Mocs lose 'Q' to Hawks
Donavan Weaver
Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: Sports
The Mocs men's basketball head coach John Shulman announced late last week the loss of backup senior center Qavotstaraj Waddell.
At 6-11'and weighing in at 250 pounds, "Q" Waddell was a big physical presence in the paint last season for the Mocs despite comparatively unimpressive offensive stats (3.3 points-per-game and 3.0 rebounds per game while averaging 11.8 minutes-per-game) behind starter Khalil Hartwell.
However, with 12 blocks and 7 steals over the course of the season, Waddell's toughness on defense will be missed.
On behalf of the team and the fans, Shulman said, "We are disappointed to lose Q, but appreciate his efforts at UTC."
Waddell will be transferring to Shorter College in Rome, Ga., a small liberal-arts college affiliated with the Southern Baptist Church.
Although moving to a smaller school may seem like a downgrade to many, Waddell remains positive in his decision.
"I enjoyed my time at Chattanooga and wish Coach Shulman and my teammates the best," Waddell said. "It was a tough decision, but one I needed to make so I could play somewhere I could have a bigger impact."
Coach Shulman acknowledged Waddell's efforts in the classroom over this past summer, and as a consequence, he will be eligible to play immediately for the Shorter Hawks.
In Wadell's place, the Mocs have recruited Dante Harvey, a 6'6" freshman forward from Lithonia, Georgia.
While at Columbia, Harvey's 15 points-per-game and 12 rebounds-per-game helped foster a 31-2 final record, falling just short in the GHSAA 4-A Finals in 2007.
Following his impressive career at Columbia High School, a recurrent sports powerhouse in the world of Georgia's high school athletics, Harvey originally signed with Progressive Christian Academy in Camp Springs, M.D, a suburb of Washington, D.C.
"We are excited to be able to add Dante," Shulman said. "He is a player we have followed closely and feel very fortunate to have on board."
Although the Mocs will be off "Q" this season, they are preparing for another great season for the Mocs Maniacs and the blue-and-gold nation.
At 6-11'and weighing in at 250 pounds, "Q" Waddell was a big physical presence in the paint last season for the Mocs despite comparatively unimpressive offensive stats (3.3 points-per-game and 3.0 rebounds per game while averaging 11.8 minutes-per-game) behind starter Khalil Hartwell.
However, with 12 blocks and 7 steals over the course of the season, Waddell's toughness on defense will be missed.
On behalf of the team and the fans, Shulman said, "We are disappointed to lose Q, but appreciate his efforts at UTC."
Waddell will be transferring to Shorter College in Rome, Ga., a small liberal-arts college affiliated with the Southern Baptist Church.
Although moving to a smaller school may seem like a downgrade to many, Waddell remains positive in his decision.
"I enjoyed my time at Chattanooga and wish Coach Shulman and my teammates the best," Waddell said. "It was a tough decision, but one I needed to make so I could play somewhere I could have a bigger impact."
Coach Shulman acknowledged Waddell's efforts in the classroom over this past summer, and as a consequence, he will be eligible to play immediately for the Shorter Hawks.
In Wadell's place, the Mocs have recruited Dante Harvey, a 6'6" freshman forward from Lithonia, Georgia.
While at Columbia, Harvey's 15 points-per-game and 12 rebounds-per-game helped foster a 31-2 final record, falling just short in the GHSAA 4-A Finals in 2007.
Following his impressive career at Columbia High School, a recurrent sports powerhouse in the world of Georgia's high school athletics, Harvey originally signed with Progressive Christian Academy in Camp Springs, M.D, a suburb of Washington, D.C.
"We are excited to be able to add Dante," Shulman said. "He is a player we have followed closely and feel very fortunate to have on board."
Although the Mocs will be off "Q" this season, they are preparing for another great season for the Mocs Maniacs and the blue-and-gold nation.
