By Chad Clevenger
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (CCCTigers.com) – Today’s Media day was Men’s Basketball, and the SAC Coaches have picked Central Christian to finish 9th in their annual preseason poll. Tony Romero in his 16th season as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, and his Junior Guard Chris Whitten who is coming off a season where he averaged 20.3 points per game, were available to the Media this morning, in the event hosted by Jim Powers of the Sooner Athletic Conference. Langston University was picked 1st by the coaches.
The Tigers are coming off a season where they finished 12-18, and ended the season in the NCCAA Regional a year ago. The Tigers return 7 of their top 8 guys from last year, all 5 starters, a series of new transfers, and a group of freshman who will be battling for playing time and give the Tigers much needed depth that they lacked a year ago.
“Preseason was hard, we got a lot of running to get our legs back, and to come together as a team, so we are working hard, and trying to get better every day. I try to show up every day trying to work, if it’s coming an hour before to get shots up, or staying an hour later to get shots up, it’s just every day continuing to build the building blocks so were prepared for this season"” Whitten stated on how the preseason is going and things he’s doing to lead this group of Tigers.
“We’re fortunate in this day and age when the transfer portal has hit all levels of college basketball, we were able to retain 7 of our top 8 guys, we returned all 5 starters, and I think that’s unique in this day and age. I think that speaks hopefully about our program, but also about these guys and their willingness to continue to stay in the fight together,” stated Coach Romero on his initial outlook this season.
Romero added, “Returning from a starting standpoint, we have Chris (Whitten), senior Malachi Farr, senior Andre Shelby, Javarrick Butler, who could be a senior or a Junior depending on how he wants to approach this year, senior Omari Maulana, and Chris’s Twin brother, Jaeden, who was one of the better freshman in the league. We also have Za’Corey Stewart who came on late last season, when the opportunity presented itself. We add a series of transfer guys that we’re hopefully could come in and adapt quick and help our team where I felt we struggled depth wise. Travis King and Andruw Rondon will help interior, come from JUCO’s in Florida, Elijah Moraros should compete on our frontline, Transfer guard Andre Cooper, and freshman wise, Juwan Shaw will push to get into the lineup, and I think Bruce Gee could come in and compete for wing minutes.”
Whitten shred on the SAC Conference, “Every opponent it’s a close game, you can’t take anyone for granted, every given night any team can win, just right there, you got to prepare everyday like it’s a championship and that’s how I feel like we treat it at every practice.”
“I’ve been blessed and God’s been good to me here, It’s tough going against (the SAC), every night, but I think we have a good support here from our Administration, good support from our student body, and our community too. It makes for a fun environment for our guys, and we’re excited about the season for sure,” stated Romero at the end of the media availability.
The Tigers will open the season on Tuesday, October 29th at Tabor College. Tip is scheduled for 7pm, and can be seen on the KCAC Network. The Tigers home opener will be, Friday, November 1st against Sterling College at 8pm. That game can be seen on the SAC Sports Network.
