State College of Florida Basketball Team Opens Season Saturday

MANATEE--The State College of Florida Manatees open its regular home season basketball schedule Saturday afternoon against Miami Dade at 4 p.m. Reggie Bellamy is entering his sixth year as head coach of the Manatees basketball program. The team is coming off a 13-12 record last year in JuCo basketball.

SCF Manatees 2010-11 Basketball Team

This year's squad is lead by 6'8" newcomer Odi Onyekachukwu from Nigeria. The Manatees have recruited local high school basketball talent this year in freshman guard Reggie Baity who played at Palmetto High School and 6'8" FWD/C Eric Halliwell from Sarasota High School. Returning players include Derek Robbins who played at Riverview in Sarasota and Jason Forges from North Port High.

Markee Teal and Mike Grinage, both 6'7" will form a powerful trio along with Onyekachukwu in the front court for Coach Bellamy. 6'8" freshman Giannis Stavrianidis from Greece is another important addition to the team this season. Josh Mason, who previously attended Georgia Tech, came to SCF last year and will be a key starter in the backcourt for the Manatees.

Click here for the complete State College of Florida Manatees 2010-2011 Basketball Schedule