Brooklyn Heights, New York---The 2008-2009 St. Francis College Men’s Basketball team opens up the season on the road, as they travel to the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey to square off against the Seton Hall Pirates on Friday, November 14th at 8:00 pm in non-conference action.
Seniors Jamaal Womack (Bronx, New York/Our Saviour Lutheran High School) and John Gooden (Bronx, New York/Cardinal Hayes High School) will look to provide the senior leadership for the new look Terrier squad under head coach Brian Nash.
Returning players like junior Kayode Ayeni (Brooklyn, New York/Laurinburg HS), who was one of the NEC’s most improved players last season, is outstanding in the open floor and will also mix it up inside. Sophomore Ricky Cadell (New York, NY/The Patterson School) had a sensational rookie season for Terriers, starting 26 games and averaging 9.3 ppg and 2.6 assists per game. Fellow sophomore Rocco Rubino (Brooklyn, NY/Molloy High School) should challenge for some minutes as a designated three-point marksman off the bench and junior Rainier Rickards (Corona, New York/Florida Prep) will provide depth at the two and three spots.
St. Francis restocked in the off-season and focused on adding depth to their bench for the upcoming season. Freshman Tom Ward (Brighton East Sussex, England/Centros de Ensenanzas de Canarias Academy) who is a pure shooter that can play either backcourt position should be a match-up nightmare for his defenders considering his outstanding ball handling ability and quick shooting release. Another combo guard, Justin Newton (Brooklyn, NY/Poly Prep Country Day School), led local Poly Prep to a 25-1 record last season while posting 17.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 4.0 apg en-route to All-State honors.
Vying for playing time in the crowded frontcourt will be England native Richard Clarke (Berkshire, England/Centros de Ensenanzas de Canarias Academy), who competed for the 20-and under English National Team and contributed 13.0 ppg and 8.0 rpg as a senior. Serbian import Stefan Perunicic (Belgrade, Serbia/Dimitrije Tucovic High School) is considered a terrific prospect. At 6’6”, he’s regarded as a guard/forward combo with excellent shooting skills.
One of three new transfers on the roster this season, Nigel Byam (Brooklyn, NY/Carl Albert State CC) earned all conference honors after averaging 14.3 ppg and 8.6 rpg while competing at Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Oklahoma last season. Junior forward/center Nigel Lee (Glenndale, MD/Frederick CC) recorded 10.7 ppg. and 6.5 rpg. The final transfer is 6’7 forward/center Herman Wrice (Philadelphia, PA/Monroe CC) where he was tabbed second team all-region last season. Wrice, who is an outstanding shot blocker, netted 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season and was named to the Second Team All Region Squad.
If you can’t make it to the game, tune into WABC 770 AM.
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By: Brian D. Morales (Assistant Sports Information Intern)
VS.
Prudential Center
Newark, New Jersey
8:00 PM