Men’s basketball jumps off to good start

The men’s varsity basketball team are MIAA ‘A’ Conference and the Baltimore Catholic League champions and one of the top five teams to place in the Alhambra tournament. They have recently been invited to The 2011 Nike Invitational at George Washington University in Washington D.C.  The event takes place Feb. 12, 2012. Nike sponsors 125 teams in the country.

“Generally they have to have a certain level of talent [when you are invited to tournaments like this]. It may be one marquee player or a number of very good players. They have to represent all the best in academics and athletics which JC obviously does. And we have some pretty good talent on our roster at this time,” head coach Tony Martin said.

Not only will the men’s basketball team get the chance to play in the tournament, but they also have the chance to sightsee in Washington D.C. They will see national monuments and attend a dinner banquet with all of the teams in the invitational.

“I feel like it’s a great opportunity to showcase our talent.  I think we’re going to show people why we’re ranked top 50 in the country,” freshman
CJ Keyser said.

“It’s a good opportunity to play in front of scouts and play against competition,” freshman Jaleel Gibson said.

As far as the upcoming basketball season goes, the Patriots are keeping their thoughts positive. The team and their coach is  looking forward to the games,
feeling confident in the new additions to the team.

“We have a young man who is potentially one of the most talented players to come through the doors of JC
and that’s Justin Jenifer.  He is as talented in terms of his ball skills as anyone his age that I have ever seen.  Of course there will be an adjustment period
for him being a freshman. They’re a strong group of freshman coming in, but the other stand out is CJ Keyser- he is a long, athletic, hardworking forward,”
Martin said.

“It will be nice if I play in it [The Nike Invitational], I’m really looking forward to it.” Jenifer said.

The fresh faces on the team are also excited for this opportunity, but they aren’t too nervous about living up to last year’s progress.

“I’m confident in my team, I know we’re going to get the job done,” Keyser said.  He says that he is excited to show his athleticism and persistence on the court.

Assisting Martin on this year’s basketball season is Martin’s “right hand man,” Rick Landers, who has been with the JC men’s basketball team for seven years.

Also on the coaching squad is Mike Jones, who has been with JC basketball for two years.  Will Adelsberger, who formerly played for Martin is now helping
out, as well as JC alumnus Ryan Horka class of ’07 help to coach. Horka is a recent graduate of Catholic University and is looking forward to
helping out as he prepares for law school.

Leading the team this season as team captains will be senior Jarred Jones and junior Rodney Elliot.

“Every year is exciting, it’s a growth experience to blend our guys and see how they have grown over the past year and will step up to new roles when you lose seniors, you have to replace them so we want to make sure that we play hard, smart, and together,” Martin
said.

Imani Love is a Sports Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com