feb. 2).   More on Oleksiak   Oleksiak and the Bald Eagles finished the 2017-18 season with an 8-18 overall record and a 6-16 mark in the PSAC. The Bald Eagles completed a season sweep over both rivals Mansfield and Cheyney.   Completing a stellar freshman campaign for the Bald Eagles was guard Matt Cerruti who averaged 10.9 points per game. Cerruti also led the team with 37 made 3-pointers and shot 39% from behind the arc in the process. Highlighting the year was a 107 point team performance against PSU Mont Alto and a 13 three point outburst in a win against Cheyney   In 2016-17, the Bald Eagles appeared in the PSAC playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. They joined three other PSAC East teams who have made an appearance in the playoffs over the same span. This is the first time LHU has made four consecutive playoff appearances since the 86-87 to 89-90 seasons.   Lock Haven was led by freshman sensation Amir Hinton who received numerous accolades. Hinton broke the LHU single season scoring record as he averaged 24.2 points per game. That mark led the PSAC and was one of the top marks in all of Division II. His 642 total points broke the PSAC All-Time mark for a freshman. Hinton was named the PSAC Freshman of the year as well as earning First Team All-Conference. He also made the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Atlantic Region Men's Basketball Team Second Team.   The 2016-17 Bald Eagles qualified for the PSAC playoffs after finishing the regular season 12-15 overall and 8-14 in PSAC East action (6th in conference).   The 2015-16 season was one where the ball was shared by five guys averaging at least 9 points per game. Also senior Tracy Peal joined the prestigious 1,000 point club making him the 17th Bald Eagle to eclipse the mark.   During the 2014-15 season LHU qualified for the PSAC playoffs after going 10-17 overall and 10-13 in PSAC East play (5th PSAC East standings).   Highlighting the 2014-15 year was Hepburn who earned All-Region status after also earning a spot on the PSAC East First Team for the second straight year.   The 2014-15 season marked the second consecutive season where Hepburn led the league in scoring, closing his career as one of the best players in LHU history. His 19.3 points per game during the regular season led him to the scoring title and he finished the year with 19.4. Hepburn scored in double-figures in 23 of 25 games and went over 20 points, 13 different times. The Preseason All-America made history on February 4 at West Chester, becoming the first player in LHU men's basketball history to record a triple-double. Hepburn scored 22 points, dished out 11 assists and grabbed 10 rebounds. He was the only PSAC player last season to record a triple-double. In just three seasons with the Bald Eagles, Hepburn scored 1,609 points. He netted 26 as a freshman at Shippensburg, giving him 1,635 for his career, the fourth-most of any LHU men's basketball player in school history.   The 2013-14 season was one of Lock Haven’s best in school history. Lock Haven went 17-10 and 10-6 in PSAC East play, earning a trip to the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2003. The 17 wins were the most for the Bald Eagles since winning 26 in 1990.   Wali Hepburn was named the PSAC East Player of the Year after leading the league in scoring. Hepburn was also an All-Region and All-American selection. Hepburn was one of two Bald Eagles to earn All-PSAC honors as senior Kasheef Festus grabbed a spot on the Second Team.   In all, Nestor and Oleksiak have led four Bald Eagles to All-Conference honors in his three seasons. In 2012-13, the duo led the Bald Eagles to a six-win season, the most wins since the 2009-10 season.   Before his time at LHU, Oleksiak, a graduate of Shippensburg University in 2010, stayed at Shippensburg where he worked as a volunteer assistant coach. While working with the Red Raiders, he helped assist the staff in player and team development. Oleksiak also played a key role in recruiting and scouting.   As a player at Shippensburg, Oleksiak started 54 games for the Red Raiders in his career including all 27 games of the 2009-10 season. In 100 career games, Oleksiak netted 433 points and as a team captain during his senior season, Oleksiak ranked among the top-two on the team in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.   Oleksiak lives locally with his wife.   *Updated November 2023

For Lock Haven women’s basketball assistant coach, Zack Smith, the upcoming 2025-26 season will mark this 15th with the team.   He’s played an instrumental role in helping rebuild and restore the program, and he has helped the Bald Eagles to the highest of highs in recent memory. - The 2024-25 season by the numbers: The Bald Eagles were picked to win the 2024-25 PSAC East in the preseason coaches poll.  The Haven finished the regular season with an impressive 20-9 overall mark and 14-7 Eastern Division record. The Bald Eagles tied Kutztown for the top record in the PSAC East, earning the Bald Eagles their second straight claim of the Eastern Division regular season championship.  On Dec. 21, Lock Haven upset PSAC West power and No. 4 Gannon at home.  Lock Haven earned their seventh straight trip to the PSAC Conference Championship Tournament after winning 20 games for the second year in a row.  The Haven took down Bloomsburg in the PSAC Tournament Quarterfinals, earning its second straight trip to the conference champioship final four.  The Bald Eagles were featured in the NCAA DII Atlantic Region top-10 throughout the season and came in at No. 10 in the final announcement of the poll.  Following the regular season, Alana Robinson was named the PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while Robinson was also joined by Kiera Baughman, Jenadia Jordan and Madeline Evans on the All-Conference team. Kiera Baughman and Olivia Smith were honored for their work in the classroom as CSC Academic All-District Athletes.  Both Jordan and Robinson scored their 1,000th career point in 2024-25.  On Dec. 10, Evans was honored as the top women's basketball player in the country after being named the WBCA/D2CIDA National Player of the Week. - The 2023-24 season by the numbers:  Smith helped lead the Bald Eagles to an historic season in 2023-24, which finished with the program's first NCAA Tournament Atlantic Region Semifinal appearance in over three decades.   The Bald Eagles finished with a program-record 29 victories, a PSAC East regular season title, a 21-1 conference mark and the first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1991. Lock Haven's run of 19 consecutive victories from earlier this season was also a program-record. Lock Haven's four loses all came at the hands of NCAA Tournament teams.   The Bald Eagles also reached the NCAA DII WBCA and CSC National Rankings for the first time in program history. - The 2022-23 season by the numbers: In 2022-23, the Bald Eagles secured a spot in the PSAC postseason tournament for the fourth consecutive season.  The Bald Eagles are coming off an 11-17 overall record and 9-13 mark in the PSAC East, which earned them the sixth seed in the 2022-23 conference tournament. The Haven fell in the first round to the No. 3 seed Kutztown University, 68-60.   Lock Haven's defense ranked fourth in the PSAC as they held opposing offenses to under 60 points per game and 39 percent shooting for the field. The Bald Eagles upset 15th-ranked California (Pa.), 70-62, inside Thomas Fieldhouse on Dec. 3. Leading the charge was Alana Robinson, who was named PSAC Eastern Division Freshman of the Year, while landing on the all-conference second team.    The Bald Eagle forward is just the second PSAC Freshman of the Year in Lock Haven women's basketball history since Rachel Ebeling brought home the award in 1996-97. Robinson made her mark early and set the LHU single-season record for blocks with 53, surpassing the previous record of 46 held by Shameka Lee since 2006. Her season tally also placed her second-best in the PSAC. - The 2021-22 season by the numbers: Despite a season plagued by injuries, Smith was invaluable in taking the Bald Eagles all the way back to the PSAC quarterfinals for the second time in three years and their third straight trip to the conference playoffs. Highlighting the postseason run was a 64-34 playoff dismantling of Shippensburg in the opening round of the PSAC tournament. Smith's guidance was crucial as Ahnera Parker and Jaynelle Robinson were selected to the 2022 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Second Team. Both Parker and Robinson find themselves all over the LHU Record Book in rebounds, blocks and scoring. The Bald Eagles are also a leader in the classroom as the team notched an LHU second-best 3.338 GPA over the 2021-22 academic year. The team also placed 11 on the PSAC Scholar-Athlete list, which requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 upon completion of the academic year. - The 2019-20 season by the numbers: In 2019-2020 Smith helped lead the Bald Eagles to their second consecutive winning season and to a second consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Playoff bout. This was the second time the team managed that feat in recent history, since reaching the PSAC playoffs in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. Those two seasons were the first time back-to-back playoff seasons had been accomplished since the 1990-91 seasons. The team has now been to the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. Yet the team’s successes were not just highlighted by their record. In fact, the squadron set a new a school record in opponent shooting percentage by limiting opponents to a meager .365. They also allowed just 63.1 points per game and were ranked the sixth best defense in the PSAC. That success translated to the glass as the Bald Eagles racked up an astounding 1,159 total rebounds, good for second best in the PSAC. And when they needed her, Rileigh Devine was there to take the pitch out as she shot her way over the 1,000 career point mark and ended her career at LHU first all-time with 203 career made three pointers.   - The 2018-19 season by the numbers:   When the Bald Eagles won their First Round PSAC Tournament game over ESU, it marked the Bald Eagles first PSAC postseason win in 28 years. Prior to the win, LHU's last playoff win came in 1991. LHU eventually fell in the quarterfinals, marking the Bald Eagles first quarterfinal appearance since the 1990-91 season.   LHU finished the season at 15-14 and the 15 wins served as the most in a single season since the Bald Eagles won 17 during a 17-9 season in 2005-06. Lock Haven entered the PSAC Tournament as the No. 4 seed. It was quite the jump and season, after the PSAC Eastern Division coaches slotted the Bald Eagles at No. 7 in the preseason poll.   Early in the season, the Bald Eagles hit a six-game win streak on the way to their 7-1 start. The sensational start led to Lock Haven's first regional ranking in 28 seasons. The six-game win streak marked Lock Haven's longest since a seven-game win streak during the 2005-06 season. The next longest win streak was nine straight wins during the 1989-90 season after Lock Haven opened the season 9-0. The 7-1 start to the season therefore marked the best start to a season since the aforementioned 9-0 start back in 1989-90.   The Bald Eagles used balanced scoring all season and in the end, two players finished in double-figures. All-Conference pick Ahnera Parker led Lock Haven (13.4 pts./game) and Rileigh Devine chipped in with 12.2. Four players netted an average over 8.2.   Parker was named to the All-PSAC East Second Team and sharp-shooter Devine finished the season with 70 3-pointers. The 70 3's for Devine mark the all-time single-season school record. For her career, the junior has 139 made career 3-pointers, which leaves her just three away from tying the all-time school record for made 3's in a career (142).   A closer look at coach Smith’s profile:   For the previous eight seasons, Smith has been with head coach Jennifer Smith for every step of the journey, which has landed LHU women’s basketball back on the grid for PSAC women’s hoops.   He has helped lead the Bald Eagles to new heights, reaching the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs in the 2014-15 and 15-16 seasons for the first time since the 1990-91 season.   The 2017-18 season was marked by a very young squad that saw young talent mature as sophomore guard Rileigh Devine lead the team in points per game with 10.9.  Freshman guard Bink Redman went on a hot streak with four consecutive double-doubles. She led the team in rebounds per game (5.4), assists per game (2.4), blocks (0.7) and steals per game (1.2).   In 2016-17 the Bald Eagles just missed the PSAC playoffs as they finished with a 10-16 overall record and a 7-15 PSAC Conference record. Lysa Mealing led the way as she recorded 16 double-doubles on the year which helped her become the PSAC leader in rebounds for the second straight year. After her tremendous season, she was named the PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year as well as a PSAC East second team member. Mealing finished her LHU career ranked No. 2 in total rebounds and rebounds per game.   The 2015-16 season was highlighted by junior, Lysa Mealing, who led all of NCAA Division II in rebounds per game (13.7). She totaled 343 boards on the year which set a new season school record. She also broke the single game rebound record with 25 in an overtime win v.s. Kutztown University. The team finished first in the PSAC in rebounding margin, second in field goal percentage defense, and third in 3-point field goal percentage defense while ending the season with an 11-16 overall mark before falling to a strong Millersville University team in the First Round of playoffs.   Smith was instrumental in leading the Bald Eagles on a remarkable run during the 2014-15 season.   Smith helped guide LHU on a sensational run during the 2014-15 season. Lock Haven made its first PSAC playoff appearance in 24 years and finished the season with an overall record of 11-16 and The Haven was 10-12 in conference play. The team also was clutch down the stretch as the Bald Eagles won four of their last five games to finish tied for fourth in the PSAC Eastern Division.   Smith plays a key role in all aspects of the program, and in 2013-14, he helped lead Marrysa Moyer to All-PSAC honors. Moyer was named to the Second Team after leading the Bald Eagles all year and proving to be one of the best all-around players in the conference. She finished the season with 14.8 points per game and 8.6 rebounds a game, which ranked her 11th and seventh, respectively in the PSAC.   In all, Smith has helped two players to All-PSAC honors.   Zack Smith, 2008 graduate of Penn State is a noted recruiter.   A native of Hillsborough, New Jersey, Smith spent the 2009-10 season as a volunteer assistant coach with The Haven.   While at Penn State, Coach Smith served as a manager with the men’s basketball team from 2004-2008. In those seasons, Smith assisted with the training of Division I players including two All-Big Ten selections and the All-Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He also developed off-season workouts, attended daily practices and assisted with various event operations.   In addition to the time he spent with the Nittany Lions, Zack Smith has also worked as a Coach for numerous camps and clinics across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Beyond coaching, his responsibilities with these camps included booking of players and locations, attaining local business sponsors, organizing skill development and activities for the camp, and digitally recording and editing film.   Prior to Penn State, Smith attended Hillsborough High School in New Jersey where he was an All-Area basketball player. Upon graduation, Smith became the director of multiple recreation basketball leagues in Hillsborough from 2004-09.   *Updated May 10, 2024