Pirates hoping to turn things around

After a frustrating first two seasons, ECU basketball coach Ricky Stokes already believes his third looks promising.

"I can already see that our guys are bigger, stronger and have really worked on there skills," said Stokes. "I think with the incoming freshmen that we have and mostly everyone coming back, competition will be greater and the bench will be deeper. That means everyone will have to work hard each and everyday during every practice, which I think will transpire to better results on the floor."

The incoming freshman class is by far the best Stokes has been able to rack up since being named the Pirates main man back in 2005. The four freshmen arrived in Greenville prior to the second session of summer school.

"The new guys are all able to lift and work with our strength coach and get ahead academically," said Stokes. "We always are encouraging our guys to take some courses, get ahead to lighten the course load throughout the year and also to get a chance to play with one another. They get a chance to bond, learn each other's game and also compete, which is important."

One of Stokes' three seniors, Taylor Gagnon, also feels the freshman class is very solid and will be able to make strong contributions this season.

"I think these new guys are going to help out a lot," said Gagnon. "We've played some pick-up games together and they all looked very impressive.

"They're all pretty big and strong, which is great for freshmen. Getting here early in the summer and working out and stuff will work out nicely come the fall."

Gagnon, who grew up in Greenville and played high school ball at J.H. Rose, will be relied on for leadership this season.

He understands his role will be much different this year than in the past.

"It is a little bit different of an outlook," he said. "The past few years I have just kind of been trying to help the team and do my job but this year I feel I have more of a responsibility being a senior, primarily with leadership not only on the court, but also off. I want to be friendly to everybody, get everybody working hard and having the right attitude towards the game."

Stokes and his staff have already begun recruiting for the 2008 class, and will get a minor break in August before preseason workouts and classes start this fall.

This is a very important season for the Pirates basketball program. After going a combined 14-44 over the past two seasons, students and fans are hoping for more wins and improvement.

"I think we have to prove to people this year, that we are a hard working group of guys," said Gagnon. "We do deserve to have a good year because we work hard for it. I think that's all we can do is continue to work hard and hope that things will turn around for us, and I think they will if we stay confident."

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com