# 5: Rider Broncos
Head Coach: Tommy Dempsey
2010-2011 Record: 17-16
Conference Record: 9-9
The only player named Thompson on this roster is a suitable role player named Jonathan, and to my knowledge he has no relation to anyone in the NBA. There is still talent in Lawrencville. Three upperclassmen will all make viable pushes for all league honors, and a whole roster and a coach are motivated to redeem what was a underachieving 2009-2010 season. Will this years Broncs collaborate enough to make a push to play on Monday night?
The Low Down On The Broncs:
Justin Robinson, Mike Ringgold, and, Novar Gadson are all possible all league candidates. All three of these players have played and performed at a high level over the last three years. So which one of these studs will have the ball in their hands when the shot clock is running down, or when the game is on the line? My guess is Dempsey will trust all three to take big shots.
Robinson enters his senior season as a crafty combo guard who opposing teams must mark from deep. Robinson is arguably the best shooter in the league. With Ryan Thompson gone, look for Robinson's scoring to increase. The key for Dempsey will be for Robinson to play floor general extraordinaire if the Broncs want to forget last season.
Mike Ringgold is one of the most unique and effective big men in the league. At 6"6 Ringgold does all of his scoring in the paint, and does it very well. Even with big men sagging off Ringgold from 18 feet and in Ringgold almost always finds a way to make a play for himself or someone else. It is doubtful that Rinngold has expanded his game beyond seven or eight feet (or vastly improved his noutorious free throw shooting), but this doesn't take away the obvious matchup problems he poses for opposing teams. Ringgold is slippery quick, and finishes with the best on the interior.
Novar Gadson may be the most talented wing in the league now that Edwin Ubiles is not around. Gadson has been a tough cookie to figure out in his three years in the league. On some nights he looks like he cannot be stopped, and on other nights he seems to stop himself. The kid can shoot, pass, and slash with the best of them when his head is on right.
If these three upperclassmen can click on all three cylinders, they will still need help to be successful. Jhamar Youngblood can score, and with Thompson gone there will be more shots for a guy like him. He could be Robinson's back court mate. You can also look for Patrick Mansell to be a key component off the bench. Mansell does one thing great and that is shoot threes from anywhere on the floor. If Mansell has trimmed down a bit look for him to earn more minutes. Also look for freshman Anthony Myles to push for a starting role. Myles is a higher rated recruit than both Ryan or Jason Thompson coming out of high school.
The Negatives:
First and foremost this team has been known to front run. If that is out of their system and they are willing to finally defend, we have a real contender on our hands. If it isn't, we have a pretender. Dempsey can only hope his upperclassmen are willing to lead by example, and any new face or unproven underclassmen is willing to follow suit.
Ringgold is a terror, but he will need help down low, especially against the big boys in the league. At a wiry 6"6 Rinngold can only do so much. Danny Stewart is a highly touted freshman who will have to be willing to strap on the gloves and do the dirty work with Ringgold. Gadson will also have to do more garbage work than he has in the past. If he is willing to put his mind to it, Gadson could be an elite rebounder in the league.
As mentioned the only Thompson on this team is a solid role player. There is no more Jason or Ryan, and the Broncs will need a leader. The clock is ticking and we will know in a month if any (or all) of these upperclassmen have the ability to lead the Broncs to a top half finish in the league, and contend for a spot on Monday night.
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