2008 Woodie Awards
New look for Cowboys basketball squad as it heads into the 2004-05 season
Cassidy Juneau
Issue date: 11/3/04 Section: Sports
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With eight lettermen gone from last year's McNeese State University basketball team, questions arise about the team's success this season. Besides only five returning players from last year's 11-16 team, four junior college transfers, one sophomore transfer and three freshmen round out the 2004-05 McNeese basketball team.
Usually when a team loses eight lettermen from a previous year, the next season is a rebuilding year. However, there is reason for hope in this year's team. Among the junior college transfers are 6'9" Lance Hood and 6'11" Darius Manciel, two highly sought-after recruits who had to sit out last season. "Darrius Manciel brings ... a presence inside for us," said Tic Price, who enters his fourth season as the McNeese Cowboys' head basketball coach. Another transfer, Kinley Sellers of Carl Albert Community College in Memphis, Tenn., averaged 26.9 points last year for the school. These three players, and junior Jeremy Williams, will be vital throughout the season for the Cowboys.
Also new this year for the Cowboys are three freshmen. John Ford, a 5'9" freshman All-State point guard from Peabody High in Alexandria, La., looks to make an impact early. Aldrynn Wardell of Huntington High should provide some help at the forward position, standing 6'7". The other freshman recruit, Jamelle Juneau, will not be able to join the team until after football season due to his commitment to the football team.
One particular transfer of local interest is Troy Aaron of St. Louis High School in Lake Charles. He spent his freshman year at Tulane Univerity, but he transferred to McNeese after his first semester. He will be available to join the basketball team after the semester is over and will have 2 1/2 years of eligibility remaining.
"We have quite a few guys that can make a big difference in what we are doing. I think Troy Aaron, a local product from St. Louis High School, will have a big impact on our program, as well as John Ford from Peabody High School in Alexandria. They are both guards - I think excellent guards - with the ability to impact a basketball game," said Price.
Usually when a team loses eight lettermen from a previous year, the next season is a rebuilding year. However, there is reason for hope in this year's team. Among the junior college transfers are 6'9" Lance Hood and 6'11" Darius Manciel, two highly sought-after recruits who had to sit out last season. "Darrius Manciel brings ... a presence inside for us," said Tic Price, who enters his fourth season as the McNeese Cowboys' head basketball coach. Another transfer, Kinley Sellers of Carl Albert Community College in Memphis, Tenn., averaged 26.9 points last year for the school. These three players, and junior Jeremy Williams, will be vital throughout the season for the Cowboys.
Also new this year for the Cowboys are three freshmen. John Ford, a 5'9" freshman All-State point guard from Peabody High in Alexandria, La., looks to make an impact early. Aldrynn Wardell of Huntington High should provide some help at the forward position, standing 6'7". The other freshman recruit, Jamelle Juneau, will not be able to join the team until after football season due to his commitment to the football team.
One particular transfer of local interest is Troy Aaron of St. Louis High School in Lake Charles. He spent his freshman year at Tulane Univerity, but he transferred to McNeese after his first semester. He will be available to join the basketball team after the semester is over and will have 2 1/2 years of eligibility remaining.
"We have quite a few guys that can make a big difference in what we are doing. I think Troy Aaron, a local product from St. Louis High School, will have a big impact on our program, as well as John Ford from Peabody High School in Alexandria. They are both guards - I think excellent guards - with the ability to impact a basketball game," said Price.