The Chargers played in an exhibition match against Central Michigan University last Sunday, Oct. 27 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, falling to the NCAA Division I Central Michigan Chippewas 90-63. 

The Chargers were voted second in the 2024-25 Great Midwest Atheltic Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll, behind Kentucky Wesleyan College. 

Senior forward Joe Reuter and junior guard Ashton Janowski both led the Chargers in points, scoring 12 apiece. Senior forward Charles Woodhams led the team in rebounds, bringing in 10 and scoring eight points, just two points short of a double-double. 

Coming into his second season as head coach of the Charger men’s basketball team, Coach Keven Bradley is excited for the upcoming season and grateful for the opportunity to play Central Michigan in a preseason exhibition game.

“It’s a great tuneup for our kids and our program to get them ready for our season,” Bradley said.  “It really allows us to play against some fantastic athletes and fantastic coaches that we’re very grateful for.”

The biggest takeaway for Bradley from Sunday was that the team is still a work in progress and there were a lot of things they still need to clean up.

“There were some positives, and I’m happy we played well in some spurts, we just didn’t maintain that over a long 40-minute game,” Bradley said. “But we had some moments that we played well and did some good things.”

The Chargers graduated only one player last year, guard Sam Vasiu ‘24. This means the team is returning the majority of its core players, and will rely on their veterans and experience. The only new addition to this experienced group is freshman guard Tommy Morgan from Brunswick, Ohio. 

Morgan’s decision to commit to Hillsdale was originally influenced by his connection to Hillsdale men’s basketball alumnus Kyle Goessler ‘23. Morgan is excited about the upcoming season and the opportunity to play collegiate basketball.

 “My goal is just to learn as much as possible,” Morgan said. “It’s been a learning process to get used to the speed and strength of the college level and trying to be the best I can possibly be.”

The team is also looking to capitalize on the strength of their experience.

“It’s a huge opportunity. In the past having older teams helped develop the younger guys,” senior guard Cole McWhinnie said. “The longer you’re here the more experience leads to a better quality of play to make a big run.”

Janowski also emphasized how everyone’s development and training over the summer break was integral to the start of the season. 

“We’ve come back more vocal and comfortable in our own skin, with a sense of what is expected and how to push each other’s buttons,” Janowski said. 

The Chargers open their season at home against Saginaw Valley State University on Nov. 8.