SFA Beefs up at Power Forward
11/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2006
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - A year after injuries forced the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks to move small forward Anthony Paez to the four spot for most of the 2005-06 season, the Lumberjacks are ready to put the "power" back in power forward. Paez proved to be a valuable offensive weapon because of his versatility, but at 6-7, 205 pounds, he didn't fit the mold of a traditional power forward. This year, head coach Danny Kaspar will replace the graduated Paez with a pair of players who more closely resemble the position's prototype.
Junior and two-year letterman Scott Weaver (6-8, 225) and junior transfer Trevor Guy (6-6, 220) are expected to give the Lumberjacks some punch down low at both ends of the floor. Weaver, who was a starter last year before injuries forced him into a back-up role, should see most of the playing time.
Weaver started the first four games of last season and averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds through that stretch, which included road games against Tulsa and Kansas State. He recorded seven points and five rebounds -- both career highs -- in SFA's 82-73 win over Texas Wesleyan in the home opener. But an injury two games later sidelined Weaver. He missed eight straight games, and, when he returned, was able to play more than 10 minutes just three times the rest of the season. With all ills cured for the 2006-07 campaign, Kaspar is hoping for a healthy, productive year out of Weaver, who is the only Lumberjack on this season's squad to have lettered in more than one year.
"Scott is a returning part-time starter," the coach said. "He is a good shooter and passer and is also one of the better leaders on the team. Scott's confidence has improved greatly since last year, and I am confident that he will have a good season for us."
Guy comes to Nacogdoches from Grayson County Community College. Last year, he averaged 17 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Blessed with good touch for a big man, he was a 52 percent shooter overall and hit 37 percent from 3-point range. A leader like Weaver, Guy was voted team captain last season and earned team MVP honors, along with a spot on the All-Northern Texas Junior College Athletics Conference first team.
"Trevor is an excellent outside shooter," Kaspar said. "He definitely knows how to play the game. Trevor has a court awareness about him that is hard to teach, and, once he learns our system, I think he'll be a very effective player for us."
• This article is the fourth in a series previewing the Lumberjacks, leading up to Saturday's season opener against San Diego. Coming Friday -- center.
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