Are you ready for another exciting men’s basketball season? Tippin Gym is ready to rock and roll starting Friday November 22^nd and Saturday November 23^rd with the Subway/KFC Classic Tournament at Waldo S. Tippin Gym.

Featuring the leadership of veteran captains and a host of newcomers, the season will get underway for the Eagles on Friday as Clarion hosts Point Park at 8pm, while Winston Salem squares off against Georgia Southwestern at 4pm. The title game is set for 7pm Saturday, with the consolation contest at 3pm.

The Clarion Women’s Tournament will run at the same time with Clarion playing LaRoche at 6pm Friday and Stonehill playing N.J. Tech at 2pm. The losers will play at 1pm and the winners at 5pm on Saturday.

Clarion Head coach Dr. Ron Righter, who is beginning his 15^th season leading the Golden Eagles, is the winningest coach in Clarion history putting together a 14-year record of 232-141.

Last year the Golden Eagles posted a solid 15-11 overall record and a 7-5 mark in the PSAC-West. Key injuries kept the Eagles from posting an even better year, although the Eagles still enjoyed an 11-point victory over PSAC Champion and NCAA Final Four participant IUP (82-71), California (71-69), Edinboro (78-74) (all of whom tied for first in the PSAC-West), and PSAC-East Champion West Chester (70-54).

Righter’s teams have averaged 19.2 wins per season over the past six years including the school’s first PSAC title 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 came in an 80-77 overtime win against 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.

The 2002-2003 season? "We have an interesting mix," said the veteran Clarion mentor. "We return outstanding veterans like Rollie Smith, Chris Kelley and Dereck Rankin, but will also see a lot of young players work into the mix immediately. This is probably the youngest team I’ve ever coached and that’s our

challenge this year, trying to get them ready. But I’ve probably never had so much fun coaching a group of players. They are soaking up knowledge every day like a sponge and they always bring their lunch pales to practice."

What kind of style should Eagle fans expect? "We’ll be a small, quick, feisty team. We expect we’ll play an up-tempo, fast-paced game while working hard to spread the scoring around the lineup. I think we’ll be an exciting team to watch and we’ll try and use every ounce of floor space to our advantage. I’d say in style we’ll be similar to the 1997 team’s style of play."

The Golden Eagles face a daunting task of replacing the offensive firepower of David Shearer, Allen Stevens, Steve Serwatka and Dale Thomas who have graduated. In their careers they accounted for 3,749 points, 1,672 rebounds, 452 steals and 395 assists. From last year alone the Eagles will be replacing 51.2 points, 22.8 rebounds, 163 steals and 146 assists.

Ready to lead the way for the Eagles are guards Rollie Smith (Sr. Cleveland, Ohio) and Dereck Rankin (Sr. Brooklyn, N.Y.) and guard/forward Chris Kelley (Sr. Roselle, N.J.)

Smith, who will be a four-year starter this year, has had a stellar career with the Eagles. In three seasons Smith has 906 points, 351 assists, 258 rebounds and 100 steals. Rollie is 7^th on the all-time assist list at Clarion. He has a career 81.6% free throw percentage and has canned 164 of 418 three-pointers, for a solid 39.2% from beyond the arc. Last year Smith averaged 12.8ppg, led the team with 124 assists and shot 81.8% from the free throw line. In 2001, when the Eagles won their PSAC title, Smith was named the PSAC Tournament MVP for sending the game into overtime with a last-second three-pointer, then scoring 7 overtime points to lead the Eagles to victory. His leadership at point guard and shooting guard has been invaluable in the Eagles success and he will be a co-captain of the 2002-2003 squad.

Kelley, a very quick and explosive player, will likely play the small forward spot for the Eagles this season after sitting out the past two years. In 2000 he helped lead the Golden Eagles to the PSAC-West title averaging 11.4 points per game while collecting 181 rebounds. He led the team with 54 steals and dished out 85 assists. His 17 rebounds versus Shippensburg and game-winning shot at IUP that year showed he has the skills to lead the Eagles. Kelley will join Smith as the team’s co-captains.

Rankin, who saw plenty of playing time last year at point guard after transferring from Sullivan C.C., contributed 4.9 points per game, 36 rebounds, 30 assists, 22 steals, shot 47% from the floor and 68% from the free throw line. He will be directing the Eagle offense for coach Righter.

Also returning for the Eagles are guard Vincent Moley (R-Fr., York), forwards Stephen Nesmith (Sr. Pgh- Sewickley Academy) and Ben Meese (Jr. - Berlin) and center Terrell Scott (Jr. Phila. - Audenreid).

Moley, a red-shirt freshman, is a solid point guard and returns after sitting out last year with a knee injury. An aggressive player, Moley sees the floor well and is a good passer. At West York High he averaged 13.5ppg, 5.8 assists, 8.9 rebounds and 3.2 steals.

Nesmith, a 6'5" senior, gives the Eagles a veteran presence in the middle, will become eligible in December. A physical, blue-collar player, he contributed 1.6 points and 1.4 rebounds last year. In 2001 he averaged 3.1 ppg, grabbed 116 rebounds & blocked 25 shots, while taking countless charging calls.

Meese, a 6'7" junior, returns to the Eagles after being out two seasons. In 2000 he played in 9 games as a true freshman, grabbed 13 rebounds and scored 5 points. From Berlin Brothers High, Meese will likely battle for playing time at center. He averaged 22ppg and 11 rebounds in high school.

Scott, a 6'9" junior, is hoping to contribute at center. Last year Scott grabbed 13 rebounds in 11 games and blocked 4 shots. A solid rebounder and post player, Scott has been slowed with an injury in the pre-season.

Six freshmen hope to give Clarion an infusion of energy and talent this season that will be expected to step up and contribute immediately. Those newcomers include guards Terrance Vaughns (Fr. Uniontown), Justin Collins (Fr. Lansdale - North Penn) and Frank Torbert (Fr. Imperial - West Allegheny) and forwards Shamar Green (Fr. Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Marko Joksimovic (Fr. Aliquippa).

Vaughns, a 6-0, 170-pound, point and shooting guard, is expected to see plenty of time. A cat-quick player, Vaughns is a quality shooter, ball handler and passer from Uniontown High School where he helped his team to the WPIAL AAAA and Western Pennsylvania titles. He averaged 19.4 points per game, 6 assists and 4 rebounds per game and scored 1,721 career points. An NHS member, Vaughns was a first team All-State selection his senior year among other honors.

Collins, 6-1, 190-pound guard, will play the #2 and #3 spots on the floor. A strong, physical player who is also described as a good shooter, Collins has been a pleasant surprise in the pre-season. A well-conditioned athlete, Collins helped North Penn to an undefeated Suburban Conference season while averaging 15.5ppg, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. He was voted 1^st team All-Area and Intelligencer as a senior.

Torbert, a 6-2, 175-pound guard who also plays the #2 and #3 spots, comes to Clarion from West Allegheny high where he averaged 20.6ppg, 5.3rpg and 4.3 assists. Torbert is a solid shooter with good range and is explosive to the basket. Although needing collegiate experience, Righter believes Torbert has big up-side potential.

Green, a 6-5, 210-pound forward, comes to the Eagles from Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. He averaged 14ppg and 9 rebounds and earned the team MVP award his senior year helping his team to a 25-5 record. A gifted athlete who also handles the ball well at the forward spot, possesses good hands, catches well in traffic and can finish inside.

Joksimovic, a 6-5, 205-pound forward from Aliquippa, is a multi-talented freshman. He contributed 10ppg and 8 rebounds at Aliquippa last year and helped the Quips to a Section title with an 11-1 record. A native of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Marko has a strong European influence in his game according to Righter. He is a very good shooter for a center/forward, but also loves to battle inside. Learning the college game, he is a good athlete who Righter also believes has a big up-side for the Eagles down the road.

Will the Eagles settle on a starting line-up during the pre-season? Not likely! "We have a lot of competition for jobs right now and those battles will continue daily," said Righter. "Right now it looks like Smith, Rankin and Kelley will secure three starting spots, but the rest are really up in the air. With Scott and Meese banged up right now, Collins, Vaughns, Green and Joksimovic are all battling to start. Because we’re so young I expect we’ll see different line-ups during the year to present ourselves with matchups that best suit us. I’m very encouraged with what I’ve seen thus far, but we just can’t afford to have any injuries. Staying away from injuries and maturing our young team will be our keys to success in 2003. Our goal is to make the PSAC playoffs (top 4 finish) and then see what happens," added the veteran coach.

CLARION NOTES: Clarion has added former Keystone High (1990) star Jeremy McCool as a graduate assistant coach ... McCool played at NCAA Division I Vermont an graduated in 1995... McCool will be studying Rehabilitative Sciences ... Starting the year with six freshmen is the youngest team since Righter’s 1990 team had 8 freshmen on the roster to start the year ... It was Righter’s second year and the Eagles finished 13-13 overall ... Ted Boyer and Ed Hepinger captained that team ... Righter has an unbelievable home record of 145-57, a 72% winning rate over his 14 seasons ... The last 6 years Clarion is 73-18 at home, a winning rate of 80.2% ... Clarion will have 16 home games this season ... The PSAC-West starts on January 15^th when the Eagles travel to California... The first PSAC-West home game is Jan. 22^nd against Slippery Rock.... Dating back to 1971 Clarion has an overall men’s record of 536-315, a 63 % winning percentage ... The Golden Eagles have won the PSAC-West 11 times including 1971, 73, 77, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85, 97 and 2000... 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 two 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 ... 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.