{"id":213,"date":"2009-01-05T12:09:40","date_gmt":"2009-01-05T17:09:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/?p=213"},"modified":"2017-06-16T11:43:57","modified_gmt":"2017-06-16T16:43:57","slug":"mens-pride-looks-to-roll-through-the-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/tartan-news\/2009\/01\/05\/mens-pride-looks-to-roll-through-the-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Men’s Pride looks to roll through the conference"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Sinclair Pride bring it in during a time-out in their 126-81 win over Southern State Community College on Dec. 8. --Photo by Joe Stueve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Pride seems to be following the same formula that led them a conference championship last season.<\/p>\n

The 2007-08 season started slowly for Sinclair with early season losses to Miami University-Middletown and the University of North Carolina JV.\u00a0 Another slow start might spring the Pride for another run at the conference title.<\/p>\n

“I think we’re getting better,” says first year assistant coach Herb Shaughnessy.\u00a0 “If we can get our defense to be a little more consistent I think we have a real good shot at the conference.”<\/p>\n

Last season, head coach Jeff Price led his team to an 11-3 record in the Ohio Community College Athletic Association.\u00a0 Sinclair’s OCCAC games begin Jan. 10 at home against Lakeland Community College.<\/p>\n

“We start out with Lakeland, who is typically one of the better teams in the conference,” says Price.\u00a0 “They’re very athletic.\u00a0 They’re a little bit like what our team is this year.”<\/p>\n

Price says that the first five games of conference play will be the most important to the Pride’s success.<\/p>\n

“You could shoot your self in the foot real quick,” says Price.\u00a0 “It’s a 14 game sprint.\u00a0 There is not a place where you can take a breath.”<\/p>\n

Injuries have plagued the Pride<\/strong><\/p>\n

Freshman guard Kevin Vest missed the first three games of the season due to a shoulder injury.\u00a0 He returned on Nov. 15 for the highly anticipated match with Mott Community College, scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds in a losing effort.<\/p>\n

Sophomore forward British Alexander’s inside presence will be missed because of a season-ending back injury and sophomore guard D.J. Johnson is also finished for the year after separating his shoulder.<\/p>\n

“He was our best defender,” Price says of Johnson.\u00a0 “He could defend the point guards, he could defend the post.\u00a0 He was our all-around guy.”<\/p>\n

Pride assistant coach Marcus Stewart has faith in the Pride’s inside depth.<\/p>\n

“I don’t think it will affect us that much,” says Stewart.\u00a0 “We have guys ready to step in.\u00a0 We’re very strong in those areas.”<\/p>\n

Losing Alexander has pushed centers Rod Benton and Kenny Lee into more prominent roles.<\/p>\n

Moving Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2007-08 Pride ended their season in the Region XII District 7 Finals, losing to Columbus State Community College.<\/p>\n

“That [loss] is still sitting in a lot of the guys minds,” says Price.<\/p>\n

Sinclair travels to Columbus State on Jan. 14 in an OCCAC match between the top two teams in the conference from last season.<\/p>\n

After leading the country in scoring last season, preseason All-American forward Mark Anderson continues to abuse the bottom of the net and sophomore guard Jonathon Tate has progressed into more of a leader on the team.<\/p>\n

“He’s getting rid of some of those independent thoughts,” says Price of Tate.\u00a0 “That process for him has become very vital to his progression.\u00a0 He’s very talented.”<\/p>\n

The Pride will have a tough road to walk if they want to achieve their ultimate goal.<\/p>\n

“Through the course of the year you’re going to have ups and downs,” says Price.\u00a0 “It’s going to be tough, but we should be alright.”<\/p>\n