4B
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SPORTS
Defense from page 1B playoffs, and the Panthers are hungry for more after finishing the campaign 19-9 (10-5 BVAL). Fifth-year head coach John Woolery believes senior small forward Michael Crawley will play big for the Panthers. Guard Josh Jayubo should be one of the team’s best shooters, something the senior showed last year against Freedom, scoring seven points in a 13-second stretch. Woolery also likes the talent of senior forward/guard Naumjii Madoshi, a 6-5 newcomer to the varsity squad. The coach feels that this team has a chance to do something no Antioch boys hoops team has done – bring home a league pennant. “It’s one of the better teams overall in the last six or seven years that we’ve had,” Woolery said. Freedom finished fourth in the BVAL last year with a 15-9 overall record (7-8 in league play). The Falcons feel they have depth, but the team is still trying to get things sorted out. Third-year head coach Drew Torres will count on all-league selections such as senior post player Darrell Greene and senior guard/forward Andrew Garner – both are three-year varsity players. The Falcons will be bolstered by a few additions from the JV team. Torres said junior guard Jelani Hardaway has raw talent, but he’ll need more varsity experience to capitalize on it. According to Torres, sophomore James O’Neal can play either guard position and has great
NOVEMBER 26, 2010
court vision. “I feel pretty good about our talent level,” the coach said. Pittsburg looks to rebound from a season in which the Pirates went 7-18 overall and 4-10 in BVAL play. Pittsburg will be a young team this year, with only two or three seniors. The Pirates will be led by senior guard/forward Christopher Manning, junior guard Randal Gory and junior forward Nuel Ohaeri. Pittsburg head coach Clinton Williams said new players such as 6-4 sophomore center Wayne Johnson, junior guard Eddie Williams and junior swingman Juwan Blakely could make an impact. The only way to go is up for the Liberty Lions, who lost their final 17 games en route to a 4-21 season. Liberty went 0-14 against BVAL teams. Head coach Jon Heinz likes his team’s chances to improve. The Lions will be young this year, fielding only three seniors. Sophomore shooting guard Brandon White led Liberty in scoring (9.4 ppg) in his freshman year and earned all-BVAL honorable mention. Sophomore power forward Darren Meeks, who Heinz said can play all five positions, posted 8.1 points per game last year. Newcomers such as Oregon transfer and junior center Kenneth Roman plus senior point guard Matt Cisneros could also make contributions. “It’s a group of kids that work really hard,” Heinz said. “As a coach, it’s probably one of my favorite teams.” To comment, visit www.thepress.net.