Men's Basketball Preview: New Season, New Faces
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com
FULTON, MS – Itawamba Community College men's basketball coach Grant Pate is retooling for this upcoming season, as the Indians look to replace eight players from last year's squad.
"We've got a lot of new faces this season, but we've also got a lot of good core coming back from last year's team that will give us some much needed experience," said Pate. "We are going to look towards our sophomores to step up early and guide our freshmen along the way as they adapt to this level of play."
The Indians return two starters from last year's squad in Howard Thomas (Brandon) and Barri Hill (Jasper, AL), both who were limited to under 20 games last season due to injuries.
Thomas, a 6'7 forward, is the top returning scorer (10.1 ppg) and rebounder (6.8 rpg) and was ranked amongst the nation's best in field goal percentage (67%) as a freshman while Hill, a 6'8 forward, averaged 4.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
"We are looking for big things out of Howard and Barri this season," said Pate. "Both these guys have worked really hard in the weight room and anything they can do to get better and help be the leaders we need them to be this season."
In addition to two starters, three other experience players will also be returning that will provide needed experience in the Indians' tough non-division start to the season.
Cody North, a 6'7 forward from Tremont, made three starts, played in 22 games last season for the Indians, and will be expected to play a bigger role with increased minutes this season.
"Cody really started coming into his own at the end of last season," Pate. "We are looking for big things out of him this season because we feel like he is the type of player that can really step up for us in a lot of different roles."
Pate will also look towards a pair of 5'10 guards in Tory Lee (Columbia) and Ron Davis (Edwards) to step into key roles this season.
"Tory and Ron were key reserves for us last season," Pate. "These guys are great competitors and are hungry for their opportunities to play bigger roles on the team this season. Hopefully, their energy and hunger will be contagious amongst the rest of the team."
ICC added a group of talented freshmen that will be expected to make an impact right away for the Indians. This season's newcomers include: Frank Anthony (Clarksdale), Justin Edmond (Horn Lake), Tommy McCoy (Woodville), Martaveous McKnight (Walls), Harvey Smart (Gulfport), Carter Sweat (Piperton, TN), Quenten Taylor (Edison, GA), and LeDarius Woods (Tunica).
ICC will open its season at the Davis Event Center on Monday, November 2 against Lawson State Community College (AL). After opening with eight tough non-division game, the Indians will open MACJC North on Thursday, December 3 at Coahoma Community College.
"We have a really tough non-division schedule," said Pate. "Hopefully, that will help prepare us for what's shaping up to be a really, really tough division this year."
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