More Juco Hoop Scoop Top 25 Previews – #11 thru #15
Teams included are: NEO, Odessa, Butler, Eastern Florida, and Moberly
#11 Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (NEO) – (Miami, OK) – Golden Norsemen – Region 2 – South Central District – not ranked in final 2021 poll
Head Coach Jeremy Jackson (Napa Valley College) – 4th season (66-23), 9 years as AC
Asst. Coaches: Bruce Chavka, Grant Pinkston
Last year: 14-9 (9-7), lost in District semis to Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa.
-Coach Jackson is heading into his thirteenth season on the bench at NEO. He was an assistant for Dustin Grover for nine years (2009-2018). Jeremy became the Head Coach entering the 2018-19 season, and in his first year, took the Golden Norsemen to the national tournament as South Central District Champions.
They lost their first round game in Hutch to Moberly Area CC, but the bell had sounded. NEO was making noise again. Regaining the momentum from the
In Jackson’s second year (2019-20), the Norse made it to the District Championship game for the second straight season. This time they lined up against Murray State College. But the Aggies ended the Norse hopes of back to back national tournament appearances, winning 58-55, launching Murray State to Hutch as automatic qualifier.
Despite their solid record (25-7) and OCAC Championship, NEO was overlooked as an At-Large candidate. And…DESPITE the fact that NEO won both regular season match-ups with Tonkawa. It was the Mavericks, with a slightly better record (28-4) and ranked most of the year in the top ten, who were extended an At-Large bid by the NJCAA tournament committee.
Oh what could’ve been…or should’ve been. I mean, come on, when you sweep the season series with a team, and have almost identical records, you’ve checked the box, right?? Oh, and just so you know, NEO also split the regular season games with District Champ Murray State.
Coming off the worst season in Coach Jackson’s tenure as Head Coach of the Norse (14-9), NEO has a new plan. A plan to return to the winning ways of Jackson’s first two campaigns which resulted in an overall record of 62-14, two Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships (14-2, 15-1), and the District title and automatic bid to the national tournament (2018-19) referenced above.
NEO has made the tournament field at Hutch nine times in school history, the last three times with Coach Jeremy Jackson roaming the sidelines (or sitting) as a member of the coaching staff. 2014 & 2016 during his stint as an assistant, and 2019 as the Head Coach.
The Golden Norsemen captured the National Championship in 1989, the only time NEO has reached the title game.
NEO’s new “plan” will get a solid test early. After home games on Nov. 2 & 3 against a couple of four year JV squads for tune-up, the Norsemen travel to Coffeyville CC Nov. 5 & 6 for the Community State Bank Classic to face the defending national Champs (Coffeyville) and Independence CC.
Here is the 2021 preview for the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Golden Norsemen:
Key losses: James Franklin, Jr., 6’5″ SO G, Murfreesboro TN, started 15/22 gms, 9.2ppg/3.5rpg; Kalil Camara, 6’3″ SO W, Bronx NY, 8.3ppg/5.4rpb, st 8/22 gms; Tuscan Redding, 6’3″ SO G, Denver CO, 11.6ppg/2.8apg, st 16/23 gms; Nikita Konstantynovskyi, 6’10” SO F, Ukraine, 11.1ppg/8rpg/2blks/g, 25m/g; Jadan Graves, 6’2″ SO, Syracuse NY, 9.2ppg/4.3rpg/5.2apg, st 20/20 gms; Taylor Gonzales, 6’0″ SO G, Broken Arrow OK, 5.2ppg;
Returners: Brian Moore, Jr., 6’3″ SO G, Harlem NY, returning starter, 18.4ppg/3.6rpg/2.8apg/1.4spg, 60%FG; Tyren Collins, 6’8″ SO F, Muldrow OK, p/t starter, 3ppg; Kamryn Edwards, 6’5″ FR W, Radford VA, 3.6 ppg; Omeechi Williams, 6’6″ FR W, Ontario, 3.4ppg/2rpg; Jayde Duncan, 6’6″ FR W, Sapulpa OK, reserve RS; Christian Cuevas, 6’1″ FR G, Stockton CA, reserve;
Newcomers: Jonathan Mogbo, 6’8″ FR F, W. Palm Beach FL, transfer from Independence CC, st 13/23 gms, 8.1ppg/5.9ppg/2blk/g, 23 min/g; Adnan Hussein, 6’3″ SO G, Washington DC, transfer from Missouri State-West Plains, 9.9ppg; Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander, 6’7″ FR G, Ontario, transfer from Evansville U, 8 gms, 2pgp/2rpg/1.3apg; Chok Garang, 6’7″ FR F, Australia; John Harge, 6’9″ FR F, Aurora CO, transfer from Northern KY, 2ppg/2rpg 12 gms; Terrell Kabala, 6’2″ FR G, Webb City MO, transfer from UArk-Ft. Smith, 4ppg/1rpg; Landon Austin, 6’0″ FR G, Neosho MO, 15.5ppg/5.2rpg/3.3apg/1.6spg; Benjamin Agwu Eme, 6’9″ SO C, Nigeria, transfer from Eastern Florida SC, 2ppg/2rpg in 4 gms; Kobe Rose, 6’3″ FR G, Tulsa OK, out of bb for a few years, 15ppg as HS senior; Kelvin Spruill, 6’7″ FR F, Baltimore MD; Eric Rustin, 7’1″ SO C, Richmond VA, transfer from UT-Marting, 1ppg/1rpg/1apg 12 gms 84 min; Gunner Korstjens, 6’1″ FR G, OKC OK, Bridge Creek HS,16ppg; Anfernee Nelson, 6’6″ FR W, Jenks OK, transfer from Rogers State (RS), 14ppg/5rpg at Jenks HS
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#12 Odessa College (Odessa, TX) – Wranglers – Region 5 – Southwest District – #3 in 2021 final poll
Head Coach Kris “Bucket” Baumann (buh-KIT) – (BA-Univ of Idaho, MBA MSM Columbia Southern Univ.) – 3rd year at OC (62-26) – 16 seasons overall with stops at Garden City CC (KS, Lamar CC (TX), and Trinity Valley CC (TX) – (342-172)
Asst. Coaches: Evan Eustachy, Chris Buchanan
Last year: 20-3, 13-1 in WJCAC, shared conf title, lost in semis of District to Western Texas, received At-large bid to national tourney, lost opening round to eventual Champ Coffeyville
-Odessa College didn’t used to be a household name in Junior College basketball lores. Three times before the turn of the millennium (1990, 1993, 1997) Odessa was a tournament participant, but never really made it much of a habit.
Even with a guy named Larry Johnson, who was a Wrangler from 1987-1989, and a standout at UNLV. Johnson averaged 22.3 ppg his freshman year at OC, and 29 as a sophomore. Johnson’s Wrangler teams were Region 5 Champs both years he played, however, Johnson never touched the floor at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Each of those years Odessa had inter-region playoff games for the right to advance to Hutch, and lost both times.
Johnson finished his college career at UNLV, helping them to that team’s only NCAA National Championship in 1990. LJ also had a steller NBA career, splitting 10 seasons between Charlotte and New York. Besides being NJCAA All-American both seasons at Odessa and at the same at UNLV, he is also believed to the only player in the history of the NJCAA to be named Player of the Year twice.
Enough about that. In the last ten years Odessa has climbed into the competitive ring of top Juco programs, and Coach Baumann certainly has had a lot to do with that. Tra Arnold’s teams kick-started the Wrangler push for becoming one of the nations elite. As HC of the Wranglers from 2012 thru 2018, he landed the Wranglers in Hutch three years in succession (16-18). Baumann took over for the 2018-19 season and their was no let down. Baumann’s first team made it four in a row. After a one year sabbatical, Bucket’s third team reconnected with the teams recent winning ways, and made the field of 24 to play in the championship.
That was the 9th time in school history the team’s name was on the guest list for participating in the national tournament. Which, was the fourth time in five years. I’d say that is becoming a habit. Now, with Baumann leading the way, OC has picked up where Arnold left off, blazing the trail from TX to KS on a regular basis. Of course, what did you expect. He did that his last three seasons (out of four) while the ringleader at Trinity Valley CC (2013-2016).
This past season, Odessa and conference rival South Plains College shared the WJCAC crown. Odessa avenged their only loss of the regular season (at the hands of SPC) in the last game before post-season. Both teams spent the better part of the year ranked in the top 3. Everyone was pointing towards the anticipated rematch in the District final. However, that game never materialized. South Plains lost to Howard while Western Texas was dismissing Odessa in the District semis.
Odessa did receive an At-large bid to the tournament, but were dispatched back to Texas after one game, by the eventual National Champion. After a one loss regular season, losing two in a row at the end, in District action and at the National tournament, isn’t the way they had planned it. You just know that has been in the Bucket’s crawl since April 20.
Here is the 2021 preview for the Odessa College Wranglers:
Key Losses: Four WJCAC All-conference performers – Jordan Booker 10ppg/3.1apg; Dancell Leter 8.6ppg/4.2rpg; Alphousseyni “AD” Diedhiou 6.4ppg/4.7rpg; and Aquarn Butler 6.4ppg/5apg Def player of the year; Isaiah Turner, 10.2ppg/4.2rpg; Elijah Tate, 9.3 ppg; Doug Young, 7.9 ppg. Those seven players represented 65% of the Wrangler’s point production in 2021
Returning 3 players, 1 starter Shakeem Alcindor, 6’8″ SO F, Virgin Islands, 6.8ppg/4.6rpg 60% FG; Tre Richardson, 6’4″ FR G, Louisville KY, 7.5ppg/2.5rpg/2.5apg, 43.5% 3P; Yohamid “Chino” Rodriguez, 5’10” FR G, Puerto Rico, 2ppg/2apg in 15 gms
Key newcomer transfer from Pacific University – Daniss Jenkins, 6’3″ SO G, Dallas TX, 12.2ppg/5.2rpg, All-West Coast Conf HM, All-West Coast Conf Freshman team.
Other newcomers: BJ Francis, 6’0″ FR G, Dallas TX, Mt. Zion Prep, 18ppg/2apg; Dontrell Hewlett, 6’5″ FR G, Sacramento CA, transfer from Utah State University-Eastern (JC), 15ppg; Mike Rivera, 6’8″ SO F, Puerto Rico, transfer from Seward Co CC (KS), 6ppg; Terry Brown, 6’5″ FR G, Fayetteville GA, 12.6ppg/5.3rpg/3.8apg; Tyler Chapman, 5’10” FR G, Queens NY, Brigton Prep (ME), 18.5 ppg; Garfield Turner, 6’8″ FR F, Washington DC, Mt. Zion Prep, 23.2ppg; Darrel Belcher, 6’4″ FR G, Grand Rapids MI, PHH Prep AZ; Dian Wright-Forde, 6’3″ FR G, Bronx NY, Puoch Dubuol, St. Cloud MN, Impact Academy FL; Darrell Armstrong, 6’2″ FR G, Orlando FL; Daniel Rivera, 6’7 FR F, Puerto Rico; Chandler Cuthrell, 6’7″ FR F, Baltimore MD; Kiree Huie, 6’9″ FR F, Greyson GA; William Tong, 6’7″ FR F, Canada
Coach Bucket’s thoughts heading into the season, “We have a lot of new players that have not played college basketball!”
And when I look at his roster, I see 18 team members, and only three are identifying as Sophomores. Many of the other 15 are true freshman, or Prep school transfers. But don’t feel sorry for Coach Baumann. I don’t (well maybe a little). Remember, he’s had five appearances at Hutch in the past eight years, with two different teams, and a stop over as an Asst. at UTEP in the middle.
The docket is full in the early going for Bucket’s band of little (or no) college experience. They play 13 games in November. Right out of the gate they play on the road in two separate classics with four games in four days. Hutch and Barton CC are waiting for them in the Hutchinson at the Blue Dragon Classic (Nov 5/6).
As they head back South, there’s a stop at the Univ. of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK for two games on Nov. 7/8. There they’ll take on Murray State College (OK) and Missouri State-West Plains in the Mitchell Elite 8 classic. Wait, there’s more, on Nov. 11-13 the Wranglers will participate in the Texas East-West Challenge at Collin College in Plano, TX for three games vs. Jacksonville College, Navarro College, and Angelina College.
A juggernaut of seven games in eight days, all against quality opponents. No JV warm up games for Bucket and his newbies. They should grow up real quick with that start. You think maybe that’s what Coach Baumann was thinking when he put that schedule together?
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#13 Butler CC (El Dorado, KS) – Grizzlies – Region 6 – Plains District – not ranked in final 2021 poll
Head Coach Kyle Fisher (BSBA Washburn Univ., MS Univ of Central Missouri) – 3rd year (41-15)
Asst. Coaches: Marques Townsend, Cameron Parker
Last season summary: 16-7, highest ranking #20, finished 3rd in Jayhawk East Division (behind Coffeyville and Cowley who played in NJCAA title game), defeated Hutch and Barton, the champ and runner-up in Jayhawk West Division, lost to Garden City CC in first round of Region/District tournament
The past two seasons, Coach Fisher and his staff have compiled the third most region wins, trailing only Coffeyville and Cowley. Butler has also produced 7 DI players and 3 D2 players the last two years. After spending seven years assisting Jay Herkelman at Coffeyville (the winningest Coach in Region 6 history), it appears that Fisher and Associates have started something special at Butler.
But the Grizzlies will have to look for new leadership to replace four starters from last year, including first team all conference member Shawn Hopkins, and second team all conference members Noah Thomasson and DeeJuan Pruitt.
In his first year pulling strings in El Dorado (2019-20), Fisher pulled hard enough to earn a record of 25-8, 10-3 in the Jayhawk East, good enough for second (behind Cowley). The Grizzlies won their way to the District Championship game vs. Coffeyville, but came up a few points short of claiming the title.
Overall, Butler has made six appearances at the Hutchinson Sports Arena to compete in the championship tournament. The last being in 2015. Their trophy case does have some championship game hardware gathering dust. The Grizzlies won the one NJCAA Championship in 1953, beating then Arkansas City (now Cowley), in the first ever all Kansas Final. This past season was the second.
El Dorado, er, Butler was invited to fill a spot when the California delegate was a no-show. Butler had finished second behind Arkansas City, er Cowley in the region championship tournament. In the early days, some teams had budget or travel issues which kept them from participating at Hutch. Some regions were boycotting the NJCAA, like what happened in 1953. Regardless, the championship won by El Dorado was the first ever claimed by an invited team. I’d have to go through a little red tape to see if it ever happened again.
Butler has made the most of their six trips to the big dance. In addition to winning it all in 1953, the Grizzlies made the championship game two other times, finishing as runners-up in 1992 and 1993 to Three Rivers College (MO) and Pensacola JC (FL), by a total of six points.
Coach Fisher isn’t wasting any time challenging his team in 2021-22. After a home warm-up vs. Tabor University JV Nov. 1 at the Power Plant, where the Grizzlies are 23-4 under Fisher, Butler travels to Ottumwa, IA for the Indian Hills Classic. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5/6, Butler CC will play Marshalltown and Indian Hills. IHCC is ranked in the top five in the three preseason polls released, the #2 team in the NJCAA poll.
Here is the 2021 preview for the Butler CC Grizzlies:
Key Losses:
DJ Pruit 6’8 C – Avg 12 ppg 6 rpg – All Conference, SIUE signee
Noah Thomasson – Avg 13 ppg – All Conference, All Region, Niagra signee
Shawn Hopkins – Avg 14 ppg – All Conference, All Region, Minnesota State signee
Key Returners:
Trey Payne – 6’2″ SO G, Little Rock, AR, started every game as true FR, avg 10 ppg
Isaiah Williams – 6’7″ G/F, Oklahoma City, OK, injured much of last season but will have a breakout year
Keyon Thomas – 5’10” SO G, Kansas City, KS, 8ppg, 23 games 25min/g
Other returners: RJ McGarthy, 6’7″ SO G/F, Arlington, TX, 15 games as FR;
Key Additions:
Marque English – 6’6″ SO F, Pittsburg, KS, Northern Colorado Transfer, Played at Butler CC (13ppg, 6rpg), transferred to UNCO, transferred back to Butler CC
Eden Holt – 5’10” SO G, Houston, TX, UT-Martin Transfer, 9.5 ppg, 45% from 3 in 9 games at UTM
Caleb Golden – 6’4″ SO G, Austin, TX, Tarleton State Transfer
Jaden Okon – 6’4″ SO G, Wichita, KS, Hutch CC transfer, started last several games, 6ppg at Hutch,
Isaac Ondekane – 6’8 280 FR F, Congo, Africa, promising freshman from Sunrise Christian
Other newcomers: Marque Wilkerson, 6’2″ FR G, Topeka, KS, all-state, 18 ppg; Eli Wiseman, 5’10” FR G, Belle Plaine, KS, 26ppg; Shawn Warrior, 6’2″ SO G, Wichita, KS, transfer from Barton, 6ppg in 23 gms; Javion Byers, 6’3″ FR G, Liberty, MO, 90% career FT; CJ Powell, 6’6″ FR F, Topeka, KS, 17ppg/8rpg/4apg/3bpg; Shaquan Horsey, 6’8″ FR F, Chester, PA
Coach Fisher: This is one of the deepest teams we’ve ever had. We’ve got a number of guys who are experienced, and older, and that will certainly pay off during the season. Plus, this is probably the most competitive team we’ve had. We have some hard playing, competitive guys all across the board. Our two forwards, English and Williams, play hard with great pace. And then we add a guy like Caleb Golden, who is experienced and plays hard also, that will bring us energy and help down the stretch.
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#14 Eastern Florida State College (Melbourne, FL) – Titans – Region 8 – South Atlantic District – not ranked in final 2021 poll
Originally Brevard JC (1960), Brevard CC (1970), officially changed name to EFSC in 2013
Head Coach Jeremy Shulman (BS-Middle Tennessee State) – 12th season (275-83)
Asst. Coaches: Dr. Lynn Cudiff, Lucas Houchin, David Gale, Austin Awad
Last Season: 18-5 record, Central Conference Champions (14-2), Region VIII Final 4, lost to Chipola,
Central Conference, Mid-Florida Conference, Southern Conference…whatever you want to call it, or wherever you want to put them…the Titans have now claimed nine consecutive conference championships. All while Coach Jeremy Shulman has been the commander of the Titan missile.
In the beginning, there was Brevard Junior College, who made the schools first ever appearance at the national tournament in Hutchinson back in 1969. Actually, the program was kind of a kingpin in the early days of the NJCAA with three appearances in eleven years (1973 & 1979 the other two).
Insert a 22 year gap, or blank spot on the tape if you wish, before Brevard’s next trip to the Land of Oz (2000). By then, the college had changed names to Brevard Community College.
Now insert another drought, this time of fifteen years, and then…along comes….it’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s Super Jeremy ShulMAN. In his fifth year as the Titans HC, Shulman started a string of five consecutive spring journeys from the Space Coast to the Salt City (Hutchinson, KS). And they weren’t quick trips either.
The Titans did some damage while they were there, with a second place finish in 2017, two quarterfinal stops, and some 3rd place hardware in 2018. Shulman’s troops have averaged 25 wins a season, and had seasons of 18-4, 21-4, 26-7, and 24-7 before their breakout year, and first appearance in Hutch. Not too shabby!
Shulman’s only losing season at the college level was his first when he went 11-14 at East Mississippi CC.
Eastern begins the season at home on Nov. 3 against TAAG Academy (FL), before heading down to Miami and a date with ASA College on Nov. 6. Then it’s back to Titan Field House for the Florida JUCO Shootout on Nov. 12/13, playing host to Chipola, another preseason highly ranked Florida team, and State College of Florida-Manatee.
Here is the 2021 preview for the Eastern Florida State College Titans:
Key Losses: Nick Alves (6’6 Wing, 1st Team All-Conference…now at USC-Upstate) Christyon Eugene (6’3 G, 1st Team All-Conference…now at Troy) Ja’Darius Harris (6’2 G, 2nd Team All-Conference…now at NC Central)
Key Returners: Brody Boyer (6’4 PG, 2nd Team All-Conference…8.1 ppg, 3.5 apg, 39% 3pt) – Cleveland St commit makes everyone better. Winner. -Vlad Salaridze (6’7 Wing/F, 2nd Team All-Conference…7.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg) – leading returning rebounder. Playmaking 4 man, with great vision and feel -Justin Reid (6’6 Wing/F…6.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg) – versatile athletic wing that can now shoot as well -Lovre Zaja (6’5 PG… 4.9 ppg, 3.3 apg) – Big PG with elite vision. Outstanding player -Roberts Berze (6’6 Wing… 4.5 ppg) – elite shooter with great size. Leading scorer for Latvia U18 National Team -Markus Harding (6’10 C…4.3 ppg) – big skilled post that can score inside and out -Rron Ukaj (6’7 F…2.3 rpg) – Former FIBA U18 MVP, high motor productive and tough
Key Newcomers: -Reggie Hill (6’8 Wing/G) – redshirt a year ago after wrist injury. Extremely high upside and skill -Derrick Buter (6’2 CG, Concord, NC) – elite young prospect with high expectations -Brandon Garcia (6’1 PG) – true Redshirt a season ago, can score at all 3 levels, and really make plays -Seal Osajivbe (6’8 Wing/F, London, England) – very athletic combo forward with versatile game
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#15 Moberly Area CC (Moberly, MO) – Greyhounds – Region 16 – Midwest District – not ranked in final 2021 poll
Head Coach: Patrick Smith (Bluefield College -VA) – 2nd stint at MACC (2002-03 to 2004-05 and 2012-13 thru current 2020-2021) – 13th season (286-103) – 37th overall (781-409) – 2019 NJCAA basketball Hall of Fame inductee
Asst. Coaches: Rashad Lindsey, Timothy Ward
Last season: 16-8, 2nd in Region 16, 2nd in MCCAC behind Mineral Area, lost four times to Mineral Area in covid limited travel and scheduling restrictions, realistically only lost two games to anyone not named Mineral Area
Pat Smith wins games, plain and simple. He’s a no-nonsense leader, who demands a lot out of his players, but demands a lot out of himself too. As a player, other coach, fan, or just a bystander, it’s kind of a love/hate relationship. Like the Dallas Cowboys.
But Smith gets it done. He ranks #13 in career wins covering his 36 year career. Those wins were spread out between seven schools, but none-the-less, he has amassed a record of 781-409. Pat was in the NJCAA’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2019.
Averaging almost 22 wins per year, for three and a half decades+ and still moving up the ladder. That’s a lot of success. Humbly, though, Smith would grin, shake his head, and say, “that just means I’ve been around too long.”
Smith is currently third in wins for active Juco coaches behind Jay Harrington (Southwestern Illinois College) with 914, and Bill Carlyle (Walters State CC, TN) and his 908. Both of whom are entering their 45th seasons on the Junior College sidelines, ranking 3rd and 4th all time. With all other coaching greats ahead of Smith being inactive, except Harrington and Carlyle, expect Pat to continue a rapid climb, at least for a few more years.
Gene Bess, who just retired from Three Rivers College following the 201-20 season, is tops on that list. After 50 seasons, all at the place where he got his first, Bess called it quits, posting an amazing 1300 wins. Bob Kirk (Allegany CC of Maryland), also retired, is next with 927.
Although they finished with a decent record of 16-8, a mark many teams would be comfortable with. But for a program as rich as Moberly’s, 16-8 is easily considered below average. Last season was, if nothing else, and enigma for the Greyhounds. Here’s why.
Their record could’ve easily been 18-6, as two games were forfeited vs. two teams they were 5-0 against in the seasons other match-ups. Combine that with losing four times to the same school. That’s right, FOUR times. It’s cliche to say “it’s tough to beat a team three times in the same season.” But what about four. Shouldn’t that be nearly impossible, especially when both teams are fairly evenly matched?
But it happened. When they’ve got your number, they’ve got your number. Moberly lost four times to region rival Mineral Area College, who was ranked near or at the top spot in the national poll for most of the season, and entered the national tournament as the only unbeaten team and #1 Seed.
All four games were highly contested. Three of the four games were ten points or less, and all four were five point separations or less at halftime. In fact, in game 3, one in whcih MAC ended up winning by 18 at their place, Moberly actually lead by 4 at intermission. In the District Championship game, won by MAC 69-59, the game was tied at half. So you see, the season that wasn’t, with a break or two, could’ve transformed into the season that was…or at least could’ve been.
In case you didn’t know, Moberly has been one of the most successful JUCO programs from day one. Although their dominance has diminished somewhat over the last forty years, they still draw attention. Ghe Greyhounds have a record four national championships (shared with two other schools), and were the first to do it. They have the fourth most wins in NJCAA history, behind Hutchinson, Vincennes, and Southeaster CC (IA). With the second most appearances at Hutch, now trailing Vincennes, they do still own the record for most victories in the national tournament. There’s probably more, but you get the picture.
Here’s my point, Moberly used to be atop all of those lists until a few droughts intermittently hit the program. Following the 1989 season, the Hounds didn’t take another step on what is now called Sam Butterfield Court in the Sports Arena, until 2002, Pat Smith’s first season. They finished 5th that year. His 2004 team, made up of mostly freshmen, including the top eight, lost in the District Championship at Vincennes (where have I heard that name before?).
Smith then left to guide Bimidji State (NCAADII) and Mark Bernsen became HC at MACC. Bernsen took the group of Sophomores to Hutch and finished second. Smith returned to the Moberly bench in 2012 and has qualified for the national tournament three time, 2016, 2019, and 2020. Coach Smith has his fingerprints all over the Greyhounds resurgence in the last 18 years, and he’s still going strong.
With those three trips to Hutch in the last six years, Moberly has showing signs they’re back in the mix. I’m pretty sure, deeper runs in the tournament and of course, another National Championship are high on the priority list for Smith and the Hounds.
Moberly will host William Penn JV and Link Year Prep in the Greyhound Classic on Nov. 5/6 and a home game vs. John Wood CC (DII #14 preseason), before joining in the fun at the Missouri/Iowa Challanege in W. Burlington, where they meet up with Southeastern CC, the hosts, and #2 ranked Indian Hills CC.
Here is the 2021 preview for the Moberly Area CC Greyhounds:
Key losses: Dezi Jones, 5’10” SO G, Hannibal MO, 2 yr starter, 17.5ppg/4.6rpb/4.7apg (Quinnipiac); Aaron Burt, 6’5″ SO F, Bel Aire, KS, 9ppg/7rpg, (Lincoln Univ.), ave. double-double over last 8 gms; Cortez Mosley, 6’5″ SO F, Peoria IL, 2 yr starter, 12.6ppg/6.1rpg/3.5apg; Jalen Sincore, 6’5″ SO F, Memphis TN, 6.7ppg/3.8rpg (SWTenn)
Returners: Tyren Moore, 6’0″ FR G, Louisville KY, std 14/22 gms, 12.6ppg/2rpg/2apg, 49/46/83 %; Sincere Parker, 6’4″ FR G, Rockford IL, std 8/11 gms, 15.6ppg/5rpg, 44/40/82 % SLU comit; Jordan Persad, 6’1″ FR G, Ontario CN, std 8/17 gms, 4.5ppg/2.5rpg/3.2apg; Makelani Kafele, 6’6″ FR F, Long Beach CA, std 11/22 gms, 6.9ppg/5rpg, 52% FG
Newcomers: Miles Mendes, 6’6” FR F, Minneapolis, MN, xfer from Troy U., 15 gms – 2p/2r/g); Jimmy Bell, 6’10” SO P, Saginaw, MI, xfer fr St. Louis U, std all gms as FR, pld in 19 gms as SO, 2p/2r/gm ; Bol Akot, 6’2” FR G, Manchester, NH, xfer from Quinnipiac, 13 gm/11 m/g/2ppg/1.5apg; Jo Jo Toppin 6’6” SO W, Brooklyn, NY, xfer fr Goergia State /UGA, 11 gms @ GSt. 5p/2r/1a /gm; Rashad Weekly, 6’0″ FR G, St. Louis, MO, xfer from C. Mich; Dorion Staples, 6’8″ FR F, Fredricksburg, VA, xfer from Allegany CC MD, 11.4ppg/8.3rpg, 50% FG; Michael Thomas, 6’3″ SO G, Lake Charles LA, xfer from Shelton State CC, 9.7ppg/4.3rpg; Mandareyon Clark, 6’5″ SO F, Charleston, MO, xfer from St. Louis CC, std 17/17 in 2019-20 17.7ppg/7.5rpg; James Dent, 6’5″ FR F, Springfield, IL, Southwest HS, 21.5ppg/7.3rpg/2.3apg, Chicago Sun 3A First Team All State; Jamaray Davenport, 6’0″ FR G, St. Louis, MO, Normandy HS, 19ppg/3pag
Preseason previews for JHS Top 25 teams #16 thru #20 will be released next. That group includes: Georgia Highlands, Pearl River, Connors State, Harcum, and South Georgia State.
