New Seahawks make Trask debut Saturday

By Brian Mull, Star-News, Wilmington, N.C.

Nov. 6--UNC-Wilmington basketball fans can see their team play in person Saturday while coach Benny Moss gets a feel for his team without point guard Chad Tomko.

With the season opener six days away, the Seahawks entertain North Greenville College, a Division II program, at 7 p.m. Saturday in Trask Coliseum in their lone exhibition game.

The game doesn't count in the standings, however, it does provide an opportunity for the Seahawks' seven newcomers to shake any pre-game jitters.

There will be fans, of course, and pre-game warm-ups, and officials and all the trappings of a normal game, though it might feel odd with Tomko out of the starting lineup for only the second time in his career.

The junior, a preseason second-team All-CAA pick, had surgery Wednesday on a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot and will miss at least the first two games, including the opener Friday at Appalachian State and the home opener Nov. 15 vs. George Washington.

Tomko, who led the Seahawks in scoring, assists, 3-pointers and steals last season, is the quick jet who fuels Moss' up-tempo attack.

But, as Moss said earlier this week, Tomko's absence provides playing time for other Seahawks and, ideally, will bolster the team later in the season.

Ahmad Grant, a smooth junior college transfer, is expected to replace Tomko in the backcourt while senior Johnny Wolf -- the team's second-leading scorer last season -- will handle the bulk of the point guard duties.

UNCW is eager to recover from a 7-25 record and 12th place CAA finish a year ago.

Brian Mull: 343-2034

On Twitter.com: @StarNewsSports

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