SCF Basketball Prepares for Veteran's Classic

The SCF basketball team (2-0) continue their road trip as they travel to Fort Pierce to compete in the two-day Indian River State Veteran's Classic at the Brown Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The Manatees will face host Indian River State (2-0) on Friday night, November 8 at 7 pm before facing Daytona State (3-0) Saturday afternoon, November 9 at 2 pm. USC Salkehatchie (2-0) will also be competing in the classic, but will not face SCF.

Last Time Out:
The Manatees are coming off of a blowout road win over Pasco-Hernando State in New Port Richey winning by a score of 94-64. It was their ninth win in 14 attempts against the Bobcats.

Sophomores Isiah Dasher and D'Moi Hodge and freshman Jordan Clark continue to lead the offense in the right direction for the Manatees.

Dasher is averaging 18.5 points, 10 rebounds and four rebounds per game. Against Pasco-Hernando, the native of Jersey City had a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds while adding two assists.

Hodge is averaging 25 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and two blocks per game.

Clark got his first double-double of the season against PHSC as he finished with 15 points and 12 assists. In fact, the product of Booker High School was one rebound shy of having a triple-double. Clark is averaging 19.5 points, 7.5 assists and six rebounds per game.

A wild card that made a big dent against PHSC was sophomore Remy Robert II as he finished with 21 points, while averaging 10.5 points (.333 3-point percentage) and two rebounds per game.

Meanwhile, sophomore Christnoff Scarborough and freshman Marshall Kearing lead the team defensively.

Scarborough is averaging seven points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game. The Clearwater native had four points, eight rebounds and two blocks against PHSC.

Kearing is averaging six points, six rebounds and three blocks per game. Against PHSC, the Aussie had eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

New Debuts:
In the game against PHSC, two more players made their SCF debuts: redshirt freshman Jaylen Jones and freshman Sam Grayson. Jones scored eight points with two rebounds and three assists, while Grayson finished with four points, three rebounds and a steal. Jones sat out the entire 2018-19 season after facing suspension, while Grayson battled through sickness and an MCL tear in his knee.

Scouting Indian River State:
The Pioneers are coming off of beginning their first two games at home as they defeated Ave Maria JV (NAIA) 120-58 before defeating Game Changer Prep 107-63.

Drew LaMont leads the team averaging 19.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while Linton Brown follows with 18 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. LaMont had 15 points and three rebounds against GCP, while Brown had a team-leading 27 points and six rebounds.

Miles Coleman plays his role offensively and defensively as he averages 16 points, 4.5 assists and five steals per game. Coleman had 10 points, five assists and six steals against Game Changer Prep.

Scouting Daytona State:
The Falcons are coming off of playing three straight home games where they defeated Snead State Community College (78-52), Denmark Technical College (87-86) and Triple Threat Prep (112-77).

Dante Moses leads the team with 18.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while Kam'Ron Cunningham follows with 16.7 points and 2.3 steals per game and Issad Solano with 13.3 points and five assists per game.

Scouting USC Salkehatchie:
Although the Manatees will not play Salkahatchie until the SCF Classic (11/29), the Indians, a member of NJCAA Region 10 (Carolinas Junior College Conference), are coming off of opening their season on the road defeating Georgia Highlands 102-98 before winning their home opener against South Georgia Tech.

Vince Cole is averaging 23.5 points per game while Mardrez McBride follows with 16.5 points, four assists and six rebounds per game.

Series History (2011-present):
The Manatees are currently 3-13 against the Pioneers and holding 2-2 split with the Falcons. Last time out, the Manatees fell to Indian River by a score of 88-81 last season while the last time against Daytona State was on December 10, 2016 where the Falcons won 107-73 in the Florida Men's Basketball Shootout. The Manatees last win over Indian River was on December 28, 2012 where the Manatees won 93-66 while the Manatees last win against Daytona was on January 5, 2013 winning by a score of 82-73.

How to Keep Up:
It is uncertain that livestream will be available, but fans can keep up to date with all four teams on Twitter:
SCF: @SCF_Basketball
Daytona State: @DaytonaStateMBB
IRS: @IRSC_Pioneers
USCS: @Salk_Hoops