Cowley College, New Coach, New Approach, Same Results
(Friday, Novemeber 12, 2021)
Tonkawa, OK – After averaging 109 ppg the last two seasons, it seems really strange to go with the under on Cowley College games. But that coach, Tommy DeSalme, has moved on to head man the Hutchinson Blue Dragons.
The coaching carousel in and around the Jayhawk conference continued as Cowley found their new guy just across the border, in Tonkawa, OK. Donnie Jackson had been coaching the Mavericks for the past eight seasons (183-69), bringing national attention to the program. But “DJ” was no stranger to Cowley or to DeSalme. He had been an assistant at Cowley for four seasons prior to taking over at NOC-Tonkawa.
Actually, Donnie has been following DeSalme around for several years. He played one year for Tommy at Sterling College, and worked as one of his assistant coach at two other colleges, including Cowley. But when he left for Tonkawa, Donnie was now in competition with his coach and mentor, but can proudly boast an 11-5 record head to head against his former boss.
Recently, Coach DeSalme tallied his 400th career win as a collegiate head coach. In a statement retrieved from his twitter account, Jackson was overheard reflecting, he was proud to say he was either a player or assistant coach with Coach D (DeSalme) for 248 of them (wins)! Still competing, but still best of friends.
Jackson has brought a more physical, methodical, half court style to Ark City. One in which they are not afraid to run, but certainly not afraid to guard hard and make it as difficult as possible for their opponents to get the shots they want.
And that’s exactly what the Tigers did to the Jets Friday night. Leading by one, 37-36, after twenty minutes. Cowley put the lock down defensively, allowing Enid only 21 second half points, winning 68 to 57. Averaging 41 ppg less than they did last season, but also giving up 33 ppg less as well. The outcome, however you do the math, is the same. They are still winning.
Cowley is now 4-1 on the year with a rematch against NOC-Tonkawa Saturday, who handed them their only loss thus far, 77-72, at home, in the second game of the season. No scoring summary was available at press time.
