By Ted Waddell
LOCH SHELDRAKE — November 10, 2000 – It wasn’t even a horse race for the Sullivan County Community College (SCCC) Generals on Election Day, as they washed away The Wave from Queensborough Community College during the season opener for both mens’ basketball teams.
For the visitors, it must have seemed as if they were struggling against a relentless tsunami, as the hosts poured it on to take a commanding 40 point halftime lead.
At the final buzzer, the Generals defeated The Wave 122-54.
The Generals took to the floor ranked fifth in the 2000-2001 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III pre-season men’s basketball poll. The regular poll starts Nov. 28.
By the time all 122 points registered on the overhead scoreboard, the vote was in from the fans in the stands: this year’s stable of horses seems destined to play as a team and they know how to play defense.
In a welcome change from recent seasons, while the bleachers weren’t exactly packed, the game was well attended. About half the seats were filled.
Justin Dawson, a graduate from Monticello High School led the Generals with 23 points, including five three-pointers. Also scoring double digits for the hosts: Curtis Henry (14), Laverne Goulbourne (10) and Kris Ibezim (10).
For Queensborough, Nat Kinnard was their only double-digit man with 10 points.
At the free throw line: SCCC 24/33 (73 percent), QCC 12/22 (55 percent).
“It was a horrible defeat, it was very disappointing,” said Tom Sinnickson, coach of The Wave. “Sullivan has a very nice squad, they’re well coached and they’re talented and very big,” he added.
Asked who played well for Queensborough, Sinnickson replied, “Nobody, we have a lot of work to do.”
According to Generals coach Will Brown — now in his third year at the helm — he didn’t know what to expect from Queensborough when he first saw their roster.
“They didn’t have a lot of size, and that worried me because I knew they would be quick and my big guys would have to dog them on the perimeter,” he said.
This year’s crop of Generals features some guys with a bird’s eye view of what’s going on around them as seven players top the scale at 6-5 or better. At 6-8, Curtis Henry and Kris Ibezim are capable of reaching new heights on the floor, while Monti HS grad Dawson isn’t far behind at 6-7.
Returners from last season’s squad: Kris Ibezim, Ty Brunson and Earv Opong. Four players attend SCCC on partial academic scholarships, representing what may be a new trend at the local community college: Derrel Keys, Derek Rankin, Laverne Goulbourne and Ernest Dancy.
“The one thing this team does different from the two previous teams —including the one that went to the Final Four — is that we defend, we don’t give up easy baskets,” said Brown. “The kids work, they move their feet.
“This team is hungry,” he added. “As we play better teams, this team is going to be cut, and that’s going to be the test to see who’s concerned about winning.”
“I like this team because we’re mixed,” said Will Brown. “We have some guys who can make open shots, little quick guys and some guys who can rebound.”