2009 focus: Clinton Junior College

Clinton Junior College head coach Donald Payton has big aspirations for his Golden Bears club this coming season. The Golden Bears of Rock Hill, SC return some sophomores to the program this fall along with some new recruits. JucoJunction has the latest on the Golden Bears in this story.

Dominic Alston, (SO) 6-foot-2 (185) from Louisburg, NC, averaged 9 ppg and 3.5 rebounds last season for the Golden Bears from the wing guard position.

"Dominic plays hard and always runs the floor looking to finish above the rim in transition," said Payton.

Antwan Garfield, (SO) 5-foot-8 (155) from Philadelphia, PA, attended Laurinburg Institute (NC) prior to coming to Clinton Junior College. Antwan averaged 6 ppg and 3.8 assists last season while also being a 3.5 GPA student in the classroom. Antwan will run the point guard position for the Golden Bears this season.

Dwayne Sims, (SO) 6-foot-6 (185) from Dayton, OH, is the leading returner in scoring off last year's teams. Sims averaged 13 ppg and 6.5 rebounds from the scoring guard position.

"Dwayne's height makes him hard to guard and he usually draws a taller defender which usually gives him an advantage on the offensive end of the floor," said Payton.

Antonio Young, (SO) 6-foot-6 (230) from Detroit, will have some clock issues when he leaves Clinton Junior College. Young attended Wayne State University in Michigan three full semesters before landing at the Rock Hill, SC school last season. Young will have attended seven full time semesters after he leaves Clinton Junior College next spring 2009. Young averaged 12 ppg and 9.6 rebounds this past season at the power forward spot for the Golden Bears.

Najee Edwards, (SO) 6-foot-2 (180), hails from Philadelphia, PA.

"Najee is a very talented athlete and he has only played three years of organized basketball," said Payton. "Najee is very good at getting to the basket when we need a score."

The Golden Bears have also added three players to the mix this season. Arnold Moesta, (SO) 6-foot-8 (245) from Paris, France, transfers in from Western Oklahoma State College where he played in a handful of games for the Pioneers last season.

Terrance Morgan, (SO) 5-foot-9 (160) from Dayton, OH, is a point guard. He transfers in from Southwestern Community College in Creston, IA.

Devon Leisher, (FR) 6-foot-9 (220) from Johannesburg, South Africa, redshirted last season at the Clinton. Devon carries a 3.98 GPA and he scored a 1480 on SAT back in May 2007. Devon was 6-foot-4 three summers ago and has grown five inches in that time.

JucoJunction will see the Golden Bears during the season and will get a first glance at them during Kenn Littlefield's JUCO Jamboree in October in the Atlanta area.