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Conquistadors Have Talent, Will Need To Gain Experience

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By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - Last season, Don Johnson waited patiently.

He backed up former Pasco-Hernando Community College point guard Stanley Pringle, and he knew his time would come.

As he watched Pringle, the 2007 Suncoast Conference player of the year and an honorable mention All-American who is now at Penn State, in practice and during games, Johnson learned.

The waiting is over, and now he is the one running the show.

"I knew before I came what situation I would be in," Johnson said of his freshman year. "Every player wants to get out on the court, but you've got to pay your dues, and I really thought I was benefiting by sitting out and watching the game."

Johnson, who played in each of PHCC's 31 games last season, not only will spend his time distributing the ball to his teammates, but he will take on a leadership role as he shares captain duties with Marquis Robinson and Edward Fowler.

The Conquistadors (19-12 in 2006-07) return just four players from last year's squad - Johnson, Robinson, Ray Doucette and Mark Littleson. Robinson, who averaged 9.1 points per game and was an All-Suncoast Conference second-team selection, is the lone regular, while Doucette and Johnson came off the bench, and Littleson played in one game.

"We've got a talented group of newcomers, which includes freshmen and two transfers," PHCC coach Bobby Bowman said, "and getting them game experience will be key. Robinson is a veteran inside guy, and Johnson backed up an All-American last year."

There are nine new faces, including transfers Danny Huffor and Harry Turner, as well as freshmen Fowler, Devon Curry, Julius Williams, Josh Garcia, Garren Adulte, Giles Mack and Lithuanian Paulius Grikenas.

The Conquistadors split two games at the Okaloosa-Walton Classic Nov. 2-3, losing to Alabama Southern and beating Lurleen B. Wallace C.C. They will host Brevard C.C. tonight at 7.

Bowman knows it will take time for the group to come together and get valuable game experience, but he expects the team to be solid.

"I'm expecting them to show a lot of improvement as we go through this preseason and heading into January," Bowman said. "I think we'll improve gradually, and I'm hoping we can gain some consistency. I think we'll be much-improved as we get some of this experience under us."

Johnson agrees.

"I'm expecting a great season out of this ball team," he said. "I feel like if everybody can come together, I'm not questioning how hard we play, if we all can learn the plays and everyone gets those down pat, then I think we can have a pretty good season. Really."

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