Published: November 09, 2009 11:27 am      

Considering their options

ECU men's basketball team should have many this season

ADA – There’s something to be said for having options and athletes.

Just ask East Central University men’s head basketball coach Terry Shannon, who with limited resources, saw his Tigers struggle through a 6-22 season in 2008-09.

Don’t count on a repeat for 2009-10. Though preseason prognosticators have picked ECU seventh (last) in the Lone Star Conference North preseason poll, Shannon feels like his Tigers have enough firepower to make a significant move up the division standings.

“As a group we have a lot of options and a lot of athletes. They do compete and will guard you,” said Shannon. “We can go up and down the floor at a quick pace, it appears effortlessly. We can get after you defensively.”

The Tigers return only three players off last year’s squad, including All-LSC North Second Team performer Dontae Figgs, who was third in the league in scoring (18.6 points per game) and shot 52 percent from the floor (12th best in the conference).

Also returning are 6-6 senior forward Wes Badley and 6-6 sophomore Wes May.

Figgs led ECU in scoring 15 times last season and once poured in a career-high 35 points. He scored 30 or better on four other occasions.

“Dontae had a pretty good season last year, but he’s been forced to improve his game because of the guys he have now. We have guys that have the ability to challenge him and guard him in practice,” Shannon said. “The thing that I have been impressed about him is that he is so efficient. He doesn’t get outside of himself and do the things he can’t do.”

Badley has been a pleasant surprise for Shannon in preseason drills after averaging 6.3 points and 3.4 rebounds in a reserve role.

“Wes lost some weight and worked hard all summer to fit into what we are trying to do,” said Shannon.

 May appeared in 25 games for the Tigers last season and started 14, scoring 2.9 points and grabbing 3.9 boards.

 “May is getting stronger. He was thrown to the wolves as a freshman in that we played him a little more than we wanted to,” Shannon said. “This year, because of the new players we have, there will be a little less pressure on him and he’ll be able to flourish with what he can do best.”

ECU will also be helped by senior newcomer and a transfer from NCAA Division I Middle Tennessee State in 6-5 guard/forward Eric Allen.

Allen appeared in 30 games for MTSU last season, averaging 3.9 points.

“Eric can shoot the basketball and understands how to play the game,” Shannon said.

Five junior college transfers should also boost the Tiger fortunes in 2009-10 in 6-2 Maurice Abraham, 6-4 Wayne Andrews, 6-4 Lanard Donnell, 6-2 Denarius Darby and 6-1 Terrence Hill.

Abraham averaged 11 points, five rebounds and six assists at Clarendon Junior College (Tenn.) last season while Andrews scored 17.5 points per outing for Fullerton Junior College (Calif.) Abraham once scored 29 points and had six assists in one game for Clarendon while Andrews once tallied 31 points and pulled down 11 boards in one game for Fullerton.

“Maurice is strong with the basketball, can finish around the basket and can deliver the basketball. He doesn’t get the ball taken away from him much,” said Shannon. “Wayne can really shoot the basketball. He’s extremely athletic and can rebound. He can also guard at all positions.”

Donnell averaged 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds at Eastfield College (Texas) last season as his team came within one win of the NJCAA Division III national tournament. Darby transfers in from Brown Mackie College (Kan.), where he averaged 12.0 points, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals in earning all-region accolades.

“Lanard is a consistent shooter and good defender. He doesn’t have to have the ball in his hands to be productive,” Shannon said. “Darby is quick and can shoot the basketball. He can get to the rim and guard you in the open floor. He can just about do it all.”

Hill transfers in from Pima College (Ariz.) where he was a second-team, all-region and averaged 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals. He once scored 42 points, snatched six rebounds, dished out four assists and had a pair of steals in one game for Pima.

“He can really shoot and finish around the rim. He’s a tough, strong competitor,” said Shannon.

Also expected to contribute if not soon, but in the future is 6-0 freshman guard Jarrett Brandon, out of Ardmore High School, where he averaged 10 points and six steals per game.

“Jarrett is a tough defender, who is adjusting to the speed of the college game, but is making progress,” said Shannon.

Two other players who have missed much of the preseason due to injury, but could contribute big in the future, are sophomore Justin Prothro and freshman Bobby McAdoo.

“We’ve got speed and quickness. Almost everyone can run and jump,” Shannon said. “(Athletic-wise), this is probably as good a group we’ve had since I’ve been here. The thing that is different now as opposed to last season is that we weren’t athletic enough to guard anybody. We can guard people now. We’ve got the athletes to defend people.”

The Tigers open the season Nov. 24 at Dallas Baptist.