Patriots jump to 3rd in USCAA Power Rankings
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The Southern State Patriots made a big leap in the weekly United State Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Power Rankings as they sit at No. 3, moving up four spaces as they are set to play in the second half of their season next week.
The Patriots are currently 12-2 this season with an .857 winning percentage.
SSCC only trails Lindenwood-Belleville and Rochester in the Week 6 rankings, which were released on Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Head coach Travis McAvene said he's pleased with the ranking, but there is still work to be done.
"We are pleased to have our program ranked No. 3 in the country (USCAA Division I) at mid-season," McAvene told The Highland County Press. "My goal from day one taking over this program last May was to be nationally ranked and compete for a national championship.
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"We have the talent here at Southern State to compete on a national level and get to our national tournament this coming March in Pennsylvania. I just want our players to stay humble and not be satisfied with early season success."
The Patriots also welcome one new player to the team for the second semester in Martise McLaurin (Beechcroft).
McLaurin was a prep standout, being named to the Columbus Dispatch All-Metro Team his senior season of high school.
McLaurin was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-Ohio Selection in Division I his senior season of high school.
"We are excited to add Martise to our men's basketball program here at Southern State," McAvene said. "Martise was one of the best players in the city of Columbus in 2011 and was being recruited by some NCAA Division I programs."
McLaurin was a second-team member of the Dispatch team, as he averaged 22 points per game his senior year, and a first-team member of the Columbus City League All-City team (North Division) for the 2010-11 season.
The Patriots begin the second half of the 2012-13 season when they host Ohio University-Chillicothe at 7:30 p.m. at the Patriot Center.
The Patriots are currently 12-2 this season with an .857 winning percentage.
SSCC only trails Lindenwood-Belleville and Rochester in the Week 6 rankings, which were released on Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Head coach Travis McAvene said he's pleased with the ranking, but there is still work to be done.
"We are pleased to have our program ranked No. 3 in the country (USCAA Division I) at mid-season," McAvene told The Highland County Press. "My goal from day one taking over this program last May was to be nationally ranked and compete for a national championship.
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"We have the talent here at Southern State to compete on a national level and get to our national tournament this coming March in Pennsylvania. I just want our players to stay humble and not be satisfied with early season success."
The Patriots also welcome one new player to the team for the second semester in Martise McLaurin (Beechcroft).
McLaurin was a prep standout, being named to the Columbus Dispatch All-Metro Team his senior season of high school.
McLaurin was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-Ohio Selection in Division I his senior season of high school.
"We are excited to add Martise to our men's basketball program here at Southern State," McAvene said. "Martise was one of the best players in the city of Columbus in 2011 and was being recruited by some NCAA Division I programs."
McLaurin was a second-team member of the Dispatch team, as he averaged 22 points per game his senior year, and a first-team member of the Columbus City League All-City team (North Division) for the 2010-11 season.
The Patriots begin the second half of the 2012-13 season when they host Ohio University-Chillicothe at 7:30 p.m. at the Patriot Center.