Gaston College's returning point guard ready for 2022-23 season to get started

When Gaston College restarted its basketball program last season, among the key members of the first team was 6-foot-4 point guard DaMarco Watson out of Brooklyn, New York.

After improving throughout the season, Watson was a key leader of the Rhinos' 6-1 season-ending stretch that left them 18-10 overall and one game out of first place in Region 10 with a 8-6 league mark. Back for his sophomore season, Watson is eager for an even better encore.

That'll start when the team opens its preseason exhibition schedule in the Corry Black Hoops JUCO Jamboree in Carrolton, Georgia, next Sunday.

"We feel pretty good about what we accomplished last season," said Watson, who averaged 11.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 28 games (19 starts) last season. "This year, we've got to win a championship. That's my goal for this team from Day One." Watson and guards Dee Merriweather and Joshua Johnson and forwards Yaya Evans, Dedrick Givens and Kirk Scoggins are the returnees from last season.

And head coach Jamie Rosser is confident Watson will play a big role in this year's team.

"DaMarco has always used his body and speed to his advantage making him hard to deal with because of the constant pressure that he puts of the defense," Rosser said. "He also came back from the summer break 7 to 8 pounds heavier and it's all muscle. That's a true testament of who he is. His outside shooting has improved, and the added skills sets that he's developed will only help his case to benefit this program."

Watson's top scoring effort of 23 points came in a 66-65 win at Brunswick Community College in mid-February. He later had a season-high with 13 assists in the Rhinos' season-ending 106-93 "Sophomore Night" victory over Hosanna Bible College.

"Last year I came in and learned from (former head) coach (David "Dickey") Nutt and coach Rosser," Watson said. "This year, I'm trying to help all of the younger guys and show them what I've already been taught."

This offseason, Watson's training regimen included 5 a.m. wakeup calls for regular workouts at a Planet Fitness in Brooklyn and daily workouts at a gym in Long Island.

"So far the chemistry is good on this team," Watson said. "Every day we're getting closer and closer."