Duquesne forward Andre Marhold returns to practice
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Duquense forward Andre Marhold practiced Wednesday for the first time since a concussion sidelined him for two games.
Marhold was elbowed in the temple on his way up for a defensive rebound Jan. 14 at Rhode Island and was not cleared for practice until Tuesday.
"I never had one [before]. I had no clue," said Marhold. "I had a little headache and a little dizziness from being light-headed. We had off Sunday. Monday when I started lifting weights, that's when I let the trainers and coaches know."
From there. Marhold was evaluated and took multiple tests before being cleared to play.
"He was obviously hit in a vulnerable area, and it affected him when he started working out," said coach Ron Everhart . "That's got to be scary for any kid.
"It's great to have him back and great to finally have a full complement of players. No game have we played with our [entire] roster healthy and available. I've always said sometimes the toughest part about coaching is losing a guy from a chemistry perspective. When that happens, the tougher part is to integrate him back into the lineup."
Marhold has been a work in progress for Duquesne. His value was on the rise thanks to his defensive presence heading into the Rhode Island game. He was averaging 5.7 points, 4.4 rebounds a game and had 29 blocked shots.
"He's a guy who I would venture to say, between him and Jerry Jones , one of those two guys are most certainly our most-improved player," said Everhart.
Everhart said he would like to see Marhold's offensive game evolve.
"He's starting to really understand defensively the concepts. He's getting to the ball better and becoming a better shot-blocker. From an aggression thing, I'd like to see him translate [that] to the offensive side."
Duquesne recruit Donovon Jack recently made 42 consecutive field goals over a span of six games for Berks Catholic in Reading, Pa. The 6-foot-9 forward signed with the Dukes in November and will be a physics major next fall, Everhart said.
"I talked to him the night before last, just really proud of him," said Everhart. "They don't make him any better than this guy. What a testament that he's willing to sacrifice for his team and take great shots. All that means he's a good scorer and a good shooter."
Everhart said he also shares the ball well.
"When I went over and saw him play, the times he could score, he did," Everhart said. "The times he could pass it out of the post, he was phenomenal."
Jack is shooting 70 percent, averaging 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks a game, said Berks coach Snip Esterly .
No Atlantic 10 teams are in The Associated Press Top 25 or ESPN/USA Today polls. Upcoming Dukes opponent Dayton (Feb. 1) was the only team to receive votes, three in the AP and one in ESPN/USA Today.
First Published January 26, 2012 12:00 am
