Clarion University’s men’s basketball team is ranked sixth in the latest NCAA Division II East Regional Ranking released Jan. 8.

The young Golden Eagles, who had to replace 71.2 percent of their scoring and 75.8 percent of their rebounding from a season ago and who are starting two freshmen while giving two other freshmen considerable playing time, are off to a 9-2 start. The start includes wins over traditional PSAC-East playoff contenders Bloomsburg and Mansfield as well as perennial NIAA power Point Park.

"Its an honor to be ranked so high with such a young team," Righter said. "But it is still early, and we have a lot of work ahead of us. At this time of year, the ranking is a nice confidence boost, but we can’t read too much into it. Right now our rookies have meshed well with our veterans, and everyone is giving 110 percent in both games and practices. The trick will be to continue to play well and build on that chemistry."

Senior guard Rollie Smith, the only returning starter leads the Golden Eagle attack scoring 19.8 ppg to go with 4.6 rpg., 4 apg and 1.6 spg. Freshmen Terrance Vaughns (11.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.7 apg, 51 percent – 26-51 – from three-point range) and Shamar Green (10.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg) are also playing pivotal roles. Also key in the Golden Eagles 9-2 start are seniors Dereck Rankin (10.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.7 spg) and Chris Kelley (9.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.3 spg), who sat out the past two seasons. Other players who are contributing to Clarion’s success are freshman guard Justin Collins (4.9 ppg), freshman forward Marco Joksimovic (2.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg) and junior center Ben Meese (1.7 ppg, 2.7 apg, 1.5 bpg).

NOTES: The NCAA will expanded the Division II basketball tournament field from 48 teams to 64 teams this season meaning the top eight teams in each of the eight Division II regions will qualify for the NCAA Tournament … Clarion qualified for the tournament in the 2000-01 season by winning the PSAC Tournament … Other PSAC schools in the top 10 include West Chester (4^th), California (7^th) and IUP (10^th) … Clarion is next in action this weekend when it travels to Cheyney (Saturday) and Kutztown (Sunday) … The Golden Eagles open PSAC-West play Jan. 15 at California before returning to Tippin Gym to host Pitt-Johnstown Jan. 18.

1. Belmont Abbey (8-1)

2. Mount Olive (6-2)

3. Pfeiffer (7-1)

4. West Chester (8-3)

5. Barton (4-1)

7. California (10-5)

8. Queens (NC) 8-1

9. District of Columbia (9-4)

10. IUP (9-3)