Keeping Hardnett's momentum going

Temple's Scootie Randall came downcourt in a four-on-four scrimmage Monday and nailed a three-point jumper from the left wing. On his team's next possession, the 6-foot-6 junior-to-be hit a trey from the other side, deep in the corner.

That's the kind of shooting that Owls coach Fran Dunphy is hoping to see from Randall when it counts this winter. And that's why the player is participating in workouts conducted by former Temple player Howard Evans at the university's Pearson Hall.

Now is the time to get better.

"I'll work out whenever, and wherever," said Randall, a reserve forward for Temple's 29-6 team last season. "Wherever the workouts are, that's where I need to be, getting a concept in each workout that can benefit me."

Evans was once an ambitious player himself, just trying to move up. Before he became an all-Atlantic Ten guard for a Temple squad that went 89-12 between 1985 and 1989, Evans attended similar sessions to the ones he now oversees. His off-season mentor was the late John Hardnett, who died May 18 at age 56.

As a coach and administrator in the Sonny Hill program, Hardnett developed close relationships with countless players over 30 years. He left behind a legacy that Evans and others will honor by continuing his work.

Evans, now 44, fell under Hardnett's influence while he was still a student at West Philadelphia High.

"I think I was in one of the first groups John was working out," said Evans, who has been tutoring players on a smaller scale than Hardnett for the last six years. "When I was in the 10th grade, I could score, but I couldn't shoot. John used to have us shooting over broomsticks. He did leave a big void. I can't fill John's shoes, but if I can do something similar, I'll be happy."

Randall was one of eight players on hand for Evans' session Monday. Chris Clarke, a 6-8 forward who redshirted at Temple last season after transferring from Pensacola (Fla.) Community College, was there, along with Evans' nephew Jason Hall (William Penn and Kentucky Wesleyan); Vincent Simpson (Cardinal Dougherty and Hampton); Raheem Davis (Overbrook and Community College of Beaver County); and Malcolm Eleby, a Franklin Learning Center graduate who left St. Bonaventure after his junior season.

A pair of 5-11 guards who are still seeking colleges - Quasim Jones (Bartram) and Michael Gaffney (Overbrook) - also tested their skills.

With Temple having lost leading scorer Ryan Brooks as well as point guard Luis Guzman, Randall said, he is preparing himself for more responsibility.

"Coach Dunphy wants me to able to make plays for myself and for others, and to be able to play defense on a consistent basis," said Randall, who attended Communications Tech. "That's my focus. I think the opportunity is wide open because we have two spots to fill, and I never know where Coach may need me at. The opportunity is open for me to step in, but it's up to me for that spot. I think Coach Dunphy has a lot of trust in me, so I have to show him that I can be the one."

Evans is there to help Randall and his other charges get to where they need to be.

"My goal is to try and fine-tune their games," said Evans, who is a social worker in Philadelphia. "I don't just get the ball out and play five-on-five. We shoot for the first hour. Off the dribble. Off the pass. And then, we do some conditioning work, and some footwork. Full-court drills and half-court drills. When we play three-on-three, it's all jump shots. The defender will push up on you, knowing you can't drive. If you can excel in three-on-three when it's all jump shots, your game is going to pick up. Guys need the reps."