Pirates Wrap Up First Week Of Practice

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- Although the Pirates have worked with their new coaching staff throughout the summer in skill development, it's been nearly a week since the ECU men's basketball team officially tipped off its season with the squad's No. 6 opener against Delaware State a month away.

"We've put much more of an emphasis than I have previously on doing defensive stuff in the preseason," ECU Head Coach Joe Dooley said. "[The season] is right on us and we need to get ready."

The Pirates have six official practices under their belt and all 15 members of the team have raised their level of enthusiasm as the start of the regular season draws near.

The initial focus has been on improving as a defensive squad. A year ago, ECU finished last in The American in scoring defense and field goal percent defense but are looking to move out of the cellar this season.

"We want to be a high-level defensive team," junior Seth LeDay said. "We want to get after it; get in the gaps, get in the passing lanes, pick up full court and be able to pressure the ball really well."

LeDay is one player who can fit both categories of veteran and newcomer. The Dallas native sat out the entire 2017-18 season in accordance with NCAA rules after he transferred from Virginia Tech, so is he looking forward to getting back on the court and making big contributions.

"I been working on becoming a more consistent shooter," LeDay explained. "I'm trying to improve my overall game as well and get better in every area in order to help us win."

The Pirates top two returning scorers, Isaac Fleming (12.5 ppg) and Shawn Williams (12.4 ppg), know what it's like to miss a season as each sat out the 2016-17 campaign. However, each made a splash during his first season at ECU a year ago with Fleming ranking among the league leaders in assists and steals, and Williams earning conference Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

Dooley hasn't allowed the duo, or their teammates, to rest of their laurels and continually stresses the importance of competing every possession and valuing the basketball.

"[Coach] has been emphasizing going hard on every drill, cutting down on turnovers and staying locked in," sophomore Shawn Williams explained. "We do good in the first half [of practice], but as we get tired we start to mess up a little bit, so we're working on staying locked in the whole time."

The Pirates open the new campaign with three consecutive home games with the first against Delaware on Nov. 6 at approximately 7:45 p.m. following the women's basketball season opener against the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore at 5:30 p.m.

Season tickets for the 2018-19 campaign are currently on-sale through the ECU Online Ticket Center and can also be purchased by calling the ECU Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-DIAL-ECU (342-5328).

Players Mentioned

Isaac Fleming

Seth LeDay

Shawn Williams

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