App State opens at Charlotte
By Steve Behr

sports@wataugademocrat.com

Finally, after over a month and after watching other teams’ highlights on ESPN, Appalachian State gets a chance to start its season.

The Mountaineers play at former rival Charlotte looking to follow their 25-8 season in 2006-07 with a fast start this year. They’ll start with a veteran group in their front court and will mix in guards who don’t have a lot of starts, but feel they have something to prove.

“I’m ready. I’ve been ready,” guard Kellen Brand said. “I’ve been ready since summer school, so the time is getting closer. We have to make sure that we keep working harder than we have in the past, so we can get better.”

Appalachian State, which held its Mountaineer Madness event last Thursday, unveiled its Southern Conference North Division championship banner with its NIT berth banner and its San Juan Shootout championship banner.

But none of that means much against a Charlotte team that is young, but very athletic, according to Appalachian State coach Houston Fancher.

“They’re probably twice as athletic as we are,” Fancher said. “They’re a great running and jump team. They have a very good lead guard in Leemire Goldwire. He’s an all (Atlantic) 10 performer who can score from all over the floor. He can really shoot it and he makes great decisions.”

Charlotte got off to a fast start with a 61-55 victory over High Point, one of the favorites to win the Big South Conference.

Goldwire led the 49ers by scoring 16 points.

Appalachian State returns 6-foot-8 center Donte Minter, who is a mid-major All-American selection by collegeinsider.com.

Minter averaged 11.5 points and five rebounds per game last season. The Mountaineers also return 6-7 Jeremy Clayton, who added 10.1 points and 7.1 rebounds last year. Clayton also emerged as one of the Mountaineers’ top defensive players.

Appalachian State also returns 6-8 Davis Bowne, and 6-8 Doug McLaughlin-Williams to the frontcourt. Freshman Isaac Butts, at 6-9, 295 pounds, will be coming off the bench.

The backcourt goes into Monday’s game looking to establish itself. Point guards Ryann Abraham and Donald Sims will be joined by shooting guards Brand, Jeremi Booth, Eduardo Bermudez and Donterious Hughes.

“Coming in, apparently it was a weakness for our team, that there would be a let down,” Brand said. “It’s kind of disappointing to hear that, so we made sure we got into the gym and even at night after practice, we stay late and shoot. So far, it’s making our program better. It’s kind of hurtful to hear that, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”