November 15, 2006

LAURINBURG, N.C.—After posting their most successful Carolinas-Virginia Athletics Conference season in six seasons last year, second year head coach Billy Lee is looking for the St. Andrews Presbyterian College men’s basketball team to continue to improve in the 2006/07 season with a very deep roster.

The Knights recorded a 12-16 overall record and 9-11 ledger in the CVAC last season after Lee took over just before school started for the year. Lee’s first go-around at St. Andrews provided many memorable moments including a seven-game win streak at home in Harris Court and the programs first win over a nationally ranked opponent in recent history.

However, with the new season fast approaching (season opener on Wednesday, November 15 at home against Mars Hill College) the St. Andrews men’s basketball team will be looking for even more memorable season in 2006/07 with a seemingly bottomless roster that includes Lee’s first recruiting class at SAPC.

“I am very excited about this time of the year,” said Lee. “There is a lot of enthusiasm in the air this week. It is time to crank it up as we are ready to play some games.”

The Knights roster features only two seniors and a six-pack of newcomers while returning three underclassmen starters from last years campaign. St. Andrews brings back 58-percent of its impressive 72.7 points per game with nine letter winners.

Lee believes one of the strongest parts of this year’s team will be the Knights balance between outside and inside play. The roster includes multiple shooters and numerous competitors with quickness and athleticism.

The added depth will result in an assortment of players seeing time on the court. But, finding the correct combination of players to put on the floor may be the biggest battle throughout the season for Lee and assistant coaches Richie Schueler and Darrick Barga.

“Execution will play a major component in everything we do,” explained Lee. “We can play 11 or 12 players this year. It will be difficult to achieve balance while still playing lineups we are comfortable with. I look forward to see who steps up for us on the court.”

Several new marksmen will be looked upon to help increase the teams shooting percentages from last year. St. Andrews shot 30.6-percent from the arc and 69.2% from the free throw line last season but Lee expects those numbers to increase in his second year.

Rebounding will be a concern of the coaching staff all season because of the teams’ size (only two players listed over six-foot, five-inches). The height of the team has increased from last year but the size mainly comes in this years freshman class, which translates into needed time and experience for those players to become successful in the CVAC.

The Knights will be tested throughout the season with a well rounded schedule. SAPC will play a very good seven-game non-conference schedule that includes match-ups against NCAA Division I North Carolina A&T and Coastal Carolina University. The Knights home opener against Mars Hill will provide a tough test early as the Mountain Lions come off an exhibition win against a D-I opponent.

Once against St. Andrews will play a 20-game CVAC schedule that includes a home and away game against all 10 league foes. The CVAC, a growing power in NCAA Division II basketball, has had a member institution advance to the Elite Eight for each of the past seven years.

St. Andrews was picked No. 6 in the 2006 CVAC Preseason Coaches Poll after earning the No. 7 seed in the 2006 CVAC Tournament. While it was the teams’ highest finish in the conference in a long time, expectations are higher than sixth for this year’s squad.

“Our home schedule should be attractive to our fans but challenging for us as there are no cupcakes,” stated Lee. “The CVAC provides an exciting brand of basketball to both North and South Carolina and we are fortunate to be able to bring in great talent for our fans to see. I hope to broaden our fan base from a larger area while still getting support from Laurinburg and the St. Andrews community from the President on down.”

Knights’ fans will be able to enjoy a competitive season behind its 15-man roster.

Junior point guard Jeff Worley (Charlotte, N.C.) looks to be St. Andrews floor general. Worley, who averaged a team-high 3.75 assists per game last year, will be the leader for the Knights all season long. Lee hopes Worley will be a dynamic leader that will also be the sparkplug of the Knights defense.

“We need Jeff’s strengths everyday,” commented Lee. “He has to play with emotion without being emotional and he need to be quick but not in a hurry.”

Forward Taiwon Grooms (Landover, Md.) enters his junior season with the Knights as the leading scoring from last season’s club. Grooms, who averaged 13.9 points and 6.23 rebounds in 2005/06, is possibly St. Andrews most well rounded player. The expectations are high on Grooms this season because of his ability to play both inside and out and be a forceful rebounder while becoming a better shooter.

Sophomore Charles Phillips (Decatur, Ga.), who saw action in 27 games last year as a freshman, will be an important No. 2 guard for the Knights. Phillips, a defensive specialist, brings energy to the team as he plays so very hard on every possession. Phillips also has driving ability and is a solid rebounder from the guard spot.

Forward Dorian Andrews (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) is one of only two seniors on this year’s team and will be teaming up with sophomore forward Keith Josey (Suffolk, Va.) as the Knights top post players. Andrews and Josey may play about the same number of minutes for SAPC. Andrews is a terrific defender, rebounder, and team leader that will be looked upon as a defensive stopper in the middle. Josey has improved immeasurably in the off-season making him a valuable postman that should be an offensive contributor also.

Swing player Richard Stone (Williamsburg, Va.) is the only other returning senior for SAPC. Stone, who has shot the ball very well in preseason, has increased his strength and has improved his on-the-ball footwork. The coaching staff is hoping to see good minutes out of Stone because of his shooting ability.

The Knights offer a lot of depth at the guard position that includes sophomore DeRalle Piersall (Dumfries, Va.) and freshman Justin Brauda (Monroe, N.C.). Piersall, who may be one of the teams top athletes, improved his ball-handling skills, shooting, and whole offensive game while still providing strong defense making him a potentially well-rounded player. Brauda is a rookie that is already a winner in every way. Brauda is one of the top shooters on the entire squad and has a keen understanding for the game that includes a real talent for passing the ball.

Junior forward Marcus Hoke (Charlotte, N.C.) is the only new transfer on this year’s team, coming to SAPC from Wilkes Community College. Hoke has been injured for most of the preseason but if he gets to 100%, he brings a lot of ingredients to the table that could make a big difference in what the current Knights team becomes.

Freshman Stuart Short (Matthews, N.C.) is another swingman that brings an outstanding shooting touch from the perimeter while being a good jumper. Coupled with his six-foot, four-inch size and his hard work ethic Short will contend for valuable minutes as a freshman.

Junior guard Dwayne Jeffcoat (Fayetteville, N.C.), who started 27 games last season, brings back 7.71 points and 2.82 rebounds per game. Jeffcoat is also the teams returning leader in blocks and steals. Jeffcoat, who is athletic and quick, is described by Lee as a pogo jumper by getting to the ball while the opponent is still setting their feet. Jeffcoat will be a definite part of the Knights depth equation.

Junior Benny Zacharias ( Raeford, N.C.) is possible the Knights best defender being tough, very aggressive, and an exceptional rebounder. Zacharias has learned to play within his offensive abilities and comes to play hard every day. Zacharias is considered a defensive stopper for St. Andrews on the perimeter.

Freshman Donte Fields (New Bern, N.C.) brings the biggest size to this season’s squad with a six-foot, nine-inch frame. Fields is a quick and athletic big man that can run the court well. Fields is a raw talent that has missed time during the preseason but just needs experience to catch up. Fields will be a solid player for SAPC. It is just a matter of how quick he becomes that player.

Freshman forward Ron Deas (Clayton, N.C.) is as athletic as anyone on the team and is a strong rebounder and quick off his feet. Deas provides good size and strength and will challenge for time after he learns the St. Andrews system.

Junior forward Bradley Hippolyte (Brooklyn, N.Y.) rounds out this years team after returning to the Knights from 2004/05. Hippolyte is an inside/outside player that plays really hard and goes to the glass. Hippolyte will be looked up later in the season.

“It will be fun watching this team develop a personality and character that is hard to play against,” concluded Lee. “In quantity comes quality at every position and there will be battles that should make for some good practices.”