November, 1996
Feature
Alexia Clarke:
Richard Ijeh, Scholarship in Hand,
Leads Young Basketball Squad
By Paul Raymond
Senior guard Richard Ijeh signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Central Connecticut State University next season. Ijeh will be playing under new coach Howie Dickenman, a former assistant coach at UConn.
"Rich has improved dramatically over the last season. As a sophomore, he was a laughing stock and now he's going to be a major college player," Coach Barry McLeod told the Connecticut Post. Last season, Ijeh improved his scoring to an average of eleven points a game, after averaging only two points a game as a sophomore.
Despite playing basketball for only five years, Ijeh has earned a scholarship to play for a Division I school and will have a chance to play against UConn and other top basketball schools. He was also recruited by Virginia Tech, Charleston Southern, Rice, Northeastern, Fairfield, Siena, New Hampshire, and Loyola.
Ijeh is a fine academic student, as well as being a cub reporter for The Criterion. "Richard is a good reporter and a good kid. He's hardworking, conscientious, and has a gentle spirit," said Criterion Advisor Frank Alagno.
Ijeh will lead a Central team, which had one of their strongest seasons in several years. The team finished 9-11 and qualified for the state tournament. Once again, the team should fight for a berth in the state tournament. The team has lost four starters to graduation and Ijeh will have to take on added responsibility. "Rich has to be the leader," Coach McLeod said. "He has to score when the game is on the line."
Sophomore Terell Taylor, a quick guard with a good outside shot, may emerge as one of the state's top players this season. Juniors Richard Barr and Jabbar Alleyne should see some playing time as backups to Ijeh and Taylor. The team's weakness may be the frontcourt. The loss of center Joe Fountain will hurt the team on the boards and in the scoring column. Sophomore Reggie Graves needs to score and rebound to offset the loss of Fountain.
The young team must mature quickly to be a contender in the FCIAC. The experience of being in last year's state tournament will help. "If they play hard, they can make the tournament," said McLeod. "This team should make the state tournament," said Ijeh, brimming with confidence.
