Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.Marty Levinson broke the news to his team after Central Community College's 92-67 loss to Iowa Western on Tuesday night.
The Raiders, who had roared to a 21-4 record, had to forfeit all but two of those wins because one of their players had signed a letter of intent with another school.
That knocked Central's record to 2-24 after the loss to the Reivers.
"It's tough," Levinson said. "Either you are going to be upset and hang your head or take it head-on and finish off the season well."
The school found out last week that Vashun Pinson, a point guard from Chicago, had signed with Joliet Junior College in April before signing with Central in August, a violation of junior college rules.
The information came to light after Pinson was dismissed for violating school policy. Central self-reported the violation to the National Junior College Athletic Association, which handed down its ruling Tuesday.
Players were distraught about the news at first, Athletic Director Jack Gutierrez said.
Levinson, who once starred at Bellevue West and the University of Nebraska at Kearney, said it was particularly hard because the players were so close. He'd preached the importance of family all season.
"It cost everybody," Levinson said. "He took something from everybody."
The first-year coach is determined to keep his team on the road to Danville, Ill., where the juco Division II national tournament is held. The Raiders have a few games left before facing Southeast Community College in a regional play-in game March 4 in Columbus — the first step in the postseason.
"We've still got an opportunity to achieve our goals," Levinson said. "We've been through a lot already this year. You don't have the success we've had this year without being tough."
It took time to blend the talented group into a cohesive unit, Levinson said. Then, after Christmas break, the Raiders lost Jed Seketera, a sophomore power forward from Loup City, Neb., to an ACL tear. Levinson said Seketera was the heart and soul of the team.
"He was there with us last night when I delivered the news," Levinson said. "He wants to be there for his teammates to help fix things. We're going to stick together."
Derrick Strong, a 6-foot-1 sophomore from Omaha South who is averaging 13.8 points per game, will now share point guard duties with 6-footer Hassan Farah of San Diego. Other starters are Kendrick Nichols, a 6-4 freshman from Chicago who is averaging 17.0 points a game; 6-8 Trace Murray of Columbus Scotus, and Abou Diop, a 6-8 freshman from Columbus, Ohio, who leads the team in blocks and rebound. Murray has impressed Levinson with his hard work and leadership.
Levinson said it's been a difficult few days, but he wants to set a good example in handling what he calls a learning experience.
"I've got to stay strong,'' he said. "I will be focused and ready to help these guys achieve their goals.''
Contact the writer:
402-444-1034, marjie.ducey@owh.com
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