Men jump start season Nov. 16 against Barton

By T’asia Bobbitt
Staff Writer

Yes it's that time again. The 2004-05 season of men's basketball is just a month away. Additions to the program this year include the head coach, the assistant coach, and 13 of the 20 players.

Jason Tinsley resumes the title of head coach after Bryan Garmroth's contract was not renewed at the end of last season. Tinsley served as UNCP’s assistant coach in the 2003-04 season. The former head coach of Bossier Parish Community College says the differences in head coach versus assistant coach is the team “doesn't play for the assistant coach” and the assistant “makes suggestions rather than decisions.”

With the new head coach is Roy Garcia II, the new assistant coach hailing from Mathis High School in Mathis, Texas.

Also assisting the UNCP men’s basketball team is graduate assistant Ronnie Hamilton.

Tony Carr, Lawrence Johnson, Ford Lawrence, Elhadji N'Diaye, Gabe Pinkston, Josh Thomas, Andy Woodard and Aaron Yates (ineligible) are the eight freshmen beginning their college basketball careers with the Braves.

Only two of the five sophomores are returning from last season including Deshawn Banks, Arne Danielsen, Steven Edwards (ineligible), Terrance Grant and Jerrel Hunter. Jabarr Adams, Rollie Boone, Adam Sheperdson and Josh Lutkus (the only junior returnee), round out the juniors of the team. The three seniors are Anthony Crank, Frank Foster and Mark Salazar.

One day short of a month before their first game, practice started for the Braves on Oct. 15. With such a new team including players and coaches, one month isn't a long time to get it together.

Tinsley also added, “We're starting from scratch.” The majority of the team hasn't even played a college level game yet. Most of the men were “the man in high school and don't know until they step on that floor,” said Tinsley of the freshman. “It's their job to define who they are.”

Ending last season 3-25 overall and 2-14 in the conference, the Braves have a lot to try to change this new season.

Coach Tinsley has “realistic expectations and there is no trick to winning.”

The Braves’ first game of the season is Nov. 16 at Barton College, followed by the Francis Marion University Classic on Nov. 19 and 20.

The first home game is to be played Nov. 23 against Coker College at 7 p.m.