The parking lot was full and the new gym at Woodward HS was full of anticipation to see four of the six incoming Bearcat recruits in their first public play since arriving in town a week ago. So when the game previous to the Sats game went into overtime, many Bearcat fans groaned.

However, Larry Davis, Alvin Mitchell, Rashad Bishop and Kenny Belton continued to stretch and chat with teammates Mike Williams, Melvin Levett and Deonta Vaughn.

To friends nearby, I predicted a bit of nervousness on the part of the young newcomers and then their confidence would grew and a win could be placed in the books. I'm glad thats what happened, but lets look at the individual performances to see how they got there.

Now remember - like we say every year - It Is Just The Summer League. None of the below, no matter how good or bad, is indicative of future performance. But they were fun to watch, nonetheless.  I even saw Bearcat Legend George Wilson in the house enjoying the new guys.

Larry Davis - 6-2 SG - Houston, TX - Sporting a head band and quick feet, he started slowly missing his first five shots before an easy dunk.  He was strong defensively against the slippery Deantre Stevens (Princeton HS) from the opposing Cincinnati State squad.  He finished with two treys plus a 4-4 performance from the line for a total of 12 points.  Davis played backup PG when Vaughn sat down. He had a nice shake and bake move before rising high to stroke his final trey, however earlier attempts were off.  He has very quick feet (worth mentioning twice) and a very confident stroke from the FT line. He seemed to come out early and tried to do to much, before settling down.

Alvin Mitchell - 6-4 SF - Ft Lauderdale, FL - Mitchell is already a physical specimen and it concerns me what he will look like after a few months under the tutelage of big Dave Andrews. On one drive in the lane, Mitchell looked like he was attempting to score from the five yard line against the '85 Bears - and he would have scored too. He started the game with a simple block, a couple of steals then a trey. Then his emphatic block on a Cin State team breakaway was the first play that got the crowd excited. He had an 'oop' from a beautiful 'alley' pass from Vaughn. He missed his two pullup jumpers close, but his three made treys were straight and true and he has active hands as his three steals attest. Word is that Mitchell has been the most impressive of the four new guys in pick up games on campus as well. I had him for 14 points.

Kenny Belton - 6-7 PF - Greensboro, NC - Started the game at PF next to Mike Williams who played center. He got an early rebound, then got blocked for a mixed welcome to the Cincinnati area. He had some defensive lapses, but also was the only player diving on the ground for loose balls. Finished with four points on a dunk and a layup. He has a nice high release on his shot, similar to Eric Hicks. Since both Belton and Hicks both came out of Dudley HS, we need to give props to Coach David Price there. Belton has big shoulders and looks quite strong.

Rashad Bishop - 6-6 SF - Newark, NJ -  Came off the bench to grab four rebounds and had a tip-in for two points. Displayed a PF style of play today, but he has SF skills. He did attempt two shots from deep, though both missed. He is left handed.

Mike Williams - 6-8 PF - Camden, AL - though Williams has been with the team for a year, he can not be ignored in this article. He was a beast down low and had seven rebounds. I had him 0-4 from the line (did I miss a made FT?). He was regularly surrounded in the paint and had mostly success for def bounds and some nice outlet passes. He attempted six mid range jumpers making 3 of them. His only trey attempt missed.

Deonta Vaughn - returning PG - I had DV down for 16 points on push shots in the lane, two three's and two layups. He was quick and confident. I also hear he has dropped his body fat by ten percentage points since joining the team last fall.

The game was nip and tuck for a while. Slats fell behind early, but then pushed forward for a 21-15 lead. Cin State came back for tie the game at 37 then again at 41, but the Slats team pulled ahead on Mitchell's trey from the corner and Levett's trey for a 47-41 lead. Davis followed soon after with his back to back treys for a 55-48 lead. Cin State got no closer than three the rest of the way. 

Rumor has it that both Damon Flint and Corie Blount may be added to the Slats team.

Slats is next scheduled to play at 3pm Sunday afternoon.  See ya at the game!

Mike Ryan