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Post by Raider Country on Jan 29, 2006 8:02:38 GMT -5
Does anyone know if Wright State is recruiting Jordan's cousin Brent Pleiman? He is a 6'8'' senior at Russia high school.
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Post by Big D on Jan 29, 2006 8:20:25 GMT -5
If we are not, we should be. Brent is a clone of Jordan on the court. He is a big kid. I have seen him listed as 6-7 and 6-8. He is probably somewhere in the middle. He weighs about 230. He is a scoring an rebounding machine from the low post. Last year, as a junior he averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds and was named conference player of the year. So far this year, he is averaging a little over 22 points a game. Like Jordan, he hasn't got a ton of major college interest because he plays in a small rural basketball conference and he didn't play AAU ball.
I don't know if WSU will offer him a scholarship this year or not. Our biggest weakness has been 3 pt shooting and guard play. With only 1 scholarship for next year, we are probably going after a big time shooter. Personally, I hope that player is Scott Grote. He is a much more athletic version of Alex Koch.
Brent Pleiman is a player. If a scholarship opens up we should seriously consider him. WSU might have 1-2 more scholarships to fill next year if Coach B is still here. Spencer is the most likely candidate to leave, but Drew might also be gone. He is on track to graduate this year and is looking to go to Dental School. If Coach B is fired, who knows what will happen to our roster. There is always a lot of turnover with a coaching change.
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Post by Raider Country on Jan 29, 2006 11:20:41 GMT -5
Russia(n) Roulette.......describes the ways and weapons of the Russia Raiders in 2005-06. They're so good and so talented many area coaches believe that getting to Columbus might be tougher than what they'll face if they get there! Ask any five area coaches their pick of any team in west-central Ohio with the best chance of making it to the state tournament in Columbus come March and three out of five will pick the Russia Raiders. We know...because we asked, including Russia head coach, Paul Bremigan, who not surprisingly downplayed the hype and hyperbole of those who concede such lofty accomplishment. "First of all, it's a long season and a lot of things can happen," says Bremigan. "That's what we tell the kids...it's a long season and you have to take one day, one practice and one game at a time." If Bremigan sounds sage in his objections, he should know. He led another, similarly talented Russia group to the Final Four in 2002, losing to Delphos St. John in the finals. "You have to play well, but you have to be lucky, too. Things have to fall right for you, beginning with the Piqua sectional. All it takes is one hot team and you not playing well on the wrong night." But while Bremigan is the voice of experience, many equally experienced coaches in the area are more than willing to concede that the Raiders are a better bet starting the 2005 campaign than they were just three short years ago. "They're loaded, top to bottom," says a rival coach from the Shelby County League. "They're the biggest team in the league with York (Adam) and Plieman (Brent) and their guards can handle the ball and score against pressure. Plus, they're deep enough to play seven or eight and get productive minutes off the bench." "Paul's not the kind of guy to talk about it, but he knows what he has," says another. "They're going to be tough night for anyone, plus they play a non-conference schedule out of the MAC that pretty well prepares them for the kind of physical play you face in the tournament." The strongest endorsement you'll get from Bremigan is a wry smile and a prepared, yet sincere, statement of what high school basketball means to everyone in the tiny Sheby County community...beginning with his players. "The kids know our tradition because they start early here, preparing to play on Friday and Saturday nights. The community really looks forward to packing the gym and supporting them, and we've had so many good players in my 26 years here. A lot come back and volunteer their services...to scout or anything that would help the program. Basketball (and baseball) have a special connection with the community." When rivals talk about the Raiders having the full compliment in 2005, they understandably start with Russia's size up front...and with their depth off the bench. Seniors Brent Plieman (6' 7") and Adam York (6' 6") form a tandem that can score, defend and rebound...and have three years of experience. "It's nice to have those two," says assistant Brad Francis, "but we have a player off the bench that's 6' 9" (Tyler Brandewie) and a couple others that go 6' 6". In all, Russia has five players in the program who stand 6' 6" or bigger. But their backcourt has just as many admirers, for its ability to run, score and defend with traditional Raider pressure on the opposition's guards. "I love Cody Anthony for his hustle and overall game," says one non-league coach. "And Colin Puthoff is a very good shut-down defender." Still, Bremigan points to those issues of improvement that stand between potential and titles. "We have to play physical against the kinds of teams you see in the tournament...like Lockland last year in the district finals," he says. "That's why we play so many teams from the MAC in our non-league schedule because it's a physical league. And, the kids have to be prepared for our round-robin conference schedule that means you play everyone twice. It's very tough to beat someone twice in a home and home situation...especially in the Shelby County League where we have such great rivalries." Caution from Bremigan notwithstanding, most coaches would chance the pitfalls of the long season if they could play with the hand he's holding. "I don't know if they'll get to Columbus," says another colleague. "But you know they're going to play hard for Paul and they'll improve with every game. They'll be good...and it couldn't happen to a better guy than Paul Bremigan." www.fanfilemagazine.com/stories_php/russian_ruolette.php
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Post by Raider Country on Jan 29, 2006 11:22:02 GMT -5
 Adam York (foreground) and Brent Pleiman. |
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Post by wsu97 on Jan 29, 2006 11:36:08 GMT -5
I'd love to see twin towers in the post next season. If Brent is anything like Jordan, we should have already offered him a full ride. You can never have too many post players in college basketball.
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Post by Wolf on Jan 29, 2006 11:39:36 GMT -5
As much as we need more shooters, I agree that you can't pass up on a good post player. I am a big Jordan Pleiman fan. I love how hard he works for wright state under the basket. If his cousin is anywhere near as good as him, we should be recruiting him.
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Post by keithfromxenia on Jan 30, 2006 11:40:51 GMT -5
heck he is already a raider, so it just makes sense that he come to wsu. GO RAIDERS!!!
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Post by wsu97 on Feb 5, 2006 9:50:06 GMT -5
St. Henry recovers, takes ranked Russia Redskins prove they can hang with best with 62-49 win By Greg Billing gbilling@daytondailynews.com ST. HENRY | The St. Henry Redskins learned a few things about its basketball team on Saturday. The Redskins discovered they can refocus after a tough loss a night earlier. They proved they can hang with the best with their 62-49 win over state-ranked Russia. And, after some anxious minutes, they realized they can play without 6-foot-9 center Kurt Huelsman. St. Henry pulled away from Russia in the fourth quarter to win a battle between area heavyweights in non-conference boys basketball action on Saturday. The Redskins (14-2), entered ranked No. 6 in the Division III state poll and No. 1 in the Dayton Daily News rankings. The Raiders (14-2) came in No. 3 in the D-IV state poll and No. 2 in the DDN. In front of about 1,200 spectators at St. Henry High School, the Redskins looked to rebound from its 49-45 loss to Minster on Friday. St. Henry bolted to a 27-8 lead over the first 13 minutes. But Russia countered with a 16-3 run to close the half and pull within 30-24 at the break. With 3:01 left in the second quarter — and in the middle of the Raiders' run — University of Dayton recruit Huelsman banged knees inside with a Raider defender and left the game. He returned to start the third quarter with his left knee taped. The knee didn't seem to bother him as he scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half. He also had four blocks. Huelsman also continued his match-up with Russia 6-8 center Brent Pleiman. Pleiman finished with five points as the Raiders struggled to mount an inside attack. "Kurt was able to keep him from setting up low," St. Henry coach Joe Niekamp said. "(Pleiman) wasn't in his comfort zone where he was able to receive the ball." Huelsman also had key help from 6-7 Toby Boeckman, who with other teammates collapsed around Pleiman. The Raiders instead attacked from the outside with eight 3-pointers overall. Russia's 12-2 run in the third helped the Raiders take their first lead (36-34) with 4:55 left in the third. But St. Henry answered with a 14-0 run to restore the lead to 12 (48-36) with 5:39 left in the game. The Redskins benefitted from Russia's aggressive defense by hitting 12 of 22 free throws in the fourth. The confidence-boosting win comes at a good time for St. Henry with key Midwest Athletic Conference games and the D-III tournament looming. For Russia, it was their second loss to a MAC team (Versailles, 56-49) but also provided another strong, physical test to get them tournament ready. "I think this bodes for good things down the stretch," Niekamp said. www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/preps/daily/0205sthenry.html |
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Post by Wolf on Feb 11, 2006 9:09:00 GMT -5
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Post by wsu97 on Mar 3, 2006 7:17:24 GMT -5
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Post by Raider Country on Mar 3, 2006 19:20:48 GMT -5
All-Southwest District teams announced Cook, Johnson again best in area By Dave Long Dayton Daily News Dunbar's Daequan Cook and Bellbrook's Lynzee Johnson have repeated as boys and girls Division II players of the year on the Associated Press All-Southwest District all-star basketball squad released Thursday in Columbus. Cook a 6-foot-5 forward, is averaging 25.6 points, 10. 2 rebounds and 5.0 assists for the 20-2 Wolverines who play Alter in the sectional tonight at Springboro. He was the state D-II co-player of the year last season. A McDonald's All-American, Cook has signed with Ohio State in one of the school's most anticipated recruiting classes. Johnson, also a first team All-Ohio pick last season, averaged 20.9 points and 11.4 rebounds for the 14-7 Eagles, who tied for first place in the Southwestern Division of the Southwestern Buckeye League. She will play her college basketball at Marist College in New York. James Dews of Lakota East (D-I), O.J. Mayo of North College Hill (D-III) and Brent Pleiman of Russia (D-IV) are the other boys players of the year. Dews, a 6-4 forward who averaged 27.9 points per game, is headed to Miami, Fla. The 6-5 Mayo, the reigning Mr. Basketball, averages 28.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists for the defending state champs. Pleiman, a 6-8 senior, averages 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds for the 20-2 Raiders.Other girls players of the year are Lesslee Mason Cox of top-ranked Princeton (16.1 points) in D-I; Sarah Schulze, a 6-1 junior from Anna (23.0) and 5-7 senior Alison Lemon of Southeastern (24.8). Both Mason-Cox and Schulze will play their college basketball at Ohio State. The All-Southwest District team is chosen by a panel of sportswriters from Cincinnati, Hamilton, Middletown, Wilmington, Dayton, Troy, Springfield, Greenville, Sidney and Bellefontaine. www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/preps/daily/0303sw.html |
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Post by wsu97 on Mar 11, 2006 8:44:12 GMT -5
Russia ousts Springs with 36-6 run Zone defense, size advantage keys to Raiders' district title By Greg Billing Dayton Daily News DAYTON | Russia senior Brent Pleiman can finally stick those three silver medals in a drawer. The gold he earned Friday made that possible. Pleiman and his Raiders' teammates celebrated a long-awaited Division IV boys basketball district title, shedding three straight disappointing trips, with a 60-46 win over Yellow Springs. The Raiders had lost three straight district final appearances, all by three points. "It was kind of disappointing coming home with a silver medal," said Pleiman, who led the Raiders with 14 points and 13 rebounds. "We knew this was our last chance." Yellow Springs, which beat Russia for the 2004 district title, used its quickness and penetration to build a 16-4 lead with 2:31 left in the first quarter. But after a Russia timeout, the Raiders — switching from their man-to-man defense to a 2-3 zone — erupted for a 36-6 run that ended at 1:29 left in the third. The Bulldogs needed just eight minutes to score their first 18 points. It took them 19:11 to get their next 18. "We got stale at halftime," said Yellow Springs coach Brad Newsome, acknowledging his Bulldogs were tired at the half after that fast-paced start. "We got tired, and their big bodies kept coming in." Russia (23-2) attacked inside with the 6-foot-8 Pleiman, 6-6 Adam York (nine rebounds) and 6-6 Andy Zumberger (14 points). The 2-3 zone forced the Bulldogs (19-5) to shoot over the Raiders, who then dominated the backboards 39-26. "I think we came out scared a little bit," said Russia guard Colin Puthoff, who had nine assists. "After we went into our 2-3 zone, we slowed them down." Yellow Springs, led by Brad Benning-Clark's 24 points, pulled to within seven points three times in the fourth. But Russia answered each time. Russia advances to play Lockland (21-3) in the regional semifinals at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at Miami University's Millett Hall. Lockland, which beat Russia 59-56 in last season's district final, beat Cedarville 84-60 in an earlier semifinal. Contact Greg Billing at 225-2400, ext. 6991. www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/preps/daily/0311russia.html |
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Post by Class of '83 on Mar 12, 2006 14:06:57 GMT -5
I saw highlights of the Russia Yellow Springs game on tv. Brent looks much slower than Jordan.
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Post by Big D on Mar 14, 2006 22:08:38 GMT -5
Brent's Russia team got knocked out of the state tournament tonight. They lost to Lockland 74-67. Brent scored 23 points in the losing effort. He also went 11-12 from the FT line.
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Post by wsu97 on Mar 15, 2006 7:18:22 GMT -5
Russia loses to Lockland in OT Panthers come through in 'do-or-die time' By Mark Gokavi Dayton Daily News OXFORD | Russia used its usual effective inside-outside game to get several 5- to 7-point leads Tuesday night. But Lockland slowed down both for stretches of the Division IV boys basketball regional semifinal at Miami University's Millett Hall. Lockland never led by more than three points in regulation. But the Associated Press poll's No. 10-ranked Panthers owned overtime. Lockland got open for short shots and created turnovers to knock off fourth-ranked Russia, 74-67, in front of about 1,500. Lockland (22-3) plays Houston (21-4) at 7:30 p.m. Friday for the regional championship. Russia finishes 22-3. The Panthers also topped Russia 59-56 in a district final last year. "I thought we did all right; I don't think we wilted under the pressure," Russia coach Paul Bremigan said. "They're just awful athletic. Sometimes you let athletes be athletes." Brent Pleiman (23 points, 13 rebounds, 11 of 12 free throws) and Brook Schafer (13 points, 11 boards) helped put Russia up 53-48 with 4:46 left. That's about when Lockland coach Paul Andrews applied pressure. "I was afraid to do it because we were only playing six guys and they were playing eight or nine," Andrews said. "I wanted to press and I kept thinking, I can't do it, but it was do-or-die time." Thomas Smith (26 points), Antoine Wilhite (16), Mac Ogletree (11) and Dajuan Harris (10) all contributed. Defensively, the Panthers made Russia go nearly 14 minutes between 3-pointers. Pleiman made two free throws with nine seconds left for a 63-62 lead while Ogletree hit one with two ticks left to force overtime. In OT, Russia had turnovers, missed free throws and allowed five different Panthers to score near the paint or at the line. Russia didn't answer inside. In fact, Pleiman didn't get a field goal the last 14:46. Bremigan bristled when asked about how physical the game was. "I don't want to go there, I don't want to talk about that," he said. "We didn't shoot the ball too well inside. Sometimes we'd have two or three shots inside and came away with nothing. No basket, no foul — and that's not like us." Contact Mark Gokavi at 225-6951. www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/preps/daily/0315russia.html |
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