Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a preview of the Sullivan County Community College Generals and the 2004-2005 season.
By Ted Waddell
LOCH SHELDRAKE — November 30, 2004 – The 2004-2005 Sullivan Generals began their season three weeks ago with a big win over Berkeley College at Paul Gerry Fieldhouse on the SCCC campus.
SCCC then posted victories over Ulster Community College, Passaic (NJ) Community College and Bronx Community College to enter the Thanksgiving holiday break with a spotless 4-0 record.
The Generals are slated to host Dutchess Community College at 7 p.m. tonight “Down in the Bunker” at Gerry Fieldhouse.
Following are Coach Chris DePew’s thumbnail sketches of this year’s team.
• David Bucknor (#24, sophomore, 6-foot-2, graduate of Martin Van Buren High School): “a transfer from Schenectady Community College who will sit out the entire year and play his sophomore [eligible] year next year… when he graduates, will be able to move on to a four-year school… a body in practice, learning the system... a very, very good player... I’m looking for big things.”
• Jon Frasier (#12, freshman, 6’6, Far Rockaway): “A sophomore academically, but a freshman eligibility-wise… sat out last year with an injury, started two of this season’s first three games… he’s quite a leaper, extremely athletic… looking for him to improve his post play… his athleticism is great for the front part of our press.”
• Ghiles Jackson (#14, sophomore, 5’10, Bishop Laughlin): “Is the glue that keeps us together as a group… started most games last year at the point… looking at him for leadership… coming off the bench, he accepted a lesser role for the betterment of the team… I still rely on him in critical situations, he’s one of our big-time leaders.”
• Peter Jean-Baptiste (#42, freshman, 6’4, Bishop Laughlin): a transfer student from Manhattan Community College, where he didn’t play, so he is considered eligible to play as a freshman “came off the bench as our first post sub… a big physical kid… does all the little things I need from a post man… rebounds well, gets out on the break and knows the plays.”
• Greg Johnson (#00, sophomore, 6’2, Martin Luther King)
He was honored by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) as a pre-season First-Team All-American, one of only three players to be so recognized in Sullivan’s history.
“One of the leaders on the court… started at the two position... a playground legend in NYC... an outstanding player.”
• Kevin Johnson (#32, freshman, 5’8, St. Raymond): “Our floor general, he’s like having another coach on the court… one of the most exciting guys we’ve had in a while… he’s fast, he’s quick and he can shoot… I look forward to great things from Kevin, he’s a leader on and off the court.”
• Dwain Joseph (#44, freshman, 6’5, Far Rockaway): “One of our reserve big men coming off the bench… extremely athletic, has great leaping ability… is learning the college basketball game and being aggressive in his post play... looking for big things as he continues his progression.”
• Thepsenm Julien (#55, freshman, 6’5, Fort Hamilton): “One of our reserve post players, just learning the college game… great athleticism, can really jump… one of the guys we look to in practice to play the role of a good post man on the other team so the other guys can get a good workout.”
• Kelvin Nelson (#23, freshman, 6’4, Milford Academy): “Another kid with a very storied background in NYC basketball… out of school for a while, was highly recruited out of high school… finally decided to get things done… is extremely athletic, and has a tremendous basketball IQ… understands what needs to get done, and the things he needs to do… a great asset.”
• Greg Primus (#10, sophomore, 5’10, Far Rockaway): “He’s like my coach on the bench… he’s the one who keeps the guys primed up and ready to go… as one of my biggest helpers over the summer, when I brought a guy up for a visit, Greg was the guy who showed him around [campus]… comes off the bench in a backup role as a point guard.”
• Jamal Raphael (#21, freshman, 6’6, Sheepshead Bay): “A kid who is rapidly improving… he’s our big man who didn’t play in a while… not a lot of people have heard about him, but I got lucky… I brought him up here and liked what I saw, so I signed him up… he’s been fantastic for us, leading the team in rebounding and he’s third or fourth in scoring… getting better every day.”
• Everage Richardson (#34, freshman, 6’2, Washington Irving): “The very first kid I signed this year out of high school… I saw him play at an AAU program at Sullivan, and I had him up here a couple of weeks later on a visit and signed him on the spot… extremely athletic, he’s a shooter who understands the game, knows how to put the ball in the basket and what needs to be done for us to be successful… coming off the bench, good enough to be a starter.”
• Javell Rosser (#54, freshman, 6’0, Clara Barton). He will become eligible in January.
“A solid backup point guard who understands the game and works hard… can shoot a little bit… has been a great practice player for us.”
• Antoine Williams (#33, freshman, 6’4, John Adams): Came to Sullivan with a friend who was being recruited by DePew. His buddy went elsewhere, but the Generals’ coach thinks he got “the better part of the deal.”
“He’s one of our leaders in the locker room and we look for big things from him.”
• William Wilson (#52, freshman, 6’3, Pacific): “Another big guy off the bench… very athletic… dunk contest champion at the Jamboree… just learning my system and works hard every day in practice.”