Men’s team hungry after taste of Final Four
By Nick Palm
Staff writer
Coming back after a rough end to the 2008-2009 season was not easy for head coach Justin Labagh and the City College men’s basketball team.
With three returning starters, including reigning Conference Player of the Year Da’Ron Sims, Labagh feels confident the Rams will be giving everyone a run for their money this season.
The team went 29-8 last season before suffering a heartbreaking loss to Riverside Community College 61-57 in the men’s Final Four at the California Community College Athletic Association Basketball Championships March 14 in Fresno, California.
“It was tough,” Labagh said. “You still think about that. That’s a game that I’ll probably watch again this weekend.”
The team lost two sophomores, as Andrew Davenport transferred to West Texas and Greer Wright to Binghamton University. But Labagh is confident the loss of those two won’t hurt the Rams this year.
“I think we filled [those spots] with even better players,” Labagh said. “We’ve got a couple of backups that are going to be great players. It’s going to be a dogfight for those two spots, between both freshmen and sophomores.”
Three incoming freshmen, Jonathon Williams, De’End Parker and Daryl Cooper, were able to start practicing with the team over the summer since they attended summer school. Two more players were added after the team held tryouts.
“We got lucky in tryouts, and a couple of guys fell in our lap that are going to be good subs for us,” Labagh said.
Last season, the Rams excelled in their defensive game, led by Sims. But new additions in the point guard position should help make a stronger defense all around.
“I think we’re a little bit more athletic, so I think our team defense should be a little better,” Labagh said.
This is pleasing news to Sims, who feels much more confident about this year’s team.
“It’s going to take a lot of pressure off me. Last year, I had a lot of weight on my shoulders, they’re lifting it off,” Sims said of the abundance of strong defensive point guards.
With a sharp-shooting Steven Brown back in the lineup after an injury this offseason, the offense is in top form from behind the arc.
“[Steven Brown] is going to have a big year. He had a really good offseason,” Labagh said. “He’s going to be taking it to the basket, jamming on guys.”
The team has been practicing hard all summer. Now in late fall, the Rams are hungry for their first taste of action as they are set to host the City College Tip-Off Tournament Nov. 6 at the Wellness Center.
In the tournament, City College will face tough opponents like San Bernardino Valley College, whom the Rams narrowly beat 92-87 in triple-overtime at the CCCAA Basketball Championships in March.
“We don’t need to win by 20 points every game,” Labagh said. “Just win by one, and play well.”
The first few games of the season are sure to be the toughest and will be a true test of the Rams’ abilities.
“We love the challenge,” sophomore guard Bennie Rhodes said. “If we can win this tournament, there’s no team we can’t beat.”