News

Coach Has Big Hopes For GTCC Men’s Team

(Released 11/02/09)

JAMESTOWN - A freshman-dominated men's basketball team could become the best team Guilford Technical Community College has put on the court since the game became a part of the sports program at the college three years ago, according to Coach Phil Gaffney.

Entering their fourth season, Gaffney said the Titans could compete for a national title. GTCC plays in Region 10, Division II of the National Junior College Athletic Association. "We have some outstanding players, and they can become a nationally ranked team if they apply themselves," Gaffney said. "I'm beginning my fourth season here and this promises to be my best team," he said.

"Two of our teams won 20 games but this team should do even better. This is a great freshman class. I'm pretty excited about what we can accomplish," Gaffney said.

The Titans got off to a good start Sunday (Nov. 1) in their season opener, beating Southside Virginia Community College. 87-72. Southside was the state champion among Virginia community colleges last season.

The Titans are coming off a 12-20 record from a year ago, which is Gaffney's worst record since he became a head coach 15 years ago. No member of last year's squad is on the 2009-10 roster. "Last season didn't work out well because of a combination of reasons," he said. "We played in a higher division, and we had some injuries and also some players that we had counted on didn't show up to play," he said.

Yet, GTCC is not without some veteran players who are expected to provide leadership to a squad that includes 10 freshmen. "We have three players who played well for us two years ago and sat out last," Gaffney said.

A South American player, Charlon Kloff, a 6-3 guard from Paramaribo, Suriname, "could end up being one of our best players," Gaffney said. "He is extremely quick and is fun to watch. He's a jet on the court."

Gaffney is excited about his trio of sophomores - Hadil Razzak of Greensboro, and TJ Holman and Alex Moore, both of Raleigh. "Holman, a 6-1 guard, is bigger and stronger than two seasons ago. He's a great player and already is being recruited by four-year colleges. He averaged 16 points a game his freshman year," Gaffney said.

Moore, a 6-3 forward, who has recovered from a knee injury, has been moved from guard to forward in Gaffney's motion offense. Razzak will be in the rotation of 10 players that stresses "a very aggressive" man-to-man defense, and quickly getting the ball up court for possible easy shots, Gaffney said.

Justin Campbell, a 6-7 forward, former Greensboro Dudley player, transferred to GTCC from N.C. Wesleyan, and "he is ready to challenge for a starting spot," Gaffney said. Campbell will be pushing another 6-7 forward, Leon Sampson of Silver Spring, Md., for playing time. Travis DeShazior of Fayetteville, a 5-10 guard, also is competing for a starting position.

Gaffney noted, "We have a tremendous freshmen class and I expect all of them to make contributions. Besides Sampson, out-of-state recruits include Kihari Blue of Syracuse, Shahid Brown of Newark and Chris Carter of Silver Spring. Anthony Jones, 6-4, of Fayetteville, Mike Jones, 5-10, and Chaz Everette, 6-3, a guard from Chadbourn round out the 13-man squad.

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