Thursday, November 18, 2010

A Good Start To The Season with More Work To Be Done!

11/12/2010-11/14/2010

Last weekend the Thunderbirds opened the season at the San Jose City Tip off Tournament. In the first round game the Thunderbirds had there hands full with the #6th ranked in the north #10th ranked in the state Foothill College Owls. The Thunderbirds started the season with a bang defeating the Owls 70-62.

#32 Tyler Idowu stood out with 20 points and 10 rebounds,
#3 Gurpreet Sandher had 12 points,
#5 Nick Capiti had 10 points and handed out 5 assists
#42Elliott Herald chiped in 9 points

In the second round contest once again the Thunderbirds had there hands full with the host and #12 ranked in the north San Jose City College Jaguars. The Thunderbirds displayed tenacious physical defense and solid rebounding on there way to a 74-67 victory over the Jaguars.

#32 Tyler Idowu led the way with a monster 26 points and 15 rebounds.
#23 Saajid Polite awakened with 18 points 8 assists 5 rebounds and 3 steals.
#3 Gurpreet Sandher had 10 points with 2 crucial 3pt daggers in the 2nd half.
#24 Richard Walker had 8 points and tied Tyler Idowu with 15 crucial rebounds.
#42 Elliott Herald chipped in 7 points and 5 rebounds.

In the Championship Game Sunday November 14, 2010 the Thunderbirds took on the Monterey College Lobos. The Thunderbirds high off there win against San Jose City College Jaguars came out lethargic and flat. The Thunderbirds never got into a flow the entire game and lost the Championship game 84-73 to the Lobos.

#21 Roman Robinson led the Thunderbirds with 21 points and 6 rebounds on 7-11 shooting and 100% from the ft line.
#23 Saajid Polite had 14 points 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
#32 Tyler Idowu had 11 points and 8 rebounds.
#24 Richard Walker had 6 points and 8 rebounds.

The Thunderbirds earned a 2nd place trophy and #32 Tyler Idowu and #23 Saajid Polite were awarded All Tournament awards.

What is clear is when the Thunderbirds play hard and focus they can defeat anyone. They must make this adjustment for the rest of the season.

Go Thunderbirds!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A New Chapter For The 2010-2011 Men's Basketball Program

The Merritt College Men's Basketball team is a couple days away from the beginning of the 2010-2011 basketball season and there is huge promise and potential for a great year of basketball. Not only is there a new season upon us but for the men's and women's basketball teams at the start of January 2011 the Merritt College gymnasium will reopen totally renovated and rejuvinated. A brand new basketball floor, bleachers and professional quality basketball goals have all been placed within the facility and look to see major use from the Thunderbirds as soon as construction is completed and the teams return.

The Thunderbirds are well prepared for success with a team full of players ready to put in the work to get to the post season and further. Coming into this season the Thunderbirds have adopted physical play and a defensive first mentality that will translate in significant success. Not only have the Thunderbirds changed there mentality but they also have compiled a team roster full of talented players that can match any team's talent level in California junior college basketball.

Here is a look at the 2010-2011 Merritt College Thunderbirds Men's Basketball Roster

TEAM ROSTER FOR MERRITT
# Name Pos Yr Ht Wt School
Home Road
0 0 Michael Mack F Fr 6' 5'' 205 Dunbar HS/ Chicago, IL
1 1 Kareem Ransom G Fr 6' 3'' 185 Inderkum HS/ Vallejo, CA
3 3 Gurpreet Sandher G Fr 6' 3'' 170 San Lorenzo HS/ San Lorenzo, CA
4 4 Erik Fearn C Fr 6' 7'' 205 Gaffney HS/ Gaffney, SC
5 5 Nick Capiti G Fr 6' 2'' 195 Bishop O'dowd HS/ Oakland, CA
10 10 William Tolfree F So 6' 7'' 195 Stephenson HS/ Atlanta, GA
11 11 Contrail Dixon G Fr 5' 9'' 165 Bencia HS/ Bencia, CA
21 21 Roman Robinson G So 6' 3'' 175 Rodriguez HS/ Fairfield, CA
22 22 Jis'aun Randle G Fr 6' 2'' 185 Newark Memorial HS/ Newark, CA
23 23 Saajid Polite G So 6' 3'' 190 Grant HS/ Sacramento, CA
24 24 Richard Walker F So 6' 7'' 195 Berkmar HS/ Atlanta, GA
32 32 Tyler Idowu F Fr 6' 4'' 205 Rodriguez HS/ Vallejo, CA
34 34 Maurice Anderson C Fr 6' 7'' 210 Stephenson HS/ Atlanta, GA
42 42 Elliott Herald G Fr 6' 3'' 170 Center HS/ Sacramento, CA
44 44 Joshua Hatcher F So 6' 5'' 205 Berkeley HS/ Oakland, CA

The Thunderbirds open up the season at the San Jose City College Tip Off Tournament Friday November 12, 2010 vs Foothill College at 4pm. We appreciate any and all support for Merritt College Athletics and look forward to seeing you all soon!

GO THUNDERBIRDS!!!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Summer is here and a bright outlook on the 2010-2011 Merritt College Men's Basketball Season

Happy Summer everyone!

Kevin McCarthy the lead sports writer for Norcalpreps.rivals.com and norcalbasketball.blogspot.com has written a article on the promise of the Merritt College Men's Basketball Program.

Take a look http://norcalpreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1099475

SUMMER BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

(NCAA) NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SUMMER JC SHOWCASE@ SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY (July 6 and 7) 2games each day

Tuesday July 6
(Game 1) 2pm court 2 vs Napa Valley College
(Game 2) 5pm court 1 vs Skyline College

Wednesday July 7
(Game 3) 4pm court 1 vs Las Positas College
(Game 4) 7pm court 2 vs Ohlone College

(NCAA) SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUMMER JC SHOWCASE@ AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY (JULY 30 and 31st) 2 games each day

Friday July 30
(Game 1) 3pm court 1 vs Citrus College (Played in last season's state Final Four)
(Game 2) 5pm court 2 vs San Bernadino College (Played in last season's state Final Four)
Saturday July 31
(Game 3) 1pm court 1 vs Saddleback College (2010 STATE CHAMPION)
(Game 4) 3pm court 1 vs East LA College

GO THUNDERBIRDS!

2009-2010 Merritt College Men's Basketball Players moving on to 4year instuitions

Although a challenging year on the hardwood, Merritt College Men's basketball still celebrates the student athletes moving on to the 4year university level during the 2009-2010 school year.

Nikolas Hildalgo a 6"5 200lbs shooting guard from Carcas, Venezuela maintained a 3.8 grade point average and has been accepted and has decided to walk-on at NCAA Division I University of California at Berkeley in (Berkeley, California)

Andre Martin a 6"4 195lbs combo guard from Mt. Miguel High School San Diego, California has signed a national letter of intent to continue as a student athlete at NCAA Division II power house Colorado State University Pueblo in (Pueblo, Colorado)

Michael McElroy a 6"3 point guard from Central High School Fresno, California has signed a national letter of intent to continue as a student athlete at NAIA Div II Holy Names University in (Oakland, California)

We congratulate these young men and wish them the best in there futures.

GO THUNDERBIRDS!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

2009/2010 Mens Basketball All Conference Players

Although the 2009/2010 Men's Basketball season wasn't as successful as planned, there are still players that need to be congradulated for there solid season.


Roman Robinson 6"3 180lbs freshman guard from Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, California recieved first team Bay Valley All Conference award. Roman was 7th in the conference in scoring and lead the team in scoring at 14.1 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Saajid Polite 6"3 185lbs freshman guard from Grant High School in Sacramento, California recieved Bay Valley Conference Honorable Mention award. Saajid was 10th in conference in scoring and the 2nd leading scorer on the team at 13.3 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game.


Roman Robinson and Saajid Polite both finished in the California State Junior College Top 50 Freshman Men's Basketball Players. Here is the link to the site: http://www.topgun-basketball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=54

Monday, November 9, 2009

The Outlook for the 2009-2010 Merritt College Men's Basketball Season



The 2009/2010 Men's Basketball Season brings a fresh outlook and potential for a great basketball season for the Merritt College Men's Basketball Program. A total of 13 freshman and 2 sophomore students athletes from Central California, Northern California, across the US, and even internationally complete the roster. Although this year's team will lack California junior college game experience, 75% of the roster has experienced a winning tradition and accomplished many awards at the high school level. Here are some of the players to look forward too this season...

Roman Robinson(SG)- In 2009 earned Solano County League Most Valuable Player. Led Rodriguez High school to a 25-4 record and trip to the state final last year.

Briant Edwards(PG/SG)- In 2009 was voted defensive player of the year in the Chicago city league. Led North Lawndale College Preparatory High school to state championship in 2008 with a record of 28 -4 and state champion runner up in 2009 with a record of 30-6.

Isaiah Gossett(PG/SG)- In 2009 earned 1st team all city in Fresno and 2nd all state selection, California state semi final player of the game and team MVP. Led Edison High school in 2009 to a record of 24-7 .

Michael McElroy(PG)- In 2009 5th in the state at the point guard position in assists and scoring in junior college at Colombia College.

Isiah Robinson(PG)- In 2009 1st team all conference selection in basketball and football at Natomas High school in Sacramento county.

Carlton Castillo(F)- In 2008 attended Rise Academy and was ranked #12 in the top 15 in state of Delaware.

Marcus Moreland(F)- In 2009 was 2nd team all conference in the city of Las Vegas. and led Eldorado High school to a record of 24-7 and the semi finals in the Nevada state playoffs.

Ade Henderson(F)- In 2008 won the Paris, France Euro league under 18 championship.

Tyshaun Douglas(C)- In 2007 attended Rise Academy and was ranked #112 out of the top 150 players in the country.

Trent Archer(F)- In 2009 led Las Lomas High school to the Northern California Section Playoffs and a record of 18-10. In 2008 to a record of 18-12 and a birth to the Ncs finals.

These are just a few of the players to look forward to this season.The Tip off for the Men's Basketball Season is Friday November 13, 2009 at the Sanjose City Tip off Tournament. The 1st round matchup is vs. Skyline College from San Bruno at 8pm. We look forward to a great year and appreciate support for Merritt College Athletics.

Friday, August 7, 2009

2008 - 2009 Men's Basketball Players Sign National Letters of Intent

The summer school session has come to a end and so moves on the men's basketball players from the 2008 - 2009 basketball season.


Matt Busch
a 6"5 220lbs forward from San Leandro High school, Oakland, California has signed a national letter of intent to attend NCAA Division II Regis University in Denver, Colorado.

Earnest Pughsley a 6"3 185lbs shooting guard from Lima Senior High school, Lima, Ohio has signed a national letter of intent to attend NCAA Division II Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio.

Andre Martin a 6"4 190lbs point guard from Mt. Miguel High school, San Diego, California has decided to sign a national letter of intent to attend and red shirt the up coming season at NCAA Division II Colorado State University Pueblo in Pueblo, Colorado

Jeff Pyrol
a 6"9 220lbs center from South Shore High school, Brooklyn, New York has signed a national letter of intent to attend NCAA Division II Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont, California.

Javarius James a 5"10170lbs point guard from Encinal High school, Oakland, California has been accepted and will walk-on at NCAA Division I Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisana.

Joe Powell
a 6"8 205lbs forward from Edison Academy, Englewood, NewJersey has signed a national letter of intent to attend NCAA Division II Alaska Fairbanks University in Fairbanks, Alaska.