CUP Men’s Hoops Picked Eighth in PSAC West

Chris Rossetti

Published October 28, 2016 4:17 am

CUP Men’s Hoops Picked Eighth in PSAC West

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — Despite putting together its best season in four years in 2016 including its first PSAC playoff appearance and win since 2010, the Clarion University men’s basketball team is picked to finish eighth in the nine-team PSAC West in the preseason coaches’ poll.

(Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)

Third-year head coach Marcess Williams reacts to the preseason prediction.

The Golden Eagles return a strong core from the 2016 squad that went 14-16 beating Edinboro in the opening round of the PSAC playoffs before losing to eventual champion Mercyhurst in the quarterfinals.

That core is led by BJ Andrews, the third-leading scorer on the team a year ago and a preseason All-PSAC West this year. Andrews averaged 12.1 points per game as a junior and is averaging 11.4 ppg in his career while sitting 75 points shy of 1,000 career points.

Andrews is one of seven returnees from last year’s squad.

Also back are Justin Dobbs (5.5 ppg), Cameron Grumley from nearby Johnsonburg (5.3 ppg), Justin Grant (3.5 ppg), Akeem Willaims (2.5 ppg, 1.5 bpg — 3rd in the PSAC), R.J. Laugand from Clarion-Limestone (1.5 ppg) and Ewing Moussa (five games, 2 points).

In addition to the returning players, the Golden Eagles are also excited about newcomers Manny Powell, who is expected to slide into the starting point guard role, as well as Jamani Pierce, a 6-6 small forward. Both Powell and Pierce are junior college transfers.

Powell was the point guard for Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, and helped Sinclair to 28-3 record last year while averaging 14.9 points per game and 7.4 assists per contest ranking third in JUCO Division 2 in assists per game.

Pierce is a transfer from Illinois Central who averaged around 12.1 points abd 6.2 rebounds per game a season ago.

FAST BREAK

IUP was picked to win the PSAC West, while Kutztown was chosen to take home the PSAC East crown (see complete polls below

Clarion must replace leading scorer Rob Agurs (14.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg), who was a second-team PSAC West selection, as well as second-leading scorer Andre Anthony (14.3 ppg)

The Golden Eagles 14-win season a year ago was a 4-win imrpovement on Williams’ first season when Clarion was 10-16. It also marked more wins than Clarion had in 2014 and 2015 combined when the Golden Eagles limped to an 11-40 record in the final two years under Ron Righter, the winningest coach in school history

Clarion plays at Kentucky in an exhibition game Sunday.

PSAC Men’s Basketball West Preseason Poll (First Place Votes
1.IUP (5)
2. Mercyhurst (3)
3. Pitt-Johnstown (1)
4. Gannon
5. Edinboro
6. Seton Hill
7. Slippery Rock
8. Clarion
9. California

PSAC Men’s Basketball East Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Kutztown (6)
2. West Chester (2)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Shippensburg (1)
5. Bloomsburg
6. Mansfield
7. Lock Haven
8. Millersville
9. Cheyney

PSAC Men’s Basketball West Preseason All-Conference
G BJ Andrews Sr. Clarion
G Dale Clancy Jr. Pitt.-Johnstown
F Noah Davis Sr. Seton Hill
F Jacobo Diaz So. IUP
F A.J. Leahey Sr. Pitt.-Johnstown
G Jaymon Mason R-Jr. Edinboro

PSAC Men’s Basketball East Preseason All-Conference Team
G Malik Jackson So. West Chester
F Josh Johnson Sr. Kutztown
F Rasheed Moore Sr. East Stroudsburg
G/F Christian Mortellite R.-Jr. Bloomsburg
G Matt Penecale Sr. West Chester
F Dustin Sleva Jr. Shippensburg