FIRST IN A SERIES OF ARTICLES
PREVIEWING THE 2010 BASKETBALL SEASON

With eight lettermen returning including the top four scorers from the Southland Conference's 2009 West Division championship team, the 2010 Sam Houston Bearkats look to again be one of the front-runners in the league race.

But graduation took its toll under the boards for the Bearkats with the loss of All-Southland center Barkley Falkner and two-year starting forward DeLuis Ramirez. Together the two combined for 16.8 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.

"Someone is going to have to step up and get rebounds to complete the puzzle for us this season," Sam Houston head coach Bob Marlin said. "We think we addressed that in our recruiting last winter. It's no accident our four newcomers are all inside players."

To bolster Sam Houston's inside game, Marlin and his staff recruited two junior college transfers and a pair of high school seniors.

The four newcomers are 6-5 Trevon Charles from Western Texas College, 6-7 Gilberto Clavell from Collin County Community College, 6-8 Kelly Lawson from Pearland High School and 6-9 Aaron Thompson from Burkburnett High School.

Added to that mix will be red-shirt forward 6-7 Marco Cooper who transferred last year from the University of Delaware.

Clavell averaged 16.1 points and 6.5 rebounds at Collin County Community College last year, scoring in double figures in all but one game on a 27-5 squad. He was North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference "Defensive Player of the Year" and a junior college All-Region selection.

The Mayaquez, Puerto Rico product was MVP at the NJCAA Coaches Association All-Star Game and played for Puerto Rico in the 2007 FIBA Under 19 World Championship tournament where he averaged 12 points and game including a 29-point performance against Korea.

"Gilberto plays extremely hard and is a great competitor," Marlin said. "He is a good defender and rebounder who gets excellent low post position. He should step in and contribute right away."

Charles, a New York native, earned All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference honors at Western Texas College last season. He ranked No. 6 in the WJCAC in free throw accuracy while leading his team to a 20-10 record and the school's first appearance in the NCJAA Regional tournament in 29 years.

As a freshman in 2008, he helped lead Monroe Community College in the Bronx, NY, to a 24-8 record while averaging 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds.

"Trevon is a versatile wing player who can score," Marlin said. "His size should make him a strong rebounder and defender as well."

Cooper sat out the 2009 season as a red-shirt. The Freeport, Bahamas, product appeared in 22 games at the University of Delaware as a freshman in 2008. He was All-Broward County for Sagemont High School in Florida in 2007, earning district "Player of the Year" honors. He averaged 15.5 points and 11.0 rebounds and was the Florida High School All-Star Game "Most Valuable Player."

"After sitting out last season, Marco is anxious to get back on the court," Marlin said. "He is a high energy player who is long and athletic. Look for him to make things happen this season."

Lawson was a two-time All-District 22-5A player at Pearland, averaging 9.3 points and 8.5 rebounds as a senior. He led Pearland to a 22-10 record and the state playoffs.

"Kelly has worked hard in the weight room and is up to 225 pounds," Marlin said. "He has the strength to play inside/out at this level."

Thompson was All-State, All-Region, three-time All-District and two-time District 5-3A "Defensive Player of the Year" at Burkburnett. He averaged 15.7 points and 10.1 rebounds as a senior in 2009. The past two seasons, Burkburnett has posted records of 31-7 and 29-5 and ranked among the top five in Texas Class 3A boys basketball.

"Aaron is a skilled player," Marlin said. "He can shoot the ball, block shots and put the ball on the floor. His post moves continue to improve as he gains comfort in his foot work."

Marlin looks for the newcomers to contribute immediately as Sam Houston faces a challenging pre-Southland schedule that includes six home games at Johnson Coliseum in November and December.

$1 general admission and $5 reserved tickets for all men's and women's basketball games in November and December will be made available in a special promotional offer for just 72 hours beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday November 11.
 

Area fans may purchase tickets online only via www.gobearkats.com for this one-time only opportunity to see any or all of those six contests for just $1 a game.

Use this link to learn more about the $1 Basketball Ticket Sale for 72-Hours for November and December basketball home games.

For more information on tickets to all Bearkat home athletic events, go to www.gobearkats.com or contact the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.