by DAVE BROUGHTON Staff Writer , The Capital

Anne Arundel Community College men's basketball coach Tom Smith admits his team benefited from some unsuspecting opponents last year. He's not expecting the same this season.

Smith engineered quite a turnaround for the AACC program last year. One year after a miserable 4-22 season, AACC finished the 2008-09 season with an 18-11 record and fourth-place finish among 17 Maryland junior college teams.

"I'm real happy (about last year)," Smith said. "I thought we were two baskets within coming in second in our league.

"It will be hard to improve on that, but with the talent that we have right now, we're shooting to accomplish at least that. But that's easier said than done because everybody else is better, too.

"We're hoping to surprise some people, but I doubt after last year that we'll be able to do that."

The Pioneers open the season this weekend with a pair of games at Westmoreland (Pa.) Community College. Tomorrow afternoon, AACC will play Butler County CC, then play the host school on Saturday afternoon.

AACC will play its home opener on Dec. 2 against Hagerstown Community College.

Smith welcomes back several contributors from last year's team, including Kevin Coates, a Second Team All-Region XX selection. The 6-foot-4 Coates, an Annapolis High graduate, averaged 13 point per game last season.

Also back is 6-foot-2 swing player Mike Dixon (Severna Park) and 6-foot-1 power forward Kevin Hunt (Broadneck). Hunt came off the bench last year and averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds but will move into the starting lineup this season. Dixon has an ankle injury and will miss the start of the season, Smith said.

Smith is very high on newcomers Clyde Gross and Mike Atkins, both Broadneck High graduates. Gross, a three-year starter for the Bruins, will run the point guard position for the Pioneers while the 6-foot-4 Atkins will get the start at small forward.

"Clyde will give us a lot of assists, plus he can score," Smith said. "And Atkins is solid, he averaged 17 points a game in our four scrimmages.

Sophomore Shawn Lewis (Kent Island) will start in place of the injured Dixon, while 6-foot-4 sophomore Kris Effler (Kent Island) is back after sitting out last season.

Smith favors a full-court pressure defense, so depth will be important for the Pioneers. Rounding out the team are freshmen Todd Lyles (Broadneck), shooting guard Eric Smith, guards Eddie Jenkins (South River) and Greg Rich (Arundel), and forwards Chris Dunn (South River), Brandon Coulter, and Kenny Lane.

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