KFDM COOP Posted October 31, 2007 Report Posted October 31, 2007 October 31, 2007Lamar State-PA basketball team opens season Thursday in BeevilleLamar State College-Port Arthur head basketball coach Don Brysonheads into Thursday's season opener at Coastal Bend College in Beeville witha much stronger team than the ones he coached in his first three years atthe college.This year, Bryson has a larger roster and more talented players,including 10 who earned all-district honors in high school.In the early years, Bryson often had a short list of players, andmany who weren't ready for the intense competition they saw against DivisionI schools that provide full scholarships, housing and meals for theirathletes. Lamar State currently is playing in Division III, with noscholarships. The Seahawks will join the Division I Region XIV conferencefor the 2008-09 season.By the time the Seahawks reached the Metro Conference Tournamentthis past March, Bryson had only six players on the active roster. Startingguard Noah Cole was knocked unconscious during the first half of the firsttournament game, leaving only five players to finish the contest, which theSeahawks won, 72-69."We've seen improvement every year, and that's certainly true thisyear," Bryson said. "Although we only have two players returning - Noah andforward Cody Guidry - our team quickness and shooting is considerably betterthan last year. We have several players now who can hit from the outside,which will help our inside game."Cole, a 5'-11" sophomore from Vidor, earned all-conference honorablemention this past year and is continuing where he left off at the end of theseason."Noah has been working on his game in the off-season," Bryson said."He also is doing what it takes to be a leader on the floor."Guidry (6'-4"), a sophomore from Hamshire-Fannett, had to play"tall" last year as a forward, often guarding players who were severalinches taller, Bryson said."This year, we've got some other tall folks, so Cody will be able tomove around," Bryson said. "He does whatever is necessary to help the team,no matter what position he plays. You can always count on him to be aroundthe ball."This year's Seahawks squad includes two of Cole's former teammatesat Vidor - brothers George and Jason Williamson, who both earnedall-district first team honors. George, a 2005 graduate, was the runner-upfor the James Gamble "Mr. Outside" Award and the offensive player of theyear as a senior. Jason was the team's MVP in 2007.Bryson also has some players who are returning to the area afterplaying at other schools.Point guard Jemel Douriso, a finalist for the James Gamble "Mr.Outside" Award in 2004, is a Port Neches-Groves graduate who earned districtoffensive player of the year, all-district and all-region honors.Former Ozen High School teammates Andre "P-Nutt" Boutte, formerly atLee College, and David Redmon, formerly at Angelina College, are reunited atLamar State. Sam Stelly, a 6'-4" forward, was one of the top high school tightends in the state when he graduated from Beaumont West Brook in 2006 andsigned with Southern University.Seth Harley (6'-4"), a 2006 graduate of Little Cypress-MauricevilleHigh School and former all-district and all-region player, was a basketballand football standout in high school. He received a football scholarshipfrom McNeese State University, but decided to return home and pursuebasketball this year.Bryson's team also includes 6'-5" post John Payton, who earnedall-district and all-state recognition at Cathedral High School in Beaumont,and 6'-4" forward Gerald Griffin, a two-year all-district player at LakeCharles Washington-Marion High School.2007-08 Lamar-Port Arthur Seahawks RosterName/Number Ht/Wt Year PositionHigh School 10 Jemel Douriso 5'-10" 150 freshmanguard Port Neches-Groves, 2004 12 David Redmon 5'-10" 165 freshman guardBeaumont Ozen, 2006 13 Jason Williamson 6'-1" 185 freshmanguard Vidor, 2007 14 Raybon "R.J." Phillips 6'-1" 185 freshman forwardStarks (LA), 2007* 15 Noah Cole 5'-11" 175 sophomoreguard Vidor, 2006 20 George Williamson 6'-5" 180 sophomoreforward Vidor, 2005 21 Gerald Griffin 6'-4" 175 freshmanguard/forward Lake Charles Marion, 2007 22 Michael Palermo 6'-5" 210 freshman postPort Neches-Groves, 2007* 24 Cody Guidry 6'-4" 185 sophomoreguard/forward Hamshire-Fannett, 2006 25 Seth Harley 6'-4" 225 freshmanforward/guard LC-Mauriceville, 2006 30 Sam Stelly 6'-4" 235 sophomoreforward Beaumont West Brook, 2006 31 John Payton 6'-5" 250 freshman postBeaumont Cathedral, 2006 32 Andre "P-Nut" Boutte Jr. 6'-5" 205 sophomoreguard/forward Beaumont Ozen, 2006(* returning from 2006-07 team)
UNLV Posted November 1, 2007 Report Posted November 1, 2007 I would rather LSPA play LU in Port Arthur for one of the exhibition games.
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