2000-2001 Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Men's Basketball Sketches

Dan Abbott  #0    6'0"     175     FR     Guard White Cloud High School ...May, 1995, graduate of White Cloud...has worked hard to put himself into a position to be able to play college basketball...Dan had a fine Spring, 2000, semester in the classroom at KVCC, sporting a 3.23 GPA...was selected All Area Honorable Mention in high school...attended Ferris State before coming to KVCC...interested in social work and/or secondary education Coach's Comments:   "Dan has a great desire to contribute to our team this year.  He works extremely hard in both the classroom and on the court.  His consistent hustle has been a pleasant surprise.  He must learn to stay under control on offense better and defend better before he will be able to reach his full potential.  He comes to play everyday and such student-athletes are fun to be around and always seem to improve significantly with the passage of time.  Dan has already shown solid improvement and just may continue to surprise."

 

Aaron Bucklin   #11   6'0"    155   FR   Guard Bronson High School ...received All Conference, All Area, All Branch County, and Sturgis Daily Reporter recgonition while averaging 12 points and 8 assists his senior year...point guard instincts with unusual leaping ability...led his team to a 19-3 season...coached by former University of Toledo standout, Scott German, brother of former Cougar star, Todd German...3.75 GPA in high school has helped earn him an Honors College scholarship at KVCC...CIS/Econ major Coach's Comments:  "Aaron decided not to play basketball this fall.  Our academic depletion, however made his potential contributions vital.  He missed playing the first semester, and we need him at his best this semester.  He is the only sophomore on the team.  The key, of course, will be how rapidly he can return to playing shape, and how quickly he can pick-up our offensive patterns.  His ability to defend will probably shape the amount of playing time he will receive.  I'm glad he was still available to help us plug up some gaps."

Ryan Cheevers     #11    5'8"     150     FR     Guard St. Joseph High School      ...transfer from WMU...All Big 8 performer in his senior year at St. Joseph, averaging 8.5 points and 6 rebounds per game...Coached by former Cougar, Gregg Schaffer...MVP for St. Joe in his senior season...was All Conference twice in Soccer and also received All Regional, All District, and All State soccer honors...majoring in English Coach's Comments:  "Ryan has exceeded our expectations in practices so far.  Despite his diminutive size, he handles the ball well and makes excellent decisions while running the offense.  He is a fine perimeter shooter as well as a solid point guard.  His playing time may depend on his ability to defend larger guards."

 

Dan Clothier     #15    6'4"     180     FR     Forward-Guard Orchard Lake St. Mary's High School ...key performer on 28-0 Class B State Championship team...averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds...led his team in steals...selected as Defensive Player of the Year for his team...won Honorable Mention honors in the tough Detroit Catholic League...many thought his Class B team was the state's best in all classes last year...majoring in Business Administration Coach's Comments:  "Dan is one of our finest shooters.  He is solid fundamentally.  His competition in high school has helped prepare him for college success.  He picks up offensive execution well and he has a knack for knowing how and when to pass.  His dribbling skills and his ability to defend must improve before he will realize his fullest potential."

 

 

 

 

Chris Stairs    #41     6'0"     170     FR     Guard Heritage Christian High School, Kalamazoo ...averaged 22 points at Class D Heritage Christian...the Eagles finished 12-8...coached by Kevin Farmer...received a 4.0 GPA the first semester of college at KVCC...interested in coaching basketball...majoring in Secondary Education Coach's Comments:  "Chris is a fine shooter from a small school setting.  He will need to improve his defense and dribbling skills in order to contribute at the college level.  His love for the game and his willingness to work hard make him a solid addition to our program."

 

Dominick Melton     #21    6'6"     195     FR     Forward Muskegon High School ...averaged 11.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4 assists per game for his 14-7 Muskegon High team...selected by the Muskegon Chronicle as All Area Honorable Mention his junior year, and All Area 1st Team his senior year...played in the MCC All Star Classic in Muskegon...scored 18 in the Ta-Wa-Si All Star Game in Grand Rapids...interested in Psychology or Business Management Coach's Comments:   "Dominick is a versatile athlete that does many things well.  He is an unselfish player that can pass, rebound, and play defense.  As his shooting and ball handling improve, he will become a complete player.  His development will be a big factor for us this year."

 

Shane Nowak     #5    5'10"     160     FR     Guard Wayne Memorial High School ...a three year starter for Chuck Henry's Wayne Memorial squad...a natural point guard who will probably play both the point and shooting guard this season...averaged 14.5 points and 5.5 assists per game...Honorable Mention All Mega League his junior year and First Team All Mega League his senior year...All Area, Wayne Eagle...Elementary Education major Coach's Comments:   "Shane is a bundle of energy when he competes.  He can score and takes care of the ball pretty well.   He is a gritty defender that will provide much leadership for this year's Cougars.  With his solid Class A competition in high school, Shane is making the adjustment to college ball quite well.  He should see heavy duty action this season."

 

Bret Stephenson     #45    6'5"     225     FR     Center-Forward Galesburg-Augusta High School ...four year starter at Galesburg-Augusta...averaged 19.4 last year and 18.7 in his 4-year high school career...All Conference in the KVA...Battle Creek Enquirer and Kalamazoo Gazette Prep Star of the Week...scored 1,664 career points...First Team Associated Press Class C All State Team...Second Team Detroit News Class C All State Team...Third Team Detroit Free Press Class C All State Team...Third Team Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan All State Team...selected to play in the BCAM All Star Game...G-A Most Outstanding Player award winner...scored 41 vs Kalamazoo Christian in 3 overtime thriller....is third in career totals for rebounds (869), free throws made (337), and blocked shots (200) in the All Time Michigan High School Basketball Record Book...Physical Education major Coach's Comments:  "Bret is a skilled performer from a small school.  He has average quickness and below average speed.  However, his outstanding high school statistics speak volumes about his accomplishments so far and his potential at the next level.  He will need to improve his defense and rebounding in order to gain significant playing time.  He has a fine team attitude and will become even more proficient as he improves his intensity for the college level."

 

Brandon Steward     #     5'8"     165     FR     Guard Flint Beecher High School ...averaged 11 points, 8 assists, and 3 rebounds per game at State Class B Runner-up, Flint Beecher...key performer at the point guard position for Beecher...All Big 9 Honorable Mention...selected on the Detroit Free Press 2nd Team All State squad...voted his team's Best Defensive Player...communication major Coach's Comments:  "Brandon is being counted upon heavily to provide leadership for this young team.  He has a knack for penetrating and dishing, and his ball handling and dribbling skills are outstanding.  As his shot selection improves, so will his ability to knock down the open three as well as the fifteen footer.  His overall defense must continue to improve."

 

Nate Tagert     #51    6'7"     225     FR     Center-Forward Coldwater High School      ...averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds for perennial southwest Michigan Class B power...2nd  Team All Conference junior year...1st Team All Conference senior year...MVP of team senior year...MVP of Twin Valley Conference senior year...Business major Coach's Comments:  "Nate gives us some inside strength and power.  He has a nice mid-range jumper to compliment his low post game.  Perhaps his court awareness and his passing skills are his strengths.  Nate will need to keep working on his power moves, and he will be challenged defensively in our league.  He should be a key performer for the Cougars this year."

 

Mark Wilson     #25    6'2"     175     FR     Forward-Guard Harbor Light Christian High School, Harbor Springs ...an All Conference selection as well as an Honorable Mention All State honoree...last season he averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game on a 20-3 team...also a fine soccer player...Elementary Education major Coach's Comments:  "Another lefty that works extremely hard every day.  Mark's work ethic has helped him to become a college prospect...he needs to become more confident on offense and needs to continue to work hard defensively.  He is not quite a guard yet, and needs to rebound better at the forward position.  He is a role player with a fine team attitude."

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