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California University loads up on recruits
California University men's basketball coach Bill Brown may not be superstitious, but his 13th season proved to be pretty unlucky.
The Vulcans went 13-13 in 2009 for his worst record and missed the PSAC playoffs with a disappointing 6-8 showing for fifth place in the West.
Brown isn't looking for a repeat in the upcoming campaign after bringing in possibly his biggest recruiting class.
"I think we have what we need to be back where we want," said Brown, whose club advanced to the Elite Eight two years ago. "Point guard and true post players were our biggest needs."
He feels he addressed the point guard issue with 6-1 Travis Williams, who starred the past two years at Potomac State.
A two-year starter, Williams -- a Raleigh, N.C., native -- poured in 687 points for the Catamounts and was an NJCAA All-Region XX first teamer.
"He's an impact player," said Brown.
There's also the Byrd brothers, who are both 6-0, out of Philadelphia.
LaRon finished as the all-time scoring leader at Girard Academic Music Program with 1,684 career points.
With a 28.3 point average the past season, Byrd finished second among city players.
Leroy, meanwhile, is 23 and a four-year Navy veteran who was a two-time City League all-star at Bok High.
"Leroy brings experience and leadership," said Brown.
Making Cal stronger inside should be the trio of Dorien Hoover, Andrew Young and Rashad Hatten.
A 6-11, 290-pounder, Hoover, 27, played at NAIA Urbana University last season after starring at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, where he averaged 27 points and 13 rebounds as a sophomore.
"We have to get him in game shape," said Brown. "He's the most talented player at his size that I've ever recruited. He can play and really shoot."
The 6-7 Young averaged 14 points at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr after starring at Cheltenham High.
Hatten is 6-8 and starred at Allegheny County Community College.
Three WPIAL standouts are also headed to Cal: Beth-Center's 6-3 Ryan Niemiec, Keystone Oaks' 6-3 Corey Bellavich and Lincoln Park's 6-4 Dave McCauley. All three scored more than 1,000 points in high school.
