Coach: Lonnie Williams, third season at UMES (20-35), 12th overall (171-158).
Affiliation: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
1997-98 record: 9-18 overall, 7-11 in MEAC.
Radio: WESM (91.3 FM), WTGM (960 AM).
Arena: Tawes Gymnasium (1,500).
Starters lost: Three.
Tickets: $3 students, $6 adults. Call 410-651-6705.
Best home game: Coppin State, Jan. 18. Second-best team in the state won 21 games last season and is favored to win the MEAC championship.
Best visiting player: Tarvis Williams, Hampton, Feb. 1. League's Rookie of the Year last season led MEAC with 56 percent field-goal shooting.
Outlook: With legions of junior college transfers joining Jeremy Jones and Joel Hoover, the Fighting Hawks might have a chance to reach the upper half of the MEAC after finishing toward the bottom last season. The key will be the performance of point guard Joel Hoover, who was 10th nationally in steals with 2.7 per game and averaged 10.8 points. The other returning starter is center Jeremy Jones (8.9 ppg), who will try to be a force inside until newcomers Brett Hughes and Cecil Watson develop. Development needs to come soon with trips to North Carolina State and Georgetown looming during the first two months of the season.
Around the league: Despite losing their backcourts, Coppin State and South Carolina State are expected to battle for the MEAC title.
Returning players
!Name -- Ron Christian
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 6-5
Wt. -- 210
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Best assist/turnover ratio on team (-8).
@Name -- Jason Conway
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-5
Wt. -- 190
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- See Jamie White.
Name -- Joel Hoover
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 6-0
Wt. -- 175
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- One of MEAC's top assist men.
@Name -- Jeremy Jones
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 6-8
Wt. -- 225
Pos. -- C
Fast breaks -- Only inside presence for Hawks.
Name -- Bram Reynolds
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 6-4
Wt. -- 200
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Best returning free-throw shooter (73.7 pct.).
Name -- Jamie White
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-6
Wt. -- 200
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Playing time should diminish.
Newcomers
!Name -- Edwin Colbert
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-3
Wt. -- 185
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Will likely spell Hoover.
Name -- Joshua Hickman
Yr. -- Fr.
Ht. -- 5-9
Wt. -- 156
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- 19.1 ppg, 7.2 apg at Pocomoke (Md.) High.
@Name -- Brett Hughes
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 7-0
Wt. -- 215
Pos. -- C
Fast breaks -- First 7-footer in Hawks history.
Name -- Sheridan James
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-8
Wt. -- 225
Pos. -- C
Fast breaks -- Provides needed shot-blocking.
Name -- Cederic Ramshaw
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-6
Wt. -- 226
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- 15.8 ppg, 10 rpg at SW Christian College.
Name -- Demetric Reese
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-7
Wt. -- 210
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- May be best of JC transfers.
Name -- Benjamin Surpin
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-0
Wt. -- 167
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Montgomery College product might contribute.
Name -- Kevin Wallace
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-6
Wt. -- 185
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- 21 ppg at Casper (Wyo.) JC.
@Name -- Cecil Watson
Yr. -- Fr.
Ht. -- 6-8
Wt. -- 245
Pos. -- C
Fast breaks -- Gwynn Park High grad may help Jones.
Pub Date: 11/13/98