2008 Alumni Basketball Game

On January 26, 2008 Cecil College alumni, representing four decades of Men's Basketball, participated in in the seventh annual Cecil College Men’s Basketball Alumni Game. The Green Team, coached by Earl Piner, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach from 1996 to the present, was made up of such well-known Cecil Alumni as DJ Wootson (1996-1999), Shawn Cole (1996-1997), Huey Harris (1996-1997), Kris Cullison (1998-2000), Matt Meadows (1997-1998), Les Thompson (1979-1981), and Clarence Dorsett (2001-2003).

The White Team was made up of Joe McCahon (1986-1988), Jareem Dowling (2000-2003), David Geshay (1998-1999), Ed Durham, (1981-1983 and current Cecil Athletic Director), Earl Rennie (1980-1981, 1983-1984), and Ron Harris (2000-2003). The White Team was coached by John Rajaski, Associate Professor of Physical Education and former Head Coach of the Men's Basketball Team from 1983 to 1995.

Coach John Rajaski’s White team outscored Earl Piner’s Green team, 117-105. Ed Durham saw his 2003 alumni records of 32 points and 10 3-pointers fall as DJ Wootson scored 42 points and Huey Harris drained 11 3-pointers en route to a 37-point effort. Jareem Dowling tallied 26 points and Ed Durham had six points. For the seventh consecutive year, players representing four decades of Seahawk basketball returned to Cecil, including members of the 1987-88 Maryland JUCO Conference National Division champions who were led by Maryland JUCO Coach of the Year John Rajaski.

Former Seahawk Drafted by NBDL

Congratulations to 2005 Cecil College graduate Craig Winder for being the 10th player chosen in the eighth round of the recent NBA Development League draft by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in McAllen, Texas. After scoring 1,138 points in two years with Cecil’s men’s basketball team, Craig transferred to the University of Texas where he was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team. The Vipers begin the regular season with a home game vs. Austin on Nov. 23. For more information about Craig’s new team, visit the following Web site: www.nba.com/dleague/riograndevalley/.

Two Local Cecil Men's Basketball Players Earn Scholarships

Former Elkton High School teammates Tim Magowan and Denell Stephens are the fifth and sixth players from this year's Cecil College men's basketball team to sign National Letters of Intent with NCAA programs. Magowan became the first-ever graduate of a Cecil County public high school to ink a Division I scholarship when he committed to Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. Stephens is headed to Division II Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.

"There are a lot of excellent athletes in Cecil County, and Tim and Denell have set an example for them of how hard work and dedication to both academics and athletics can lead to bigger and better things," said 12th-year Cecil coach Bill Lewit. "They both have the opportunity to get a free education at four-year schools because of their success on the floor and in the classroom."
Magowan and Stephens spent three years apiece at Cecil, including their redshirt seasons in 2005-06. The Seahawks went 97-8 during their time in North East winning 12 regular season and postseason championships, and advancing to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Tournament each year.

This year's 33-3 team claimed its third straight Region XX Tournament and subsequent automatic bid to the 12-team national championship. The Seahawks also continued their dominance of in-state rivals as they extended their winning streak vs. Maryland JUCO Conference teams to 60 games en route to their third straight regular season conference title and fourth consecutive state tournament crown.

Magowan, the 32nd Cecil men's basketball player to accept an NCAA Division I scholarships in the last nine years, averaged 12.6 points per game and drained a team-high 119 3-pointers on 283 attempts as a sophomore. His 155 career 3-pointers are fourth most in school history. He first caught Lewit's eye as a fifth-grader attending his basketball camp.
"Tim is a prolific scorer from beyond the arc and he has helped break games wide open with his 3-ball," said Lewit. "He'll really stretch defenses and feed off double teams that Western Carolina's best big man will attract.
"Tim grew up through our program, from a basketball standpoint, and this is where he wanted to come out of high school. We're very proud to have someone begin with us at a young age and develop himself into a Division I player."

Stephens led the Seahawks with 11.3 rebounds per game and 55 percent shooting from the floor, while averaging 12.5 points. He was named Second Team All-Maryland JUCO Conference and Third Team All-Region XX, and was chosen by his teammates for the Hustle Award.
"Denell can guard anybody on the court because of his athleticism, strength and most importantly his tremendous basketball instincts," said Lewit. "He has great hands, a desire for the ball, and the ability to rebound and make clutch shots. He is willing to do all of the dirty work and isn't greedy to have plays run for him. He just makes plays on his own."