Class of 2024: Cap and gown pickups begin April 15 at the Harriman and Oak Ridge bookstores. Bookstore hours are 8am-4:30pm ET Monday-Thursday. Visit the commencement ceremony webpage for additional info.
Front row, from left, are Cleveland Davidson, Darius Gallaher, Daquan Wright, Jeff Terrell, Corey Harris and Cameron Porter.
Back row, from left, are head coach Randy Nesbit, strength-and-conditioning coach Shaun Simpson, Valentino Thomas, Eddie King, Chudier Pal, Valiant Hed-Taqi, Michael Hurwitz, Kevin Altidor and assistant coach Mario Stowers.
The Roane State Community College men’s basketball team wants to build on its 21-9 finish last season.
“We consider ourselves as an upper division team in our league,” head coach Randy Nesbit said. “We’re really enthused, and we have a good nucleus.”
A key part of the team’s nucleus is 6-5 sophomore forward Kevin Altidor, whom Nesbit calls “maybe the most intense player I have ever coached.”
The Raiders received some bad news in the preseason. Sophomore guard Cameron Porter, one of the team’s best players and leaders, will miss the season because of a knee injury. Freshman Daquan Wright from Bearden High School, a strong defender, will take on more responsibilities in Porter’s absence.
Roane State will feature a balanced attack and pressure defense. Nesbit said his team has at least five players capable of scoring in double-digits every game. While Roane State will look to feed the ball inside as its first option, the Raiders are also dangerous from the perimeter.
“Balance promotes chemistry really well,” Nesbit said. “You can stick to the fundamentals a lot better. We can score inside as a priority and fall back on perimeter play.
“At times in the preseason, I have been really surprised at how well we have executed offensively with not much experience, and a couple of times, inexperience rears its ugly head,” Nesbit said. “The more reps you get in practice and the more reps you get in a game help.”
Nesbit said the team’s defensive philosophy is to pressure the ball for 40 minutes, and he hopes his team can maintain that aggressive style as the season progresses.
“We are a really strong pressure defense, but we’ll have to see if we have the depth and conditioning to maintain that for 40 minutes a game over the course of the season,” Nesbit said.
Nesbit, who is assisted by strength-and-conditioning coach Shaun Simpson and assistant coach Mario Stowers, provided his outlook for each of the Raiders. Roane State opens the season with a trip to the Vincennes Classic in Indiana Nov. 2-3. The team’s first home game is Nov. 27 against Tennessee Temple at 5 p.m.
Kevin Altidor (3), sophomore, 6-5, 204, forward, C.C. Sweeting High School (Bahamas): Nesbit said Altidor has an “unbelievable motor.” Nesbit recalled a game last season when Altidor dove for the ball. The opposing player came up with it and tossed it to a teammate near the basket. The teammate went up for a shot — and Altidor was there to block it. Somehow, Altidor had peeled himself off the floor, raced to the basket and made the play. Altidor has improved his shooting touch and ability to finish around the rim.
Cleveland Davidson (20), freshman, 6-2, 160, guard, Harriman High School: Davidson is a good athlete who is improving his offensive skills and has strong defensive awareness.
Darius Gallaher (1), sophomore, 6-0, 186, guard, Harriman High School: Gallaher can contribute in several different areas. He runs the offense well, can make open shots and is a good defender.
Corey Harris (10), freshman, 6-0, 170, guard, North Cobb High School (Atlanta): Harris is a smart player who passes well, penetrates well and can knock down 3-pointers.
Valiant Hed-Taqi (22), sophomore, 6-7, 232, forward, Johns Creek High School (Alpharetta, Ga.): Hed-Taqi is key to the team’s depth inside, and Nesbit said he has improved his defensive footwork and shooting touch.
Michael Hurwitz (24), sophomore, 6-6, 215, forward, Hanahan High School (Mount Pleasant, S.C.): A transfer, Hurwitz could be effective as a rebounder and defensive stopper once he learns Roane State’s system.
Eddie King (15), freshman, 6-6, 195, forward, Bartlett High School (Anchorage, Alaska): King redshirted last season and has improved significantly, Nesbit said. He is a much more explosive player.
Chudier Pal (44), sophomore, 6-8, 235, forward, Australia: Pal transferred from UNC Asheville. He is a strong inside player who scores well around the basket, rebounds well and can block shots.
Cameron Porter (5), sophomore, 6-2, 197, guard, Smith Station High School (Ala.): Unfortunately, a knee injury will keep Porter out this season. The loss is a blow to the Raiders because Porter is a great leader on the court, an intense defender and excellent 3-point shooter.
Jeff Terrell (32), freshman, 5-10, 199, guard, Station Camp High School (Nashville): Terrell has been out of organized basketball for a while but has good potential.
Valentino Thomas (23), sophomore, 6-2, 188, guard, Victory Christian (Charlotte, N.C.): Thomas transferred from a junior college in Texas and is “making fast strides,” Nesbit said. Athletic and explosive, Thomas has improved his shooting and passing.
Daquan Wright (12), freshman, 5-11, 166, guard, Bearden High School (Knoxville): Wright is athletic and has a lot of potential. He is working on consistency with his outside shooting. A tireless defender, Wright will have more expectations upon him now that Porter is out.
Rod Drummond, a 5-9 guard from Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, S.C., and Tres Palmer, a 6-9 forward from Powell High School in Knoxville, will redshirt this season.
Roane State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age, status as protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulation and by Tennessee board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. View full non-discrimination policy.
