Of course, the Speedway has become the center of the culture now known as NASCAR with its headquarters and in February 200,000 speed junkies motate down to Daytona to become what has become as close to a redneck national convention as there is.  And about the same time the ‘beach’ was exploding with horny coeds from all over the country for what is now a rite of passage.  Ft. Lauderdale might get all of the glory and is the setting for the greatest two movies in its genre history (Elvis’s 1965 Girl Happy and the 1983 classic with the incomparable comedy duo of David Knell and Perry Lang that is so aptly named what else Spring Break) but Daytona Beach is every bit as wild and crazy as it’s neighbor to the South.  With all of these influx of people to this beach town in the winter and spring you might think that the HB college might bring in some talent from the North.  Ironically the best player to ever wear the maroon and gold did not stay around long after he left here and instead migrated north to Philly where he has become a coach.  Yes, John Chaney not only played for the Wildcats but this Jacksonville native was the best player in this program’s history.  When you have never won a post season game (to be honest this program has not played in many even in the lower divisions and NEVER at Division One) at any level there is not much of a history.  Last year was no different and though the Wildcats were playing in one of the lowest ranked conferences in the country they still managed only six total wins.  By the time all of those spring breakers got here instead of making Moore Gym a destination place the season was virtually over for Beth-Cook and they were just playing out the string. 

Legendary Coach Cy McClairen’s will have a tough row to hoe to be able to compete in the MEAC this year.  His troops have a tough out of conference schedule that feature the likes of Jacksonville and Chaney’s Temple team.  That should sell out old Moore Gym as there are at least 3000 people who want to see Chaney back in town.  But as much as a legend Chaney is in Daytona, McLairen is Mr. Wildcat.  McLairen played next to Chaney on arguably the best Wildcat team and was also a star receiver who played for the Steelers in the NFL.  This 6’6 stud was matchup problem on the court or on the field.  Unlike Chaney he came back home and took over coaching responsibilities for both the football and basketball program.  He is also the AD and has brought in some talent to the Beach.  The only chance this program was going to have at competing in the MEAC will be with McCLairen at the helm.  So all of naysayers just sit back and watch this McLairen run his race in Daytona for at least one more year. 

 One thing the Wildcats do have is a solid front line.  Maybe it was not the level of the Dolphins who swim just up the shore with the great Artis Gilmore and company but they are pretty good.  And tough as nails.  The MEAC is filled with physical front court players and the Wildcats could match up with any of them.  With apologies to General Norman Johnson, Senior Carl Fuller was the official ‘Chairman of the board’ around these parts.  This Floridian is a terrific rebounder who uses his six foot nine muscular frame (he goes 235) to bang with anyone and is one of the best post defenders in the MEAC.  He is as tough as he is strong and really is a presence inside.  He plays center and was sometimes dwarfed by the huge monsters in this league but fit right in with the physical style this league is famous for under the boards.  The physical battles wore on him and Fuller missed an entire year with a sever leg injury but seemed to be fully healed last year.  At least his stats showed he was healed as he was 2nd in the MEAC in rebounding and he averaged over 30 mpg and did not miss a contest.  He will get a shot at the next level if he improves as much his senior year as he did the first three.  He will have to improve offensively but he has the body and the attitude. Fuller was the unquestioned leader of the Wildcats both on and off the court. 

Right beside Fuller as he has been for two of the last three years is senior Johnnie Allen.  ‘Gator’ had a terrific career for the Wildcats once again last year.  He is the all-time leading scorer for the Wildcats and may be the best player in the school’s history at least according to McCLairen.  Offensively he is for sure.  Allen is a terrific post-up player who teams with Fuller to give other team’s fits in the key.  At six eight Allen can also step out and hit jump shots all day.  He can also run the court and finish.  He is a unique offensive player and has the skill set to get to the next level if he stays motivated.  This once barnstorming player finally was convinced by McCLairen to come join his team and the rest is Wildcat history.  He and Fuller complement each other perfectly.  Fuller’s inside toughness allowed his sidekick to do what he does best which is score and that he did.  Allen can board too but is better utilized hitting those big-time jumpers (off triple screens sometimes) and carrying this team on his shoulders on the offensive end.  He may not be the tough guy that Fuller is but Allen is the go-to guy for one more run around the track in Daytona.

Junior Aulcie Perry is a capable enough backup at either position that gave McCLairen a huge boost off the bench.  Perry is not a big drop off from either of the two studs in front of him.  And as a matter of fact might even be better.  Especially defensively.  This New Jersey kid is a Rucker native who has learned to play on the streets and has the size (6’11) to dominate the key defensively but can also score.  Perry is awful thin however as he goes a svelte 198 so struggles against the physicality of this league.  He missed some games early but was a huge part of the team’s mid-season run but then left again and only played in 17 games.  Apparently, this kid is already on his way to Israel as he was recruited during a summer tour.  He is already a known quantity there if not more for his height than anything.  That is too bad as Perry gives the Wildcats as good of a sixth man on the post as any team in the league.  If McLairen cannot convince him to return to Daytona then the Wildcats will have to go a different route.  There are some choices though nowhere near as good as Perry.  Juniors Warren Baker, Sam Barber and Sophomore Don Hill showed some promise in limited playing time but will obviously get much bigger roles next season. Neither is the physical presence of Allen or Fuller (or Perry) but both score a little and board and will improve with more minutes.   Baker is only 6’1 and though that might have worked in the old days of the MEAC before they joined D-1, it is hard to get by at that height in the post nowadays.  Baker had a huge year when Fuller was out and McClairen loves his energy but 6’1 is 6’1.  Barber is a 6’6 stud who is still learning the game but is a tremendous athlete.  Not sure if he is a wing or a post, Barber has spent two years on JV and is ready.  We hope.  His defense is his best thing right now but he has unlimited potential.  Hill is an athletic 6’7 and has a better chance.  He was ‘developing’ on the JV when Perry left and he moved on up and played well the last ten games.  He is nowhere near as physical or as good as the three upperclassmen but he can play and he gives the Wildcats someone who will block a shot.  Senior John Postley is transferring his skills from a sport he was dominant in to the court.  Postley is a 6’5 brut from Philly (Chaney actually discovered him in a gym and sent him down this way) who longed to be Rocky Balboa.  That’s right this 220 pounder is not coming from the gridiron but the squared ring.  And he was dang good.  How good?  37-0 in his amateur career but a few too many headaches that lasted too long led him to the court.  He played briefly last year and showed he is indeed a force to be reckoned with in the paint. He might not quite be Fuller on the boards but he is not far behind and pound for pound is the best rebounder on the team.  He has some work to do offensively but his teammates love him and nobody is messing with these Wildcats with him on the roster.

McClairen had the luxury of three talented and experienced players to choose from for the wings.  Senior Clavin Johnson joins Juniors Anthony Chester and Eugene Richardson in the battle for the starting jobs.  All had different skill sets and they knew Coach McClairen liked to mix his guys in often.  Chester is a terrific offensive player who can get up and down the court and can score.  Chester does not rebound much and doesn’t seem to care as he knows where his bread is butter and that is hitting jumper and finishing on the break.  He is not exactly a three point guy but should be one of the two primary offensive weapons on the team next year.   Johnson started most of the year next to Chester and can play.  He uses his body well and beats up on smaller players but needs to get more consistent on his jumper.  Richardson was kind of the odd man out and lost considerable playing time once it became obvious McCLairen was going with the quicker wings.  Richardson is a complete player who does a little bit of everything but is nowhere near the offensive weapon on the break his teammates are.  He uses his 6’7 (really 6’5) 225 pound frame to post up less physical players but with Fuller and Allen around there is not much need for that.  Richardson is a terrific combo forward that will play and will contribute and the best part is he did not complain a lick about not starting though he definitely could have. This trio will be counted on to become team leaders as well as taking on even larger scoring roles this year.  Sophomore Jarvis Smith played limited minutes and is a swing forward but dominated on the JV.  He is only 6’3 but is athletic enough to stick.  He needs to get better down low but has some game and can fly.  

The back court was a mess for most of the year and they never really have been able to replace Chaney.  Coach McClairen went with experience at first but realized he needed better athletes on the court and started to rotate more players trying to get some thoroughbreds to play with his studs up front. Some of these guys got burned being thrown into the fire so quick but some upperclassmen have stepped up. Senior Jerome Hamler and juniors Owen Harris, Percy Williamson and Vernon Taylor were first in line and showed some promise.  Harris is a solid leader and Williamson is a true point guard who split time early on leading the team.  Harris got the majority of minutes by the end of the year as he seemed to have a better rapport with the two seniors who butter everyone’s bread in Daytona.  He is a solid distributor of the ball either in the half court or on the break and plays solid defense and can hit an open jumper.  Williamson is a bit more dynamic but not as consistent and lost time as the year progressed.  Harris is the favorite to retain his position but McCLairen knows he needs more scoring somewhere on this team.  ‘Red’ Hamler as he has been dubbed is the best shooter on the team.  He played behind Chaney and learned from the fiery stud on how to play the game and when his number was called, Red was ready.  He had to fight off some competition, however as both Taylor and freshman stud Kevin Bradshaw wanted his job.  Bradshaw can light it up but decided to leave for a mission during the offseason after not being able to beat out Hamler for the starting role.  This senior two guard can flat light it up from long-range but is not overly athletic and has some issues guarding other wings.  This team needs someone who can hang with the studs in the MEAC on the perimeter.  Taylor could be that option if he can become a bit more consistent.  Taylor can score from anywhere but has trouble staying on the court.  He started most of the first half of the year on the JV at the two guard and was sensational and was called up at the midpoint of the year. Taylor struggled with some injuries the second half of the year and missed way too much time.  He will be challenging Hamler hard next year for minutes.  Sophomore Julious Grant started all year on JV and gives the Wildcats a bit more offense with his ability to hit threes from the point.  He was not consistent but he should get another year of seasoning down on the farm and that should help.  McClairen will not push his players on to the varsity if they are not ready.  The backcourt may not be as talented as the post players but they are not exactly Dick Trickle either.  McClairen wants his team to play like a group from Daytona should, racing up and down the court.  But the truth is that when you have dominant posts you slow things down and wait for wrecks from the other teams.  

The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats do not have a large fan base.  What would you choose to do if you were in Daytona?  Watch Petty and Earnhardt battle for checkered flags?  Or hit the beach and see how small the bikinis have become this summer?  Or go inside a hot gym and watch some hoops?  Basketball is just not priority number one for the Daytonians.  The University which is more known for it’s civil rights leaders has a long way to go before their basketball program will ever be a focal point of their community.  With that being said Coach McClairen’s (he sure has the perfect name for Daytona doesn’t he?) boys do compete every night and if they will sneak up on you if you overlook them and THEY will punch you in the mouth if you disrespect them.  At least Postley would and I don’t think you would get up.