Cobras ready for big-game experience

HARTSVILLE — It’s not everyday the Coker basketball program gets to face one of the top teams in the country.

So, the Cobras are going to make the most of their experience when they take on Pittsburgh in an exhibition game today at the Pederson Events Center.

About 120 Coker fans will be making the trip to the game and an alumni breakfast will be held before today’s game.

“It helps our college, gets our name out there and brings the college together,” said Coker coach Dan Schmotzer, who is from Cleveland and will have between 15-20 friends and family at the game. “Pitt
coach Jamie Dixon did us a favor. They usually schedule local schools for their exhibition games, but he came through for us.

“It’s going to be a great experience. I can’t tell how excited we are.”

The game came about because of Schmotzer and Dixon’s friendship which goes back to their days at TCU in the mid-80s. Schmotzer was an assistant for the Horned Frogs while Dixon was one of the
top players and hit the game-winning shot to win the 1987 Southwest Conference Championship game.

Some members of those Horned Frogs teams will be in attendance today.

As far as the game itself, Schmotzer knows the tough challenge the Cobras face. Sure, Coker defeated Division I Coastal Carolina 80-59 last year, but the Chants were in no way the caliber of Pittsburgh,
which advanced to the Elite Eight last year.

“There is always that chance,” Schmotzer said.

While Sunday’s exhibition will be a game for the program, Schomtzer hopes his team is ready when the Cobras open the regular season Nov. 16 against Morris.

Coker is coming of a 15-14 season, its first winning record in more than a decade, and return the team’s second-leading scorer Mason Ambler, who averaged 14 points a game last season.

Ambler is joined by Vatrick Thompson, who averaged 10.9 points a game last season, and transfers Thomas Wright and Ryan Aijian.

Wright, an Australian native, played in 14 games last season at Augusta State, while Aijian comes from Westmont College in California.

Chesterfield’s Joselle Bracy, who Schmotzer calls “the glue of the team” also will be counted on for some big minutes.

Cobras Roster
Player                   Pos HT Class
Jonathan Sauls           G 5-9 Fr.
Delonte Doles           G 5-9 So.
Marshall Cabbagestalk         G 6-2 Fr.
Ricardo Smith           G 5-10 Sr.
David Short           F 6-7 So.
Thomas Wright           G 6-2 Jr.
Joseph Molo           G 5-10 So.
Ryan Aijian           G 6-1 Jr.
Vatrick Thompson           G 6-1 Jr.
Christopher Spriggs           G 6-1 Fr.
Sharod Williams           G 6-2 Fr.
Brenden Marcell           G 6-3 So.
Joselle Bracy           G 6-2 Jr.
Mason Ambler           F 6-6 Sr.
Larry Felder           G 6-2 Fr.
Jonathon Gardner           F 6-2 Fr.
Liam Kyle                     F 6-7 Jr.
Michael Gore           F 6-5 Sr.
Brandon Sanders           F 6-5 Sr.
Joe Caldwell           F 6-5 Fr.
Derek Bailey           F 6-5 So.
Mark Dubois           F 6-5 Fr.
Austin Harper           C 6-7 Fr.