February 21, 2013

BASKETBALL: Catching up with Coach E - 2/21/2013

The 7 players moving on from the State College of Florida this year have embodied everything that college athletics stands for. Not only have they displayed a tremendous amount of pride and determination on the basketball court leading this year’s team to a 22-7 record, they have also done a great job representing this institution off the court.

SOPHOMORE NIGHT

STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA MEN’S BASKETBALL

The 7 players moving on from the State College of Florida this year have embodied everything that college athletics stands for. Not only have they displayed a tremendous amount of pride and determination on the basketball court leading this year’s team to a 22-7 record, they have also done a great job representing this institution off the court. Some of the extra-curricular activities they have participated in that has helped change the culture here are:

Feeding the homeless

Volunteering at the Jingle Bell run for the Arthritis Association

Helping Special Olympics children

Reading to elementary classes

The cumulative GPA of these 7 players is 2.95 and each on is on pace to graduate which is a tremendous accomplishment.

In the preseason poll, SCF was predicted to finish 17^th out of 18 teams. At Christmas break, they were 14-3 and ranked #6 in the state while leading the country in scoring at 106 points per game, #1 in the country in assists per game with 25.6 and also were 2^nd in the country in field goal percentage at 54%. Currently, the Manatees are ranked #7 in the state and 2nd place in the Suncoast Conference. This is an amazing accomplishment in such a short time and these 7 athletes are the reason for meteoric rise.

Savad Garner #34, Simpsonville, SC He is a 6'1 sophomore who is currently averaging 17 points per game and 7 rebounds per game. He is 3^rd in the state in offensive rebounds per game, 4^th in the state in field goal percentage, 8^th in the state in scoring, and 7^th in the state in rebounds per game. He is the heart and soul of the Manatees. Garner also landed a spot on the Suncoast All-Conference First Team this season.
Anders Haas #1, Copenhagen, Denmark He is a 6'0 guard who who is averaging 17 points and 7 assists per game. He was the FCSAA/Region 8 Player of the Week for 12/10-12/17 and was also named SCF Athletics Student-Athlete of the Month for January 2013.
Devon Hodges #40, Joliet, Illinois He is a 6'8 sophomore who transferred from Bradley University this season. He posted career highs of 23 points and 8 rebounds against Impact Academy. Coach Erickson says "Devon has been a leader both on and off the court. His maturity has really helped all of our newcomers this season."
Stone Hollaway #32, Sarasota, FL He is a 5'10 sophomore from Sarasota where he was a star at Booker High School. He currently leads the state in assist to turnover ratio and had a game winning shot with two seconds left to beat rival St. Petersburg College. Coach E on Stone, "He has been an invaluable asset this year. As one of the three returners from last year's team, he worked hard every day and had the game of his career where he had 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in 33 minutes of action."
Dauntae Johnson #10, North Port, FL He is a 6'4 sophomore guard from nearby Northport High School who has been a huge spark during conference play. His breakout performance of 11 points and 4 rebounds against St. Pete was a catalyst for our success that night." Johnson has hit six 3-point shots in conference play this season.
Denzel Myers #3, North Charleston, SC He is a 6'0 guard who is the only returning starter from last years team where he led the Manatees in scoring. He is currently 23rd in the state in steals, 6^th in the state in assist to turnover ratio and is averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds per game. Denzel was also selected to the Suncoast All-Conference Second Team this season. He is a two-time All-Conference selection. "There is only one word I need to use to describe Denzel..... WARRIOR. His versatility has been an asset the entire year and he is willing to do whatever it is that is asked of him. Score, defend, rebound it doesn't matter....he does it and at a really high level," said Coach Erickson.
Isaiah Williams #23, Newark, NJ He is a 6'7 guard forward who is 6^th in the state in points per game at 17, 5^th in the state in rebounds per game, 5^th in the state in assists per game, 5^th in the state in blocks per game, 5^th in the state in steals per game, 4^th in the state in assist to turnover ratio, number 1 in the state in 3 pointers made per game, 3^rd in the state in free throw percentage and did not miss a class the entire first semester. He is also the 2013 Suncoast Conference Player of the Year.

Catch up with me next week!

Coach E