Cecil wants another title

The defending National Champs of D2 Junior College basketball are back on top again this week. The Cecil Seahawks are currently (20-2) on the season. Head coach Bill Lewit took time to talk to JucoJunction about his eight sophomores that he has on his roster this season.

Les Simmons: (SO) 6-foot-7 (200) from New York City.

"Les is a very athletic and active 'tweener' for the Seahawks," said Lewit.

Simmons did two years of schooling at the Storm King School in upstate New York. Simmons is averaging 17 ppg and 8.1 rebounds this season for Cecil. St Francis (NY), Stony Brook (NY)-offered and Quinnipiac-offered are recruiting Les this spring.

Paris Carter: (SO) 6-foot-4 (225) from Baltimore, MD. Carter is a transfer from the University of Hartford. Carter attended Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, MA a few years back. Paris made the All-Rookie team in the America East conference last season. Carter averaged 7.8 ppg and 3.6 rebounds in 27 games at Hartford last season while playing 21 minutes per game.

"Paris is a bull in a china shop that's very strong and can get to the hole," said Lewit.

Carter is at 14.7 ppg, 3.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists this year. Miami (FL), Morgan State - offered, New Mexico State are watching Carter.

Keyron Sheard: (SO) 6-foot-1 (190) from New Jersey.

"Keyron is a tough, athletic, very competitive kid. He's the glue-guy to our team," said Lewit.

Last season in the national championship game in Danville, IL Keyron hit two free throws to put Cecil up with 7.5 seconds left on the clock. Cleveland State-offered, St Francis (PA)-offered and Appalachian State are recruiting Sheard. Sheard is at 8.4 ppg, 3.5 rebounds and 9.1 assists from the point guard position for the Seahawks.

Tim Magowan: (SO) 6-foot-3 (190) from Elkton, MD. The talented two guard is shooting 45% (70-154) from three-point range this season. Magowan played on the 2004-2005 team and sat out last season at Cecil CC.

"Tim is averaging 4 three pointers per game this season and is very athletic to boot," said Lewit.

Western Carolina and New Hampshire are following Magowan this season. Tim is averaging 13.9 ppg on the season.

Qavotaraji Waddell: (SO) 6-foot-10 (235) from Norfolk, VA. Waddell is a former D1 transfer from Maryland Eastern Shore and is now a 3rd year player. Waddell had propped at UMES coming out of Coastal Christian Academy (VA) before playing last season at UMES. Tennessee State-offered early in the season.

"Qavotaraji has had 5-6 games this season with 12-19 rebounds. Waddell is very athletic and fast, he really gets to the glass on both ends," said Lewit.

Qavotaraji is averaging six ppg and nine rebounds this season.

Denell Stephens: (SO) 6-foot-2 (200). The third year combo forward is an explosive athlete.

"Denell is a garbage guy who had 27 rebounds versus Hagerstown CC earlier this season," said Lewit.

Stephens sat out last year and played on the 2004-2005 team. Stephens on the season is averaging 12.7 ppg and 13 rebounds at 6-foot-2. Stephens is wide open in the recruiting process.

Aaron Wyatt: (SO) 6-foot-4 (190) from Berlin, MD. Wyatt is a wing guard that's getting 12 ppg.

"Aaron scores in the open court and in transition," said Lewit.

Wyatt is also a third year player that sat out last season at Cecil CC and played on 2004-2005 team which lost to Brown-Mackie CC (KS) in the national tourney.

Naurice Mullings: (SO) 6-foot-8 (275) from Washington DC. Mulling was at Brown Mackie CC (KS) last year and at Casper CC (WY) back in 2004-2005.

"Naurice is a space-eater in the paint," said Lewit.

Mullings will have to go the D2/NAIA route for next season.

"Our team has progressed extremely well throughout the season and each of our players are accepting their roles," said the coach. "We have very good experience, athleticism and

above average size to compete versus the quality teams on our schedule."