2007-08 men’s basketball team highly honored
Published or Revised April 15, 2008
Recognition of the Paris Junior College Dragons Men's Basketball team by the Paris City Council Monday evening came along with news that a PJC player was named an NJCAA All American for the first time. "I think it was really nice to be honored by the City of Paris," said PJC Dragons Head Coach Ross Hodge, "not only for what our guys did this season on the floor but also for how they conducted themselves in the community, on the road, in restaurants. It says a lot about the character of our guys. Even though it was an exhausting time, these young men have been special and selfless, and represented the school and Paris extraordinarily well." Eric Tramiel of Shreveport, La., was named an NJCAA All American. PJC Athletic Director Jim Moffitt said, "It's a great honor for a great person and student athlete. It couldn't happen to a finer person, and it's a reflection on the kind of season we had because he provided great leadership." Coach Hodge, himself a former PJC Dragon, was named Region XIV Coach of the Year for the 2007-08 season, following conference Coach of the Year for 2006-07. In his two seasons as head coach, he has put together a 57-12 record, leading his team to a Region XIV title in 2007-08 and an 8th place finish at the NJCAA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. "He has all the qualities you want in a coach," Moffitt said of Hodge. "He's a great worker, has knowledge of the game, the trust and support of the players, and support from the administration." Other team and player achievements include:- In addition to the All American honor, Tramiel is playing on the NJCAA All-Star Team April 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was named National Championship Tournament First Team; Region XIV Tournament's Most Valuable Player; to the All-Region First Team; and regular season Regional MVP. At the national tournament he was the leading rebounder and the seventh-leading scorer.
- Raymond Sims of Philadelphia, Penn., was the national tournament leader in assists and the 28th scorer. He was named to the Region XIV All-Tournament Team.
- Ronnie Morgan of Dallas, Texas, was named to the Region XIV All-Tournament Team.
- Marcus Carson of Oakland, Calif., Charles Funches of Bayonne, N.J., Morgan and Sims all received an Honorable Mention for the Region XIV All Conference Team.