DRC more complete article on Roniger leaving

[OldTimer]

Roniger decides to leave Mean Green

"Personal reasons" prompt exit for sophomore guard

02:19 AM CST on Sunday, December 28, 2003

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

Scott Roniger, a sophomore who is leading the North Texas men's basketball team in assists and steals, has left the team for what he characterized as personal reasons.

Roniger has started all nine games for the Mean Green and is averaging 2.4 points and 2.7 rebounds a game to go along with 32 assists and 13 steals.

“It was a decision that I had to make for myself and my family,” Roniger said. “I love coach [Johnny] Jones, the staff, my teammates and the school. The reason I made it as long as I did was coach Jones. He cares for me and the rest of the players on the team.”

Roniger was a steady influence in the backcourt for UNT, which will return to action following the holiday break with a game against Indiana on Monday at the Super Pit.

UNT (4-5) will begin to adjust to a new lineup that will lack one of its top ball-handlers when the Mean Green faces the Hoosiers.

“Scott took care of the ball and scored a little for us,” Jones said. “We will grow stronger and get better. Sometimes adversity leads to that.”

UNT has lost a pair of guards this fall.

Junior guard Mark Wilson left the team before the beginning of the regular season for personal reasons.

Jones said senior guard Jerome Rogers and junior guard Marqus Mitchell will help fill the void left by Roniger.

Rogers has split time at the point guard spot with Roniger and is UNTÕs third-leading scorer with an average of 8.6 points a game. Rogers ranks second on the team with 20 assists and is also averaging 2.1 rebounds a game.

Mitchell is averaging 5.7 points a game.

Roniger was an all-district and All-East Bank selection in his final three seasons at Rum-mel High School in Metarie, La. He averaged 18.1 points and 7.2 assists a game as a senior.

Roniger said he would try to continue his career at a school closer to his home.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com

[mhow2]

Scott will be missed. Good luck to him in all that he does.

[NT80]

Scott was the best passer and ball handler on the team. Something is wrong that we are losing all these players. Is it because most were recruited from out of state and they're homesick? If so, we need to focus closer to DFW.

[IronMan4]

Well I disagree in that I think Rogers is the best ball handler on the team, but Roniger had the strength to go inside.

Roniger was well on his way to becoming the fan favorite at the Super Pit with his style of play, he will be missed.

[mhow2]

The reason that Scott left is a personal matter. It has nothing to with the school, team, or coaches. Scott truely loved everything about UNT. He is just going through a tough time in his life.