MEN'S BASKETBALL ADDS TWO TO 2014-15 ROSTER

PHOTO CREDIT: Glen Moore (Tracy Press)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Men's basketball head coach James Giacomazzi announced today guards Kenneth Daye and Phil Morgan will enroll at Cosumnes River College this summer.  The two players join a roster that returns four players and two redshirts from last year's team that went 23-9, advanced to the CCCAA Sweet 16, and had a final ranking of #11 in the State according to the last coaches poll (2-17-14).

A 6-foot-1, 175-pound point guard from Tracy, Calif., Daye (pictured right) recently completed his fourth season at Tracy's Merrill West High School, and his third with the varsity squad.  Daye was named West basketball's "Player of the Year" for the second straight season, after averaging 18.5 points and 5.2 assists per game.

As a senior in 2013-14, Daye helped lead the Wolf Pack to a 20-9 record and a second round appearance in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.  He was named first-team All Tri-City Athletic League for the second consecutive season after setting the all-time scoring and assists records at Merrill West High School.  Daye became just the third player in West's history to score over 1,000 points, and broke the all-time mark with over 300 assists, in his three varsity seasons.

Daye led the team to the second round of the Sac-Joaquin section playoffs as a senior, leading the team to a 66-61 upset of 4^th-seeded Monterey Trail, and scoring 35 points on the night.  It was his fourth 30-plus point performance of the season, and his 13^th scoring 20-plus points in a contest.

"(Daye) is someone we targeted very early because we love the way he runs a team," said Coach Giacomazzi of the incoming freshman.  "He has all-around game; (Kenneth) handles the ball very well with both hands, gets in the paint at will to score or create for his teammates, and is one the better high school defenders we saw this year."  "He will be very productive with our style of play and we're beyond excited to have him in our program."

Morgan, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound shooting guard from Sacramento, Calif., recently won the CIF Sac-Joaquin D-IV Section championship at Natomas High School.  He took home MVP honors following the team's 81-58 victory over Encina Prep, contributing 15 points and nine rebounds.  He also earned the Tri-County Conference Most Valuable Player award.  Morgan played two seasons for the Nighthawks.

As a senior, Morgan helped the Nighthawks to a 20-9 record and an appearance in the CIF Northern California Regional playoffs.  He helped Natomas to a 14-win turnaround from the previous season, and led the team to wins in 15 of their last 17 contests.  Morgan was also selected to participate in the Sacramento Optimist All-Star Game.

"Phil is an explosive scorer who attacks the basket strong often times leading to a foul, a basket, or both," said Coach Giacomazzi with respect to the wing from Natomas.  "We love his athleticism from the wing position and is a player who excels in transition."  "Phil is an exciting player who finishes above the rim and is a welcome addition to our program." 

Daye and Morgan join returning guards Joe Barnes and Mitchell Love in a backcourt coming off a 23 win season and an appearance in the CCCAA Northern California regional semifinals.  They'll also join returning forwards Semir Cahtarevic, Daiveon Leverett and David Straughter.  The Hawks also return grayshirt forward Donald Mims.

2014-15 COSUMNES RIVER HAWKS MEN'S BASKETBALL ROSTER (as of 4/2/2014)