Pioneers Gearing Up To Start Season
Fort Pierce, Florida – The Indian River State College (IRSC) Men's Basketball Team is gearing up for their sixth season under the direction of Head Coach Charlie Wilson. The Pioneers are coming off a very successful 2019-2020 season. IRSC finished last season with an impressive 22-8 overall record and 11-1 Southern Conference record which gave them their second conference championship in the last three seasons.
The future looks bright for IRSC as they return four all-conference performers from last season. Leading the way is Tanahj Pettway who was a first team selection and averaged 12.3 ppg while shooting 55.7% from the field. Linton Brown was a second team all-conference selection who average 9.4 ppg and 3.3 rebounds. Antrell Charlton and A.J. Cajuste round out the second team selections who are returning for the Pioneers. Charlton a true stat-line filler, averaged 5.4 ppg, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Cajuste, who handles a majority of the point guard responsibilities, averaged a team high 4.1 assists per game. Brandon Gainey, returns as a red-shirt freshman, who provides outside shooting and rebounding.
IRSC added size and scoring through transfers by signing Bryce Fitzgerald, Jacob Jackson, Mark-Anthony McReed and Jaren Phillips. All are junior college transfers who should make an immediate impact. Freshman rounding out the squad are Abdoulaye Thiam, Nate Montaque, and Jonathan Frazier.
COVID-19 has created numerous challenges, but Coach Wilson sees potential in this year's team. "This team is experienced and skilled, but our success will come down to our ability to guard and rebound", stated Coach Wilson. The Pioneers are also ranked 8th in the NJCAA Region 8 Men's Basketball Pre-season Poll. They open their schedule with back-to-back contests against Pensacola State College on the campus of Tallahassee Community College on January 22nd for a noon tip.