Duquesne coach was key for Baldonado

One of the most heavily recruiting junior college players in the Class of 2006 made his college choice this week. Stuard Baldonado may have caught a few off guard when he signed with Duquesne.

"It was a three-way race between Hofstra, Duquesne and El Paso," said Miami-Dade coach Butch Estes. "It was very close and I think in the end one of the key factors was Stu's previuos relationship when he came to the United State and he was in Boston and Ronnie (Everhart) was at Northeastern. He recruited him back then and they've had this relationship that they've maintained throughout the whole thing. In the end, Stuard's heart was with Coach Everhart."

Landing the No. 36 juco player in the class is quite a coup for the Dukes' new coach and could help speed the rebuilding process in the new regime.

"There's been a defection of players, they're kind of starting all over," Estes said. "Stu sees an unbelievable opportunity to play, almost a guarantee. There's little or no competition as far as playing time and that was attractive to him. More than dominating, I hope he can be a step in the rebuilding process."

Another step in that process may be Hernol Hall, one of the top five players in the juco class. Hall's situation is unknown at this point, but there has been no confirmed news that he has received a release from Duquesne.

"I don't know what's going on there," Estes said. "But, boy, if they get both of them, that's a pretty good start."