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Ravenel commits to Boston College

BRANDON The Eagles' talented basketball player is looking forward to his senior season.

By Bryan Burns Times Correspondent
Published October 19, 2007

According to Scout.com, you had scholarship offers from seven different schools, including the University of Miami, Penn State and Virginia Tech, among others. What was it about Boston College that set that school apart?

Boston College is in the ACC, and I've always wanted to play in that conference. I narrowed it down to BC and Virginia Tech, and out of those two, I looked at who I could help the most. I saw that I could help BC out the most because they needed a (power forward). In high school, I play (center), but at the college level, I guess I'm not tall enough to play (center). So, I'll play (power forward) and help the team out as much as I can.

Did the Boston College coaching staff talk about their plans for you? Do they expect you to come in right away and earn minutes or would they like to redshirt you?

They told me they expect me to come in and compete for playing time at power forward.

What were your impressions of Boston College head coach Al Skinner?

I love him. He's a great guy. He's real funny. When I went up on my visit and we went out to eat, there was never a dull moment. It was joke after joke. He's a good guy and a great coach. It shows from his resume.

What did you think of Boston? Did you get a chance to explore the city at all?

Not as much as I would have liked to. We went downtown and ate at one of the seafood restaurants. It was real good. I guess that's what they're known for, their seafood.

Coming from Florida, do you think you'll have trouble handling the brutally cold winters New England is known for?

Nah, because I adapt to stuff real well. So, I should be fine. I play basketball - I don't play football - so I'm inside all day.

Last season, you averaged 8.5 points and 7 rebounds a game for Brandon. Do you feel like you could improve those numbers this year, maybe even average a double-double?

Yeah, I think I can because last year we had Jeremy Jackson (now at Tennessee Tech University) as well as some other players who could make baskets, and I wasn't counted on to score as much. I was a role player. I tried to grab as many rebounds as I could and score when I had an easy shot.

So, this season you see yourself as more of a leading scorer for the team rather than a role player?

Yeah, I think so. With Jeremy having graduated, I feel like I have to step up more for the team.

What's your No. 1 goal in your final season at Brandon?

Winning a state championship.

You guys missed the playoffs last year for the first time in five years. Do you feel like you have the talent to get back to the playoffs and make a run at a state title?

Oh yeah, definitely. We have Blake Allen, who can shoot the outside shot real well. And then Tarron (Stewart), he can drive on anybody, and I don't see anybody stopping him from getting to the basket. I think he's probably the most athletic player in the county. We have a power forward, Marcus Morrison, who's a good athlete that can get a lot of rebounds and put-backs for us. He finishes real well for a player his size.

[Last modified October 18, 2007, 07:12:48]