The dry-erase board has been wiped completely clean for the Rend Lake Colegeg mens basketball program. Head Coach Randy House has built a 15-man roster made up entirely of freshmen. Size-wise, Rend Lake players are an average inch taller than last year and have gained an average 13 pounds per player.
The Warriors and House are hoping to improve on last year’s 6-23 record. The team was without a win in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference.
Local talent for the Warriors include Trico’s Jesse Smith a point guard and Dennis Froemling at guard. Also from Illinois are guard Kevon Fortney and 6’5 guard/forward Cameron Tucker, both of Mt. Vernon; and 6’3, 200 pound guard/forward Dawson Verhines of Woodlawn. Add Metropolis’ Corey Ayala at guard, 6’8 center Vennis Brown from Colp and Chicago products in 6’4 guard/forward Dominique Bolden and 6’1 point guard Ameer Weeks.
Those joining the Rend Lake ranks from out of state include 6’5 forward Noel Allen from Guttenburg, New Jersey, 6’5 forward Dorvontis Gordon from Indianapolis, 6’6 forward Cody Hanner from Harviell, Missouri, 6’1 point guard TeNale Roland of Louisville, 6’7 forward Derrick Williams from Monticello, Arkansas, and 6’4 Michigan forward Larry Johnson Jr., son of former NBA great and first-round pick Larry Johnson whose professional career spanned a decade.