Bluefield's Jefferies starts for Pa. college

[beaverbaseball 10]

Posted: Wednesday, Feb 16, 2005 - 12:34:56 am EST

By BOB REDD

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

 

Cloyd Jefferies, freshman, University of Pittsburgh-Titusville

 

BLUEFIELD - The first oil well in the United States was successfully drilled in Titusville, Pa., bringing great success and prosperity to an entire nation.

 

More than 125 years later another great find hopes to bring prosperity to Titusville, this one a young man who plies his trade on the basketball court.

 

A year ago Cloyd Jefferies was running the point for the Bluefield High School Beavers, helping lead BHS to the semifinals of the West Virginia Class AA state tournament.

 

Fast forward 12 months and the 5-foot-8 Bluefield native has just completed his freshman year of college, starting at point guard for the University of Pittsburgh-Titusville where he averaged 11 points, eight assists and five rebounds per game.

 

 

 

"Cloyd did a great job in the classroom and he's working hard at doing the right things on and off the court," said UPT men's basketball coach Brian Bibey. "If he keeps it up he will have a bright future." With assistance from Jefferies, UPT improved from a 1-26 record in 2003-04 to 7-20 in 2004-05.

 

While many college freshmen struggle to adjust not only to the college game, but college life, Jefferies has made a smooth transition with only minor obstacles.

 

"It was a bit differentÅ it was a more physical game, a faster pace," Jefferies said. "I had to lift weights and get stronger, had to shoot more and be more aggressive in my game."

 

In his senior season at BHS Jefferies was second on the team in rebounding, despite in most cases being the smallest player on the court. In his first year of collegiate competition he is still snagging boards against even taller opponents. Jefferies explained how he gets it done.

 

"I just try to box out and get to the ball. If you're able to box out, you can do it (get rebounds)."

 

Bibey just completed his second season as Pitt-Titusville coach and Jefferies complimented his college mentor.

 

"We have a whole team of freshmen. We're changing and thanks to Coach getting better each gameÅ and winning," Jefferies said.

 

Bibey was just as optimistic of Jefferies.

 

"He's a guy who has a lot of character," Bibey said. "He's a hard worker who takes no short cuts, who is focused on his grades and being a good ball player. He's a great young man."

 

As for goals, Jefferies hopes to get his degree and "win the conference championship."

 

The University of Pittsburgh-Titusville, a member of NCAA Division II competes in the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference.