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June 11, 2004 Princess Anne, MD - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is proud to announce the 2004-2005 men's basketball signing class. The list includes two freshman and two junior college players, all considered high-level players, all with national recognition. Louis Brookins, was the first Hawk to sign. The freshman from Silver Spring, MD attended Springbrook High School where he played for Blue Devils Head Coach Keith Adams. Brookins is a 6'6 swingman who played in the Capital Classic Regional Game and was named an All-Montgomery County choice and Fourth Team All-Met by the Washington Post. Schools from the SEC, Atlantic-10, Big East and more all showed an interest in Brookins. Brookins averaged 19.8 points per game and nine rebounds taking his team to the 4A State Championship Game, earning a 24-4 record and receiving a ranking as high as #5 in the Washington Post Top Twenty. Brookins is expected to step in and make an impact right away, playing on the wing for the Hawks. He picked UMES over a dozen other scholarship offers. In an interview with MD Varsity.com Brookin's High School Coach spoke of the new Hawk, "Louis has a chance to be a key player at UMES. He has a chance to play a lot right away. Also, they will play him on the wing, at small forward, and wing guard, and that is important to Louis. He is a great 'run-jump' athlete, playing out on the perimeter will give him a chance to use his athleticism." Coach Adams pointed out that new Hawk Head Man Larry Lessett is doing great things, "Coach Lessett is from the West Coast but he really wants to recruit the D.C. area, the Maryland and Baltimore areas. Louis was impressed by Coach Lessett. UMES is a good academic school and Coach Lessett did a good job of presenting the academic side of the school. They (the UMES staff) think that they can get UMES to the top of the MEAC." Another player impressed by Coach Lessett is freshman Qavotstaraj Waddell from Norfolk, VA. "Q," attended Coastal Christian High School and is listed by CollegeSports.com as a 6-11, 240 lb. Center. He will join the MEAC elite and be one of the tallest, if not the tallest player in the league. He was offered scholarships by schools from the ACC, Big Ten, Big South, and Patriot league among others because of his stellar improvement. Waddell averaged a whopping 14 points per game, 11 rebounds and seven blocks, an improvement from his junior season where he totaled ten boards and ten points. Waddell earned third-team All-Beach District Honors two seasons ago but brings with him a wealth of experience. "He played on two National Championship teams at Coastal with me," said Head Coach Walter Webb. "The level of prep basketball he has played at is as high as it gets. Not to mention his teammate," he added. That teammate that Coach Webb is referring to is Jackie Butler. A high school player entering the NBA draft this season. "I am in Chicago now at the pre-draft camp," said Webb; "Jack is putting on a show, he dropped 13 points and grabbed ten boards in a game, and "Q" got to play against him everyday, it has elevated his game tremendously. His game can make him an outstanding player in the MEAC and make him have an immediate impact in the conference and at UMES. "Q" is extra long and shoots the mid-range shot extremely well. He is a strong offensive player, but his defense is great as well. He makes big plays and is a bright young man, he will graduate from UMES having made a difference," summarized Webb. Anthony Davis heads up the junior college class coming out after one year from Division III Bunker Hill Community College. This 6'3" 190 lb shooting guard out of Dorchester, MA led Bunker Hill to a 19-9 record averaging a conference leading 25.6 points per game. He was named a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Second-Team All-American last season, a feat rare for a freshman. As a qualifier Davis will play right away for the Hawks. Davis, who played his prep ball at Boston's English High, led the region last season in total points (685), field goals (205), and free throws (143). Davis, an all-region and all-New England performer at Bunker Hill will have his number retired by the school in a ceremony at the beginning of next season. "Anthony is a role model. He is the ideal student-athlete. He has had such an impact on the team, the school, and the region. Anthony is a total team player who does all the right things. He will be missed but we wish him well at UMES," said Athletic Director Chris Jones. Last, but certainly not least in the new recruiting class, is junior college standout Corey Brown, a 6'0 158 lb. Guard from Ruthville, VA. Brown returns closer to home in signing with the Hawks after playing for Mott Junior College in Michigan. Brown brings a wealth of experience with him to UMES. He won the NJCAA National Championship in the 2002-2003 season and his Bears were runner-ups last season. Mott produced such a high quality team that Brown isn't the only one to go Division I. His teammate, Jay Youngblood signed at Kent State, fellow guard Domonique Crawford is now at Youngstown State, and Janon Cole is going to Northeastern. "It's a basketball power," said Dave Dye of The Detroit News. In a column a few seasons ago Dye pointed out that prior to Brown attending Mott they were 264-84 under the leadership of Head Coach Steve Schmidt. He took them to the championship game in 2001 and a semifinal in 2002. He has players at Clemson and Michigan State among other programs. "Every year we have tried to improve the program, and we've done that. Now it's going to be difficult. There's not much more room [to improve], but there's still a little bit," said Coach Schmidt. Brown is a solid player who can score at will. He dropped 21 points and grabbed six rebounds in the semifinal game of the National Tournament this season. "He had ice in his veins and hit both free throws putting the Bears up three in overtime," that from a recap of the game on the NJCAA website. "I am thrilled to have these guys in my first recruiting class here at UMES. I look forward to seeing them gel as a team and making an impact in the conference. They join an elite club of returning players who should be productive given the experience and talent we are bringing in. I am really looking forward to working with all guys starting in October," said Head Coach Larry Lessett. "I am not only thrilled with this recruiting class but at the possibilities," added Lessett. "We are still looking at two or three players that are qualifiers and are getting national attention. In addition we have several International players that we are interested in."
These four players, plus any more that Lessett will sign, join returning Hawks, Tim Parham, Jason McKinnon, Carl Pruitt, Jareem Dowling, and Shondale Robinson. Aly Samabaly, a transfer from Duquesne who sat out last season, will also begin play this year.
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