North Central Missouri College’s seven sophomores will be the key to the men’s basketball season in 2006-07.
The Pirates return a lot of experience which they hope to translate into the program’s first regional title.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
“Having a large number of sophomores makes a difference,” Head Coach Steve Richman said. “They have been a part of the college game and understand what a college season entails. They also know what I expect and know my system.”
Sophomore forwards Caleb Moon, Esian Henderson and Thalen Shiver all shared quality minutes last year and are slated to start this season.
“This team really doesn’t have a superstar. We have several good players who will contribute,” Richman said. “We have 11 players who can play. That gives us a lot of options. We can match up with small, quick teams and, if we need to, we can go bigger so we can bang with bigger post players.”
Joining the three sophomores is transfer guard Bryce Fontazia, a sophomore, and freshman Robert Neeley. But Coach Richman points out this is just a starting point. Look for the Pirates to use several different combinations.
Fontazia gives the Pirates a solid point guard that, because he is 6-4, can take smaller guards inside and post them up. Sophomore Jeremy Esry also gives the Pirates another option at point guard.
“I feel so comfortable with both of our point guards,” Richman said. “Fontazia is a little bit bigger and Esry is a little quicker. That is really the only difference. They are both capable of starting and running this team.”
Moon, a 6-1 shooter, gives NCMC a threat behind the three-point line. When needed, the Pirates can also look to 5-10 shooter Alex Coffey to provide a spark off the bench.
North Central has several options inside, including Shiver and Henderson, who both spent some time last season as starters.
“Both those guys gave us good minutes last season and should be even stronger this season,” Richman said.
Sophomore Moses Harper is also a returner and could be the key element of this team.
“The thing about Moses is he is so athletic,” Richman said. “I mean this guy can jump out of the gym. We just have to get him on the same page. When and if he does, he will be a force.”
Neeley, a 6-5 forward, has pushed his way into the starting lineup with his strong preseason play. Sophomore forward Jordan Hunter has also had some good minutes during the preseason.
The Pirates have five freshman forwards who are working their way into the system. Clarence James, a 6-2 forward; Stephon Sese, a 6-2 forward; and Brandon Thomas, 6-0 forward, are all expected to contribute this season.
Freshmen Juston Calvert, 6-4, and Kendall Calfee, 6-7, are a pair of new forwards who, like Neeley, could make their way into the starting lineup.
“Against bigger teams we may use a combination of Fontazia, Shiver, Harper, Calfee and Henderson,” Richman said. “Against smaller quicker teams we can use a lineup like, Esry, Coffey, Fontazia, Neeley and then either Shiver or Henderson. Those are just a couple of the options and that is what makes this team dangerous.”
Chemistry and Reaching Goals
Look for the 2006-07 Pirates to get along on the court as well as any men’s team in recent history. Richman points out that this year’s squad has had great chemistry in the early going.
“These guy like playing together,” Richman said. “Along with the overall balance of this team, I think team Chemistry is also a big plus.”
Of course, this team has goals, according to Richman, but they have more to do with player development and improving the team’s overall offensive and defensive play.
“One thing I have learned as coach here is too many things can happen to predict,” Richman said. “We want to improve as players and as a team. We want to be executing our offensive and defensive sets as well as possible by the end of the season. If we do those things, the wins will take care of themselves.”
Regional Tournament
The Pirates look to be competitive in this year’s Region 16 Tournament. The Pirates hope the flexibility with their lineup will help them match up with their regional opponents.
Look for the Pirates to push the ball up the floor, then try to execute in their halfcourt set. Defense is the biggest area of concern for the Pirates early on and Richman notes that it has to improve if the Pirates want to win a regional title.
“Don’t get me wrong; when I look back at some of the teams we had when I first got here, our defense is much improved,” Richman said. “But it is not where I would like it to be. It is one of drawbacks to playing at this level. Players are usually either strong offensively or strong defensively. Those players who are good both offensively and defensively play at a different level. I don’t think it would surprise anyone to know that I like to recruit offensive players and then try to teach them to play defense. I just think you get better athletes that way.”
The Pirates open play on Wednesday, Nov. 1, hosting the William Penn College JV team. The women kick off the night’s activities at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m.