Meet the Contra Costa College Comets

In 2009-10, Contra Costa College (CCC) men's basketball collected 13 wins but the 2010-11 edition went 2-22 due to season-ending injuries to two critical players as well as a lack of talent. As the new season approaches in November, Coach and CCC alumnus Miguel Johnson sees much more talent on his roster with his freshman recruiting class possessing the ability and intelligence to be competitive.

Johnson cleaned house from last season’s roster which was comprised mostly of freshmen. This year, there will be a mix of experienced sophomores and transfers, along with the talented freshmen available for immediate action.

Born in Oakland, Johnson has remained local. Besides his tenure at CCC, he was instrumental in cleaning up a dismal Merritt College program and also worked as an assistant at Solano College, helping the Falcons reach the playoffs back-to-back seasons.

Calling upon that experience, the CCC mentor explained "We'll play four guards and we should be competitive. We went 3-1 in the Las Positas summer tournament beating Delta, Napa and West Valley."

Johnson added, "We want to run, to get up and down the floor to create an up-tempo style of play. We want to speed the game up and not grind it out in half court play."

Here's who will be leading the charge for the Comets (with commentary supplied by Johnson):

* Kenonte Ramsey, 5-foot-11 sophomore,  De Anza High

"He played three seasons ago (2008-2009), redshirted the last two seasons and now he's more mature and more confident in his abilities. Kenonte has worked to become a more consistent perimeter shooter to compliment his explosiveness driving to the basket. He's a 1-2 combo guard but will play more of the 2"

* Justin Pollard, 5-foot-10 freshman, St. Mary's High (Berkeley)
  
"His leadership, attitude, and his understanding how to win really provides our team with consistency at the point guard position. Justin isn’t as explosive as Kenonte but will be a steady consistent player which is what we have been lacking in seasons past "

* Justin Hamilton, 6-foot-1, redshirt sophomore

"He played the 2009-10 season earning All Conference First Team honors as the CCC point guard, and will be an integral part of our success this coming season as well. Justin can penetrate to the basket to create opportunities for others, and is an excellent on the ball defender"

* Robert Ellis, 6-foot-1, sophomore combo guard, played at Imperial Valley College in 2009-10, is also a redshirt transfer.

"Robert really shoots the ball well which complements the ability of the other players to attack off the dribble. His ability to knock down shots gives us tremendous scoring balance from the perimeter"

* Tyler West, 6-foot-5, Oregon

"Tyler is a 3-4 but will play mainly at the 4, he's a high IQ facilitator who can get guys involved from the small forward position. He can shoot the three, put it on the floor, and post up smaller players"

* J’uan Parker , 6-foot-6 (Sacramento High)

"He'll be seeing some immediate action inside for us. J’uan has length and athleticism as well as the ability to knock down the mid-range jumper"

Johnson will be utilizing 6-foot-8 freshmen Austin Kvasnicka (Pinole Valley High) and 6-foot-7, 260 pound Andre Johnson (Eureka High) in the paint. 

Always tough Yuba is the returning champion of the Bay Valley Conference, with Merritt College, under Coach Keenan McMiller, on the move up. Los Medanos has Coach Derek Domenichelli returning from a leave and don't forget that Coach Billy Offill's Mendocino squad went 11-1 in league play last season.