[24
AUG 00] COVENTRY CRUSADERS NEWS
Crusaders Lure Another Star Over The Pond
 Bupa
Coventry Crusaders have signed another American player and are hoping
he will link up with the side next week.
Todd
Sands is waiting for clearance from immigration before hooking up with
former team-mate Adam Stevens. The pair used to play together in Mount
Vernon, Ohio.
Sands,
a 6ft 7ins centre, established himself as one of the premier post
players in the history of Mount Vernon Nazarene College during his
years there.
He
averaged 15.8 points and 7.5 rebounds during his college career and an
incredible 70.4 shooting percentage from the floor – giving him the
best all-time career field goal percentage in NAIA Division II
history.
 Crusaders
coach Dip Donaldson said he is looking forward to having the
hard-working pair on his team this year.
He
said:
“They
are both young, athletic and very fast, which will increase the
speed of the team considerably.
“They
will be heavily involved in basketball development work which takes
place not only in Coventry schools and local communities but also in
Warwickshire.”
Another
new signing is guard Manny Shareland, who played in 10 games for the
Crusaders last season when his other commitments allowed.
Last
season Shareland was involved with FLY which involved taking a year
out, to volunteer his time to work with two Coventry charities:
Coventry Youth For Christ and Crusader Foundation.
He,
along with several others did basketball coaching at schools and in
the community, as well as attending and aiding CYFC programmes which
were up and running, not only locally but with Youth for Christ
nationally as well.
This
season Shareland plans to concentrate on developing several aspects of
the games of basketball by helping with marketing and coaching, as
well as his contributions to the team on court.
Dip
Donaldson, Head Coach for the Bupa Crusaders said:
“Manny’s
game, skills and confidence seem to have escalated since he first
arrived here a year ago.
”He
has a lot to offer us, on court as a lightning quick player, and off
court as a great ambassador for basketball and for the Crusader
organisations.
“His
positive attitude at all times makes him a popular character on our
team, and I look forward to having him as a regular member of the
team this season.”
Other
players this season are Matt Collins, 5ft 10ins point guard originally
from Northampton, but who has played in Ireland, Brixton, Crystal
Palace.
He
is hopeful of getting a job in Coventry and moving here to join the
Bupa Crusaders camp.
Returning
players from last year are Mark Bradbury, Marvin Livingston, whose
work commitments have kept him out of training so far in pre-season,
Alvin Scott, Derrick Pope, Dip Donaldson, and Colin Rhooms
Bupa
Crusaders will be playing a friendly against Sutton Pumas on 2
September at the Coventry Sports Centre.
All
proceeds from the match will be going to the Kiyindi School for
Orphans in Uganda and the Crusader Foundation.
The
game has been organised by Stivichall Primary School. Tip-off will be
at 7pm.
The
new-look Crusaders start their season 9 September, also at home.
Ticket prices are £4.50 for adults and £3 for children.
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