A Merritt College update with Coach Keenan McMiller

Checked in with Merritt College Coach Keenan McMiller recently to see how his Thunderbirds performed this summer.

"We we finished the summer 6-2, arguably losing to the top two teams in the state -- Citrus College by seven and Irvine Valley by seven. We defeated Mira Costa College (San Diego area) by 10, Compton College by 18 (who came into the game undefeated at 3-0) and defeating San Jose City College by 18 points."

"The guys are buying in and these are real good kids," he said, adding, "we're going to do some new stuff this season, pressing and half court trapping.

Although a lefty, Josh Amey (Berkeley High) has become McMiller's right hand man even as a freshman. Here's McMiller on his floor leader: "He's one of the best in the JC ranks. He's working his tail off getting stronger and people love playing with him. Josh wants to constantly attack defenders and he's a ferocious competitor who picks up everybody's level of play. I want things done a certain way and he gets why we are doing it. He's always trying to make the right play. I want Josh to show his right hand more and we're trying to get  him to shoot more mid-range. He's a qualifier and I'm hoping to keep him for two years."

On Marcos Castrillo (Pinole Valley High), "he will be steady contributor, being a player standing at a versatile 6-foot-6 who can play the 3/4/5 spots as well as having the ability to post up, square up and drive, hit the midrange and shoot the three.

On Kareem Ransom (Inderkum High), McMiller offered, "He's comes a long way. Kareem is more confident as he has become tougher and more aggressive."

He explained that both freshman Eric Nelson (El Cerrito High) and sophomore Nick Capiti (Bishop O'Dowd) "are coming along well."

Big man and freshman Glyndelle Poole (6-foot-8, 260, Fremont High, Oakland) is already generating notice. McMiller said, "He's going to help us. At his size, a lot of schools already love him."

"My hope is that our extremely talented guard Isaiah Gossett (Edison High) continues to make improvements in his game and discipline on the court. This group's work ethic will pay off for them this year, God willing no injuries."