Wednesday 6 October 2010

Concordia Stingers Preview

After several QSSF championships and playoff appearances in virtually every one of Coach John Dore's 20 seasons, the Stingers are clearly rebuilding after missing the playoffs last season with a 4-12 league record, a finish that the competitive Dore will look to fix quickly for this proud program.  With the Quebec conference improving rapidly, Dore has recruited at least two very talented probable starters to add to last season's group, one of the youngest Stinger teams in recent memory.

5'11" fourth-year combo guard Decee Krah came into his own as a multi-faceted scorer last season, averaging 16.5 ppg including several big three point shooting games.  The offensive load was left to Krah to shoulder after playing two seasons behind the Buckley brothers and Krah was up to the task of taking on the lead scorer's role.  Krah should be able to focus on playing off his point guard and scoring the ball as two as Central Connecticut State transfer 6'2" Kyle Demarais becomes eligible after sitting out last season as a transfer.  A probable high impact player in the "Q", Demarais is a tough, mature point guard who creates, finds people, scores and defends any of the three backcourt spots.  With 4 seasons of eligibility remaining, Demarais should become the next great in the long line of Stinger stars.

6'4" Evens Laroche enters his third season as a proven scorer in and around the rim and in transition.  Laroche averaged 12.8 ppg last season but was not as consistent as he was a freshman but expect that to change with Demarais arrival and Laroche's growing maturity.  Another veteran, fourth-year 6'5" forward James Clark (9.0 ppg/4.3 rpg) becomes one of the more experienced post players in the conference and is ready to catipolt into the upper echelon of the league's forwards.  Clark will be flanked up front by 6'7" super athlete Kalif Eyitayo, entering his third season and ready to take on more minutes as he continues to add muscle to his previously-slight frame.

A second likely impact recruit is 6'4" Demetrius Boards, originally from Marist H.S. in New Jersey who last season played at Sussex County Junior College also in Jersey where he averaged 17.1 ppg as a wing.  Boards, a tough, athletic slasher should step directly into a major role with the Stingers when he arrives after Christmas.  His arrival in Montreal has been delayed as he deals with some visa issues.  Another touted one-on-one player is 6'4" Frank Fiola, a tremendous offensive force especially with the ball going to the rim and in the mid-range game - Damian Buckley claims Fiola is one of the toughest guys he's ever guarded - Fiola's effectiveness will be measured once teams are able to force him to make decisions other than getting his own.

6'2" second year backup guard Jean-Andre Moussignao has a bright future at the lead guard spot with his length, athleticism and ability to defend.  Moussignao should see growing minutes in the rotation as his game matures.  Dore also welcomes Bishop's transfer 6'3" Kevin Selman, in his third season of eligibility, a hard working wing who runs the floor and promises to be one of the Stingers better perimeter shooters.  6'2" Morgan Tajfel, another good athlete in his second season from Dawson College, provides depth on the wing.

A pair of youngsters from John Abbott CEGEP provide depth up front led by 6'4" sophomore Didier Sam, who can play both post spots and 6'7" Zack Brisebois who is more of a true 5.

There is plenty of new talent to go with the more experienced foundation that took their lumps last season and should build toward another run at returning the Stingers to the Quebec playoffs.  Concordia starts their season this Friday at home against Winnipeg hosting the NIKE Invitational, their traditional Thanksgiving weekend season tip-off tournament.

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