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June 9, 2005 Princess Anne, MD - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) announced today that they have received National Letters of Intent from seven new Hawks, filling a squad that looks to start fresh next season. The Hawks return six players from last year's squad and two who were sitting out to boast a full 15-man roster for the new campaign. The new players range from New York to Pennsylvania, to Michigan, and several from Maryland. They even add another international player to the mix. The new international player, Hagay Barav, pronounced (huh guy buh av) is from Israel where he played with fellow Hawk Tal Cohen. Barav attended Hayovel High School before serving his mandatory military service in the Israeli army. "He led the `A' Division is scoring in Israel playing against Americans. He can really help us," said Head Coach Larry Lessett. Barav a 6-3, 195 lb. guard, grew up playing for his hometown club of `Hertzeliya.' As a junior he won the Israeli Cup and as a senior won the State Championship. Barav was a member of the all Israeli National Teams (Caddets, Juniors, Under-22) and finished as the second best scorer in the Israeli High School League. "Hagay is a versatile scorer...Very good shooter from all ranges...Athletic and has the ability to penetrate in traffic...He runs the floor very well and demonstrates great talent on open court breaks...he is quick and smart...makes good decisions with the ball...On set offense he will make things happen," said The Virtual Scout, who profiles international players. Antonio McMillion, a 6-5, 205 lb. forward is another player joining the Hawks. McMillion, a Randallstown, MD native is no stranger to Division I ball having played one year at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). A 2003 Randallstown High School graduate, McMillion enrolled at CCSU hoping to contribute to the 2003-2004 campaign but suffered a severe eye injury and had to sit out. He returned to action the following season playing in seven games and tallying ten points and six rebounds. He left the Blue Devils searching for playing time and found it at Colby Community College. At Colby McMillion started all 31 games he played in averaging 15.6 points per game and 6.3 rebounds. He had season highs of 23 points and nine rebounds. He posted the 23 points in each of Colby's opening games last season. "Antonio comes from the best AAU program in Maryland, Cecil-Kirk. He is very athletic and makes big plays. He is exciting to watch; he makes us a very quick, athletic and versatile team. Teams from the Missouri Valley, Mid-American, Horizon and Southland Conferences were all interested," said Lessett. In high school McMillion averaged 23.5 points and 11.3 rebounds his senior season. He led his team to the State Championship that year and was named First-Team All-Metro and Third-Team All-State. He was named the Baltimore County Player of the Year by marylandhoops.com. As a junior at Randallstown he averaged 11.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. That year he was also named Second-team All-Baltimore County and led his team to the State Championship game. CCSU Head Coach Howie Dickenman described McMilion as "an explosive jumper and quick to the basket from the wing position. He can make things happen." Edward Tyson, a 6-2 200 lb. guard, is another Maryland product. The Baltimore native attended Wallbrook High School and was named the second best point guard in the state of Maryland by Maryland Prep Hoops. He is ranked above peers who have signed to play at Bucknell and Hartford. At Wallbrook Tyson averaged 17 points per game, seven rebounds, and nine assists. He had highs of 40 points, 15 boards and 14 assists. He was also a participant in the Suburban All-Stars vs. City All-Stars game held at Towson University. He started that game and tallied eight points, two assists, and three rebounds. "Tyson comes from one of the best AAU programs on the East Coast, the Baltimore Select and the best high school team in Maryland at Wallbrook. He was ranked at one time or another as the best point guard in the state. I am incredibly excited to have him. His performance in the state championship game was probably the best performance I have ever seen by a player," said Lessett. "I can't say enough about him, the Patriot, the North East, the Atlantic-10 all recruited him, we got him and I can't wait to get him on the floor." The third and final Maryland product to join the Hawks is no stranger to big-time players or winning. Jesse Brooks, from Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts is a Severn, MD native where he attended Archbishop Spalding High School for three years. At Spalding he played with University of Maryland standout Will Bowers and University of Connecticut sensation Rudy Gay, who was considered a possible NBA draft pick out of high school before signing with the Huskies. Two other teammates signed with Mt. Saint Mary's and three players from this year's squad also committed to Division I teams. The 6-1 170 lb. point guard was on the alley end of many Rudy Gay dunks in high school and is no stranger to the Division I level of play. He will lead the Hawk attack. "He, like McMillion, is from the wonderful Cecil-Kirk program. Another top point guard in Maryland will help us run a system and run it effectively. Jesse knows how to throw the big pass. He plays well fundamentally, a trademark of his AAU program," said Lessett. Rudy Gay, during a high school game, referred to a Brooks pass to Baltimore Sun reporter Pat O'Malley, "It was a great pass. He throws a lot of them and you just have to be ready for them." Brooks understands the position of point guard, something Lessett is counting on. In an interview with Craig Anderson of the Annapolis Capital, Brooks said, "There are going to be runs in basketball and people look to see how the point guard is reacting to the bad ones. If you panic, your teammates see that and might panic too. If you get frustrated, then the other team will play with a lot more confidence. It's up to the point guard not to let any of that happen. I like having the ball in my hand and being in control of the team." His coach at Archbishop Spalding, Mike Glick, said, "He's outstanding at handling the ball, and will make big shots when we need them. When Jesse plays well, we play well. Jesse is often the difference-maker." Brooks finished second in Spalding history for career assists with 534 (5.3 per game), averaged 6.9 points, 6.1 assists, and only 1.7 turnovers his senior year for the Cavaliers and was named to the Baltimore Sun's All County Team. At Notre Dame prep he started 32 games, averaged 16 points, six rebounds and ten assists per game. He had highs of 31 points, 12 boards and 18 assists. From nearby Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania the Hawks have added a 6-3, 175 lb. guard in the form of Troy Jackson. Jackson, who most recently attended Laurinburg Prep in North Carolina, averaged 25 points per game in 34 games started. He chipped in with seven rebounds and seven assists. He sports a whopping career high of 58 points to match his 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Coach Lessett is impressed with Jackson's play. "He can play three positions. He is a tough kid, mentally and physically. Schools from the WAC, Big South, and Southern Conferences all showed interests. Troy is a special player." Along with the aforementioned Southern Conference, the Atlantic Sun, NEC, and Atlanitc-10 all had schools who wanted Arthur Valentine. "Art" as he is called is from New York City and played junior college ball at Fulton-Montgomery Community College. In two seasons there he played in 58 games, starting all but seven and averaging 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. The 6-7, 215 lb. forward has tallied career highs of 29 points, 18 boards and eight assists. "Valentine is a versatile, skilled, kid. I am super excited to have him. Most importantly he is consistent. Night in and night out you can count on the same numbers from him. That is really important to me. I am still building this program, so Art and his consistency are a great sign for us." Last but not least is a young man that Lessett calls the "biggest sleeper in Michigan." He was recruited by scouts from Big-10, SEC, MVC, and MAC schools. "He is a talented player," said Lessett. "Dorian Pierce can really help us." Pierce is from Jackson High School in Jackson, Michigan and is a 6-0, 170 lb. combo guard who averaged 22.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He has netted as many as 37 points in a game and dished out as many as 11 assists. He received the 6th Man Award at the Five-Star Basketball camp in the NBA Division. That is the same camp that produced LeBron James and Michael Jordan among others. Pierce is known for his consistent and clutch free throw shooting. His final season he went 100 of 122 from the line, 82 percent. He has gone a perfect ten for ten in one game and last season shot just under his senior average with 81 percent. His high school coach Tracey Lowder, spoke to local sports writer Mike Pryson about his clutch shooting. "At the end of every practice, we play this little game. Everybody gets one shot. If they make it, we get a point, If we miss it, our opponent gets two points. After everybody shoots, Dorian shoots last. Dorian has to hit as many shots as we are down for us to win. Say we're down 12-6, he's got to make seven shots-or as many as are necessary for us to win. We haven't lost yet." Others may also agree with Lessett. According to PrepSpotlight.com's article, "Pierce, The State's Biggest Sleeper," it is rare that larger schools overlook a player of this much talent. "In a basketball state like Michigan, that is heavily recruited and can produce 25 or 30 DI players in a single year, it's very rare that a player this good, slips through the cracks. Dorian Pierce just may be the best player in the state that many have never seen." Someone did see him however as Pierce was also named to the Jackson Citizen's 2004-2005 Dream Team. The seven new Hawks join returnees Tal Cohen, Shaundale Robinson, Ryan Leak, Terrell Harris, Jamar Taylor and Tim Parham, to add to the Hawk's two players who were sitting out, Brandon Moore and Qavastoraj Waddell. "I think it will be an enjoyable year," said Lessett. "I really look forward to coaching these young men and all of our players. I will enjoy teaching these players and watching them develop their skills. These young men will aid in creating a foundation for building this program."
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