Eckerd players pass on men's SSC predictions

By RODNEY PAGE

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 19, 2000

Every year coaches and sports information directors get together to predict the finish of the Sunshine State Conference men's basketball teams.

Every season, it seems, Eckerd College is put near the bottom.

In recent years, however, the Tritons have proved the experts wrong.

The Tritons haven't won the league championship, but they didn't finish near the bottom either.

This season, Eckerd is getting a little more respect.

The Tritons are predicted to finish fifth in the eight-team conference. That might not sound like much, but it's better than it used to be.

"Our guys don't really look at that," Eckerd coach Tom Ryan said. "They don't need to get motivated by that.

"We just show them what other people think, and they take it from there," he said.

There's reason for optimism.

Most of the top scorers from last season are back, including senior forward Clevon Dunbar.

Dunbar played in 26 games a year ago, starting 24. He led the Tritons with a 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Junior forward Lester Chang Fong, junior center Josef Soderman, junior guard Dwayne "Tiny" Smith and senior guard John Beckett return after contributing heavily last season.

Former Lakewood guard Brian Stapf is back after injury.

Freshman guard Sharrod McCree of Boca Ciega and sophomore forward Cerwin Thompson from Austin, Texas (no relation to former Eckerd center Kerwin Thompson), are newcomers Ryan is counting on.

The season begins 4 p.m. today against University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez.

"We've been practicing against ourselves since Oct. 15, so the guys are getting tired of the same faces," Ryan said. "Everybody's ready to get going."

VOLLEYBALL CHAMPS: Clearwater Christian College captured the National Christian College Athletic Association II national championship recently in California.

The Cougars won seven straight matches to claim the title.

They defeated host Simpson College in five games in what was a rematch of last year's national championship, won by Simpson.

Clearwater beat North Central College for the crown.

The Cougars' Julie Hubbard was named a first-team All-America selection. Angela Long was a second-team pick.

WRAP UP: St. Petersburg Junior College was done in by its nemesis at the Florida Junior College state volleyball championships in Kissimmee.

Pasco-Hernando Community College defeated the Trojans in the second round and went on to play Miami Dade CC in the final.

PHCC lost, but both teams advance to the national tournament in Overland Park, Kan. This was the fourth time SPJC played PHCC, and it lost all four. In fact, the Trojans didn't take a game from PHCC all season.

"They were just too much for us," SPJC coach Maggie Knoop said.

Despite the loss, the Trojans had their best season. They were 27-9 and won their first state tournament match over Gulf Coast CC.

Outside hitter Susan Adcock was named All-State for the second straight year. Outside hitter Michelle Jones and middle hitter Hilary Garner were named to the All-Suncoast Conference team.

Knoop's focus is on next season.

"I'll definitely be looking for a setter," she said. "And some more speed."

Eckerd men's basketball schedule

NOVEMBER: 19 -- University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, 4 p.m.; 22 -- Florida Memorial, 7:30; 24 -- UPR-Humaco, 7:30; 25 -- Mercyhurst College, 7:30; 29 -- University of Puerto Rico-Cayey, 7:30.

DECEMBER: 1 -- Nova Southeastern, 7:30 p.m.; 4 -- vs. Columbus State (Disney Complex), 6; vs. Benedict College (Disney Complex), 1; 9 -- Southwest Baptist University, 7:30; 16 -- vs. UPR-Cayey (San Juan), 7:30; 18 -- vs. UPR-Rio Piedras (San Juan), 7:30; 19 -- vs. UPR-Bayamon, 7:30; 30 -- Carthage College, 7:30.

JANUARY: 2 -- at Nova Southeastern, 7 p.m.; 6 -- Tampa, 7:30; 10 -- at Florida Tech, 7:30; 13 -- Rollins College, 7:30; 17 -- Barry University, 7:30; 20 -- at Lynn University, 7:30; 24 -- Saint Leo, 7:30; 27 -- at Florida Southern, 7:30; 31 -- Florida Tech, 7:30.

FEBRUARY: 3 -- at Rollins College, 7:30 p.m.; 7 -- at Barry University, 7:30; 10 -- Lynn University, 7:30; 14 -- at Saint Leo, 7:30; 17 -- Florida Southern, 7:30; 21 -- at Tampa, 7:30; 25-27 -- SSC Tournament, Lakeland.

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