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St. Lawrence College Vikings
2006-07 Team Preview



	Transition is the theme of the 2006-07 version of the Men's Basketball team at St. Lawrence College. A successful 2005-06 season saw the Vikings finish 2nd in the East Division of the OCAA with a 15-3 League (3 losses to Algonquin College) and 20-13 over all record. They hosted and lost a wild card play off to Niagara College 70-61. Player transition has taken its toll with the departure of All Stars Remy Simpson and Ross Carter and veterans Mike Greig, Bryan McMillian and Chris Karkoulas. Coach Barry Smith enters his 13th season at St. Lawrence College as the 2005-06 East Coach of the Year award and a bevy of new recruits. Smith was honoured by Kingston’s basketball multitude last spring for his 25 years of coaching post secondary basketball. Known for his loyalty, dedication and fiery style, Coach Smith has created an atmosphere of success and professionalism at SLC that few schools can match. 2006-07 brings a team consisting of 4 returning players and 10 recruits that is guard heavy. Smith plans to employ an aggressive up tempo style both offensively and defensively to create pace at both ends. Former Viking player Kevin Smart who enters his fourth year with the Vikings will again assist him. The QECVI and SLC Grad is also responsible for recruiting and game scouting and feels extremely optimistic about this group of Vikings. Ryan Cato represents the only starter returning and big things are expected from this 3rd year guard that averaged 6 ppg last season. A top shooter and finisher with outstanding athleticism, Cato will need to step it up at both ends this year for the team to succeed. Josh Brennan, Duane Howard and Sean Maingot also are back from last year and they all hope to continue the foundations for success they started last year. Brennan, a 6'6" center started slowly for the Vikings last year but gave the team crucial minutes to spell the post. Howard and Maingot were the backcourt starters last year and will join the team after Christmas to add incredible depth at the guard position. There is reason for excitement about the recruits with the arrival of 3 top newcomers, transfers Kern Lewis and Milton Holness and 6' 10" freshman Mathieu Riendeau. Lewis, a transfer from Ryerson University is an excellent floor general who immediately gives St Lawrence experience and leadership at both ends. The 6' guard has a superb handle, plays tenacious defense and can hurt you from the perimeter or the block. Kern’s cerebral play and marvelous passing artistry will undeniably make him a team and fan favourite. He’ll be paired up with Holness, a transfer from George Brown College who like his teammate, will defend anyone, anywhere. The 5'9" guard is a catalyst on offense, with the uncanny ability to score in bunches, especially from the perimeter. Milton can also penetrate under control in order to score or find shooters as well as any Viking in recent memory. Riendeau, a 6'10" Ottawa freshman is potentially one of the best big men Barry Smith has ever landed here. A work in progress that has already made gigantic strides, Mathieu will need to stay away from foul trouble and demand the ball in the post on this guard heavy team. A passionate player, Mathieu’s defensive prowess and rebounding ability will be relied upon heavily this year. Other freshman joining this class are, Jonathan Braun, Brandon Leonard, Brett McDonald, Jerome Miller, Shane Pettit, Andrew Robertson and Terry Nam. Braun is a 5'9" point that comes to St. Lawrence from Glebe HS in Ottawa and is an excellent ball handler and defender that will spell the guards. A versatile player that brings a spark off the bench, Jonathan will work for his minutes. Leonard, a Perth HS grad, is a 6'3" swing man that will have to play bigger at times this year. A smooth shooter and slasher, he should adjust to the more physical level of college ball and have a big impact on this years promise for success. McDonald and Pettit both come from the top ranked Frontenac Secondary here in Kingston and each brings a history of success against top competition. McDonald is a hustling 6' guard that can play physical and can hit the 3, while the tough 6'1" Pettit provides power inside at both ends to a relatively thin front line. Robertson is a 6'1" G/F who will be asked to play a multiple of roles off the bench this year. He definitely has an opportunity to find minutes and should be around for a few years to come. Miller, a 5'11" guard from Whitby, is a hard worker and hustler that will have to wrestle for minutes this season. Nam, a 5'7" freshman guard from LCVI in Kingston, is an outstanding athlete and will join the team in the second semester.