Men's Basketball Preview

Friday, October 31, 2008

Coach Kevin Daugherty returns to his 4^th year at the helm as Clinton Community College Men’s Basketball Coach. Clinton opens their season tonight against Word of Life Bible Institute

Clinton had a winning season last year and had a record of 16-12. It was the second year the Cougars made it to post season playoffs. Clinton was seeded 7^th in regional play and lost to Mohawk Valley CC in the opening round at home.

Coach Daugherty said his team is “Very athletic and we're very quick and fast. It's by far the quickest and deepest team since I've been at Clinton.”

Returners include 6’4 Ariel Whittaker of the Cayman Islands and 6’2 Steven Thomas of Plattsburgh. Last year Thomas averaged 20 points a game. Daugherty feels Thomas is a great athlete and brings versatility to the game.

Coach Daugherty has seen a change in Whittaker. He is becoming more of a leader and playing harder.

“It is nice and also helpful to have a few more returning players than last season, when there was only one.”It's nice in junior college when you get kids back the second year you see a marked difference in their play. They're more confident and have a better understanding of how to play college basketball.”

Also joining the Cougars this year are Matt Williams from Peru. Williams average 17.5 points a game last year and was named first team all star in the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference (CVAC).

Anthony Hodge of Communication High school and Walton High School stand out Pat O’Brien will help the Cougars this year. "Hodge is]one of the quickest players in the region," and “great defensive player as well. “O'Brien offers flexibility to the team despite being only 6'2",” Daugherty also said he can play any position.

Ryan Seabron of Plattsburgh High School was named Champlain Valley Athletic Conference third team all star last year and he joins Clinton this year. He is 6’1 and averaged 10.5 points per game.

Matt Roberts 6’1 guard from Beekmantown and another CVAC all star.

Ryan Miller from Peru is a smart player who will be playing primarily in the post after playing both post and perimeter in high school according to Daugherty.

Other players include Justin Vice, Peiton Woodall, Ray Arnold, Oscar Baltazar, Troy Pender and Julius Wells.

"I think we're going to be exciting to watch, no question about it," Daugherty said. "We just hope that we can get our kids to the point where we can use that quickness and that athleticism to be tough on both ends of the floor."