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2008-09 Preview:
SU looks to improve with
commitment and hard work
Having
the ASC coaches and
media writers predict
this year’s SU
Mountaineers to finish
last in the ASC West is
not new news in
Kerrville. The exact
same thing happened last
year when Coach Miller
inherited a team who had
no returning starters
from a 6-15 ASC team
from 2006-07. The
2007-08 Mountaineers
were able to compete
every night and steal a
couple big wins to
overachieve with a 7th
place finish (5-16 ASC
Record). This year’s
Mountaineers have three
starters returning from
last year’s team who are
all sophomores (ASC West
All-Freshmen Team Member
Riley Battle, David
Flannery, and Mitch
Lawrence), and another
tremendous recruiting
class which includes
four transfers and a
slew of talented
freshmen.
“Last year was a real
challenge trying to mesh
the previous players
with last year’s
incoming freshmen class.
After the Christmas
break, we were starting
3-4 freshmen and often
times would have all
five on the floor being
freshmen. It’s tough to
win in the ASC with
freshmen!“ said Coach
Miller. The valuable
experience last year’s
freshmen gained will
undoubtedly prepare the
Mountaineers better for
this 2008-09 Season. “I
believe the biggest
growth you go through as
an athlete is between
your freshmen and
sophomore seasons. You
have one season of
college ball behind you,
and are able to use that
knowledge and put it to
work in the off-season
to become a much better
player. All of our six
returners fall into this
category and I’m really
excited to see their
improvement and
development.”
Leading the SU returners
is Riley Battle
(Waxahachie HS), a
2007-08 ASC All-Freshmen
Team player. Riley is a
tremendous athlete who
averaged 10.0pts, shot
30% from 3pt range and
is SU’s best on-the-ball
defender. David Flannery
(Judson HS) will return
to the court and give
the Mountaineers a
tremendous boost in the
post. David played just
6 games in 2007-08, and
was their best post
player averaging 5.8pts
and 4.2 rebounds while
shooting 48%fg and
85%ft. Mitch Lawrence is
the final starter from
last year returning as a
sophomore. Mitch was the
“Most Improved Player”
on last year’s team, who
improved from JV to
starting the last four
games at the 4 position.
Mitch (New Braunfels HS)
is a nice athlete at
6’6”, has a solid
post-up game, and can
hit the 3. The other
returners who will play
significant roles are
Trent Noack (Keller
Central HS), Chris
Jones-Conyers (Bastrop
HS) and Jess Hagan
(Hondo HS). Trent is a
versatile 4man who can
post and shoot the
three, Chris (CJ) is
excellent in the open
court and has the
ability to put points up
in bunches, and Jess is
SU’s best, deepest
shooting threat.
The best addition to
this year’s SU Men’s
Basketball program is
Ralph Turner, a junior
transfer from CSU-Los
Angeles (NCAA Division
II). Ralph averaged 5.1
pts/game both his
freshman and sophomores
seasons at CSU-LA,
before his family moved
to Boerne, TX last year.
Ralph is a very
intelligent and athletic
all-around player who
can handle the point
guard as well as
shooting guard. Other
impact transfers include
Chris Buckley (Palo Alto
College), Charles Hobbs
(Brookhaven College),
and Patrick Fridley
(Sterling College).
Chris is a very strong
true point guard who can
really push the ball and
defend. Charles is
a tremendous athlete who
can defend, rebound and
can score in bunches,
and Patrick is a streaky
shooter and solid
defender.
Leading the freshmen
class are posts Michael
Uwaga (Plano East HS),
Jordan Cromeans (Seven
Lakes HS) and Trevor
Conner (Red Oak HS). All
three will add
tremendous depth to the
4/5 positions and give
the Mountaineers a lot
of flexibility. All
three can shoot the 3.
Michael is a tremendous
defender and shot
blocker, Jordan is a
solid rebounder and post
player, and Trevor is a
great athlete who can
run the floor. The wing
position is led by
Antonio Butler
(Lewisville HS) who is
extremely long and
athletic at 6’3”, along
with Cameron Gray
(Fredericksburg Heritage
HS) and Kevin Carrell
(Keystone Academy).
Colton Kemp (Angleton
HS) and DiJohn Wright (Harker
Heights HS) are freshmen
who will compete for
minutes at the point
guard position.
Coach Miller is very
optimistic and excited
about this season. “We
are very young but we
have a very talented and
deep team. We will
probably be able to play
10-12 guys and not have
any drop-off in ability
which is very exciting.
I really like our sense
of commitment and work
ethic so far. It is
going to be fun to watch
our team grow and mature
together this season.”
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