UC’s White confident as season looms
By Mitch Vingle
Charleston Gazette Sports Editor
University of Charleston men’s basketball coach Greg White landed former Huntington High standout Jamaal Williams.
He now has the services of James Eversley, last year a member of the Virginia Commonwealth team that made the NCAA tournament. Dexter Morris, a second-team National Christian College Athletic Association All-America selection, is now on board.
But the best news for UC fans is this: None of the above may start.
“We think we have an awesome team,” White told a gathering of 300 at the school’s Tipoff Luncheon Wednesday at the Civic Center.
Assistant coach Lester Raines watched as the Golden Eagle players mingled with the guests.
“I’ll tell you this,” Raines said. “It’s been an absolute war in practice for positions.”
“We have a roster of 15 — with eight newcomers,” White said. “We’ve upgraded our team. We’re pretty athletic.”
White spoke of Williams. (“[Tuesday] he just lit up our practice,” said the coach.) And Morris and Eversley. Both he and Raines spoke of Anthony “Pulu” Anderson, a transfer from Vermilion Community College.
“These guys bring firepower,” White said. “Last year we struggled at key times in the clutch. We had no shot makers. ... I think now we have the components to put it together.”
UC was picked to finish third in the West Virginia Conference poll by the coaches behind West Virginia State and Alderson-Broaddus.
“We have 16 teams [in the WVC] this year,” White said. “It’s like the Big East — too big. We don’t play everyone and there’s no true champion.” The coach pointed to the long trips to Pitt-Johnstown and Seton Hill that replace WVU Tech.
“It will be a little uncomfortable for us because we’ve never been there,” said White. “But, hey, it’s here and we’ll do our best.”
A trio of seniors should lead UC: guard Marquis Brooks (17.7 points per game last season), forward Robert Strickland (11.6 points, 7.6 rebounds) and guard Austin Weatherington (15.3 points). White may play “small” ball. In addition to the three seniors, he may start 6-3 sophomore Warren Wallace and 6-foot Anderson.
“The talent here is up there with a lot of Division I schools,” said Morris, who came to UC from Wesley College. “We don’t have a 7-footer but I haven’t seen better guard play.”
UC opens the regular season at 8 p.m. Friday against Catawba in the Salisbury Roundball Classic in North Carolina. The Golden Eagles play Lenoir-Rhyne at 2 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s a challenging weekend, but that’s the way we designed it,” White said. “We think we have an awesome team. We think we have the best team [in the WVC] with the best talent.”
Charleston Gazette Sports Editor
University of Charleston men’s basketball coach Greg White landed former Huntington High standout Jamaal Williams.
He now has the services of James Eversley, last year a member of the Virginia Commonwealth team that made the NCAA tournament. Dexter Morris, a second-team National Christian College Athletic Association All-America selection, is now on board.
But the best news for UC fans is this: None of the above may start.
“We think we have an awesome team,” White told a gathering of 300 at the school’s Tipoff Luncheon Wednesday at the Civic Center.
Assistant coach Lester Raines watched as the Golden Eagle players mingled with the guests.
“I’ll tell you this,” Raines said. “It’s been an absolute war in practice for positions.”
“We have a roster of 15 — with eight newcomers,” White said. “We’ve upgraded our team. We’re pretty athletic.”
White spoke of Williams. (“[Tuesday] he just lit up our practice,” said the coach.) And Morris and Eversley. Both he and Raines spoke of Anthony “Pulu” Anderson, a transfer from Vermilion Community College.
“These guys bring firepower,” White said. “Last year we struggled at key times in the clutch. We had no shot makers. ... I think now we have the components to put it together.”
UC was picked to finish third in the West Virginia Conference poll by the coaches behind West Virginia State and Alderson-Broaddus.
“We have 16 teams [in the WVC] this year,” White said. “It’s like the Big East — too big. We don’t play everyone and there’s no true champion.” The coach pointed to the long trips to Pitt-Johnstown and Seton Hill that replace WVU Tech.
“It will be a little uncomfortable for us because we’ve never been there,” said White. “But, hey, it’s here and we’ll do our best.”
A trio of seniors should lead UC: guard Marquis Brooks (17.7 points per game last season), forward Robert Strickland (11.6 points, 7.6 rebounds) and guard Austin Weatherington (15.3 points). White may play “small” ball. In addition to the three seniors, he may start 6-3 sophomore Warren Wallace and 6-foot Anderson.
“The talent here is up there with a lot of Division I schools,” said Morris, who came to UC from Wesley College. “We don’t have a 7-footer but I haven’t seen better guard play.”
UC opens the regular season at 8 p.m. Friday against Catawba in the Salisbury Roundball Classic in North Carolina. The Golden Eagles play Lenoir-Rhyne at 2 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s a challenging weekend, but that’s the way we designed it,” White said. “We think we have an awesome team. We think we have the best team [in the WVC] with the best talent.”