The fast style that Long Island plays requires athleticism at every position. With some key pieces graduating, including double-digit scorers Kyle Johnson and David Hicks, the Blackbirds needed to find new guys to fill in to keep Jim Ferry’s team moving.
Long Island got those guys in this recruiting class. Three guards should help the Blackbirds continue to run-and-gun in 2011-12.
The most notable addition is Brandon Thompson. A junior college transfer from South Plains College, where he was named to the Western Junior College Athletic Conference all-conference first team last season after averaging 10.3 PPG while playing point guard, Thompson already has Division I experience. He played in nine games for Arizona State in 2009-10, before going the juco route back to a lower level of Division I. He should fit right into the NEC and give Ferry another trusted ball handler alongside C.J. Garner and Jason Brickman.
Two other young guards from the Bronx will help Long Island build for the future. Gerrell Martin and Peter Aguilar are both 6’2, but they’ve got different games. Martin is an athletic combo guard who averaged 12.7 PPG, 2.0 APG, 2.5 RPG and 1.4 SPG last season at Wings Academy. Aguilar is a smooth-shooter with a good mid-range game. He should have opportunities to pick his spots and knock down open shots in LIU’s wide open system.
All three players are going to help the Blackbirds keep running as they try to defend their NEC regular season and tournament titles. This class should ensure that Ferry once again has his team amongst the elite in the conference.
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