Pride is usually associated with lions but the Wolfpack is instilling a sense of pride throughout the basketball program. Loyola men’s basketball head coach Michael Giorlando said he “couldn’t be more proud” of his team after posting the best record in too many years to remember.

Luke Zumo, graduating senior point guard, set the standard as the leading scorer on the court and a NAIA Academic All-American in the classroom. Fellow graduating seniors Mario Faranda and Carter “Bear” Wurts were also awarded the same honors.

“It feels great receiving that award for the second time. It shows what type of guys we have on our team, guys that are going to come in and work hard in the classroom and perform on the court. It’s great to know we really have student athletes here,” Zumo said.

“I met some of my best friends in the world while playing at Loyola,” Zumo said.

Zumo is moving on to LSU Health Science Center to study physical therapy.

Coach Giorlando looking back on this season said, “Tory Beaulieu had the type impact I expected he would, shooting 42 percent from three-point range, averaging 11 points a game and 70 percent from the free throw.”

“Having full time assistants for the first time paid off and was a big asset, and I was pleased by how the players responded to Coach Stiebing and Coach Couvillion,” he added.

Sean Bennett had a good sophomore year for Loyola averaging 12 points a game and 36 percent from the three-point line, Giorlando said.

Bennett said, “Coming into this year I knew I’d play more and had to score more.”

“I improved my game point average from four to 13 points a game,” Bennet added.

“I specifically have to work on my half court ball handling. Coach says he likes my full court play bringing the ball up, but I need to work on my half court decision making,”

Bennett is going to work on strength and conditioning this summer in Mandeville, La.

“We have three returning starters: myself, Tory and Nick, so guys are going to have to step up. We’ll have to see if any of the new guys will step up but we will need Matt (McCabe) and (McArthur) Strickland to play a much bigger role,” Bennett said.

Don Weaver can be reached at [email protected].