Pigatti has South Suburban on track

Head Coach John Pigatti has the Bulldogs off and running to a great start this year at South Surburban College in South Holland, IL. SSC is D2 Junior College in Region 4. The Bulldogs are currently ranked #12 in the country in the latest NJCAA poll. Pigatti is a longtime D1 assistant at St Francis (PA),Chicago State, Akron, Creighton and Texas A&M. Pigatti has been at the NCAA D1 level for 18 years. He had time to update JucoJunction on his players' recruitment this season.

Larry Swann: (FR) 6-foot-1 (171) from Columbus, OH. Swann is a academic qualifier coming out of Brookhaven High School. Swann can play both guard positions. Larry is averaging 8 ppg this season for the (18-7) Bulldogs.

Kris Harris: (SO) 6-foot-2 (174) from Chicago, IL. Harris played at legendary Westinghouse in the city and played his freshman year of college ball at Jackson State.

"Kris has an excellent mid-range game and can rebound well from the guard position," said Pigatti.

Harris is leading the Bulldogs in scoring this season at 14.9 ppg, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Harris is wide open in the recruiting process.

Deon Jones, (SO) 6-foot-8 (190), and LaVartis Jones, (SO) 6-foot-4 (188), are both Chicago area kids. The Jones boys are leftovers from last season's team that coach Piggati inherited.

"Deon is a tremendous athlete who is all perimeter oriented," said the coach. "LaVartis is a great shot blocker with good post skills."

LaVartis is getting 6.6 ppg and 5.3 rebounds a night. Both of these players are going to have to go the D2/NAIA route.

Rickey Clayborn: (FR) 6-foot-5 (205) from East Chicago, IN.

"Ricky has just played three years of organized basketball. He's one of our best rebounders in the region and is slowly developing into a post scorer," said Pigatti.

Ricky is averaging 6.6 ppg this season.