View Game Notes for Virginia Union game

            The 2011-12 Clarion University Men's Basketball team will have 2 starters and 7 lettermen returning as the Golden Eagles prepare to open Friday, November 11 at 5:30 pm against Virginia Union at California (Pa.).
 
            Clarion "officially" opens the new season on November 11-12 at the PSAC/CIAA Challenge hosted at California University. After the opener against Virginia Union on Friday, Clarion plays Lincoln on Nov. 12^th at 5:30pm. The home opener is set for November 15^th against Holy Family at 7:30 p.m. 

            The season opener against Virginia Union can also be heard on the basketball flagship station, 91.7 WCUC-FM with Kevin Zambory and Drew Karpen.
 
            Coach Ron Righter, who begins his 24th season at Clarion, has been the master architect of a fabulous 23-year record at Clarion of 374-248 (60%), which includes PSAC-West titles in 1997, 2000 and 2005, plus a PSAC crown in 2001. With twelve trips to the PSAC Playoffs in the last fifteen years its easy to see why Righter is so highly respected among his peers and loved by his hometown fans.
 
            Including two seasons as head coach at Wilkes in 1980 and 1981, Righter has a 25-year coaching record of 398-272. He only needs two wins to reach the coveted 400 win plateau.
   
            "This has been a really fun and interesting team to coach in the pre-season,” said Righter. “It will be a little different from some of our past teams in that we will return a really strong inside game – but that said – our goal is to achieve a true balanced attack and work that from the inside out. We'll have a strong, veteran presence inside and we'll work to our strengths. But I like what I've seen so far from our guards. How fast they mature and grow as a group will likely tell how far this group can go in the PSAC-Western Division and beyond.”
 
            2011 was another exciting season of basketball at Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles were 15-11 overall and 5-9 in the PSAC-Western Division.
 
            The season started strong with Clarion posting a 9-0 record to start the year, including PSAC-East wins against West Chester (98-72) and Millersville (85-76). Close losses hurt the Eagles throughout the year, including games at Ship (63-69), Cheyney (74-75), at Mercyhurst (81-91 ot), California (75-76), and Mercyhurst (60-61), with several of those losses coming on the game's final play.
 
            Clarion missed the PSAC Playoffs for only the third time in the last 15 years. Great seasons were had by seniors Lloyd and Jamar Harrison. Lloyd earned first team PSC-West honors (18.2ppg, 121 assists, 61 steals), while Jamar was a second team choice (19.3ppg, 6.6 rebs, 45 assists, 39 steals).
   
            Righter, the 2005 and 1997 PSAC-West "Coach of the Year", has had a magical ride at Clarion with some great seasons during his tenure. An overall Clarion coaching record of 374-248 (60%), Righter has an even more impressive record of 257- 157 (62.1%) over the last 15 seasons, including a quality 103-83 (55.4%) mark in the PSAC-West.  During that time Righter has averaged 17 wins per season
 
            Righter has led Clarion to three PSAC-West titles (2005, 2000, 1997) and one PSAC Championship (2001). In 2005 Clarion was 19-9 overall and first in the West with an 8-4 mark. In 2001 the Eagles were 19-10 overall, 7-5 in the West, caught fire in the playoffs and won its first PSAC Championship with an 80-77 overtime victory over West Chester (at Edinboro.). The Golden Eagles qualified for the NCAA Playoffs and lost to Salem 77-72, the first time the Eagles were in the D-II Playoffs since 1981.
 
            In 2000 Clarion posted a 20-7 overall record and won the West with a 10-2 mark, while in 1997 the Eagles were first in the West with a 10-2 record and notched a 22-7 overall mark. Clarion finished second in the PSAC that season and narrowly missed the NCAA Playoffs.
 
            Other strong seasons include 2010 when Clarion was 18-11 overall and second in the West with a 9-5 record, along with 2003 when Clarion was 19-10 overall and 7-5 in the West. The 1999 squad was 19-8 overall and 7-5 in the West and 1998 when the Eagles were 20-7 overall and 8-4 in the West. Righter also posted a 19-8 mark in 1992 and a 17-9 record in 1993.
   
            The 2011-2012 season? "Our goals are to make the PSAC  Playoffs and go from there,” reflected Righter. “Our practices have been really upbeat and positive,” he continued. “I really like the attitude of this team, their work ethic and attention to detail. This will be an extremely unselfish team that makes the extra pass and will function best with a totally balanced offensive attack. We want to control the tempo of the game, play quality pressure defense, have a good shot selection and rotate our defenses and matchups to our advantage. I believe our players will accept their roles, we just need to mature our younger and first year players quickly to try and get off to a good start. We need a total team contribution to reach our goals.”
   
            Senior forward Paul McQueen (Garfield Heights, Oh.) and senior center Mike Nealis (Drexel Hill/Episcopal Academy) will be the team captains for 2011-12.
 
            McQueen, a 6-5, 245-pound senior, forward, is a returning two-year starter and three-year letterwinner.  McQueen has had a very strong career for the blue and gold at power forward and center. In 2010-11, although missing three games with an ankle injury, he averaged 10.7ppg and 6.7 rebounds, while contributing 55 assists, 17 steals, 11 blocks and shot 75% from the free throw line. His top games included 20 points versus UDC and a 19 point, 14 rebound performance against UPJ.
 
            Paul averaged 11.1ppg and 7.2 rebounds in 2010, and had a game high 23 points versus Penn and 15 rebounds against Mrecyhurst. In his career McQueen has scored 683 points (8.6ppg), hauled in 455 rebounds (5.8rpg), 118 assists, 60 steals and 30 blocked shots.
 
            Nealis, a 6-8, 220-pouind senior, center, has been a role player at the center spot for the Eagles. He played in 13 games last year and scored 25 points and contributed 10 rebounds. In 2010 he played in 24 games and notched 45 points and 32 rebounds.
 
            Paul and Mike have really embraced their roles as leaders at the captain's position,” said Righter.” “They are experienced players who know what it takes to get the job done. I believe they will provide great leadership to our entire team this season,” said Righter.
   
            Four veteran players return with experience that are expected to provide key contributions to help the Golden Eagles to another outstanding season. They include center Quintus “Bud” Teer (Sr. University Heights, Oh./Cleveland Heights), forward Mike Kromka (So. Monroeville/Gateway) and guards Leonard Patterson (Jr. Cleveland, Oh. – John F. Kennedy) and Brandon Winbush (So., Alexandria, Va. – Hayfield).
 
            Teer, a 6-5, 245-pound senior, center who is a terror inside, was a transfer last year from Rio Grande College. The 2010-11 season was an outstanding one for the Eagle junior who averaged 11.8ppg and 10.5 rebounds per game, along with 45 assists, 39 steals, 11 blocks and shot 73.8% from the free throw line. He ranked #1 in the PSAC in rebounding (10.5) and #1 in the PSAc in offensive rebounding (4.4). “Bud's” top games were 24 points, 23 rebounds vs UDC, 22 points against Mercyhurst and 17 rebounds versus Edinboro. He had 13 double doubles, an awesome season.
 
            Kromka, a 6-6, 220-pound forward, had a very solid freshman year in 2010-11 playing in all 26 games while averaging 4.7ppg and 4.9 rebounds, while being second on the team with 14 blocked shots.  Handing out 18 assists with 10 steals, Mike had 10 points on four occasions including against IUP an dCal, plus had 12 rebounds against Edinboro and 11 versus Ship and Slippery Rock. An explosive jumper who runs the floor well, Mike is expected to have a big season.
 
            Patterson, a 5-11, 170-pound junior, point guard, is ready to take center stage to help run the Clarion offense. Patterson played in 22 games last year and averaged 2.4ppg, 1.3 rebounds, collected 16 assists and 10 steals. He had a game high 8 points versus UDC and 3 assists against Slippery Rock. Patterson is also known to be a strong defensive player who can shut down an opposing point guard. His defense will be pivotal the Eagles success.
 
            Winbush, a 5-11, 180-pound sophomore point and shooting guard, is a versatile player in the Eagle back court. Expected to be eligible in December, Brandon played in 16 games last year and scored 34 points as a true freshman.
   
            Forward David Colbert (Jr. Youngstown, Oh./Christian) and Tarran Prince (So. Philadelphia/Bodine) are also hoping to get some court time this season.
 
            Colbert, who has seen action in each of the last two seasons, playe in 15 games last year and contriobuted 28 points and 12 rebounds. A very athletic forward, Colbert is working hard to get in the clarion rotation.
 
            Prince, a sophomore guard, saw action in only three games a year ago and scored 2 points. Also a good athlete, Tarran is hoping for additional playing time in 2011-12.
   
            The Golden Eagles are expecting big things from their incoming recruits including guards Calvin Edwards (Jr. Delaware, Oh./Hayes), Winfield Willis (Fr. Baltimore, Md./St. Paul's), Patrick Zedreck (McDonald/South Fayette) and Jeremy Schmader (Fr. Leeper/North Clarion), along with forward Drew Vandermeer (Jr. Clarion).
 
            Edwards, a 6-3, 175-pound, junior guard from Delaware, Ohio, comes to Clarion from Owens Community College in Ohio. Playing the third guard/small forward spot, Edwards averaged 15ppg, 3.9 rebds and 3 assists at Owens last year. Considered a “great conditioned athlete”, Righter expects Edwards to battle to start at the #3 spot while also helping at shooting guard. He is an excellent shooter with good range.
 
            Willis, a 6-1, 185-pound freshman guard from Baltimore, Md., is battling to start at the #2 guard (shooting guard) position for Clarion. A quick, explosive guard with a soft shooting touch, Willis averaged 21ppg at St. Paul's high, before going to Westwind Prep and averaging 11.5ppg in helping Westwind to the National Prep School Quarterfinals. Also a tough defensive player, Willis is considered a very unselfish player.
 
            Zedreck, a 6-0, 180-pound freshman point guard from McDonald, Pa. – comes to Clarion from South Fayette High near Pittsburgh. An experienced point guard who has played in pressure situations, Zedreck averaged 16ppg, 8 assists and 5 steals his senior year in Class AAA. He was a Third Team All-State choice and WPIAL AAA Fab Five. Patrick also helped lead South Fayette to the PIAA Class AA State title as a junior averaging 15.3ppg, 7.6 assists, 3.2 steals and 2.8 rebs. He was also a Third Team All-state and WPIAL Fab Five selection in 2010. He scored 1,420 career points and is expected to battle for the starting point guard spot this season.
 
            Schmader, a 6-1, 175-pound freshman guard, is a local product from North Clarion High School. Looking for time as a shooting guard, Jreemy set the North clarion school record with 1,772 career points. He averaged 22.8ppg, 6.1 rebs and 4.5 assists as a senior. The Wolves were KSAC champs his junior season.
 
            Vandermeer, a 6-6, 185-pound, junior forward, is also a local product from Clarion Area High. Drew played the 2009 and 2010 seasons at Grove City College. In 2010 he started all 28 games at Grove city and averaged 7.8ppg and 4.4 rebounds with 23 assists and 22 steals. He led the team with 44 blocked shots and helped the team to the P.A.C. Title. He had a high game of 11 points and 11 rebounds against St. Vincent. In 2009 he played in 25 games and averaged 2.4ppg and 2.2 rebounds. His two-year Grove City career saw him cash in on 276 points, 178 rebounds, 55 blocks, 34 assists and 25 steals. Drew is battling with Edwards to start at the #3 spot.
 
CLARION NOTES: Coach Righter had a two-year record of 24-24 as head coach of Wilkes College in 1980 and 1981 … His overall collegiate coaching record is 398-272 in 25 seasons … He needs 2 wins this year to reach 400 wins in his career … Righter has an unbelievable home record at Tippin Gym of 234-95,  a 71.1% winning rate over his 23 seasons… The last 14 years Clarion is 162-56 at home, a winning rate of 74.3% … Dating back to 1971 (40 years), Clarion has an overall men's record of 677-425 - a 61.4 % winning percentage ... The Golden Eagles have won the PSAC-West 12 times including 1971, 73, 77, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85, 97, 2000 and 2005 ... 1971 and 73 under Ron Galbreath, 77, 79, 80 and 81 under Joe DeGregorio, 83, 84 and 85 under Dr. Richard Taylor and the last three under coach Righter... Prior to 1981 Clarion went to the NAIA Nationals in 1976-77 when the team went 27-3 and in 1979-80 when the Eagles were 23-6... In the 1977 NAIA Tournament Clarion defeated Augsburg (88-84), then lost to Grand Valley (79-65)... In the 1980 tournament Clarion defeated Grand Canyon (83-75), Loras, Iowa (79-71), then lost to Huron S.D. 61-52... The PSAC went completely to the NCAA the following season and Clarion went to the NCAA Playoffs in 1981 ... The Eagles defeated Monmouth 80-78 in the semi final game, then lost 84-61 to Cal Poly SLO in the Regional Finals at Monmouth, New Jersey... All three tournament appearances were under coach DeGregorio ... DeGregorio won 159 games in 8 years and held the record for coaching wins prior to Righter ... Clarion's 1952 team won the NAIB District title and went to the NAIB Nationals under Ben Kribbs and lost their first tournament game to Utah State 85-68.