Falcons in the Professional Ranks

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 Former Pfeiffer University center Antonio Harvey headlines a lengthy list of players that have left the Misenheimer, NC campus and moved on to the professional ranks.

James Crowder Ireland



Dele Ojo ABA


Tavares Cooper ABA


Demario Grier Cyprus, Germany


Damien Argrett Romania, Czech Republic, England


Rico Grier Germany, Czech Republic


Anthony Williams Germany


Tim Granold Germany


Willie Bullock Mexico, Dominican Republic


Nem Sovic Iceland


Travis O’Sullivan Australia


Eric Coates Greece, ABA


Justin Thompson USBL


Marvin Dixon CBA, Australia


Poo Quillens Canada


Larry Washington France, Mexico


Antonio Harvey NBA, Greece


Leon Purdue Iceland, Australia


Tony Smith Spain


Brad Brown Turkey


Jeff Pinder Germany


Jermaine Carlton Spain, Kosovo


Antoine Davidson CBA


Craig Cordes Belgium


William Milteer Ireland


David Lee France


Jeff McPherson France


Steve Hickey Luxembourg


Mike Epps Australia


John Banner Europe


Harrison Finklea Europe


Henry Panzer Luxembourg, France

 

Pfeiffer Basketball All Americans

All American Senior Chris Woods looks to lead the Falcons back to the NCAA for the first time since 2004-2005

2010 Chris Woods *

2007 Demario Grier

2006 Demario Grier
2005 Damien Argrett

2005 Rico Grier

2001 Nem Sovic

2000 Nem Sovic

1995 Justin Thompson

1994 Jermaine Carlton

1993 Antonio Harvey

1992 Tony Smith

1991 Tony Smith

1990 Jeff Pinder

1986 Craig Cordes

1979 Mike Epps

1962 Bobby Franks

                                                             *Denotes Player Still Active

FALCONS TO BATTLE WOLFPACK IN MEN’S BASKETBALL EXHIBITION ON NOVEMBER 9th

FALCONS TO BATTLE WOLFPACK IN MEN’S BASKETBALL EXHIBITION ON NOVEMBER 9th


MISENHEIMER, N.C. – Men’s basketball head coach Jeremy Currier announced on Thursday afternoon that the Pfeiffer University Falcons will begin their 2010-2011 season with an exhibition contest in Raleigh against the Wolfpack of N.C. State on Tuesday night, November 9th at 7:00 p.m.
The Falcons and Wolfpack are scheduled to tip-off in Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of N.C. State. The Wolfpack started last year winning eight of their first nine tilts en route to conference play in the powerful Atlantic Coast Conference. Senior Chris Woods (Greensboro, NC) and Jeff Pettiway (Edgewood, MD) return for the Falcons after leading the team in minutes played and scoring a year ago. Woods averaged 22.4 points and 24 minutes per game last season while Pettiway scored 18.3 per game with just under 25 minutes per game.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our basketball program,” remarks Currier. “Few Division II teams in the country get to play against ACC opponents, and we have had two of the best in the last two years with Duke and N.C. State. The atmosphere around campus is electrifying about the 2010-11 season and there is no better way to kick things off than playing the Wolfpack in Reynolds Coliseum.”

Tickets for the exhibition contest will be just $5.00 and available for purchase in late September, early October. Tickets can be purchased through the Wolfpack athletic website (www.gopack.com) or by calling the ticket office at 919-815-1510.

Going to School

(Courtesy of Southern Maryland Newspaper) How are you rewarded for playing a particular sport, in this case basketball, since age 6 for basically free? How do you repay a family who gave you rides to and from practices and games?

If you are recent St. Mary's Ryken graduate Elijah Matthews, you perform well enough on the hardwood, the only place you have known since you were a toddler, to earn a full athletic scholarship to Pfeiffer University. Matthews recently signed his letter of intent to attend the North Carolina-based institution.

"I am really excited, but just ready to get down there," Matthews said. "I am kind of nervous. I have to kind of show these upperclassmen what I can do. But, really, I am just going to go out there and try to have fun."

Matthews had a long list of suitors for his strong defensive skills on the floor and equal leadership abilities on the court. Schools such as Coastal Carolina, Mount St. Mary's, Holy Family (Pa.) and Philadelphia University, among others, each were after Matthews, but it was Pfeiffer and head coach Jeremy Currier who received Matthews' services.

"It's a good, Christian environment down there," Matthews said of Pfeiffer‘s campus. "That was the first thing that I noticed. People are very nice down there and really family-oriented. … It's a really nice campus and I was able to speak to a couple of the professors. I talked to a couple of basketball players that helped persuade me, too."

He said Currier expects a lot out of him coming into Pfeiffer, a Conference Carolinas school, but Matthews expects a lot out of himself as well.

"He told me he wanted me to come down and play big minutes," Matthews said. "He just wants me to do what I can do and help him get a championship."

Although he is talented on the court, Matthews said he understands what the game of basketball has meant to his life off the court. Openly admitting that life around him has been a bit tough at times, basketball is where Matthews always has been able to turn to.

"Basketball probably kept me out of a lot of trouble," Matthews admitted. "I have a lot of friends and some of them are dead, some of them are in jail, and basketball just kept me out of that. It's something for me to do, and I just love it."

The All-County honorable mention was the defensive stopper for a Ryken team, head coach Dave Tallman said, that set school records in overall wins, conference wins and conference team finishes this past season.

"It was really special this year," he said. "Breaking those records was really fun, really good for the school, especially with it being done in my senior year and being able to go out with a bang."

But with all of the numbers of points, rebounds, steals and statistics Matthews' biggest number just may be, in fact, zero, as in how much he will have to pay for school. And Matthews said he fully understands how special that is for him and his family.

"It's great," he said. "My parents don't have to pay for anything, so that's good."

FALCON BASKETBALL ADDS THREE MORE AS CURRIER INKS THREE TOP PROSPECTS

MISENHEIMER, N.C. – Pfeiffer University men’s basketball coach Jeremy Currier has announced the signing of three more recruits in the 2010 freshmen class. Guards Kyler Gregory (Gibsonville, NC), Elijah Matthews (Clinton, MD), and Daniel Kuhl (Winter Springs, FL) will make Misenheimer home for the next four years.

“We are fortunate to have these three young men come to Pfeiffer University,” stated Currier. “All three of them coming from winning programs, and have proven to be successful on the court and in the classroom. Adding Kyler, Elijah, and Daniel to the Pfeiffer family ensures a bright future for our program.”

Gregory, standing 6’9’’, joins the Falcons from Western Alamance High School where he played under head coach Wayne Stevens. Gregory averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting 44% from the three-point line. He was named second team all-region his junior year. During his senior season he improved to first team all-region while also being named the Burlington Times and News all-region player-of-the-year. Throughout his career, he was a three-time all-conference performer and scored 1,200 points. Gregory also garnered academic all-conference awards on five different occasions. “Kyler is a special young man,” commented Currier. “He has been one of the best players in the state for the last two years, and has carried a 4.0 grade point average while doing it. Kyler can shoot the ball at a high level, and hit length will help us immediately.”

Matthews checking in at 6’2’’, joins the Falcon program from St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Maryland where he played under head coach Dave Tallman. The point guard was a varsity starter in all four years playing in the WCAC, one of the top high school conferences in the country. He was a 2010 McDonalds All-American nominee and selected to play in the 2010 inaugural edition of the best basketball players of AAU. Matthews was ranked by Scouts, Inc. and ESPN Recruiting with a scout grade of 80. He finished his senior season averaging 14 points, nine rebounds, and five assists per contest. “We are extremely fortunate to get a player of Elijah’s level,” said Currier. “Elijah was an impact player for a winning high school team in one of the best high school conferences in the country, and played for one of the top AAU programs in the DC Assault. He is a proven winner that has a work ethic that will help our program right away.”

Kuhl, 6’4’’, comes to Pfeiffer as a four year starter under head coach Travis Jones at Winter Springs High School where they posted a 90-26 record. A three-year captain, Kuhl averaged 12.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while leading the Bears to three conference championships, three district championships, one Regional Championship and a trip to the 6A Final Four.

“There is no better compliment that a coach can have for a player than trust. I have trusted Daniel to start every game over the past four years and gave him the green light to shoot and make plays at will,” stated Coach Jones. “Through his leadership over those four years the team racked up 90 wins with the multiple championships. None of these accomplishments are possible without Daniel. He will be missed at Winter Springs and an asset to Pfeiffer University on the court, on campus and in the community.”

Kuhl was a Seminole Athletic Conference selection as a sophomore, junior and senior, and selected as a Winter Park Rotary Tournament first team selection in 2008 and 2009. Kuhl was rated inside the top-100 players in the Country by National Underclassmen Basketball Report, and ranked by Eddie Oliver and Hoops USA, a national player ranking throughout the United States as a senior. Kuhl was rated as the 9th best player in Florida by BreakDown Magazine, was an Orlando Sentinel Top 25 Player to watch in the state of Florida, rated by Hoop Scoop Online as one of the best players in Florida.

“Daniel has great size for a freshman guard, and a dynamic skill set that will help us immediately,” added Currier. “To get a smart, multi-faceted player that can make everyone around him better is a special thing, and he is someone that can come in and help us right away. Daniel’s dad played in the ACC, with uncle’s playing major Division I basketball. He comes from a great basketball pedigree and he has been winning for the last four years in the highly-competitive Florida 6A high school league. We are thrilled to have Daniel join us at Pfeiffer University.”

Pinkerton grad takes head coaching job at Pfeiffer- Derry News Article

MISENHEIMER, N.C. — (Courtesy of the Derry News) Pinkerton Academy graduate Jeremy Currier, 29, has recently taken over as head basketball coach at one of the top Division II programs in the country at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, N.C.
Pfeiffer University has been one of the best records in the country since 1990, making appearances in the national championship game, Final Four and Sweet 16 rounds in the national tournament over the last 20 years.

Currier most recently served as the top assistant coach for the last two years at Pfeiffer, where he was rated as the sixth best recruiter in the country by College Bound Hoops.

He played a major role in the 2008-2009 Pfeiffer team that led the country in scoring at 99.8 points per game, and the 2009-2010 Falcon team that scored a record-setting 103.1 points per game.

Prior to going to Pfeiffer, Currier served as the head coach at Daniel Webster College in Nashua, where he was the youngest head coach in the country at age 25. Currier led the Eagles to the highest win total in a decade, and made consecutive post-season appearances for the first time in 14 seasons.

Currier's recruiting class at Daniel Webster included that New Hampshire State Player of the Year, two all-conference selections and the first ever conference Rookie of the Year winner. Those recruits went on the following season to post the most successful season in program history, and first winning campaign in 11 years.

Currier, the 2000 Nashua Telegraph state Player of the Year, led the state of New Hampshire in scoring at 27.9 points per game, and led the Astros to the state quarterfinals as a senior under coach Tony Carnovale.

While at Pinkerton Academy, Currier was named to the USA Today All American Honorable Mention team, New Hampshire All State First Team and represented New Hampshire in the annual Alhambra Game.

After Pinkerton, Currier attended Endicott College in Beverly, Mass., where he was the top three-point shooter in the NCAA, while shooting a record setting 53 percent as a junior. Named as the Commonwealth Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2003, Currier left Endicott College holding six school records and four conference records in 2004, and a member of the winningest class in program history.
"It is a great honor to be named head coach at Pfeiffer University", Currier said. "I have been blessed to have great mentors throughout my life, beginning with my parents and extending to the many outstanding teachers, coaches and administrators at Pinkerton Academy, Endicott College, Daniel Webster College and now, Pfeiffer University. I was fortunate to be taught that hard work pays off, and blessed that so many people invested their time in helping me to reach my goals."

Currier will begin his Pfeiffer coaching career on Nov. 9, when the Falcons travel to North Carolina State to play against the Wolfpack.

“Have passion for your mission—be enthusiastic—genuinely care for others—demonstrate it with integrity—increase your knowledge with humility. Help others do better and give praise freely. Become a servant-leader.
When you lead in this manner, you will gain loyalty. They will go to the wall for you. They will give their best efforts.
Good leadership breeds trust.
Trust breeds loyalty.
Loyalty breeds unity.
And unity gives you your best chance for success.”

-Courtesy of John  McCarthy at http://www.smallcollegebasketball.tumblr.com/
 

Pfeiffer Grad Brandon Jolly Named Top Basketball Coach in North Carolina

Pfeiffer University graduate Brandon Jolly has been named the 2009-10 Associated Press men's prep basketball coach of the year for North Carolina. Jolly, the head coach at Lake Norman High School, led his team to a 27-3 record despite being picked to finish third in its league. The program had never been past the sectional round before this season's run, which ended with a win against Fayetteville Sanford in the Class 4-A final. Jolly earned seven of a possible 22 votes from sports writers across the state to win the award.

Jolly took over at Lake Norman High School as the varsity coach in 2007, after compiling a 56-6 record over three years as the Wildcat’s Junior Varsity coach. At age 27, Jolly was one of the youngest head coaches in North Carolina, and began winning immediately, as LNHS won the 1st Statesville Record & Landmark Holiday Classic Championship in school history, men or women, and eventually lost in the state playoffs to defending state champion Concord. Since that time, Lake Norman has competed for North Carolina State championships under the guidance of Jolly.

“What Coach Jolly has done with the Lake Norman team has been remarkable, said Pfeiffer University head coach Jeremy Currier. “Within three years of Lake Norman having a varsity team, Coach Jolly has made it into a basketball power in one of the best basketball states in America. On behalf of the entire Falcon Basketball Family, I would like to extend Coach Jolly sincere congratulations in his accomplishments on the sidelines. I look forward to having him continue to work closely with our Pfeiffer Basketball program in the future.”

Falcons to Open Up 2010-11 Campaign at NC State

The Pfeiffer Falcons will open up their 2010-11 season on November 9th with a trip to the Reynolds Center on the campus of NC State to face the Wolfpack in a season opening exhibition game. The game will mark the Falcons 7th consecutive season opener against a Division I opponent, and third ACC school in the last five years. Pfeiffer played the Tar Heels of North Carolina, and the 2010 National Championship Duke Blue Devils in recent seasons. "We are thrilled at the opportunity to compete against NC State this season, said Falcon head coach Jeremy Currier. "Few Division II teams are given the chance to play a major Division I opponent, and we have been granted that opportunity by Coach Sidney Lowe and staff. This will be a tremendous event for our players, coaches, University, and Falcon Basketball family."

The Falcons have seen success against Division I opponents as they currently hold the record for the most points scored in a half of play in the historic Dean Dome (66 points), held a lead against Purdue University on their home court with 10 minutes to play, and was the only team to score 50 or more points against National Champion Duke University in 2010.

The Falcons will be lead by 2010 Basketball Times All American selection Chris Woods, Conference Carolinas selection Jeff Pettiway, and senior guards Yuki Yamaguchi and Jovonte Eaford.

Matthews Commits to Falcons

Elijah Matthews joins the Falcon program from St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Maryland where he played under Coach Dave Tallman. The 6’2’’ 185 pound guard played for the varsity program all 4 seasons in the WCAC, one of the top conferences in the country. Matthews was a starter his final 3 seasons and was also named honorable mention 3 years and named to the all state 3rd team his senior year. He was a 2010 McDonalds All American nominee and selected to play in the 2010 inaugural edition of the best basketball players of AAU. Matthews was ranked by Scouts, Inc. and ESPN Recruiting with a scout grade of 80. He finished his senior season averaging 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists per contest. Elijah played for the DC Assault AAU program that has produced hundreds of Division I level players, and multiple NBA players. Elijah chose Pfeiffer University over Howard University, North Carolina A&T, and Gannon University. “We are extremely fortunate to get a player of Elijah’s level, said Currier. “Elijah was an impact player for a winning high school team in one of the best high school conferences in the country, and played for one of the top AAU programs in the DC Assault. He is a proven winner that has a work ethic that will help our program right away.”

James Crowder- Pfeiffer University

Congratulations to 2010 senior James Crowder who was recently offered a professional contract in the top league in Ireland.

Annual Falcon Basketball Camp a Huge Success

Coach Currier welcomed 70 youth basketball campers to the Merner Gymnasium last week for the Annual Falcon Basketball Camp. Campers came from all over the Southeast Region attended, as there were campers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Arkansas. "It was a terrific week of camp," stated Currier. "Coach Cline did a tremendous job in bringing new drills, competitions, and awards to the camp this year. We are thrilled to welcome these youth players and their families to the Falcon Basketball Family." Campers left with an official camp t-shirt, certificated, and a season ticket pass. Guest speaker Jason Causby from Salisbury High School (NC) headlined a great week of camp. "Coach Causby runs one of the finest high school basketball programs in the state," said Currier. "We were lucky to have him come in a review the skills necessary to compete at the guard position. Campers left Coach Causby's lecture with a number of drills that can be developed at home on when they are practicing."

Other guest appearances by Pfeiffer players David Batson, Mitchell Hargett, Josh Humphrey, Anthonie Clarke, and All American Chris Woods capped off a tremendous week of basketball in Misenheimer.

Three members of the Pfeiffer University men’s basketball team have been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court Award list. Davon Gilliard (Charleston, SC), Yuki Yamaguchi (Tokyo, JAPAN) and Chris Woods (Greensboro, NC) represent the Falcons with the most selections in Conference Carolinas.
The NABC Honors Court recognizes the talents and gifts that these men represent off the court by working just as hard in the classroom. To be named to the NABC Honors Court, each student athlete must meet a high standard of academic criteria that includes being a junior or senior, a varsity athlete, cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher, at-least one year at their current institution and a member of a NCAA division one, two, three or NAIA school.
“We are extremely proud of these young men that are representing us in the academic community” replied head coach Jeremy Currier. “They should be commended for their hard work on and off the court as ambassadors for our program.”

Falcons Add Assistant Coaches

Head men’s basketball coach Jeremy Currier announced the hiring of a pair of newcomers joining the Pfeiffer University family as assistant coaches. Oderra Jones and Chris Cline have both agreed to become assistants under Coach Currier in the Falcon basketball program.
Jones comes to Pfeiffer after serving on the staff at Sam Houston State University for the past two seasons. During that time, Jones helped the Bearkats compile a 43-20 record, 26-6 in Southland Conference play, while becoming regular season champs in both campaigns. Jones helped lead the Bearkats to a berth in the NCAA Tournament field of 65 this past season as SHSU came up nine points short against Baylor in the first round.
Prior to his time with the Bearkats, Jones served as the Director of Basketball Operations at Florida International. Jones is a 2003 graduate of Eastern Connecticut State earning a Bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in sport management.
Cline comes east from Sonora, CA where he spent last season as an assistant at Columbia College just southeast of Sacramento. Cline helped Columbia compiled its best win total in six years.
Before heading to the west coast for a second time, Cline was an assistant at Rockingham Community College in front of a stint with California State University, Stanislaus. The Salisbury, NC native has also gained knowledge as an assistant at Ferrum College in Virginia.
Cline graduated in 2004 from Greensboro College where he started his coaching career under Rusty LaRue. LaRue was a standout while at Wake Forest before his 1998 championship season with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. Cline graduated with a Bachelor of Science in ports and exercise studies, concentrating on coaching.

Falcons Sign Daniel Kuhl

Pfeiffer University Men’s Basketball coach Jeremy Currier has announced the signing of Daniel Kuhl (Winter Springs, FL) as an addition to the 2010 class. Kuhl comes to Pfeiffer as a four year starter under coach Travis Jones and Winter Springs High School, where they posted a 90-26 record. A three year captain, the 6’4’’ 215lb Kuhl averaged 12.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while leading the Bears to 3 Conference Championships, 3 District Championships, 1 Regional Championship and a trip to the 6A Final Four.




“There is no better compliment that a coach can have for a player than trust. I have trusted Daniel to start every game over the past four years and gave him the green light to shoot and make plays at will. Through his leadership over those four years the team went 90-26 with 3 conference championships, 3 district championships, I regional championship and a trip to the 6A Final Four. None of these accomplishments are possible without Daniel Kuhl. He will be missed at Winter Springs and an asset to Pfeiffer University on the court, on campus and in the community” said Winter Springs High School Head Coach Travis Jones.



Kuhl was a Seminole Athletic Conference selection as a sophomore, junior and senior, and selected as a Winter Park Rotary Tournament First team selection in 2008 and again in 2009. Daniel was rated in the Top 100 Players in the Country by National Underclassmen Basketball Report, and ranked by Eddie Oliver and Hoops USA, a national player ranking throughout the United States as a senior. Kuhl was rated as the 9th best player in Florida by BreakDown Magazine, was an Orlando Sentinel Top 25 Player to Watch in the state of Florida, rated by Hoop Scoop Online as one of the best players in Florida, and rated as the 32nd best player in Florida by the Miami Tropics Report.

“Daniel has great size for a freshman guard, and a dynamic skill set that will help us immediately”, stated Falcon head coach Jeremy Currier. “To get a smart, multi-faceted player that can make everyone around him better is a special thing, and he is someone that can come in and help us right away. Daniel’s Dad played in the ACC, and uncles played major Division I basketball- he comes from great basketball pedigree- and he has been winning for the last four years in the highly competitive Florida 6A high school league. We are thrilled to have Daniel join us at Pfeiffer University.”

Pfeiffer University Basketball

Pfeiffer University is one of the top basketball programs in the country for the Division II level. We are located outside of Charlotte, North Carolina and compete in the Conference Carolinas. Pfeiffer has been on of the winningest basketball programs in the NCAA- ranked in the top five in wins and winning percentage since 1990. We have had over 40 professional players leave our program, and produced more than 15 All Americans in the last 20 years.