Men's Basketball
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2008
NJCAA Region XX Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament
Results
LISTEN
TO A SALUTE TO FORMER COACH DAVE MARTIN
The Garrett College
Lakers saluted their long time assistant coach Dave Martin
prior to their game with Howard Community College on Saturday,
December 1, 2007. Read
more...
LAKERS TO OPEN 2007/08 CAMPAIGN
As for the 2007-08 edition, Gibson is looking to test his team early. This year
will be no exception as the young but eager Lakers open the season in the Coldwell
Banker Classic hosted by Potomac State College, Keyser WV. Their first round
opponent will be JUCO Division II powerhouse, Lackawanna JC, from Scranton,
PA. “Lackawanna is one of the top programs in the East, comparable
to a Cecil. They won 24 games last year, are ranked 12th in D-2, and have a
great reputation. All of our guys are excited to show they can play at a high
level, especially our sophomores. The sophomores are out to prove last season
was an aberration.”
In the second game of the Classic, Garrett will face either
MD JUCO foe Harford CC or D-1 rival Potomac State. “Both
Potomac State and Harford are on the upswing. Harford has
a coaching staff in their second year and had a very strong
squad last year. Potomac State is much improved from what
I am hearing, but that gym is a tough place to play regardless.” The
remainder of the schedule could prove as tough. MD JUCO has
no less than eight teams either receiving national ranking
votes or in the top 25.
The Lakers also host two tourneys of their own, the McDonalds
Classic, featuring a game with strong teams in non conference
Mercyhurst NE, and Potomac State. They follow that up with
the Railey’s Hoopfest in December, with Potomac State
again acting as a co host and adding newcomer Delaware Tech
and Berean Institue from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Other non conference match ups feature return games with
Butler Community College, Pitt Titusville, and newly
formed Westmoreland. “We look to find some games that
are a little closer to home, that's how we wound up with the
western Pennsylvania opponents. But since you are only allowed
26 regular season games, and our league play comprises 17
of those, and then six tournament games, it makes it hard
to fit in all of the games you would like to play. So we
have to play a home and home schedule with a lot of teams.
All I know is I am very nervous about the season and how
well we will have to play” stated Gibson.
Freshmen will have to make an impact on this year’s
squad. The Lakers do return solid players in 6’9 Glen
Izevbigie, 6’3 Dale Taylor, 6’4 Joe Tressler
and 6’5 Gabe Leggett, who is returning from injury.
Two red shirt freshmen guards, Reco Siler and Vladimir Nikolov,
gained experience while practicing with the team last year.
Newcomers include point guards C J Glen and Shawn Greenfield.
Small forwards include some good size and quickness in the
likes of Myron McGowan, a former teammate of Dale Taylor
at Heritage (VA) High School, local standout J T Lewis from
Morgantown (WV) High, and Mark Smith, who played for former
Laker Vashawne Gross at Huntingtown (MD) High School. Power
forward and center will be bolstered by the addition of 6’4" 240
pound Terrance Taylor, who is back in Maryland after playing
two years of high school basketball at Cornerstone Christian
Academy in Texas.
“I do not mind starting the year with several guys
that no one has really heard of for the most part, but I
hope we do not finish that way. This group has worked exceptionally
hard in the classroom and on the practice court, but that
does not always equate to wins. They have to establish their
reputations...and earn their wins...on the court.”
“While we have a nucleus to compete in the Maryland
JUCO, I am not sure about the national level. Our goal is
to keep working hard and make an impact in the post season.
I do know that our freshmen will be the key. Our sophomores
are steady players that can defend and take care of the ball,
but they are not a great scoring group. We do have some freshmen
that can score, but it remains to be seen if they can defend
and handle the pressure of long trips and tough opponents
on the road.”
More athletic news...
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Garrett is a member
of the Maryland JUCO conference, comprised of 18 teams based
mostly in the metropolitan DC and Baltimore area. The league
has produced two D-2 national champions and a D-1 national
runner-up in recent years. The MD JUCO is heavily recruited
by NCAA D-1 and D-2 schools and has produced numerous NBA
and professional signees.
Garrett College is unique in offering a four day class schedule allowing
players to concentrate on books and basketball. There are 2 on-campus residence
halls, a competitive meal plan and free tutoring and study labs. The coaching
staff is dedicated to helping each player reach their maximum potential
and team goals through our STEP program.
The Laker team travels largely by charter bus and each year plays in outstanding
tournaments and games to ensure visibility for all players.
- Nationally recognized NJCAA Division l program
- Region XX Champions – 1994 and 2003
- Region XX Championship Runner-up – 2000,2004, 2005, 2006
- Defeated NJCAA nationally ranked #1 team on three separate occasions
- Produced seven consecutive NJCAA All Americans, 1999/00 -2005/06. 10
All Americans overall.
- Over 30 players named to All Region XX team
- Over 35 players named to All MD JUCO team
- Averaged 20 plus wins per year for coach Gibson’s 21 years as
head coach
- More than 60 players have signed scholarships and five professional
contracts.
- Former players are currently coaching, or have coached, at Kentucky,
Tulane, Indiana State, McDaniel College and Shepherd College.
For more information about the Men's
Basketball program, contact Dennis Gibson at 301-387-3051
or dennis.gibson@garrettcollege.edu. |
