Revamped roster has strong shooters

WEST WINDSOR -- What Mercer County Community College men's basketball coach Howard Levy likes about this season's team is its unselfish play.

"I seem to find the better they run their offense, the better they shoot the ball," the second-year head coach said.

The Vikings struggled with their outside shooting in Levy's first season last winter, so opponents often packed in their defenses against them during the second half of the season. Levy has responded by assembling a faster team that shoots the ball better.

"There's talent," Levy said.

The optimism centers around shooters such as Uros Kovacevic, a 6-4 sophomore from Montenegro who can play just about any position, though he likely will start at small forward.

"He really knows how to play. He can shoot," Levy said. "He understands how to run our offense."

Levy also believes the addition of 5-11 freshman shooting guard Quincy Hendryx, 5-8 sophomore guard Marcus Jiminez and 6-4 sophomore forward Aaron Smitherman will help improve the Vikings' outside shooting.

Point guard Derek Williams, a 5-10 sophomore, returns to run the offense and should team with Hendryx as the backcourt starters. Up front, MCCC has 6-4 big man Paco Boussougou (Gabon) at center and 6-5 freshman Isiah Andrews at power forward. The potential midseason addition of 6-6 Western Texas College transfer Javis Williams, out of Willingboro, would boost the team's talent significantly.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Head coach: Howard Levy (second season).

Assistant coaches: Tom DeStefano, Miles Smith.

Last season: 12-16.

Nickname: Vikings.

Roster: Isiah Andrews (6-5, Fr., F), Paco Boussougou 6-4, So., F), Gary Carthan (6-2 Fr., F), Quincy Hendryx (5-11, Fr., G), Marcus Jiminez (5-10, So., G), Uros Kovacevic (6-4, So., G/F), Quentin Loftin (5-10, So., G), Kelvin Nance (5-11, Fr., G), Anthony Obery (5-10, Fr., G), Julien Rosaly (5-5, Fr., G), Aaron Smitherman (6-4, So., F), Derek Williams (5-10, So., G), Javis Williams (6-6, So., F/C).

First Game: Today vs. County College of Rhode Island at the MCCC Men's Basketball Classic

Outlook: The Vikings expect to improve in Levy's second season, with Kovacevic leading the way along with transfer Javis Williams in January. There's excellent balance behind them, and a big season out of Derek Williams at the point will go a long way. The Vikings mostly play man-to-man defense, although defensive rebounding is a concern.