• More local Basketballers likely for US. colleges
  • By Steve Ninvalle in New Jersey - Stabroek News, April 25, 2001
    The three national basketball players campaigning on the second division college circuit in the United States, have been turning out excellent performances, and are likely to be joined by at least two more this year.

    Forward Remington 'Ike' Ram, centre-forward Lancelot Loncke and freshman guard Orin 'Baby' Mohan have all kept the Guyana flag flying at Dillard University, says U.S. based Guyanese Hilton `Bonzo' Weeks, who has played a part in securing scholarships for some local players, disclosed the three are making this country proud and are paving the way for many others. Both Loncke and Ram will be graduating next year.
    Weeks said that due to high quality performance of Guyanese trio Dillard would be inviting two more local players in the near future. A former college player, Weekes has been saddled with the responsibility of selecting the players to fill the breach when Ram and Loncke graduate next year. Already Andrew `Mr. Dunk' Ifill and Nkossi Guerrick have been singled out by Weekes as possible replacements. "Both of these players have shown a high level of discipline and have the potential to make it to the top," Weeks stated.

    "The selecting of players from Guyana for scholarships in the USA will be an ongoing exercise. Once those selected keep giving performances of high quality then there is no reason why we can't see more Guyanese in American Universities," Weekes said.

    According to Weekes the Dillard team is scheduled to be in Guyana later this year for a series of games against the national side," he said.
    On the performances of Ram, Loncke and Mohan, Weekes said they have fitted in well. "Ram and Loncke are bona fide starters and Mohan will be the same next year," Weekes predicted. Ram had an exceptional freshman year but was hampered by a knee injury last season.
    He produced a single game high of 28 points last season and had a shooting percent 50 percent from the floor. The gangly Ram has also maintained honour status academically.

    Meanwhile the 6'1" Mohan, who was accepted to Dillard last year, has impressed the coaching staff with his potential and all round athletic ability. Like Ram, Loncke is in his third season and has started in all but one game in the last season.

    Weekes said that Loncke, a former student of St Joseph's High School, has displayed high levels of leadership quality on court and in the classroom.

    The 6' 7" forward averages 15 points and nine rebounds per game and is one of the best "big men" in the Golf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) and is a National Association of Inter-collegiate Athletic (NAIA) All American candidate.

    An honour roll student Loncke spends his spare time assisting the International Students Association and tutoring neighbourhood children.