Excitement surrounds the Clarion Men's Basketball program as the Golden Eagles prepare to open the 2010 season with an exhibition game at Kentucky on Friday, Nov.6th. Tipoff at Rupp Arena is set for 7pm.
Clarion head basketball coach Ron Righter begins his 22nd season directing the Golden Eagle Men's Basketball tradition. The regular season will starts on November 17th when Clarion hosts Penn State - New Kensington at 7pm.
Coach Righter has been the master architect of a fabulous 21-year record at Clarion of 341-226 (60%), which includes PSAC-West titles in 1997, 2000 and 2005, plus a PSAC crown in 2001. With eleven trips to the PSAC Playoffs in the last thirteen years its easy to see why Righter is so highly respected among his peers and loved by his hometown fans.
What will the 2010 season have in store?
"I'm really excited about this team," reflected Righter. "We're going to have a very athletic, up-tempo team that can get after opponents defensively. We expect to change our defenses on the move, be very good in transition, and have a balanced offense and defense. We have brought in some impact players to join our returnees that should provide a lot of excitement for our fans in Tippin Gym. We will be fun to watch. This is how I like to coach."
CLARION 11-16 OVERALL/2-12 IN WEST IN 2008-09
2009 was just one of those years that doesn't happen very often at Clarion or under the Righter tenure. Clarion was 11-16 overall and 2-12 in the PSAC-West. The Golden Eagles started the year strong with an 8-2 record, including big wins over Kutztown (87-85), East Stroudsburg (75-74), Pitt-Johnstown (70-63) and Wheeling Jesuit in overtime (94-92).
Things just didn't go well in the second half of the year with injuries, bad luck, several close losses and a very strong PSAC-West schedule in store. Gone from that team are three starters and 9 letterwinners. Those players accounted for 49.8ppg, 24.2 rebounds, 181 assists and 104 steals. All-Conference selection Josh Yanke is among those who have graduated. Yanke led the team last year with 15.4ppg and 7.3 rebounds.
RIGHTER BEGINS 22ND YEAR WITH 341-226 OVERALL RECORD
Righter, the 2005 PSAC-West "Coach of the Year", led the Golden Eagles five years ago to a 19-9 overall record and first place in the PSAC-West with an 8-4 record. The Golden Eagles went an unbelievable 13-0 at home in the regular season. Righter has a Clarion record of 341-226 in 21 seasons and a 22-year overall collegiate record of 365-250.
CLARION AVERAGES OVER 17.2 WINS UNDER RIGHTER
Righter's teams have put together an outstanding record of 224-135 over the last 13 seasons, an average of 17.2 wins per season, including a quality 89-69 record in the PSAC-West. Righter has led Clarion to three PSAC-West titles (2005, 2000, 1997) and its first PSAC crown in 2001.
In 2001 Clarion was 19-10 overall, 7-5 in the PSAC-West, won the PSAC title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1981. Clarion's PSAC title win came in an 80-77 overtime victory over West Chester (at Edinboro).
Clarion also won the PSAC-West title in 2000 with a 10-2 league mark and a 20-7 overall record. In 1999 the Eagles were 19-8 overall and 7-5 in the PSAC-West, while notching a 20-7 slate in 1998 with an 8-4 West record. In 1997 Clarion won the PSAC-West with a 9-3 mark and were 22-7 overall as the PSAC runner-up, narrowly missing the NCAA Playoffs. The 2003 Eagles were 19-10 overall (7-5 in the PSAC-West), 15-10 in 2002 (7-5 in PSAC-West) and 18-10 (6-6 in PSAC-West) in 2004 and 16-12 overall (7-5 in PSAC-West) in 2007.
2009-2010 GOLDEN EAGLE SEASON OUTLOOK
The 2009-2010 season? "I am really enjoying coaching this team right now," said Righter. "I'd say our biggest assets this year will be our athletic ability and our quality depth. I can see using up to eleven deep at times and come at our opponents in waves. We want to control the tempo of the game, play quality pressure defense, improve our shot selection and our transition game, and wear teams down. If our players accept their roles we can feature an athletic team that is very aggressive on both ends of the floor, runs the floor well, shoots a high percentage and plays totally unselfish basketball. We'll need a contribution from everyone if we want to make the playoffs at the end of the year."
SHERRY, CARTY, PARKER & McQUEEN RETURN
The Golden Eagles return two starters in shooting guard Mike Sherry (Jr. Pgh. Chartiers Valley) and guard/forward Shameel Carty (Jr. Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross H.S.), along with guard Greg Parker (Sr. Chester - Cardinal O'Hara) and forward/center Paul McQueen (So. Garfield Hts., Oh.).
Sherry, a 6-1, 185-pound, junior is Clarion's top returning scorer. The veteran shooting guard averaged 10.6ppg, 3 rebounds, dished out 64 assists and made 34 steals. He canned a team-high 56 three-point field goals and led the PSAC in free throw shooting at 89.5% (51 of 57).
He led the team as a freshman getting 12.3ppg and making 72 of 169 three pointers (43%) in 2008. He made 8 three's against Ship and 7 against Fairmont and Indiana.
In two seasons Mike has scored 619 points, handed out 116 assists, grabbed 153 rebounds and 62 steals, while making 41% of his three point attempts (128 of 310) and 87% of his free throws (93 of 107).
From Chartiers Valley High, Sherry was voted AAA "Player of the Year" in Pittsburgh and a second team All-State selection in PA. In 2007.
Carty, a 6-3, 185-pound, junior that can play the 3 and 4 spots, was third on the team in scoring with 9.2ppg plus contributed 4.6 rebounds, 31 assists, 26 steals and converted 77% of his free throws. He had highs of 24 points versus IUP and 11 rebounds at California last year.
In two years he was 302 points, 145 rebounds, 43 assists and shot 77% from the charity stripe.
Parker, a versatile 6-3, 195-pound guard, can play the shooting guard and #3 spot. Last year Greg played in 26 games and scored 65 points with 41 rebounds, 22 assists and 9 steals. His high game was 8 points versus Bloom and Lake Erie and 6 rebounds against Lake Erie. He transferred to Clarion a year ago from Cal-Pa., where he spent his first two seasons.
McQueen, a 6-5, 225-pound, sophomore, will likely play the center spot but can also play the power forward. A skilled center and a quality rebounder, he averaged 4.3 ppg, 3.4 rebounds, and added 15 assists and 10 steals as a true freshman. His high games include 14 points versus East Stroudsburg and 11 rebounds against Redlands.
From Garfield Heights High, he averaged 16.2ppg and 10.4 rebounds his senior year and was a 1st team all-conference choice. From 2007-2005 he played at Lutheran East HS and was an All-State selection as a junior averaging 20ppg and 11 rebounds.
TRANSFERS BRING SPEED, DEFENSE & SCORING PUNCH FOR 2010
The Golden Eagles are looking to three transfers to provide some immediate punch in the lineup including point guard Lloyd Harrison (6-1, 195, Jr., Detroit, Mi.), guard/forward Jamar Harrison (6-3, 180, Jr., Washington, D.C.) and Julius Berry (6-7, 215, Jr., Center, Wilmington, N.C.).
Lloyd Harrison, a talented point guard, comes to Clarion from Colorado N.W. Community College, where he averaged 26.3ppg, 7 assists and 6 rebounds as a sophomore. He also added 15ppg, 6 assists and 4 rebounds as a freshman.
From Southwestern High in Detroit, Michigan, the Third Team All-State selection his senior year averaged 24.5ppg, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
"Lloyd is a complete point guard," said coach Righter. "He will be our floor general and people will enjoy the style he plays. He can play a physical game, shoot the ball and lead our up-tempo style."
Jamar Harrison is a guard/forward that play all three guard positions if needed. He comes to Clarion from Bakersfield Community College where he averaged 17ppg, 6 rebounds and shot 63% from the floor. He was a first team All-Conference selection. As a freshman he also averaged 15ppg and 5 rebounds.
Harrison hails from Dunbar high in Washington, D.C. where he averaged 20.5ppg, 5 rebounds and 3 assists as a senior. He was 4th team All-Metro and 1st team All-Conference.
"Jamar is a very athletic guard who can score and play quality defense," said coach Righter. "He is a full court player that communicates very well on the floor. He will make an immediate impact at Clarion."
Berry, a center, comes to Clarion from Henderson State College. He played in 17 games last year and scored 47 points, hauled in 37 rebounds and made 5 assists and 7 steals.
Berry originally went to Henderson state from Waterloo East High School in Iowa, where he averaged 12.5ppg, 6.5 rebounds and 4 blocks his senior year.
"Julius is battling to start at center," said Righter. "He sets excellent screens, will get us some big rebounds and also runs the floor well. He will see plenty of time this season."
FRESHMEN HOPING TO GET FLOOR TIME
Incoming freshmen expecting to get some floor time this season include Jordan Lessane (5-9, 160, guard, Mount Vernon, N.Y.), Brandyn Mungo (6-6, 185, G/F, Westland, Michigan) and Patrick Parker (6-2, 170, G, Jamaica, N.Y.).
Lessane is a left-handed point guard that has impressed coach Righter in the early going. "Jordan is very quick and has good court vision," stated Righter. "Right now he is our backup point guard and he definitely can add a speed dimension to our team."
Lessane averaged 14ppg last year at Mount Vernon High School.
Mungo, a tall, rangy guard/forward, will give the Eagles some flexibility during the game. "Brandyn is a good shooter with three point range," said the Eagle coach. "He is very good in up-tempo situations and is a skilled player. Consistency will be a key with him."
Mungo averaged 14ppg and 6 rebounds his senior year and was HM All-Detroit.
Parker, a young, athletic guard, could red-shirt this season. Righter feels he may need some time to adjust to the college game. He averaged 19ppg and 5 rebounds at Hillcrest high School.
RED-SHIRT PLAYERS READY TO STEP UP
Also looking to add quality depth to the Golden Eagles in 2010 will be red-shirt players including David Colbert (Fr. 6-5, 205, G/F, Youngstown, Ohio), Denzil Dennison (Fr., 6-2, 190, F, Ruther Glen, Va.), and Mike Nealis (So., 6-8, 230, C, Drexel Hill).
Colbert, a guard/forward who sat out last year, hopes to get some time this season at the #3 and #4 spots. Colbert came to Clarion from Youngstown Christian High where he collected 13ppg an 6.5 rebounds as a senior and 15ppg and 7 rebounds as a junior.
Dennison, a versatile athlete who can play the #3, #4 and #5 spots if needed, is expected to bring a spark to the Eagles of the bench. "Denzil has been a pleasant surprise this Fall," said Righter. "He brings high energy to the floor and is tough mentally and physically. He will see some time this year."
Dennison averaged 22ppg and 9 rebounds his senior season at Caroline High School. He scored 1,062 career points.
Nealis, who sat out last season at Clarion after transferring from the University of the Sciences, is battling for time at the center spot. "Mike's improved inside and is a very good screener," said Righter. "He is a smart player and position rebounder that will be a role player this year."
He averaged 1.3ppg and 1 rebound at University of the Sciences two years ago. From Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia, he averaged 13ppg and 10.5 rebounds as a senior and has a soft shooting touch.
CLARION NOTES: Righter has an unbelievable home record at Tippin Gym of 212-88, a 71% winning rate over his 21 seasons ... The last 12 years Clarion is 140-49 at home, a winning rate of 74% ...Dating back to 1971 (37 years), Clarion has an overall men's record of 644-403, a 62 % winning percentage ... The Golden Eagles have won the PSAC-West 12 times including 1971, 73, 77, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85, 97, 2000 and 2005 ... 1971 and 73 under Ron Galbreath, 77, 79, 80 and 81 under Joe DeGregorio, 83, 84 and 85 under Dr. Richard Taylor and the last three under coach Righter... Prior to 1981 Clarion went to the NAIA Nationals in 1976-77 when the team went 27-3 and in 1979-80 when the Eagles were 23-6... In the 1977 NAIA Tournament Clarion defeated Augsburg (88-84), then lost to Grand Valley (79-65)... In the 1980 tournament Clarion defeated Grand Canyon (83-75), Loras, Iowa (79-71), then lost to Huron S.D. 61-52... The PSAC went completely to the NCAA the following season and Clarion went to the NCAA Playoffs in 1981 ... The Eagles defeated Monmouth 80-78 in the semi final game, then lost 84-61 to Cal Poly SLO in the Regional Finals at Monmouth, New Jersey... All three tournament appearances were under coach DeGregorio ... DeGregorio won 159 games in 8 years and held the record for coaching wins prior to Righter ... Clarion's 1952 team won the NAIB District title and went to the NAIB Nationals under Ben Kribbs and lost their first tournament game to Utah State 85-68.
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