KFDM COOP Posted March 5, 2008 Report Posted March 5, 2008 LU to salute Sanders, Todd Hopkins during Senior Night By Bob West The Port Arthur News BEAUMONT — Taking care of business could get pretty emotional for Lamar University players, coaches and fans Thursday night against Nicholls State. Because it’s the regular season home finale, Senior Night ceremonies will precede the game. That means it will be time to bid a symbolic farewell to three quality individuals who have represented the Cardinals will class on and off the basketball court. “It’s going to be a real special time,†said LU coach Steve Roccaforte of the tribute to be paid to Lamar Sanders, Darren Hopkins and Currye Todd. They all have a lot of family coming in. I sure hope our fans turn out in big numbers. These guys deserve it.†All three seniors will be in the starting lineup as Lamar tries to get back on the winning track after having its 11-game winning streak snapped Saturday night by McNeese State. Despite the loss, Lamar still owns a one-game lead over Stephen F. Austin for the overall top spot in the Southland Conference. Nicholls, which is 0-12 in Beaumont, comes to town with an unimpressive 4-10, 9-20 record and can’t make the field for the SLC tourney. The Colonels, though, have won two straight and should have Lamar’s full attention based on the fact the Cardinals needed overtime to beat them last month in Thibodaux. “They can give you a lot of problems when their three pointers start falling,†Roccaforte said. “They hit 16 of 31 last week and won at Northwestern State. Our guys know they are capable.†Three of the best things going for Lamar will be Sanders, Hopkins and Todd. They were Roccaforte’s first three recruits as a head coach and the junior college trio has been an integral part of helping him put excitement into a long dormant program. Sanders, out of Hickory Flat, Miss., has started all 59 games the last two years, averaging 12.0 points and 8.4 rebounds. Over the course of the past two seasons, he’s had 15 double-doubles, been named the SLC player of the week three times, was the conference rebound leader last year and authored the only triple double in school history. “Lamar Sanders is one of the most versatile guys to ever play here,†Roccaforte said. “He scores, rebounds, handles the ball and is a good passer. People think that he’s smaller than what he is because of all that he does, but he’s 6-6, 240. “He’s been a tremendous leader, the real heart and soul of our team the past two years. He does the right things, says the right things and plays harder in practice than anybody else. He’s been one of our captains for both years he’s been here. He’s also on track to graduate on May.†Hopkins, meanwhile, has started 49 of 59 games, while averaging 12.4 points and 4.0 rebounds. After going through a slump early this season, the 6-2 guard has come on strong since the start of conference play. In SLC games only, he’s the Cardinals leading scorer with a 14.4 average. “He’s a crunch time player,†said Roccaforte. “The first thing that comes to mind about Darren is the game-winning shots he made for us last year against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Sam Houston State in the conference tournament. He’s just a very clutch performer who is at his best late in the game. He’s one of those guys you don’t want to take off the floor. “You spend a little time with him and you realize what a special guy he is. He grew up in a very tough area of Baltimore and he’s come here and made friends and everybody loves him. Honestly, he may be the best human being I’ve ever met. He’s a two-time captain and he’s on schedule to graduate with a 3.0.†Todd, one of the best long-distance shooters to play at Lamar, has started 23 games during his two years in a Cardinal uniform and has been effective coming off the bench. The 6-4 product of Byhalia, Miss., averaged 9.5 points while connecting on 105 three point attempts. His career three-point percentage is a solid 38.7, but he’s been burying treys at a 45.3 clip this season. “Currye’s shooting range is as good as any player I’ve seen,†Roccaforte said. “He gets compared to Mike Olliver and for a Lamar player that’s as good as it gets. He can score points in a hurry and he believes in his heart he can score on anybody.
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