Are you ready for another exciting men’s basketball season? With possibly the youngest team the Golden Eagles have placed on the floor in coach Ron Righter’s tenure, Clarion is ready to rock and roll starting Friday November 21st and Saturday November 22nd at the Pitt-Johnstown Tournament.

Clarion opens the UPJ tournament against Alderson-Broaddus on Friday Nov. 21^st with the tip-off set for 5:30pm. Saturday night the Eagles will battle host Pitt-Johnstown at 7:30pm.

Clarion Head coach Ron Righter, who is beginning his 16^th season leading the Golden Eagles, is the winningest coach in Clarion history putting together a 15-year record of 251-151.

Last year the Golden Eagles posted a remarkable 19-10 overall record and placed third in the PSAC-West with a 7-5 mark, having graduated three, one-thousand point scorers from the 2002 squad. The Eagles upset Edinboro in the round one of the PSAC Playoffs by a 76-63 margin, before losing in the PSAC semi’s to Millersville 79-57. Clarion has been to the PSAC post-season seven straight years, the longest streak of any Western Division team.

The 2002 squad was 15-10 overall and 7-5 in the PSAC-West despite a host of key injuries.

Righter’s teams have put together an outstanding record of 134-60 over the last seven seasons, an average of 19.1 wins per season. That total includes 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 2003-2004 season? "I think this is going to be a fun season for a lot of reasons," said Eagle head coach Ron Righter. "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 typical Clarion team. 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 last year and the 1997 team’s style of play."

The Golden Eagles face a daunting task of replacing the offensive firepower of Rollie Smith, Dereck Rankin, Chris Kelley and Ben Meese who have graduated. Those four starters accounted for 43.2 points per game, 17.6 rebounds, 250 assists and 168 steals last year alone.

Don’t forget that the Eagles also graduated four starters the year before including David Shearer, Allen Stevens, Steve Serwatka and Dale Thomas who accounted for 3,749 career points, 1,672 career rebounds, 452 steals and 395 assists.

In other words, there are a lot of new faces and young veterans to lead the 2003-2004 squad.

Ready to lead the way for Clarion are captains Terrance Vaughns (So., Uniontown) and Justin Collins (So. Lansdale, North Penn).

Vaughns, a versatile shooting guard, had a tremendous freshman campaign by averaging 10.4ppg, 4.8 rebounds, 66 assists and 50 steals. He set a new school record by nailing 47.7% of his three pointers (61 of 128), breaking the old record of former great Kwame Morton (47.4%) (93 of 196) during the 1991 season. He also made 90% of his free throws (62 of 69).

Collins, who will likely play the #3 spot, played in all 9 games last year and averaged 3.3ppg, 1.2 rebounds, had 12 steals and nailed 76% from the foul line (16 of 21).

"They will be ideal captains," praised Righter. "They have a high energy level to push our team, but their feet are anchored firmly on the ground and have a maturity that belies their age.’

Four key lettermen also return this season including forwards Shamar Green (So. Brooklyn, N.Y., Xaverian) and Marko Joksimovic (So. Aliquippa), plus guards Vince Moley (So. York, West York) and Frank Torbert (So. Imperial, West Allegheny).

Green, a three-time PSAC-West "Rookie of the Week" last year, averaged 8.9ppg, 5.6 rebounds, 32 steals, 18 blocks, and 11 assists. His high game was 21 points against Winston Salem and 13 rebounds versus D&E.

Joksimovic, a forward/center, averaged 1.7ppg, but led the team in blocked shots with 24 and grabbed 1.8 rebounds while playing in 28 games. Perhaps his defense against Edinboro in the playoffs, and Cal & IUP during the season helped the Eagles secure big wins.

Moley, an athletic guard/forward, can play many positions and give the Eagles valuable minutes off the bench. Torbert, an athletic shooting guard, has good three-point range and is a solid defensive player who is expected to add some quality depth this season.

"We think we had a good recruiting class," said Righter. "Our incoming players will have to step up and fill the shoes of some good players who have graduated. I believe they have the talent and work ethic necessary to fill that void."

The new guards include Lee Church (Jr. Brooklyn, N.Y., Boys & Girls High) and Bobby Franklin (Fr., Pittsburgh, Plum) at the point, with shooting guard Craig Wellman (Fr. Masury, Ohio, Kennedy Catholic) ready to pul the trigger.

The forwards include Ryan Wells (Jr. Library, South Park), Robert Wordlaw (Jr. Detroit, Mi.), Sherron Thomas (Jr. Cleveland, Ohio, St. Joe’s) and Khary Moore (Fr. Brooklyn, N.Y., Bishop Ford).

Talent also abounds at center with the addition of Michael Clarke (So., Brooklyn, N.Y., Grady), Chris Buchanan (Fr. Altoona) and Eliljah Everett (Fr. Sharon Hill, Academy Park).

Church, a junior point guard, transferred into Clarion from Division I Stony Brook. A quick guard that can push the ball, Church played 50 games at Stony Brook, scored 72 points, dished out 61 assists and made 32 steals. A former Boys & Girls High grad in Brooklyn, he was first team All-Brooklyn as a senior.

Franklin, from nearby Plum High in Pittsburgh, is also a cat quick point guard that excels in the up-tempo style of the Eagles. A Post-Gazette Fab 5 pick last year, Franklin averaged 15ppg, 7 assists and 4 rebounds at Plum. He was named the Valley News "Player of the Year" and is the son of former Point Park College star guard Bobby Franklin.

Wellman, a shooting guard from Kennedy Catholic, played for former Cal coach Tim Loomis and helped the team to a PIAA Title. He averaged 15ppg, 8 rebs and 4 assists during the season and posted a game high 31 points during the season.

Wells, the son of former Clarion Hall of Famer Reggie Wells, is a junior but in his first year at Clarion having transferred from East Stroudsburg and Ohio State. A physical forward who can also play guard, Wells is a strong rebounder and a disciplined player who will see time. He had a high game at ESU of 6 points, 7 rebs vs Cheyney in 2002. He sat out last season. His brother Reggie played four years of football at Clarion and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 6^th round last year. He is currently a left tackle with Arizona.

Wordlaw, a sophomore forward who transferred two years ago from Elmira, is an athletic player who can run the floor and shoot the ball. He averaged 18ppg and 8 rebounds at Elmira.

Thomas, a junior forward who can also play center, transferred to Clarion from Youngstown. He played for former Clarion guard Dave Wojciechowski at Cleveland St. Joe’s and averaged 15ppg, 10 rebounds in 2000.

Moore, a freshman from Brooklyn, N.Y., played at both Bishop Ford and the Hill School. He averaged 20ppg and 8 rebounds at Ford and 14ppg, 7 rebs at Hill.

Clarke, a sophomore center from Brooklyn, N.Y., transferred to Clarion from Central Connecticut and played in two games last year. A strong, physical center who can finish inside, Clarke scored 12ppg and 10 rebounds for New Hampton Prep and 18ppg and 12 rebounds at Grady High in Brooklyn.

Buchanan, a freshman from Altoona high, can played center and forward. A solid all-around player, he helped the Mountain Lions to a 25-5 record and the D-6 title last year. He scored 32 points in a game.

Everett, a freshman from Sharon Hill, Pa. and Academy Park High, will likely red-shirt this season. He averaged 13.5ppg and 14 rebounds and will spend the season learning the college game.

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. "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. 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 Ivan Jackson as the graduate assistant coach ... Former G.A. Jeremy McCool, who is now a member of the Clarion Admissions Staff, is helping the team as a volunteer coach... McCool (Keystone 1990) played at NCAA Division I Vermont an graduated in 1995... Starting the year with four freshmen and seven sophomores is the youngest team since Righter’s 1990 team had 8 freshmen on the roster to start the year ... That 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 156-62, a 72% winning rate over his 15 seasons ... The last 7 years Clarion is 84-23 at home, a winning rate of 78.5% ... Clarion will have 13 home games this season ... The home schedule starts on Nov. 25^th against Mercyhurst at 7pm... PSAC-West starts on January 14^th when the Eagles host rival California... Dating back to 1971 Clarion has an overall men’s record of 555-325, 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.