WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson College men's basketball team looks to continue its upward trajectory in 2021 after turning in a strong 2019-20 campaign. After qualifying for the PAC Tournament each of the last two seasons, the Presidents are searching for their first PAC Tournament semifinal appearance since 2013.
 
The Presidents are set to open their season at the Salvitti Family Gymnasium against Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opponent Chatham on Saturday, Feb. 6.
 
2019-20 Season Review: Under sixth-year head coach Ethan Stewart-Smith, W&J increased its win total for the fourth-consecutive season in 2019-20. The Presidents enjoyed their winningest season since 2009 with a 14-12 overall record.
 
The Presidents notched at least one win against seven of eight league opponents and finished the year 9-7 in PAC play. W&J finished in the fourth in the PAC standings and earned the right to host a PAC Tournament quarterfinal for the first time since 2011. The Presidents were upended by eventual PAC runner-up Geneva 79-77 in the PAC quarterfinals.
 
"It has been extremely rewarding to see our team continue to grow and improve," said Stewart-Smith. "We have a locker room full of guys that have been a part of change and it is exciting to see them embrace the challenges that come with building a winning program."
 
2019-20 marked the opening of the newly renovated Salvitti Family Gymnasium inside the Henry Memorial Center. The Presidents defended their fresh homecourt with a 10-4 mark, W&J's best home record in over a decade.
 
Salvitti Family Gymnasium was the sight of several memorable PAC victories in its first season. The Presidents overcame a late 10-point deficit in the final four minutes of regulation and Cameron Seemann converted the game-winning basket in the final second to beat Saint Vincent 75-74. Against Westminster, AJ Blue provided the late-game heroics with a game-tying step back three to force overtime after the Presidents trailed by nine points in the final three minutes; W&J would go on to defeat the Titans 82-74 in overtime.
 
W&J posted strong defensive numbers as the Presidents were second in the PAC in scoring defense (69.2 ppg against) and field goal percentage defense (41.3% against).
 
The Presidents graduated five seniors from last year's squad, including four-year starter Jonathan DeVito. DeVito led the Presidents in minutes (729) and steals (46) and was second on the roster in scoring (10.4 ppg), assists (63) and three-pointers made (39).
 
Key Returners: The Presidents return six of their top eight players in terms of minutes from last winter's breakthrough season.
 
Senior guard Cameron Seemann (Loveland, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller) earned his second-straight All-PAC Second Team nod in 2019-20. Seemann led the Presidents' balanced scoring attack with 12.4 points per game. He posted a career-best 36 points at Thiel on Feb. 8 and sank a last-second game-winner to help W&J knock off Saint Vincent for the first time since 2011.
 
"Cam has played such a critical role in our growth as a program," said Stewart-Smith. "He has just put his head down and gone to work, and it is no coincidence that as he has improved so has our team. "
 
Senior guard Zach Queen (Jeannette, Pa./Hempfield Area) led the Presidents with 50 made threes and was sixth in the PAC in three pointers per game (1.9). He enters his senior season sixth in program history with 132 career three pointers.
 
"Queen's strength has always been shooting the ball, but his growth as a player in other areas has been impressive," said Stewart-Smith. "He's worked really hard to become a complete player, and his transformation has been exciting to watch."
 
In the frontcourt, juniors Okikiola Agbale (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) and Alexander Skowron (Sewickley, Pa./Quaker Valley) anchored the Presidents at the center position last season.
 
Agbale and Skowron each averaged 18 minutes and 8.3 points per game in 2019-20. Agbale led the Presidents and finished sixth in the PAC in rebounding (6.5) and was eighth in the conference with a 47.7% shooting percentage. Skowron led the PAC in field goal percentage (66.2%) and led the Presidents with 27 blocks, good for sixth in the PAC.
 
"We are really fortunate to have so much versatility with Kiki & Al," said Stewart-Smith. "They have improved so much during their time on campus, and their efficiency and production has reflected that. These guys are tireless workers and do all the little things that sometimes goes unrecognized."
 
Senior guard AJ Blue (Kensington, Md./Sidwell Friends (D.C.)) was one of W&J's top players off the bench last winter. Blue led the Presidents with 63 assists and was tied for second on the roster with 25 steals.
 
"Ash has been such a spark for us over his career," said Stewart-Smith. "His numbers and production have improved every year, and we are excited to see him make another jump this year."
 
Sophomore guard Kyran Mitchell (Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic) made his way into the Presidents' starting lineup for the final nine games of the 2019-20 season. Mitchell posted averages of 4.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 19 minutes per game during his debut season.
 
Senior forward Nicholas Campalong (Sewickley, Pa./Ambridge) returns to the mix after suffering a season-ending injury last November. Through the first six games of last season, Campalong averaged 7.7 points and 5.6 rebounds to go with solid shooting from the field (48.6%).
 
"We are lucky to have a veteran core returning that are able to set the tone for our group," said Stewart-Smith. "They have been through it before understand the demands and challenges that come with being on a team."
 
Newcomers: The W&J men's basketball team welcomes 11 freshmen and one transfer for the 2020-21 season.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome a large group of newcomers from all over the region," said Stewart-Smith. "We are excited about their potential, and look forward to them showing up to compete and learn on a daily basis."  
 
Junior forward Jake Livingston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) will don the W&J colors for the first time in 2021 after playing for two seasons at Denison University. He averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds as a sophomore for the Big Red in 2018-19.
 
The Presidents also welcome a large group of first-year players:
 
Nevan Campalong (Sewickley, Pa./Ambridge)
Nick Gearhart (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon)
Ryan Parise (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown)
Kaden DiVito (Coraopolis, Pa./Cornell)
Beckett Connelly (Beaver, Pa./Beaver)
Michael Bigley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton LaSalle)
Isaiah Langston (Coraopolis, Pa./Cornell)
Logo Zervos (Morgantown, W.Va./Trinity Christian)
Camden Slaton (Bridgeport, W.Va./Bridgeport)
Revay Shaw II (Acworth, Ga./Allatoona)
J.R. Mazza (Bridgeport, W.Va./University)
 
Team Captains: Seemann, Queen, Blue and Nick Campalong
 
Looking at the Schedule: The Presidents are set to compete in a nine game PAC-only schedule for the 2021 season. The Presidents will play every other team in the PAC once in February.
 
The PAC will not play men's and women's basketball double headers. Both teams will play the same opponent on the same date, with each school hosting one of the games. Per PAC policy, no fans will be admitted to league games. Video streams will be available via the PAC Digital Network.
 
W&J's schedule features five home games and four away dates. The Red and Black will host Chatham (Feb. 6), Geneva (Feb. 10), Thiel (Feb. 15), Franciscan (Feb. 20) and Waynesburg (Feb. 27).
 
The Presidents travel to Grove City (Feb. 8), Westminster (Feb. 13), Saint Vincent (Feb. 17) and Bethany (Feb. 24).
 
All 10 PAC teams will qualify for the PAC Tournament, which is set to be played March 1-6.
 
"We are thankful that the Presidents, Athletic Directors, and Training Staffs from PAC institutions have worked diligently to create a safe environment for our teams," said Stewart-Smith. "We are thrilled to be in the small percentage of Division III conferences that will have an opportunity to compete this year."
 
Last Word: "Our goal is the same every year – to compete for a PAC Championship," said Stewart-Smith. "We have continued to show steady improvement, so we are excited to work toward taking another step this year. We are thankful that we have a veteran group that will have an opportunity to play meaningful PAC games with a chance at a conference tournament."