Oct. 24, 2009

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - A week into practice, the East Carolina men's basketball team hosted a coaches clinic for members of the media inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Saturday.

Following a one-hour scrimmage, local media members went through an abbreviated practice conducted by ECU coaches and players that included defensive, passing and shooting drills. Head coach Mack McCarthy also talked about the team's offensive and defensive philosophies in the film room at the conclusion of the on-court session. The Pirate players then spent some time talking with those in attendance at today's clinic.

"This was a lot of fun today," junior guard Brock Young stated. "I think it's great that [media] get to come out here and experience what we do every day. I think you get a better understanding of what a person goes through if you are doing it yourself."

The Pirates begin their regular season November 13 at home against UVa-Wise.

Season tickets are currently on sale at ECU Athletic Ticket Office. For more information on tickets, contact the ticket office at (800) DIAL-ECU.

Selected Player Quotes

Junior Brock Young
On the freshmen
"They are coming along really well. Darius, Wakefield, Erin and Corvonn have come a long way since we started playing pick up games during summer school. Erin is standing out more because he has a knack for rebounding and that's what coach preaches on."

Sophomore Darrius Morrow
On the team's conditioning
"I think we are in much better condition this year than we were a year ago. Everybody has put forth the effort this year. More people wanted to be in great condition when the season arrived."

On having more depth this season
"It helps us a lot. Last year if Chad or I got in foul trouble we didn't really have anybody to come in and play the post and we became a much smaller team. Getting DaQuan back this season and having Darius Morales allows us the flexibility to keep a big team on the floor."

Junior Jamar Abrams
On his off-season workouts
"I focused on conditioning, defense and ball-handling during the off-season. I worked on my strength too, but I really wanted to get better in those areas. I feel like I'm a good shooter, but my athleticism and jumping ability are the strongest parts of my game."

On what gets him the most excited on the court
"The politically correct thing to say would be defense, but to tell you the truth it would have to be dunking on somebody."

On his expectations and goals for this season
"I want to make the right plays at the right time and I want to be a great leader. I want to make everybody else around me better. I want to stay positive and show the younger guys the right things to do."