Lehigh’s Kempton looks to add to his role

By Paul Gotham

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lehigh’s Tim Kempton might look less traditional this year. That’s if all goes to according to head coach Dr. Brett Reed’s plan.

Kempton, the reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year, made his living a season ago with his back-to-the-basket game and pick-and-roll combinations. If the Mountainhawks are to challenge for the PL title, they will need Kempton to add variety to his game.

“Tim established himself very early,” Reed said during the recent Patriot League Media Day. “We could tell he had a feel for the game. We were really thin in that position. We knew we were going to have to rely on him.”

The 6-10 center averaged 13 points and seven rebounds a game in 2013-14. He combined with then-senior Mackey McKnight to score more than 26 a night. But the duo were the only two in Reed’s lineup to average double figures. Lehigh lost its last four and limped to a 14-18 mark including 7-11 in conference games.

“Tim was fortunate to play with a senior, experienced guard who was very productive on the floor where he got opportunities and got looks in pick and roll basketball and some of his post up opportunities,” Reed stated. “Last year, to be perfectly honest with you, we didn’t have players with maturity, experience and the talent and the game that could match some of the needs and requirements to offset some of the heavy load.”

Kempton compiled these numbers despite foul trouble limiting him – he fouled out after just 15 minutes in a win over Navy and logged just 21 minutes against Bucknell – to name a couple. This past summer the Scottsdale, AZ native worked on his nutrition and lowered his body fat percentage.

“His strength increased. His explosiveness and mobility has increased,” Reed added.  “Hopefully, that gives him a greater presence on the floor to stay out of foul trouble, to rebound the basketball better, to be a better defensive presence. To be able to score in less traditional ways that he was featured in this past year.”

As Lehigh’s leading returning scorer, Kempton can expect more pressure.

“With the increased focus and attention he’ll get from a defensive game-planning standpoint, he could be equally as good of a player, but you would see a dip in his performance and his numbers and his production,” Reed explained. “He and we are going to have to find a way that he can score in transition; that he can score off offensive rebounds; that he can score off player and ball movement where the defense doesn’t constantly and consistently load and double team and shrink the floor on every single catch where all the action stops as soon as he touches it. That’s unfair to do to him.”

Kempton will switch roles in one sense this season when he teams with freshman point guard Kahron Ross. He will go from the younger player learning from the upper classmen to a veteran.

“Karon is an exciting player,” Reed said. “He does seem to have a knack for winning. He’s got a moxie about him. He can penetrate. He’s got a feel for the game and passes really well. He’ll progress to be an excellent player. We already seeing the dividends.”

If Lehigh is to reach the NCAA Tournament, as they did in 2012, Reed knows it will take more than Kempton and Ross.

“One of the most important things for the development of both of these guys is the further growth and development of the other complimentary players where now we have more scoring potential. We have more freedom. We have more flexibility within our offensive attack.”

Lehigh opens the season against Villanova on Friday, November, 14^th.

Kempton is the son of the former NBA player and Notre Dame alum by the same name.