Uniontown’s Vaughns a positive influence at Clarion University
CALIFORNIA – Terrance Vaughns came home for another basketball game Wednesday night. No, it wasn’t played at Uniontown’s A.J. Everhart Memorial Gymnasium. Instead, it was at Vaughns’ home away from home, California University of Pa.’s Hamer Hall, where Vaughns and the Clarion University Golden Eagles beat the Vulcans, 79-72, before a crowd estimated at 800.
“I love this floor,” said Vaughns, who had numerous WPIAL and PIAA playoff successes at Hamer Hall during his stellar career at Uniontown. “I was also proud to see all of the Uniontown faithful come out to see me play.”
Asked how many friends and family were in the house for his return to the area, Vaughns said he didn’t see an unfamiliar face in the place.
“I knew everybody here,” he said, exaggerating only a little bit. “I was really happy to see my grandma here. She had been sick and I hadn’t seen her in a while, so that was really special for me to see her here.”
Vaughns always wants to play, but that was especially true in front of his hometown fans. “No doubt,” he said. “I really wanted to play. I think I did and we got a win, which is really big for our team.”
Vaughns scored 10 points, eight in the first half, added two offensive rebounds, two assists and a steal in 34 minutes.
He came into the game as a rare freshman starting guard in the fiercely competitive PSAC West. In fact, Wednesday’s game at Hamer Hall was his first venture into PSAC play, since it was the conference opener for both teams.
Clarion improved to 11-3 overall and California fell to 12-6. And Vaughns established himself as a player in this league. He entered the game tied for third in the league in three-point accuracy (50 percent) and second in the league in free throw accuracy, hitting at a .941 clip. He also ranked seventh in three-pointers made with 30.
But those stats don’t tell as much about Vaughns’ adjustment to the college game as a five-minute chat with him.
“Offense will always be there,” Vaughns said. “Defense is something you can take pride in. That’s what got me on the court as a freshman. The game at this level is much faster. All of the players are a lot better. The coaches helped me a lot before the season in terms of getting me ready for college defense. At this level, the guards penetrate quicker than I was used to. I was reacting a lot slower than I was used to.”
Clarion coach Dr. Ron Righter knew what he was getting as a basketball player when he recruited Vaughns, “but what a wonderful kid,” he added after Wednesday’s game. “He is the consummate student/athlete. He is a good student, he earned a 3.25 in his first semester.”
Vaughns confirmed his grade-point average, but quickly added that he wants it up to a 3.5 cumulative and the sooner the better. “That’s the goal I set for myself and I know I can get there,” he said.
Vaughns was one of four double-digit scorers for Clarion. The Golden Eagles were led by senior Rollie Smith’s 27, Dereck Rankin added 13 and Chris Kelley 11. California got 34 from Ishmieal Kamara and 11 from Tom Frederick.
All three of Clarion’s other double-figure scorers are senior guards and that played a big part in Vaughns’ decision to attend Clarion, but probably not for the reason you thought. Instead of thinking ahead to three years as the leader or the star, Vaughns was looking toward this season.
“I wanted to learn, to be with guards who have experienced enough to teach me,” Vaughns said. “I knew I would see a lot of playing time at Clarion, but I’m really happy I have such talent around me.”
“His enthusiasm for the game is infectious,” Righter said. “Our other guards are leaders, but they are quiet leaders. When Terrance came in here and started clapping and yelling and being so enthusiastic, I told him don’t you ever stop that. We needed that from him.”
In fact, there isn’t anything Vaughns is doing that doesn’t meet with total satisfaction from his coach. So far, anyway.
“If I had 10 Terrance Vaughnses, I’d be the happiest coach in the world.”