Shooting Guard Spot Thick with Leadership
11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 7, 2006
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - With three starters and seven lettermen returning from the 2005-06 season, experience and leadership are the watchwords this year around the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack basketball program. Nowhere on the floor are those two traits more evident than at the shooting guard position. The Lumberjacks return three seniors -- two lettermen and a redshirt from last season -- at the two-guard spot. All three players are expected to log heavy minutes for head coach Danny Kaspar this season.
"The off-guard position will probably be our most competitive spot on the floor," the coach said.
Hardaway is the third-leading returning scorer for SFA after starting the last 24 games of the season in 2005-06. He averaged 6.4 points per game and contributed further to the offense with his 67 assists, which tied for second on the squad. Hardaway scored in double figures seven times, including a career-high 16 points in SFA's 63-59 win at Louisiana-Monroe. Hardaway also tied a career-high with seven rebounds in that contest. He had another strong game in SFA's 78-72 loss at Sam Houston State in the semifinals of the Southland Conference Tournament. Hardaway scored 12 points and dished out a career-high seven assists in the game. The 6-4 senior's value to the team doesn't stop at his playing ability, though.
"Keith is probably our best leader," Kaspar said. "He is a good all-around offensive player. He shoots the three pretty well and also has a very good mid-range game."
Dykes is back for his senior year and looking to play an increased role. The 6-4 New Orleans, La., native started the first five games of the season before giving way to Hardaway. After struggling early in the year, Dykes found his stride coming off the bench. He scored double-digit points in back-to-back contests -- 16 against Centenary and 10 against Paul Quinn -- and finished the season averaging 2.6 points per game in just 14 minutes per contest. He pulled down a career-high five rebounds in SFA's 72-70 win over McNeese State in the SLC Tournament.
"Chaz is shooting the ball better this year than last," Kaspar said. "He is very good at getting the ball to the basket. He seems much more comfortable in our system, and his increased confidence is very apparent."
Despite this year being his first in uniform with the Lumberjacks, Johnson has turned into one of the team's best leaders. A former walk-on who impressed Kaspar enough to earn a spot on the roster, Johnson spent last season working out with the squad and learning the system as a redshirt player. The 6-2 Houston product possesses the kind of tough on-court mentality that Kaspar looks for in his players.
"Will is a very hungry player who has good leadership skills," Kaspar said. "He's an excellent competitor who will battle you every step of the way."
Johnson and the Lumberjacks will fight their first battle of the season tonight, when they host Houston Baptist in an exhibition contest. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in the William R. Johnson Colisum.
• This article is the second in a series previewing the Lumberjacks, leading up to Saturday's season-opener against San Diego. Coming Wednesday -- small forward.
-- SFA --
