Daytona State College basketball season preview
Brent Woronoffbrent.woronoff@news-jrnl.com
Oct 31, 2013 at 9:07 PM Nov 1, 2013 at 12:42 PM
Falcons open Friday against Rise Academy.
OPENER — 8 Friday night vs. Rise Academy at DSC's Lemerand Center
COACH — Ryan Ridder, first year
LAST YEAR — 6-25
TOP NEWCOMERS — F Rashaun Stimage, 6-8, So., transfer from Blinn College (Texas), committed to DePaul for next season; F Will Ransom, 6-8, So., transfer from Paris Junior College (Texas); G/F Tanksley Efianayi, 6-5, Fr., Orlando University; G Dylan Poston, 6-4, So., transfer from Mercer; G/F Ayinde Sprewell, 6-3, So., transfer from Three Rivers Community College (Mo.)
OUTLOOK — Daytona State is ranked sixth in the preseason state coaches' poll and even received one first-place vote based on the talent first-year coach Ridder brought in. The Falcons have several Division I prospects. They have size, shooters, athleticism and experience with seven sophomores (including five transfers). Their question mark is at point guard where they will rely on two freshmen — six-foot Paris Clayton of New Orleans and 5-10 Markee Williams of Chicago, who is expected to return at the beginning of December from a stress fracture in his foot.
CIRCLE THE DATES — The Falcons host Eastern Florida State College (formerly Brevard Community College), the No. 5 team in the state preseason rankings, at 7 p.m. Nov. 6. Daytona State will host defending JUCO national champion and Mid-Florida Conference opponent College of Central Florida (No. 1 in the preseason national rankings) on Feb. 8 and again Feb. 22 in its final regular-season game