After a 20-13 campaign that saw the Seahawks bring excitement back into Trask Coliseum, it is time to move on.  That was then.  2007-’08 is over and ‘08-’09 has begun.

Head coach Benny Moss and his staff have long since turned the page and have started looking forward to next year, which in basketball terms, is this year.  Moss, who orchestrated one of the nation’s best turnarounds in the NCAA Division I ranks this past season, was rewarded with a two-year contract extension, recently announced by Seahawk athletic director Kelly Mehrtens.

“Benny and his staff did a phenomenal job this season and we’re very happy he’s going to be with the Seahawks for many years,” said Mehrtens. “His players are performing well on and off the court and keeping UNCW’s successful basketball tradition intact. We’re looking forward to next season and beyond.”  As is Coach Moss and his staff.

The Seahawks will look different next November when they take to the court, but the roster became complete with the signing of Kevon (pronounced Kah-VON) Moore, a 6-3, 180-pound combination guard from Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Md.

 “Kevon will be a great addition to our program,” said Moss. “He’s a quality student, a good person and a tremendous basketball player. He’s exactly what we look for at UNCW.”

An athletic lefthander, Moore averaged 17.0 points and 6.0 assists as a junior at Archbishop Spalding and was named Second-Team All-Baltimore Catholic League. Last season, he was listed as a “Player to Watch” by The Washington Post and collected 12.0 points and 5.0 assists at Montrose Christian. He played with Bald for three years at Archbishop Spalding and two years on the Triple Threat AAU All-Stars Club.

 Moss added: “Kevon can play all of the perimeter positions and really attacks the basket off the dribble. He’s a very aggressive defender, and I love his competitive spirit. I also like the fact that he’s won a lot of games and championships in high school.”

 Montrose Christian, coached by Stu Vetter, was the top-ranked prep club in the nation for parts of last season and wound up with a 22-4 record. The Mustangs have produced several notable basketball alumni, including former Texas standout Kevin Durant (now with the Seattle Sonics of the NBA), Denver Nuggets star Linas Kleiza and the University of Maryland’s Greivis Vasquez.

 Moore’s addition brings five new players into the Seahawk program, which loses four seniors who accounted for more than 74% of the scoring last year.  Moore joins Jerel Stephenson (6-5, 205, Guard), Brad Bald (6-8, 215, Forward), Will O’Huaregbe (6-8, 230, Forward) and Tyronne McNeal (6-11, 250, Center) as newcomers on the 2008-09 squad.  

 A new face to Seahawk fans, and a key to next year’s team will be the play of Johhny Wolf, a talented transfer from Xavier who will have two years of eligibility remaining, beginning in 2008-09.  While Wolf was able to practice with the team last year, NCAA regulations forced him to sit the year out.  At Xavier, Wolf played two seasons for Musketeers, appearing in 66 games.  He made nine starts, including eight in freshman campaign in 2005-06, as he averaged 2.8 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists.  Wolf started last eight games in rookie season, including NCAA game vs. Gonzaga.  He scored career-high 13 points vs. No. 8 Alabama in 2006-07 and had eight points and five assists in 15 minutes in win over Arizona State.

Wolf told the Cape Fear Sports Report, “I’ll actually be one of the most experienced players on the team because I’ve played in the NCAA Tournament. I know the game well and my role will be to make everyone around me better. I’ll not only try to create shots for myself, but for everyone else on the team.”

Coach Moss’s ‘Scouting Notebook’ - How the coach sees his freshmen…

Jerel Stephenson - “He’s a strong wing player.  He’s physical and ready to compete at the college level.  He needs to be more consistent with his perimeter jumper.”

Brad Bald - “Brad’s a skilled big kid.  He can run the floor, face up…he’s got all the offensive moves.  Getting there physically is the thing for him; he needs to get stronger.”

Will O’Huaregbe - “He will be a physical presence, even coming in as a freshman at 6’8”, 235.  He can defend and rebound for us right away.  His offensive development is what he needs to work on.  He’s a banger; he’s not going to shy away from contact.”

Tyronne McNeal - “He’s a big guy that can really run the floor.”

Make sure you check out next week’s issue for part two of our interview with Coach Moss as he discusses what to expect from the ‘08-’09 Seahawks.