Focus on 2009: Spartanburg Methodist

Spartanburg Methodist College in Spartanburg, SC is looking to improve on last season (24-8) with practically a whole new team this season. JucoJunction had a chance to touch base with Pioneers head coach Rob Burke on his team for this coming season in this story.

Vernon Taylor, (SO) 6-foot-4 (193) from Cross, SC. Taylor sat out last season at Spartanburg Methodist College. Taylor played this past summer at Jerry Mullens 120 JUCO Camp in Tulsa, OK and opened up a lot of eyes.

"Vernon is a great athlete. He really can finish at the rim and very explosive and ultra quick on the floor," said Burke.

Taylor averaged 9.2 ppg and 4.4 rebounds for the Pioneers back in the 2006-2007 season.

"Vernon is the best player I have coached in my five years at SMC. Vernon is a great leader and worker on and off the floor," said Burke.

Middle Tennessee State, Ohio University, Troy University, Wichita State and Coastal Carolina have all contacted Taylor this fall.

Austin Edens, (FR) 6-foot-1 (198) from Lexington, SC. Edens enrolled at SMC last January 2008 after starting the school year at the College of Charleston. Edens didn't play at College of Charleston and is looking to leave the Pioneers after one season and have three years left to play at the four year level. Austin prepped at the Patterson School in Lenoir, NC back in 2006-2007 season.

"Austin, a point guard, has worked really hard since arriving last January for us," said Burke.

Rashawn Brailsford, (SO) 6-foot-2 (180) from Columbia, SC. Brailsford, a combo guard, played at nearby Division One school USC-Upstate last season. Brailsford saw action in 28 games for the Spartans last season while averaging 5.9 ppg and 2.9 rebounds.

"Rashawn will be a major factor in our success this season," said Burke.

The Pioneers brought in some talented freshmen that plan on seeing some action right away in college this fall. Omar Sanders and Kimric Dixon are both academic qualifiers coming out of high school last season. Sanders, 6-foot-7, is a local kid from Spartanburg High School and Dixon, 6-foot-3, is from Florence, SC. Zycorrian Robinson, Darrion Booker and Rashad Stuckey all figure to factor into the equation this season for the Pioneers. Robinson, 5-foot-9 (170) point guard better known as Z-man, played with Sanders in high school. Booker, 6-foot-7 (224), is from nearby Union, SC and is the brother of Trevor who plays at Clemson University. Rashad Stuckey is from tiny Rembert, SC and stands at 6-foot-9 (253). Stuckey played at Crestwood High School in Sumter, SC. Rashad's brother Lashad was denied admissions at Spartanburg Methodist College late this summer. Lashad is currently taking classes part time at a community college back near home in Sumter, SC.

JucoJunction will see the Pioneers this fall at the Littlefield Jamboree in October at Mercer University in Macon, GA and at the Pioneer Classic on November 7-9 at Spartanburg Methodist College.