Press-Republican

November 1, 2009

Cougar men have athletes, depth

By JOHN CORYER

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PLATTSBURGH — Last season, the Clinton Community College men's basketball team had a difficult time on the boards.

"We just didn't have a rebounding presence and we had to work hard for every rebound," said head coach Kevin Daugherty of the Cougars, who finished 12-15 overall. "We were outmanned in the post because of our lack of size.

"We needed to get bigger and deeper."

Daugherty, who enters his fifth season as head coach at Clinton C.C., is expecting that to change in 2009-10.

"This is the best team we've had for depth and athletic ability since I've been here," he said.

"We will be able to rebound. We have the ability to get up and down the court, although we still have to do what we need with our half-court offense. We turn the ball over too much, but that happens with a young team and we will get better in that area."

Only two players are back from last year's team and the Cougars, who open their season tonight at home at 7 p.m. against Word of Life, will rely on plenty of talent from New York City.

"There's a battle every night for spots on the team and the work ethic has been good so far," Daugherty said. "I'm definitely optimistic and we're going to be an exciting team to watch."

Anthony Hodge, a 5-7 guard, and Justin Vice, a 6-2 forward, are the lone players back and captains on this year's team.

"Hodge is coming off a great year when he was second to (Stephen) Thomas in scoring at 14 points per game," Daugherty said. "He is a fearless player, despite not being tall.

"Vice is an outstanding perimeter shooter, who has a lot of energy and athletic ability."

Hodge will start at point guard and Vice on the wing. Stephane Alexander, a 6-2 forward, and Julio Garcia, a 6-4 forward, will start up front.

"Alexander is an outstanding talent, who is very athletic and can jump out of the gym," Daugherty said. "Alexander is going to be tough to stop in the lane.

"Garcia goes hard to the boards, especially on the offensive end, and he could be one of the best rebounders in the region."

Daugherty said the other guard spot is still up in the air right now.

Sharief Saunders is a very quick and aggressive 5-11 guard who played at a Double A school last season, while 5-10 Ahzeme McCray is also a point guard.

Jean Laurent is very quick and active at 5-10, while 5-10 Shareem Hardy was a point guard in high school, but will play wing for the Cougars. Hardy is very athletic and a great defender.

Other players up front include Christopher Culler, Erik Hall, Terrick Waiters, Nick Lectrick and Derek Leslie.

Culler was McCray's teammate in high school and the 6-1 forward led his team in scoring with 21 points per game. Hall, at 6-2, can play either inside or outside, while Waiters, who is 6-2, is a strong, low-post banger.

The 6-1 Lectrick, who led Mechanicville in scoring, isn't tall, but is an effective post player, while Leslie, at 6-4, will also give the Cougars some size up front.

"We wanted to get bigger and deeper — and we were able to do that," Daugherty said.

The Cougars, following tonight's contest, rival hosts North Country Community College on Thursday night at 7 p.m. in an early-season showdown.

Clinton Community College

2009-10 men's basketball roster

1, Sharief Saunders, 5-11 guard, Bronx

2, Ahzeme McCray, 5-10 guard, Brooklyn

3, Jean Laurent, 5-10 guard, Copaigue

4, Christopher Culler, 6-1 forward, Brooklyn

5, Stephane Alexander, 6-2 forward, Flushing

11, Anthony Hodge, 5-7 guard, Brooklyn

12, Shareem Hardy, 5-10 guard Queens

15, Justin Vice, 6-2 forward, Massena

20, Erik Hall, 6-2 forward Brooklyn

23, Terrick Waiters, 6-2 forward, Bronx

24, Julio Garcia, 6-4 forward, Bronx

30, Nick Lectrick, 6-1 forward, Mechanicville

32, Derek Leslie, 6-4 forward, Queens

2009-10 schedule

Monday, Nov. 2- WORD OF LIFE, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 5- NORTH COUNTRY C.C., 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 10- at Jefferson C.C., 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14- SCHENECTADY C.C., 3 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 16- at Adirondack C.C., 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21- at Cayuga C.C., 2 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 23- HUDSON VALLEY C.C., 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 1- PAUL SMITH'S COLLEGE, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 2- FULTON-MONTGOMERY C.C., 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5- at Onondaga C.C., 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 8- ADIRONDACK C.C., 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 5- JEFFERSON C.C., 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 9- at Herkimer C.C., 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 12- at Williams College jvs, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 14- SUNY DELHI, 6 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17- at Columbia-Greene C.C., 2 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 21- WORD OF LIFE, 5 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 24- FINGER LAKES C.C., 2 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 28- at Schenectady C.C., 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 30- MOHAWK VALLEY C.C., 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 3- at Hudson Valley C.C., 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 6- at Fulton-Montgomery C.C., 3 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 7- at SUNY Delhi, 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 10- at North Country C.C., 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13- at Mohawk Valley C.C., 4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 14- at Tompkins-Cortland C.C., 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 20- HERKIMER C.C., 2 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 21- COLUMBIA-GREENE C.C., 2 p.m.