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Men's Basketball Athletic Communications

Jones, Hatters Open 2019-20 Season on Tuesday

Stetson men's basketball officially opens the Donnie Jones Era when the Hatters host Trinity Baptist, 8 p.m., Tuesday, in the 2019-20 season opener at Edmunds Center.
 
Jones, the 22nd head coach in program history, has been off and running since being announced as the new Stetson boss last April. In the last seven months he has remade the roster, revamped the culture, and brought an excitement and energy to a program that has been lacking in both over the last several years.
 
With over a month of formal practice, a closed scrimmage and an exhibition game in the books, Jones and his staff know a lot more about the Hatters on the eve of the season opener than they did when school started in August.
 
"These kids have been amazing in how they've worked," Jones said. "We have a lot of guys who can play a lot of positions, and so we've been able to build some depth for what we're trying to do. The scrimmage and exhibition games have given us some experience, which we need. As a coaching staff, we're starting to get a feel for where to put the right players in the right place."
 
Stetson knocked off some of the preseason rust last Friday with an exhibition game against Edward Waters, a 65-60 Stetson win. Freshman Rob Perry and Wheza Panzo combined to score 33 points.
 
With seven first-year players on the roster, Jones and his staff will rely on five veterans to provide leadership and production. Junior Christiaan Jones is the top returning scorer at 10.4 points per game. Fellow junior Kenny Aninye led the Hatters with 111 assists last season, while Jahlil Rawley was among ASUN leaders with 35 steals. Sophomore Jalen Crutchfield appears poised for a larger role this year after averaging 3.3 points and shooting 35 percent from 3-popint range a season ago. And senior Ricky Gouety provides depth along the frontline.
 
As for the newcomers, the sharp-shooting Perry and the versatile Panzo will likely play large roles. Fellow freshmen Joel Kabimba and Mahamadou Diawara are expected to anchor the front line. Junior college transfer Cyriaque Foucart will cause matchup problems on the perimeter at 6-9, and freshmen Jaret Griffith and Terry Ivery give the Hatter two more exciting young guards.
 
The schedule features 14 home games but just six total in November and December, so the Hatters will have to get comfortable on the road.
 
Coach Jones is excited about the start of the season, for both the players and the staff.
 
"The real season begins now," he said. "It's not going to be perfection, it's just that we're looking for progress and I'm encouraged by how these guys continue to work and listen and take coaching."
 
It's been three seasons since Jones last roamed the sidelines as a collegiate head coach, spending a season working as an NBA scout, and one year each at Wichita State and Dayton before landing in DeLand. So the start of the new season has a bit of a different meaning for him.
 
"I'm grateful to be back on the sidelines and have a chance to coach," Jones said. "I love the guys and love our staff. I'm just thankful for the opportunity to build a program here at Stetson. I won't say I'll have jitters (on Tuesday), just a lot of anxious excitement for the opportunity to coach again."
 
Season tickets are still on sale starting at $75 which includes all men's and women's home games. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please call 386-738-4287 or visit www.GoHatters.com/tix.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.
 
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Players Mentioned

Kenny Aninye

#10 Kenny Aninye

G
6' 1"
Junior
Jalen Crutchfield

#12 Jalen Crutchfield

G
6' 4"
Sophomore
Ricky Gouety

#21 Ricky Gouety

F
6' 10"
Redshirt Senior
Christiaan Jones

#0 Christiaan Jones

G
6' 5"
Junior
Jahlil Rawley

#4 Jahlil Rawley

G
6' 4"
Senior
Mahamadou Diawara

#15 Mahamadou Diawara

F/C
6' 10"
Freshman
Jaret Griffith

#5 Jaret Griffith

G
6' 4"
Freshman
Terry Ivery

#3 Terry Ivery

G
5' 9"
Freshman
Joel Kabimba

#35 Joel Kabimba

F
6' 8"
Freshman
Rob Perry

#2 Rob Perry

G
6' 3"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kenny Aninye

#10 Kenny Aninye

6' 1"
Junior
G
Jalen Crutchfield

#12 Jalen Crutchfield

6' 4"
Sophomore
G
Ricky Gouety

#21 Ricky Gouety

6' 10"
Redshirt Senior
F
Christiaan Jones

#0 Christiaan Jones

6' 5"
Junior
G
Jahlil Rawley

#4 Jahlil Rawley

6' 4"
Senior
G
Mahamadou Diawara

#15 Mahamadou Diawara

6' 10"
Freshman
F/C
Jaret Griffith

#5 Jaret Griffith

6' 4"
Freshman
G
Terry Ivery

#3 Terry Ivery

5' 9"
Freshman
G
Joel Kabimba

#35 Joel Kabimba

6' 8"
Freshman
F
Rob Perry

#2 Rob Perry

6' 3"
Freshman
G