By Brian Palmer
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Going from being one of the worst teams in the region to being one of the best in a year is quite a challenge. Last season the Camden County College Cougars basketball team went 9-16. This year they are picked to finish first in Region 19. What a difference a year makes.
The Cougars men’s basketball team looks to improve this season. By Brian Palmer/CCC Journalism Program
Under the guidance of head coach Michael Sherlock, the Cougars look to not only be one of the best teams in the region but to win the region.
Region 19 consists of teams from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and parts of New York, so winning a league title is not a small task. The 2010-2011 Cougars return seven players from last year. They have learned from their past mistakes and look to be better this season.
When asked what was done to improve on last season, sophomore Joseph Satone said, “work and practice. We’ve worked hard during the summer and will continue to work hard during the season to become better,” Santone said.
The team consists of a core group of Santone, Bryant DeShields, Michael Rose and Thomas Hopson, who are eager to prove their worth.
Sherlock has a versatile group that has great combination guards. Deshawn Jones, Santone, Fitzgerald Benson and Prince Dardon will look to do what is asked at the guard position, which is pass, hit the open shots and create opportunities for the rest of the team.
The forward must step up this year because the Cougars do not have a true center. A lot of the scoring was put on Bryant DeShields last year and he will look to continue to improve on his 20 points a game average.
Last season, the team played with three forwards and were many times undersized. Brenden Cox, who led the team in rebounds last season, will look to improve on his nine Rebounds a game.
However, the coach has been stressing team rebounding. “Not one man can do the job, we need every guy going for the ball,” he stated
Rose, Terrell Clark and Michael Wilson will look to assist on the boards this coming season.
Basketball is a team game that requires the entire group to work together as one to accomplish their goals. This year’s Cougars see last year as a learning experience that can help them reach the top. Everyone on the team agrees that a 9-16 record is not the record of champions and in order to accomplish their goals of winning Region 19, they will continue to do as Santone stated, “work hard.”