STATESMEN PREPARE FOR THE HAWKS IN HOME OPENER BASKETBALL GAME

Petersburg, VA, October 31, 2013- The Richard Bland College added excitement to the campus during their version of midnight madness, but only during the day. The purpose was to allow the students, staff, and faculty a glance at the student-athletes and build upon the enthusiasm as everyone is anticipating the opening tip-off.

The Statesmen will take the court with some local talent from the area, as well as, the Tidewater area and a few imports from Maryland. The team is comprised of Armstrong High School product Tavon Mealy who was the 2013 Capital District Player of the Year last season, as well as a 2012 Capital District  first team performer in Micah Thomas from Highland Springs. Hanover High School's Trayvonte Brown will add depth at the point guard spot, while Green Run (Virginia Beach, VA) standout LeQuan Thomas and Marquis Powell from Riverdale Baptist High School (Md.) will share point guard duties as well. The guard spots are rounded out by Khaaliq Fletcher (Phoebus HS/Hampton, VA), Jeremy Saunders (Kecoughtan HS/Hampton, VA), Brian Atkins (Aberdeen HS/Aberdeen, MD), Jareese Cooley (Hugenot HS/Richmond, VA), and Evan Bates who played locally at Cosby High School in 2012.

In addition to Mealy, the frontcourt is also manned by 6'8" Forward Melvin Gregory (Weems, VA/Lancaster HS) a transfer from Mt. Saint Mary's (Md.), Avery Ugba (Blake HS/Silver Spring, Md.) who joins the Statesmen after a prep season at Southern Tech in North Carolina. Andre Stanley (Landstown HS/Virginia Beach, VA), Drew Walton (Bethel HS/Hampton, VA), and Gage Yesbeck (Central Virginia Homeschool/Richmond, VA) will add depth at the post position for the Statesmen.

The Hawks from the College of Southern Maryland finished the 2012-13 campaign with a record of 12-19. They return guards Juwan Cole 5'9" guard who was the teams leading scorer last season with 16.6 ppg and three rebounds per contest. Alongside Cole is 6'4" guard/forward Sigourney Jackson who tossed in 10.2 ppg and climbed the boards for six boards per outing. The Hawks are coached by Allan Hoyt who begins his seventh season.

Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 pm with doors opening up at 4:00 pm as we welcome all alumni and former student-athletes to join us for this memorable occasion.