Gents Hoops Welcomes Incoming Class
Gents Hoops Welcomes Incoming Class
Second-year coach Walsh and assistant coach Justin LeBlanc have been active all summer in landing a quality group of young men in preparation for the program's new transition into the American Southwest Conference.
"We are excited about this incoming class as it signifies our full shift into Division III. We think that this group will take advantage of the open playing time and grow into a great team with this season being the first opportunity to develop together over the next few years," said Walsh.
Centenary returns three letterwinners from a year ago, including scoring leader, Maxx Nakwaasah, who will suit up for his senior season. Also returning is senior Matt Nichenko and sophomore Jonathan Blount.
Daniel Allen - 5-10/160 - G
White Castle, La. (White Castle HS)
Daniel is a great kid and was one of our hardest workers. He is the type of the kid you will have to run out of the gym. - Coach Johnson, White Castle HS coach
We are excited about the two-time state champion who comes to us from a very up-tempo program. Daniel knows how to win and how to play fast, two things we were really looking for. - Coach Walsh, Centenary
Graduated from White Castle High School ... Earned four letters in basketball, four in track and two in cross country ... Helped team to a 28-8 record ... Played on the Class 1-A State Championship team ... Named "Best Defensive Player" by his team ... Selected to play in the LHSCA Basketball All-Star game ... Named Academic All-State ... Off the court, was an honor roll student Personal: Is the son of Jerry and Mervin Allen ... Is undecided on a major
Jairus Browning - 6-3/195 - G
Palm Beach, Fla. (Palm Beach St. College)
Jairus' size and skill-set add versatility to our backcourt to allow us to use multiple point guards on the floor at one time. Bringing previous playing time with Brandon along, the two of them add needed compatibility that is needed with younger teams. - Coach Walsh, Centenary
Attended Palm Beach State College for one year, but did not play basketball ... Played a season at Millsaps College High School: Graduated from Glades Day School ... Earned four letters in basketball for the Gators ... Helped team to a 63-24 record ... Named All-Region Personal: Is the son of Jeff and Pam Browning ... Is a communication major
Brandon Center - 6'9/235 - F
Dallas, Texas (Collin College)
Brandon adds some much needed size and experience to our front line. With some maturity and DIII experience, we hope to see Brandon flourish in his second go around. - Coach Walsh, Centenary
Attended Collin College, but did not play basketball ... Played one season at Millsaps College ... Helped team to the conference tournament High School: Graduated from John Paul II High School ... Earned two letters in basketball for the Cardinals ... Helped team to a Regional berth ... Named Honorable Mention ... Holds scoring and rebounding records Personal: Is a finance major
Caden Cheramie - 6'1/190 - G
Thibodaux, La. (South Lafourche HS)
Caden brings a high level of character and a tremendous work ethic to our program. We expect a lot with him being a product of the same high school as Coach LeBlanc. - Coach Walsh, Centenary
Attended Nicholls State, but did not play basketball High School: Graduated from South Lafourche High School ... Earned letters in basketball and football for the Tarpons ... Named First Team All-District in 2010 and Second Team All-District in 2009 ... Earned Second Team All-Region honors his senior season ... Helped team to a 2009 Parish Championship and a 2010 Runner up finish in the Parish ... Named Team MVP, Best Defender and Best Free Throw Shooter ... Averaged 15.0 ppg his senior season ... Off the court, earned the Honesty and Integrity Award and the D.A.R. Award ... Was a class representative Personal: Is the son of Kevin and Leslie Cheramie ... Is a business administration major ... Has plans on going into ministry
Saro Ntagha - 6-5/190 - F
Houston, Texas (Westbury Christian)
Saro is a coach's dream. He is unselfish and willing to give the team whatever it needs at the time. He never plays outside of himself and is constantly working for team success. He will make any team better. - Coach Carr, Westbury Christian HS
We are very excited to have a player like Saro join our program from such a winning tradition as Westbury Christian. He knows what it takes to prepare to win and that is important to us. Saro will challenge to lead the team in all of the dirty stats, charges, loose balls, box outs. - Coach Walsh, Centenary
Graduated from Westbury Christian ... Earned letters in basketball, golf, cross country, and football for the Wildcats ... Helped team to an impressive 78-5 overall record ... Played on two playoff teams ... Named Team MVP ... Earned Second Team All-District honors ... Co-Captain his senior year ... Off the court, was a Student Ambassador ... Member of the Interact Club and Student Council Personal: Is the son of John and Pamela Ntagha ... Looks to pursue a career in engineering
Brooks Pawsat - 6-4/185 - F
Austin, Texas (Hyde Park HS)
Brooks is a very hard worker. He is always the first one in the gym and last to leave. He is the type of player that made me look good as a coach. - Coach Clifton, Hyde Park HS
We expect Brooks to bring good size and a strong shooting touch to wing for us. - Coach Walsh, Centenary
Graduated from Hyde Park High School ... Earned two letters in basketball for the Panthers ... Helped team to State playoffs in 2010 and 2011 ... Earned team MVP honors ... Was recognized as the District's MVP ... Named First Team Academic All-State both seasons ... Served as a team captain his senior year Personal: Is the son of David and Sally Pawsat ... Is a business major
Marshall Teal - 5'11/155 - G
Tilden, Texas (McMullen County HS)
Marshall was a great player for McMullen County, but you will find out he is a better person. He will be missed both on the court and off the court. - Coach Oden, McMullen County HS
He was our earliest commit and we are very excited about his enthusiasm towards our vision. He adds a great shooting touch in the backcourt. - Coach Walsh, Centenary
Graduated from McMullen County High School ... Earned four letters in basketball, four in golf and three in track for the Cowboys ... Helped team to a 75-33 overall record ... Was on a two-time Regional Quarterfinalist team and a two-time Bi-District Finalist team ... Served as a team captain his final three years ... Named "Most Athletic" his junior and senior year ... Honored as the District's Offensive MVP his senior year ... Named a two-time First Team All-District selection ... Received Honorable Mention All-District nods his freshman year ... Averaged 16.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, and 6.0 rpg his senior year ... Off the court, graduated Salutatorian of his class ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Was a Regional Qualifier in Number Sense and Math Personal: Is the son of Jim and Sheri Teal ... Is a business management major
Isaiah Whitaker - 6-1/175 - G
Arlington, Texas (James Martin HS)
Isaiah is a tough, hard working young man with strong character. He is very competitive and will do whatever it takes to help his team win. He will be a great asset to Centenary Basketball on and off the court. - Coach Hall, James Martin HS
We think Isaiah brings a good all-around game at the point into our program. He has a good frame to build on physically and likes to play up-tempo. - Coach Walsh, Centenary
Graduated from James Martin High School ... Earned three letters in basketball for the Warriors ... Helped team to a 17-14 record and the second round of playoffs ... Played on a Bi-District Championship team ... Named First Team All-District ... Led district in assists ... Off the court, received the Principal's Award ... Was a Distinguished Academic student Personal: Is the son of Michael and Alicia Whitaker ... Is a math major and a communication minor
Donovan Williams - 6-4/215 - G
Sulphur, La. (Sulphur HS)
Donovan has a very high basketball IQ. He understands the game. His senior leadership carried Sulphur HS above and beyond what anyone expected. I believe he will be a valuable asset to the Centenary program. - Coach LeBato, Sulphur HS
Donovan brings a lot of interior experience that we plan to utilize early as he continues to develop his overall game and learn from Maxx [Nakwaasah]. He is a tireless competitor on the court. - Coach Walsh, Centenary
Graduated from Sulphur High School ... Earned three letters in basketball for the Golden Tornadoes ... Helped team to a 102-43 overall record ... Played on a 2010 District Championship team ... Was a part of three Bi-Regional, Quarterfinal teams ... Named District MVP, All-SWLA First Team, and First Team All-District ... Was a two-time Second Team All-District performer ... Honored as an Honorable Mention All-State recipient ... Averaged 19.0 ppg and 11 rpg his senior season ... Off the court, graduated Magna Cum Laude ... Named Academic All-State Personal: Is the son of Kevin and Tracey Perry and Eric Williams ... Is a business major ... Has plans on coaching after graduation
Tyler Wright 6-1/190 - G
Gonzales, La. (East Ascension HS)
Tyler has been one of our best leaders on and off the court since he arrived at EA. Always shoed up ready to work and set a great work ethic for our team by leading by example. He is an honor graduate and we will miss him here. - Coach Almond, East Ascension HS
Tyler comes in as a very confident shooter. We expect him to be one of our more physical guards as he continues to develop his ball-handling. - Coach Walsh, Centenary
Graduated from East Ascension High School ... Earned three letters in basketball and one in baseball for the Spartans ... Helped team to the State playoffs all three years and a No. 28 State ranking in 2008 ... Served as the team captain ... Awarded the Academic Award and Highest Free Throw percentage Award by his team ... Named All-District two years ... Was an Academic All-State honoree ... Participated in the LSHAA All-Star game ... Off the court, he graduated in the Top 3% of his class ... Served as the Class President, BETA President ... Named Mr. FBLA of the district ... Was a U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete recipient ... Member of the National Honor Society Personal: Is the son of Melissa and Clay Duke ... Is a math major ... Has plans on becoming a teacher and basketball coach
Centenary is the newest member of the American Southwest Conference, an NCAA Division III affiliate. The Gents' 2011-12 schedule will be released soon. Remember to follow @CCLadiesGents on Twitter and "Like" Centenary Athletics on Facebook.
| Daniel Allen |
G | 5-10/160 | White Castle, La. (White Castle HS) |
| Jairus Browning | G | 6-3/195 | Palm Beach, Fla. (Palm Beach St. College) |
| Brandon Center | F | 6-9/235 | Dallas, Texas (Collin College) |
| Caden Cheramie | G | 6-1/190 | Thibodaux, La. (South Lafourche HS) |
| Saro Ntagha | F | 6-5/190 | Houston, Texas (Westbury Christian) |
| Brooks Pawsat | F | 6-4/185 | Austin, Texas (Hyde Park HS) |
| Marshall Teal | G | 5-11/155 | Tilden, Texas (McMullen County HS) |
| Isaiah Whitaker | G | 6-1/175 | Arlington, Texas (James Martin HS) |
| Donovan Williams | G | 6-4/215 | Sulphur, La. (Sulphur HS) |
| Tyler Wright | G | 6-1/190 | Gonzales, La. (East Ascension HS) |
