15/09/07 Warriors Finalise Roster as Steve O Joins the Show National Basketball team UH West Herts Warriors have taken steps to finalise their roster, securing the return of the bulk of last years squad and capturing the signature of BBL player Steve Ogunjimi, who joins from London United having also had top level experience at Newcastle as well as playing for London Leopards. “I first tried to sign Steve 6 years ago when I was Head Coach at Worthing, but Newcastle made him a good offer and he went north. Since then our paths have crossed on several occasions but I never achieved his signature” said a delighted Assistant Coach Neil McElduff. “Steve is a smart player, well coached and fundamentally sound. He plays hard at both ends of the floor and is a great addition to our team”. Ogunjimi is equally pleased to have made the move “ I saw the guys last year and they improved throughout the season. Hopefully I can help add that bit extra and we can compete for silverware”. McElduff was equally pleased at the return of the bulk of last years squad. Jo Perera is back at point guard, backed up by Marlan Henry. “Jo is what this club is all about: a local lad, through the juniors, successful American college career, playing for his local team. We hope Jo can have an injury free year and show his real ability”. Former Leopards player Matt Eames brings his skills back to the small forward spot. Big men Lee McCarthy and Mark Quashie are back to control the boards with the support of Neil Baker, who moves up after a highly successful season with the clubs second team last year. 6’6” forward Marlon Munro, who played on the Division 2 Championship team in 2005, is training with the team after injury and both parties are hopeful he will be able to take a spot on the final roster. “We still have a couple of spots open that we expect to conclude shortly but we feel confident we have a competitive team that the fans will enjoy watching” concluded McElduff. Warriors' season starts on 6th October against last seasons runners up Reading Rockets at Herts Sports Village, tip off 6.30pm. 07/09/07 It’s Bright and Brown in Hertfordshire this season English Basketball League Division 1 side West Herts Warriors have secured the signings of two exciting American players for the forthcoming EBL season. Cedric Brown is bringing his game to Hertfordshire fresh from the Tennessee Mudfrogs in the American Basketball Association. Brown was selected as a NAIA All-American in both his junior and senior years at College and led the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) in three of the top five categories -- points (20.7), rebounds (10.7), and blocks (3.5). The 6-7, center/power forward from Charlotte, North Carolina ranked among the NAIA leaders in points (13th), rebounds (6th), blocks (4th), and double-doubles (tied-1st). Brown also surpassed the 1,000 point mark in just two seasons at Bluefield College and was named AAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. His team were the Appalachian Athlete Conference Champions in 2005 and he was also named AAC defensive player of the year and a two time nomination to the AAC All defensive team. “I can’t wait to get over there and help the team. I see us having a very successful year this year -I cant wait to get it started” said Brown. Antonio “Stix” Bright played his college ball at Kentucky Wesleyan University where he led his team in scoring (17ppg) and was second in rebounding (7 rpg). He was also awarded All American honours. Unlike Brown, he has tasted England before, having played with the Solent Stars last year, averaging 25 points per game and 9 rebounds per game. He also has an amazing 41 inch vertical jump! “It was a no-brainer decision to sign Stix. We got to know him very well last year, liked his game and liked him as a person. Both ours imports are good solid people, which is very important to us as we want them out in the community, working with schools and other groups, helping kids and developing the game” commented Warriors GM Tony Harrison. Warriors Coach Neville Austin “We looked at our potential English talent and decided to plug the gaps with our 2 imports. Stix is a great slasher/cutter who can get to the basket and Cedric is a real athlete with a solid all round game – he brings a lot of different things to the team. Our fans will enjoy these two guys.” Further signings will be announced shortly. Warriors season starts on 6th October against last season’s runners up Reading Rockets at Herts Sports Village, tip off 6.30pm. 03/09/07 All change at West Herts Warriors as the county’s premier basketball team looks to continue its rise up the National League ladder, with the appointment of former England international Neville Austin as Head Coach for the 2007/08 season. Neville, who stands 6’10” tall, played college ball at the highly ranked University of Georgia in NCAA division 1 in America. His highly successful playing career saw him win British Championships with London Towers and Thames Valley Tigers alongside spells in Belgium and Argentina. “I was delighted to be appointed and am looking forward to the challenge of coaching an exiting, entertaining team that the fans want to see. We will be competitive and excite” said Austin. “I know a lot of the players already and I am sure we will work together and bring success to a great club”. Tony Harrison, coach of last years 6th place squad commented “We have come a long way in a short space of time – it is only 4 years since we entered the National League. We recognised the need to grow off the court as well as on it and hence Neville’s appointment allows us to be stronger overall team in what is a very exiting time for basketball in the run up to the 2012 Olympics” Tony will now focus on the role of General Manager of the senior team as well as coaching the West Herts Warriors women’s team and assisting Austin where needed. Austin will be further assisted by Neil McElduff, who coached last year’s successful division 4 Warriors team. McElduff is an EBBA Senior coach and spent 12 years with the highly successful Worthing set-up, winning an array of honours including 3 consecutive National Championships. “One of our goals was to be strong on and off the court to support the excellent development programme we have running under Tony Marmo. We are now looking to strengthen our community programme and make the Warriors a part of life in West Hertfordshire” said Harrison. “We are finalising our roster and will be making announcements shortly”. Warriors first game of the season 6th October versus Reading at the Herts Sports Village, tip off at 6.30pm.
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