Lakeland Community College - Men's Basketball

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The Lakers compete in Division II, Region XII of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). There are 26 total colleges in the region. The region is composed of teams from both Ohio and Michigan. Lakeland is also a member of the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC). Eight schools compete within the conference in the sport of basketball: Cincinnati State CC, Clark State CC, Columbus State CC, Cuyahoga CC, Edison CC, Lakeland CC, Owens CC and Sinclair CC. These schools compete throughout the season for the OCCAC title and a trip to the NJCAA Region XII Tournament, which will be held in Michigan in 2002.

To keep up with the most up-to-date stats available, throughout the season, just click on the following links:

For conference statistics, standings and rankings:
OCCAC STATS
For overall statistics and national standings and rankings:
NJCAA STATS

Congratulations

OCCAC Players of the Week
February 11, 2002 - Doug Viegas
February 26, 2002 - Ernie Cobbin

OCCAC Award Winners
Most Valuable Player - Antonn Melton
Second Team - Doug Viegas
Honorable Mention - Dustin Kinney
All-Tournament - Antonn Melton

Region XII First-Team
Antonn Melton

Region XII All-Tournament
Antonn Melton

NJCAA All-American Nominee
Antonn Melton

News-Herald Players of the Week
Ernie Cobbin, Dustin Kinney, Antonn Melton (3),
Doug Viegas (2), Brad Winton (2)

Team Awards
Defensive Most Valuable Player - Doug Viegas
Offensive Most Valuable Player - Antonn Melton
New Comer of the Year - Dustin Kinney
Coaches Award - Brad Winton

Scholar Athlete Certificate Winners for 3.0 - 3.49 gpa
Kameron Banks(3.10), Jason Bratten(3.29), E.J. Kinney(3.20),
Sadi Pinas-Zade(3.25), Brad Winton(3.35)

Scholar Athlete Plaque Winners for 3.5 - 4.0 gpa
Adam Bodak(3.75) and Doug Viegas(3.75)

LINKS

2001-02 SEASON OUTLOOK

Season Outlook

Sophomores

Coaches/Team Roster

Game Schedule

Plagued by injury upon injury last season, the Lakers are ready to turn the tables on the torments of the 2000-01 season.
   Despite the way things looked on paper, with a 12-16 overall record and a fifth place Ohio Community College Athletic Conference finish with a record of 4-10, the Lakers were a strong team. Three games were lost by only a basket, while six games were lost by a mere five-point margin.
   This year the strength continues and the Lakeland squad is a definite contender for an OCCAC championship. How can that be considering Lakeland lost its first-ever First-Team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American Jonathan Burge, who led the Laker offense with 22.3 points per game? The answer in two words…experience and talent.
   Head Coach Willis Brown led the crusade to add the most talented high school recruits to his already talented and experienced group of sophomores. And by the looks of the Laker roster, Coach Brown’s campaign was a successful one.
   Leading the way in experience are Lakeland sophomore tri-captains Antonn Melton, Doug Viegas and Brad Winton.
Melton returns in the point guard position, while Viegas and Winton should solidify the wings.
Melton earned OCCAC Honorable Mention status last season after finishing seventh in league scoring with 14.2 points per game.
   “It took Melton a few games to adjust to this level of play as a freshman, but by the end of the season he was right where we wanted him, “ said Coach Brown, “This season he’s starting where he left off, knowing when to drive, when to step-back and shoot and when to dump it inside or pass off to the perimeter.”
   One perimeter player who will give Melton a few assists is Viegas. Selected as an OCCAC Honorable Mention pick two years ago and then spending last year on the sidelines because of an ankle injury, he returns to the court as one of the top outside shooters.
   “What’s great about Viegas is his size, quickness and ability to shoot from the outside. Some opponents will have trouble matching up with him,” said Brown.
   As for Winton, he’s never seen a shot he didn’t like.
   “One of our jokes with Brad is if he’s in the gym, he’s in his range,” said Coach Brown, “He’s not afraid to spot up from a good five-feet beyond the arc, and the best part about it is he rarely misses from out there.”
   Other returning Lakers are center Adam Montgomery and guard Keon Avery. Montgomery checks in as this year’s tallest player at 6’8.
   “(Adam) Montgomery was injured all of last year, but will help us in the paint,” said Coach Brown, “He’s a big defensive presence that should pull down a lot of rebounds at both ends.”
Avery has a tougher role as a returning walk-on behind Melton.
   “Avery has made progress in the last year, but it’s always hard to play behind one of the league’s top point guards. We’re hoping to get him some minutes this year, especially since he’s a good defensive player,” said Coach Brown.
   “Overall I’m happy with what we have coming back,” said Coach Brown, “They’re a good group of kids who have experience at this level and know what to expect. They’re also good leaders and will be able to bring our freshman up to speed very quickly.”
   There are nine new freshmen faces in the blue and gray this season including four of last year’s top area graduating high school seniors, one transfer student and four walk-on players. The top four recruits include Jason Bratten from Mentor, Ernie Cobbin from Kent Roosevelt, Dustin Kinney from Wickliffe and Andy Montgomery from Riverside.
   “Bratten will be extremely valuable to us because of his versatility as a guard,” said Coach Brown, “He’s a good point guard with good size and he’s also a good shooting guard.”
   Another good shooting guard is Cobbin.
   “With great leaping ability, athleticism and a soft shooting touch, Cobbin could do very well in this league,” said Coach Brown, “He’s got all of the necessary skills to have a very successful two years for us.”
Dustin Kinney could also have a successful two years and is expected to put up solid numbers for the Lakers.
   “(Dustin) Kinney plays well at both ends of the court. He’s not only going to rebound both ways, but he’ll be able to score in a variety of ways; he can take it strong to the basket or even put up it up from outside,” said Coach Brown.
Andy Montgomery will add fuel to the Laker offensive fire as yet another of the team’s talented guards.
   “(Andy) Montgomery is a classic scorer,” said Coach Brown, “With the ball in his hands, it’s almost an automatic two or three points.”
   Offensive wizard E.J. Kinney comes to Lakeland after red-shirting his first year at Tiffin University.
   “(E.J.) Kinney is our slasher,” said Coach Brown, “He loves to take it to the hoop and we love how he can really finish off a shot, even in heavy traffic.”
   Rounding out the Laker roster are four walk-on players including David Slamic, Adam Bodak, Kameron Banks and Sadi Pinas-Zade. All four come from quality high school programs and Coach Brown is hoping these hard-working players can add depth to the program.
   “Depth is something we haven’t always had, but something we’ve always needed,” said coach Brown, “If these kids keep working, they will become invaluable to our team.”
“This year, we’re going to be much more aggressive,” said Coach Brown, “Offensively, we’ll look to utilize our perimeter in order to stretch defenses and defensively we’ll be more aggressive than we’ve ever been.”
   “We’re going to constantly pressure the ball and overplay the passing lanes. We’re hoping to get quite a few fast-breaks this season,” said Coach Brown.
   The season will be a tough one as usual, playing in the ever-competitive OCCAC. The Lakers will prepare for league-play with a little more than a month’s worth of non-conference contests, including the Lakeland Invitational and the Kalamazoo Valley Tournament.
   “Our schedule allows us to see some quality teams before beginning our conference schedule,” said Coach Brown, “We travel to Michigan and New York and spend a lot of time on the road early on, and this helps us prepare for the long road to the conference title.”
   Coach Brown is positive the combination of experience and talent his team has will be what’s necessary to make that title dream a reality.
   “The league has a lot of new athletes, but not a lot of returning experience. We’re definitely one of the most experienced teams and I think that fact puts us in the championship hunt,” said Coach Brown.
   So opponents, be prepared, because as of November seventh, it’s open season and the Lakers are armed and ready.

LINKS

SOPHOMORES 2001 - 02

Season Outlook

Sophomores

Coaches/Team Roster

Game Schedule

KEON AVERY #10
Sophomore * 5’10 * Guard
Cleveland Heights, OH
Cleveland Heights High School

COLLEGE: After making the team as a walk-on, played in nine games as a Laker freshman… PERSONAL: son of Bobbie Avery and Andre Avery… working on his associate of business degree… BROWN ON AVERY: “Keon was a walk-on player one year ago, who worked hard all season long. We’re hoping he continues to work hard so he can see more playing time this season. He’s a guard with nice quickness and aggressiveness. He’s also a nice kid and we’re glad to have him back this year. Not only does he work hard at basketball, but he also works hard in the classroom and that’s very important.”

ANTONN MELTON #22
Sophomore * 5’10 * Guard
Bedford Heights, OH
Bedford High School

COLLEGE: Played in all 28 games as a freshman… averaged 14.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game… OCCAC Honorable Mention pick… seventh leading scorer in OCCAC… earned Laker Newcomer of the Year… led the team with 86-percent shooting from the line… HIGH SCHOOL: averaged 20.2 points and 5 assists per game his senior year to lead the Bearcats to the Division I State Championship game… First-Team All-Lake Erie League… First-Team All-Northeast Lakes District… Co-Most Valuable Player… four-year Varsity player for Head Coach Everett Herd… PERSONAL: son of Sharon Cash and Gregory Hemphill… working towards his associate of arts degree… BROWN ON MELTON: “We’re counting on Antonn to be our floor general this year. He’s nicknamed “Mouse” because of his uncanny ability to get into little cracks in the defense and make plays.”

ADAM MONTGOMERY #52
Sophomore * 6’8 * Center
Painesville, OH
Painesville Riverside High School

COLLEGE: Played sparingly during the 1999-2000 season and then spent the 2000-2001 season on the sidelines because of an injury… is a big and strong inside player who will be more of a force this season… HIGH SCHOOL: was a three-year Varsity letterman for Head Coach Rob Winton… PERSONAL: son of Bonnie and Dale Montgomery… computer science major… BROWN ON MONTGOMERY: “Adam is a big space-eating center who scores in close and rebounds well. He also adds much-needed size to our front line. He was injured last season and we’re hoping he has fully recovered and won’t have any setbacks this season.”

DOUG VIEGAS #34
Sophomore * 6’6 * Guard/Forward
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Costa Manso H.S./Madison H.S.

COLLEGE: Started two-thirds of the games as a freshman during the 1999-2000 season… averaged 12.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game… OCCAC Honorable Mention selection… OCCAC All-Academic Team… HIGH SCHOOL: attended Costa Manso High in Brazil before transferring to Madison his senior year where he earned a Varsity letter for Head Coach Bob Peterlin… PERSONAL: son of Vincente and Maria do Carmo Viegas… working towards associate of arts degree with a business major and drama minor… STAR student athlete for his 3.68 accumulative grade point average… BROWN ON VIEGAS: “Doug is an explosive small forward who is very athletic and can shoot the ‘three.’ We’re glad to have him back after a foot injury that sidelined him for all of last year.”

BRAD WINTON #32
Sophomore * 6’4 * Guard
Leroy, OH
Painesville Riverside High School

COLLEGE: Played in 26 games as a freshman… averaged 5.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game… led the team with 43-percent shooting from beyond the arc… HIGH SCHOOL: led team to a PAC Championship… averaged 17.5 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds per game… broke all three-point records for the Beavers…Second-Team All-Region… News-Herald First-Team… Greater Cleveland, Western Reserve and News-Herald All-Star… Head Coach Rob Winton… PERSONAL: son of Rob and Dianna Winton… working toward his associate of arts degree… STAR student athlete for his 3.20 accumulative grade point average fall semester… BROWN ON WINTON: “Brad is a three-point specialist who rarely misses. Midway through last season he really became comfortable with the college level and has continued to gain more confidence ever since. He will figure heavily into our plays this season.”

LINKS

2001-02 COACHES / TEAM ROSTER

Season Outlook

Sophomores

Coaches/Team Roster

Game Schedule


#	Name	Year	Height	Position	High School
10	Keon Avery	SO	5'8	Guard	Cleveland Heights
30	Kameron Banks	FR	6'1	Guard	Shaker Heights
50	Adam Bodak	FR	6'1	Center	Painesville Riverside
24	Jason Bratten	FR	6'3	Guard	Mentor
20	Ernie Cobbin	FR	6'2	Guard	Kent Roosevelt
44	Dustin Kinney	FR	6'6	Forward/Center	Wickliffe
14	E.J. Kinney	FR	6'3	Guard/Forward	Wickliffe
22	Antonn Melton	SO	5'10	Guard	Bedford
52	Adam Montgomery	SO	6'8	Center	Painesville Riverside
42	Andy Montgomery	FR	6'1	Guard	Painesville Riverside
12	Sadi Pinas-Zade	FR	5'7	Guard	John Marshall
40	David Slamic	FR	6'0	Guard	Mentor
34	Doug Viegas	SO	6'6	Guard/Forward	Sao Paulo, Brazil
32	Brad Winton	SO	6'4"	Guard/Wing	Painesville Riverside

Head Coach: Willis Brown

The 2001-02 season marks Coach Brown’s seventh season on the Lakeland coaching staff. He was the assistant coach for four years, and then became the interim head coach at the end of the 1998-99 season. As the interim head coach, Brown’s squad went 7-3 and won the OCCAC State Tournament. Last year, the Lakers had a below .500 year, but Coach Brown hopes to change that. He oversees all operations with emphasis on recruiting. This year Coach Brown and his staff have recruited a strong class who will definitely be competitive within the league.
   As for the Lakeland philosophy, Coach Brown agrees with the emphasis on the education of the student athlete both in the classroom and on the court.
   “Our administration and Director of Athletics, Scott Barlow, create an atmosphere for our athletes to have every possible opportunity to become success stories,” Brown said.
   Coach Brown is a 1995 graduate of Baldwin Wallace College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in sports administration. He is currently the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center Recreation Director. He currently resides in Chagrin Falls and has two daughters, Miranda (10) and newborn Breanna.

Terry Bowe, Assistant Coach

This is Coach Bowe’s second year with the Lakers. His responsibilities include running strength and conditioning programs, compiling statistics and aiding in recruiting. He is a 1996 graduate of Baldwin Wallace College with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Currently, he is the Assistant Human Resources Director for University Hospital Health Systems Mednet Division. Coach Bowe resides in Maple Heights.

Chris Ulrich, Assistant Coach

This is Coach Ulrich’s fourth year with the Lakers. His responsibilities include working with post players, formulating scouting reports and breaking down game films. He is a 1992 graduate of Baldwin Wallace College with a bachelor’s degree in business. Coach Ulrich is a former B.W. teammate of Coach Brown. He is currently a customer service manager for Transfer Express, which is off of Tyler Boulevard in Mentor. This is his ninth year working at the company. Coach Ulrich resides in Mentor.

LINKS

2001-02 GAME SCHEDULE

Season Outlook

Sophomores

Coaches/Team Roster

Game Schedule

Date	Team	Location	Time
NOVEMBER
Wednesday 7	Pitt-Titusville	HOME	7 p.m.
Saturday 10	Glen Oaks CC	HOME	3 p.m.
Wednesday 14	Mercyhurst NE	Erie, PA	7 p.m.
Saturday 17	Alfred State CC	Alfred, NY	2 p.m.
Sunday 18	Monroe CC	Rochester, NY	3 p.m.
Tuesday 20	Jamestown CC	Jamestown, NY	7 p.m.
Wednesday 28	Genesee CC	Batavia, NY	7 p.m.
DECEMBER
Saturday 1	Macomb CC	HOME	3 p.m.
Tuesday 4	Wooster JV	HOME	7 p.m.
*Saturday 8*	*Lakeland Invitational* *Erie vs Ancilla* *Lakeland vs Mercyhurst NE*	*HOME*	*5:30 p.m.* *7 p.m.*
*Sunday 9*	*Lakeland Invitational* *Consolation Game* *Championship Game*	*HOME*	*12 p.m.* *2 p.m.*
Friday 14	Kalamazoo Valley Tourney	Kalamazoo, MI	7:30 p.m.
Saturday 15	Kalamazoo Valley Tourney	Kalamazoo, MI	1 or 3 p.m.
Saturday 22	Clark State CC *	Springfield, OH	3 p.m.
JANUARY
Saturday 5	Sinclair CC *	HOME	3 p.m.
Wednesday 9	Columbus State CC *	HOME	5 p.m.
Saturday 12	Cincinnati State CC*	Cincinnati, OH	4 p.m.
Wednesday 16	Cuyahoga CC *	HOME	5 p.m.
Saturday 19	Edison State CC *	Piqua, OH	3 p.m.
Wednesday 23	Owens CC *	HOME	5 p.m.
Saturday 26	Sinclair CC *	Dayton, OH	4 p.m.
Wednesday 30	Columbus State CC *	Columbus, OH	5 p.m.
FEBRUARY
Saturday 2	Cincinnati State CC *	HOME	3 p.m.
Wednesday 6	Cuyahoga CC *	Cleveland, OH	5 p.m.
Saturday 9	Edison State CC *	HOME	3 p.m.
Wednesday 13	Owens CC *	Toledo, OH	5 p.m.
Saturday 16	Clark State CC *	HOME	3 p.m.
*Saturday 23*	*OCCAC Tournament* *First Round*	*HOME*	*3 p.m.*
MARCH
Friday 1	OCCAC Final Four	Sinclair CC (Dayton, OH)	TBA
Saturday 2	OCCAC Championship	Sinclair CC (Dayton, OH)	TBA
Tues-Sat 5-9	Region XII Tournament	Kalamazoo, MI	TBA

Home Games in Bold
OCCAC Games Denoted with *
Tournaments in Italics with Gray Background

LINKS

2001- 02 GAME RESULTS & STATISTICS

Game Results & Statistics

Game	Opponent	OCCAC	Won/Loss	Score
1	Pitt-Titusville (PA)		Won	107-81
2	Glen Oaks CC (MI)		Loss	89-92 OT
3	Mercyhurst NE (PA)		Won	101-85
4	Alfred State (NY)		Won	97-82
5	Monroe CC (NY) (27 D-I)*		Loss	68-80
6	Jamestown (NY)		Loss	75-93
7	Genesee CC (NY) (15)*		Loss	80-94
8	Macomb CC (MI)		Loss	63-67
9	College of Wooster JV		Won	78-75 OT
10	*Mercyhurst NE (PA)*		*Won*	*75-63*
11	*Ancilla College (IN)*		*Won*	*77-64* *Coca-Cola/News-Herald Classic Champions*
12	Kalamazoo Valley CC (MI)		Won	89-84
13	Ancilla College (IN)		Won	110-94 Kalamazoo Valley Christmas Classic Champions
14	Clark State CC	*	Won	88-86
15	Sinclair CC	*	Won	106-83
16	*Columbus St. CC (16)	*	Loss	63-82
17	Cincinnati St. CC	*	Loss	59-89
18	Cuyahoga CC	*	Won	87-81
19	Edison State CC	*	Won	74-67
20	Owens CC (3)*	*	Loss	80-86
21	Sinclair CC	*	Won	82-77
22	*Columbus St. CC (18)	*	Won	69-63
23	Cincinnati St. CC (22-DI)*	*	Loss	75-97
24	Cuyahoga CC	*	Won	103-95
25	Edison State CC	*	Won	88-85
26	*Owens CC (3)	*	Loss	66-82
27	Clark State CC	*	Loss	89-94
28	*Edison State CC*		*Won*	*79-73*
29	Owens CC		Loss	67-72
30	Macomb CC (MI)		Won	73-68
31	Glen Oaks CC (MI)		Won	86-82
32	Owens CC		Loss	50-71
	RECORD		19-13 overall Region XII 3rd Place	8-6 OCCAC 4th Place

Home Games in Bold Type
Tournament games in italics
* Teams ranked by the NJCAA Top 50 Poll

LINKS

RECRUITING

Recruiting