by Danene Bottiaux, sports editor
The Bryan College men’s basketball team is gearing up for the season with new recruits and returning players led by Head Coach Don Rekoske and New Assistant Coach Kyle Terry.
Terry graduated from Bryan last year and played under Rekoske. He has been named Rekoske’s assistant coach for the 2009-2010 season. In his senior year Terry shot 39.6 percent from behind the arc and hit a career high of seven three-pointers in one game. Along with being named Academic-All Conference for three years, Terry was also Academic All-American for his junior and senior years.
“He brings a good understanding of the program and already has the entire team’s respect in the locker room,” said Rekoske.
Last year the team finished 14-15 overall and 9-10 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The team has already started its preseason and is getting ready for the regular season.
“Preseason has gone well for us, and everyone is working hard,” said Rekoske.
There are four new players joining the team this year: two transfers and two freshmen.
Keith Bauer, a junior transfer from Roane State Community College (Harriman, Tenn.), who brings toughness to the team, can guard multiple positions and averaged 12 points per game last year, according to Rekoske.
Astral Guerrier, a sophomore transfer from Volunteer State Community College (Gallatin, Tenn.), is “extremely athletic, [has] good skill, and plays hard with a big motor,” said Rekoske. Guerrier averaged 11 points per game for Volunteer State.
Freshman Tyler Clark, who is “very skilled offensively,” comes from Oak Ridge High School (El Dorado Hills, Calif.). Rekoske expects him to help the team this year at both the two guard and the point positions.
Also, freshman Carrin Nash’s “length at the three will really help him. He can play both inside and out for us this year,” Rekoske said.
The five returning players for this year are sophomore Xavarien McCall, juniors Scott Newton, Demond Craig and Derek Batt and senior Andrew Slikker.
Team captain Newton, second-team All Conference, averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game last year for the Lions.
“He put on 15 pounds of muscle and should be even better this year,” Rekoske said about Newton.
McCall averaged 12 points per game and four assists at the end of last year.
“[McCall] had a good off-season even though he had patella knee surgery,” said Rekoske.
Craig is a “good defender” and averaged seven points per game.
Batt “plays with energy and could be an excellent defender this year. He has improved his offensive skills and had a knee injury last year that affected him,” said Rekoske.
Another team captain, Slikker “should provide leadership and is an extremely hard worker,” said Rekoske. “This should be his best year for us.”
“Our impact player is, obviously, Scott Newton since he is probably one of the top two or three returners in the league this year,” said Rekoske. “We are also looking to Xavarien to have a big year along with our two transfers Keith Bowers and Astral Guerrier.”
The first home game will be on Oct. 29 against Tennessee Temple University (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at 7:30 p.m.
“The conference should be wide open and very balanced this year, and we are looking forward to getting started with practice,” said Rekoske. “We should be improved this year since we have more talent as long as we mesh together well.”