Since winning a Florida Junior College state championship in 2002, expectations for the St. Petersburg College men's basketball team have been high.
The Titans do not just hope to compete in the Suncoast Conference anymore. They expect to win the conference and play in the state tournament.
Things are not any different this season, which begins Tuesday with a home game against Central Florida Community College. Just because SPC has 10 freshmen on its 14-man roster, this is not a rebuilding season.
"This is the youngest team I've ever had here," SPC coach Earnest Crumbley said.
"We lost six guys, so at least for the first two or three weeks we'll be looking at where guys fit in. But the talent level is there."
There are some freshmen Crumbley is sure can make an immediate impact, including 6-foot-2 point guard Chris McClindon and 6-foot-8 forward Ken Williams. Both played at American High in Miami.
"Chris is a high-level talent," Crumbley said. "And Ken was recruited by Auburn as a tight end before he decided to return to basketball. So we got kind of lucky there.
"These are two legitimate Division I talents."
Freshman Tavarous Stokes missed last season with a knee injury but should get plenty of minutes this season. Freshman Gidon Riette, who is from Israel, also has looked good, according the Crumbley.
Then there is the sophomore class, which will be relied on heavily. McHugh Mattis leads the list after playing extensively last season. Steven Eluett, Greg Munroe and Paul Vega are sure to get the bulk of the playing time.
"McHugh Mattis is an (Atlantic Coast Conference)-Big East (Conference) type player," Crumbley said. "We'll rely on him a lot this season."
While inexperience may be a problem early on, one positive should be the Titans' size.
In seasons past, SPC relied on more of a perimeter game. But with the 6-foot-9 Eluett and the 6-foot-8 Williams, size shouldn't be a problem.
"This is the best post team I've had since I've been here," Crumbley said. "One of the question marks will be how long the learning curve will be for the guys to get the new system. We're excited about seeing the answer to that."
For the complete men's and women's basketball schedules, visit www.spjc.edu and click on athletics.
ECKERD SOCCER: The Triton men have a pretty good season after struggling last year. Eckerd knocked off conference power Rollins on Oct. 20. It was Rollins' first conference loss.
Senior midfielder Terry Workman was named the Sunshine State Conference's co-offensive player of the week after recording two assists in the 2-1 win.
Goalkeeper Chris Howe was named defensive player of the week for his effort against Rollins. Howe, a freshman from Doncaster, England, made eight saves and held Rollins scoreless for the final 89 minutes.
Nathan Bender leads Eckerd with five goals and 10 points. Greg Cavallini has four goals and two assists for 10 points.
The Tritons are 7-6-1, 4-3 in the conference and in fifth place.
CLEARWATER CHRISTIANCOLLEGE: The Cougars volleyball team will play in the National Christian College Athletic Association regional tournament Friday, the first step in their goal to win a national championship. The national tournament is Nov. 11-13.
Clearwater Christian basketball gets an early jump on things when its men's team plays today at Trinity College. The first home game is Friday against Robert Morris College. The women begin play Nov. 4 at Kentucky Christian College.
