Front row from left are Garrett Crandell, Tyler Durden, Ricky Shearman, Tyler Hughes, Charles Perry, Geevantay Gee, Josh Shannon and Chris Cook. Back row, from left, are head coach Randy Nesbit, assistant coach Alan Holt, Awana Bertrand, Carlis Carey, William Johnson, Shamir Rolle, Grant Holt, Tyler Thompson, Cheick Kone and trainer Jon Beach. Not pictured is administrative assistant coach Mike Elmore.
Oct. 28, 2016
Veteran Roane State men’s basketball coach Randy Nesbit has a simple overall strategy for his squad in the upcoming season: “We’re trying to wear the other team out.”
“We look to be improved,” said Nesbit, who has been the coach for 24 years. “We’ll have a deeper roster than the last few years.”
The Raiders finished with 10 wins and 18 losses last season, when four players were sidelined with injuries, and the team was down to eight members at most.
With a bigger roster, “we can play a real intense, half-court, man-to-man defense, and we’ll really push the ball offensively. We’ll be trying to utilize our depth.”
On offense, “we’re trying to get down the court in four seconds, and we may go deeper into the shot clock.”
Drills have featured inter-squad scrimmages, Nesbit said, “and we seem to get better with those practices.”
The Raiders bring five sophomores and 10 freshmen to the hardwood, with an 11th freshman sidelined for now with injuries and facing possible red-shirt status.
“Optimism is real high,” Nesbit said. “This is a group with a lot of character, and it appears our chemistry is good. It’s a group that’s always pushing forward.”
Charles Perry a 5-9 guard, averaged 40 percent of his 3-point attempts last season and is “very knowledgeable,” Nesbit said. “He does a good job directing his teammates and is extremely fast.”
Josh Shannon, who stands 6-4, is “a great rebounder for his size; one of the leading rebounders in the league.” Nesbit said Shannon “has improved his offensive skills a lot since his freshman year.”
Shamir Rolle, a 6-7 forward, is “very physical,” the coach said. “I’m looking for him to be a good scorer and rebounder around the basket.”
Chris Cook, at 6-7, is a “really quick, high-leaping forward who scores well inside around the basket with a jump hook. He’s also improved his outside shooting.”
Cheick Kone, who stands 6-10, is a transfer from the University of the Philippines, and he’s still learning the intricacies of the American brand of basketball. “He has a lot of potential and works really hard. He protects the rim well and runs the court well.”
Geevantay Gee, 5-10, is a “really good penetrator” at point guard and excelled when he played for the Oak Ridge High School Wildcats, Nesbit said. “He’s a good defender; a classic point guard.”
Tyler Hughes, a 5-11 red-shirt freshman, is a “very good shooter who is adjusting to the point guard position. We hope for him to be a big contributor.”
Ricky Shearman, at 6-0, is also a classic point guard similar to Gee who played at a high level against the tough high school squads in the Atlanta area. “He has a very good, all-around game.”
William Johnson, 6-2, is “very powerful on drives and is a good team leader” after being red-shirted in the spring semester. “He has good experience in our program,” Nesbit said.
Grant Holt, the 6-2 younger brother of Raiders assistant coach Alan Holt, is “an explosive, left-handed 3-point shooter,” Nesbit said. “He’s really physically strong for a freshman.”
Carlis Carey, 6-4, is also a red-shirted freshman. “He’s very athletic and powerful,” the coach said. “He’s a good inside/outside player.”
Tyler Thompson, 6-5, is “a big wing player who looks like he’s established himself as a very good 3-point shooter.”
Garrett Crandell, at 6-4, “is a good athlete who looks to be another outstanding 3-point shooter. He handles the ball well and drives well also.”
Awana Bertrand, 6-9, is a “powerful, talented player who can do a lot of things.” Nesbit said he’s now trying to ascertain is Bertrand is eligible for the season.
Tyler Durden, 6-2, is on the injury list and won’t be playing at the beginning of the season. “We’re excited about his future,” Nesbit said, adding that Durden may be red-shirted this semester.
Nesbit’s coaching staff also includes administrative assistant coach Mike Elmore.
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