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Page 4 Monday, March 16, 2015
2015 NJCAA TOURNAMENT
The Hutchinson News
The City of Hutchinson has been the host for the NJCAA basketball tournament since 1949. As the Sports Arena
begins to age and crumble, the city is set to vote on a bond that would renovate it. Still, renovations or not ...
Is Hutchinson the right host?
By Kyle Mccaskey
The Hutchinson News
[email protected]
Mary Ellen Leicht, executive director of the National
Junior College Athletic
Association, lists three reasons Hutchinson is an ideal
host for the NJCAA’s men’s
basketball tournament – history, tradition, support.
“The Jayhawk Conference
is one of the strongest in
the nation in the terms of
two-year college athletics
– it’s the knowledge and appreciation for junior college
athletics,” Leicht said. “I’m
not saying you can’t find
that in other parts of the
country, but it’s ingrained in
Kansas.”
Since 1949, the NJCAA
national tournament has
found a home at the Sports
Arena in Hutchinson.
The building stands as a
monument within the city,
a de facto lighthouse in the
center of Hutchinson that
attracts visitors with its
central location and nearby
amenities.
But 63 years of use
wears on a structure just
as it would human flesh
and bones. The NJCAA,
recognizing current and
future needs for upgrades at
the Sports Arena, warned
city officials that the status
quo could lead to reviewing
whether the tournament
should move to a different
destination.
“The Sports Arena has a
feel to it you really can’t find
in a lot of other locations,
but there were some things,
as people took a look, there
probably are some updates
that could happen and make
it a better experience for our
student-athletes,” Leicht
said.
The City of Hutchinson,
which owns the facility,
responded by conjuring up
a $29 million renovation and
expansion package, partially
funded by sales tax – if voters approve it.
The Sports Arena’s
charms seem to have won
over coaches. Most say
Hutchinson is the ideal fit
for a tournament of this
caliber.
“Absolutely,” said Connors
State, Oklahoma coach Bill
Muse. “I think the tradition
is there, and I’d like to see it
stay there forever once they
get the renovations through
on the bond issue.”
The NCAA holds its
men’s basketball national
championship game at a different venue each year, with
tournament games leading
up to it held in similarly
alternating destinations.
The concept of moving the
NJCAA Tournament around
intrigued Mineral Area,
Missouri coach Corey Tate.
He cites a trip to Hutchinson
for, potentially, one game in
a single-elimination tournament can mean losing his
school money in expenses.
“I’d love for it to rotate,”
Tate said. “Don’t get me
wrong, I think Hutchinson
does a great job ... but I
would love for it to rotate.”
South Plains, Texas coach
Steve Green warns against
moving an event of this
magnitude. His team plays
in a region tournament that,
at times, changes its host.
He said when that regional
tournament stays in one
spot a while, it is prominent.
When it shuffles, it is a challenge to reignite fan interest.
Green joked that he
would love for the NJCAA
Tournament to be housed on
his home floor, but barring
that, he is satisfied with it in
Hutchinson.
“I think they do an outstanding job,” Green said.
“People expect it to be there.
My personal feeling is that I
Courtesy photo
This is an artist’s take on what a renovated Sports Arena would look like from the outside. The NJCAA Tournament’s home since 1949, the
arena is outdated and crumbling. The NJCAA wants to stay in Hutchinson if the arena is renovated.
don’t know it could be done
better anywhere else.”
Hutchinson residents will
vote on whether to approve
a 10-year, 0.35 percent
city sales tax on April 7.
Hutchinson Community
College has committed $4.5
million for upgrades of the
Sports Arena, where the
Blue Dragons play their
home basketball and volleyball games.
In all, $29 million could
be pumped into the Sports
Arena through proposed
renovations. Among those
improvements would be a
new addition to house two
gymnasiums, renovated
locker rooms, a new
main entrance, more and
Travis Morisse/The Hutchinson News
The Sports Arena’s only practice gym is not full-size and doesn’t have room for run-outs beyond the
end lines and sidelines. The lack of a full-size gym for teams to warm up in before games or practice
See ARENA/12 in on off days and inadequate restrooms and locker rooms are among concerns of cited by the NJCAA.
sThe Hutchinson News
2015 NJCAA TOURNAMENT
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Monday, March 16, 2015 Page 9
2015 NJCAA TOURNAMENT
Page 10 Monday, March 16, 2015
The Hutchinson News
2015 TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS
BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Coach: Mike Bargen
Location: El Dorado, Kansas
Record: 29-3
National ranking: 7
Bid: At-Large
Last appearance: 2010
First-round game: Georgia Highlands, 10 a.m. Tuesday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
1 Kyle Steward
F 6-7 So 12.7 5.0
4 Derrick Byrd
G 5-10 Fr 5.3 3.3*
5 Robert Joiner
F 6-5 So 7.1 2.6
21 Jacolby Harris
G 6-2 Fr 11.0 3.3
23Lamar Wofford
F 6-8 So 10.6 7.4
Top reserves
3 Chris Howell
F 6-4 Fr 11.7 6.8
2 Caelan Neal
G 6-0 Fr 5.9 3.0*
12 Travis House
G 6-2 Fr 6.9 2.6
10 Damien Akao
G 5-10 Fr
5.0
1.9
*-Assists
About the Grizzlies
Strengths: No one sticks out as a superstar, and that fits
Butler’s principles. The offense has four players that average double figures, then another five that average five
or more. “The kids have had a tremendous mindset of
being very giving and not caring who gets the individual
credit on a certain night,” Bargen said. The defense does
a little of everything well, but most of all, the Grizzlies
cause chaos in passing lanes. Opponents average twice
as many turnovers (18.4) as assists (9.2). “We really like
to continue to speed teams up,” Bargen said. “The kids
seem to enjoy it. They seem to take some pride in it.”
Nuts and bolts: Winners of their first 22 games, the
Grizzlies took home the Jayhawk West Conference regular-season title ... Bargen’s father, Gary, was the head
coach at Hutchinson Community College from 1978 to
1986 ... House is a hometown hero, playing high school
ball at El Dorado ... Akao was not far away, either, playing
at Kapaun Mt. Carmel in Wichita.
CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Coach: Ryan Mantlo
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Record: 23-8
National ranking: Unranked
Bid: District 10 champion
Last appearance: 2013
First round game: 8:30 p.m. Monday vs. John A. Logan
Probable starters
#
Player HtPosPPGRPG
0
Aaron Thomas 6-2
F
5.8
5.7
3 Demetres Abrams 6-0
G 11.0
2.8
5
Cordea Wilson 6-4
G
7.1
3.6
10
Calvin Davis 6-1
G
8.8
2.7
15 Anthony Vanhook 6-4
F 21.5 11.4
Top reserves
1 Nate Sims
6-5
G
6.5
1.8
4
TJ Evans
6-1
G
10.5
2.1
About the Sea Devils: Cape Fear is led by Anthony
Vanhook, a 6-foot-4 sophomore who averages 21.5
points and 11.4 rebounds per game. Despite being
relatively undersized in the frontcourt, the Sea Devils
out-rebounded opponents by 10 per game.
Nuts and bolts: Cape Fear is making the trip to
Hutchinson for the fourth time in a seven year span.
Coach Ryan Mantlo has a dog named Hutch.
COCHISE COLLEGE
Coach: Jerry Carrillo
Location: Douglas, Arizona
Record: 23-10
National ranking: unranked
Bid: District 1 Zone qualifier
Last appearance: 2001
First-round game: Vincennes, 12 p.m. Monday
Probable starters
#
NamePos YrPPGRPG
1
Arell Hennings
G
Fr 13.6
2.4
2
Jordan Martin
G So 18.1
6.4
11 Daniel Hernandez
G So 16.5
2.0
10
Brayon Blake
F
Fr 16.4 10.3
12Emanual Shepherd
F
Fr
9.3
5.6
Top reserves
25 DJ Blackmon
F
Fr
1.8
3.1
5 Jawan Stepney
G
Fr
6.3
2.5
23 Jaban Garret
F
Fr
5.3
3.4
20
Justin Jones
F
Fr
4.8
1.3
About the Apaches
Strengths: Cochise is one of the higher scoring teams in
the nation averaging 91.6 points per game. Three of their
starters average double figures in scoring.
Nuts and bolts: Cochise started the season with a 14-1
record, but finished the regular season 21-9. The Apache
won their region tournament with a 99-95 overtime win
at Central Arizona College and a 83-74 win vs. Mesa
Community College in the Region Championship game.
However, they came a basket away from defeating
College of Southern Idaho in the District 1 championship
losing 65-63.
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO
Coach: Jared Phey
Location: Twin Falls, Idaho
Record: 31-2
National ranking: 8
Bid: District 1 champion
Last appearance: 2012
First game: Butler/Georgia Highlands winner, 6 p.m.
Wednesday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
1Abdoulaye Harouna G 6-5 Fr 9.5 2.3
2
Shaq Carr G 6-2 Fr 7.8 3.5*
5
Ray Kasongo
F 6-10 Fr 5.9 4.7
25 Fredrick Edmond G 6-3 So 18.8 7.7
42 Austin Winegar
F 6-3 Fr 3.0 2.4
Top reserves
22Ar’Mond Davis
G 6-6 Fr 11.2 3.9
23 Tyson Smith
G 6-2 Fr 10.6 2.6
24Keonta Vernon
F 6-6 Fr 8.6 6.5
*-Assists
About the Golden Eagles
Strengths: Phey had great pieces to work with in this,
his first season, as the Golden Eagles’ head coach. “We
probably had an even better year than I anticipated,”
Phey said. “I don’t want to say it was easy by any means,
but when you have this much support, you just follow
the path and not screw it up as a coach.” Carr, Winegar
and Kasongo all have six games or less under their belt
as starters. Phey made changes after two losses in late
February, but said the team has been unselfish and
understanding with the moves.
Nuts and bolts: Phey spent the previous 10 seasons as
coach of North Idaho, but never made the tournament.
“I’ve always thought about that moment, walking in the
arena there, just thinking how cool it’s going to be,” he
said ... Won first 25 games of the season ... Freshman
reserve Dakota Chambers is the son of former NBA
star Tom Chambers. Dakota’s twin brother, Colton, also
plays for Southern Idaho, but took a medical redshirt ...
Edmond is the only sophomore listed on the roster. He
has signed to Western Kentucky.
COLUMBIA STATE
Coach: Brian Collis
Location: Columbia, Tennessee
Record: 25-6
National ranking: NR
Bid: District 7 champion
Last appearance: 2014
First-round game: 6:30 p.m. Monday vs. San Jacinto.
Probable starters
#
NamePos HtPPGRPG
1
T.J. Dunans
G 6-5 15.8 6.9
2Jamonte Graham
G 6-1
7.7
3.7
10 T.J. Cromer
22Antoine Williams
51 Justin Pride
6 6-3 20.6 3.8
G 6-5
5.6
4.0
G 5-10 6.2 4.7
Top Reserves
12 Immanuel Griggs
6-7
F
9.4
6.6
4
A.J. Dodd
6-3
G
6.7
1.8
About the Chargers
Strengths: Chargers return to Hutchinson after a trip
to the quarterfinals last season. Columbia State has
an explosive offense averaging 85.2 points per game.
Sophomore guard T.J. Cromer leads the way, averaging
20.6 points per game while guard Justin Pride sets up the
attack, averaging 9.5 assists per contest.
Nuts and bolts: Sophomore T.J. Dunans scored 52
points last year in a quarterfinal loss to Vincennes at The
Tournament…Head coach Brian Collins starred in college
as a player for Belmont.
CONNORS STATE COLLEGE
Coach: Bill Muse
Location: Warner, Oklahoma
Record: 31-1
National ranking: 2
Bid: District 2 champion
Last appearance: 2013
First game: Faulkner State/Tyler winner, 2 p.m. Tuesday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
2 Arlando Cook
F 6-9 Fr 10.9 9.4
3 Ronnie Boyce
G 6-4 So 18.5 5.4
4 Corble Ervin
G 6-3 So 15.7 8.4*
15Phabian Glasco
F 6-7 So 12.8 10.5
23 Devin Simms
G 6-3 Fr 10.8 5.9
Top reserves
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
10Damari Edwards
G 6-0 Fr
9.5 3.5*
*-Assists
About the Cowboys
Strengths: There is no shortage of standouts – Glasco is
a double-double machine, Boyce leads five starters that
average double-figure scoring – but Ervin is the spark.
Ervin’s 8.4 assists per game rank fourth in the NJCAA.
Connors State torches the net, making 52.6 percent of its
shots, the best of any team in the tournament. Connors
State has mixed together the right recipe for wins – after
a one-point loss to Arkansas Baptist, the Cowboys have
not lost since. “We kept playing it one game at a time,
one game at a time, and next thing you know, we have
our win streak up to 29,” Muse said.
Nuts and bolts: This is the eighth time Muse has taken
Connors State to the tournament ... The Cowboys drew
the No. 1 overall seed. “I think everybody is excited,”
Muse said. “With the No. 1 seed comes a lot of pressure
with it to perform.” ... Glasco is a transfer from Central
Arkansas.
EASTERN FLORIDA STATE
Coach: Jeff Carr
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Record: 29-4
National ranking: 6
Bid: District 8 zone qualifier
Last appearance: 2014
First-round game: 2 p.m. Monday vs. Holmes
Probable starters
#
NamePos YrPPGRPG
24Demetrius McReynolds G So 15.6
5.4
2
Jermohn Queen
G So 10.9 3.6
3
Payton Hulsey
G So 9.0 7.3
20
Kyler Meyer
F So 15.2 8.2
32
Djordje Beronja
F Fr11.817.4
Top reserves
11 Daishon Smith
G
Fr
8.1
3.0
22 Landus Anderson
G
So
5.4
3.4
About the Titans
Nuts and bolts: EFSU won its third consecutive
Florida College System Activities Association Southern
Conference championship with a record of 10-2. They
are 47-game home winning streak and head coach
Jeremy Shulman has won his third straight conference
coach of the year award. Kyle Meyer was conference
player of the year. Demetrius McReynolds was first-team
all-conference for a second straight season.
Also named first-team all-conference were Payton
Hulsey and Djordje Beronja.
FAULKNER STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Coach: Jack Robertson
Location: Bay Minette, Alabama.
Record: 25-6
National ranking: Unranked
Bid: District 12 champion
Last appearance: 1991
First round game: 10 a.m. Monday vs. Tyler
Probable starters
#
Player HtPosPPGRPG
1 Logan Adams 6-5
G
9.1 7.5
5 Xavier Dortch 5-8
G 8.7 1.8
12 Rafeal Adams 6-8
F 15.3 8.8
14Reagan Eubanks 6-5
G 11.0
4.2
42 Phillip Rankin 6-7
F 13.4 6.2
Top reserves
3 DeShun Tucker
G
5.7
2.3
22 Romoane Eager
6-8
F
4.6
3.1
About the Sun Chiefs: The Sun Chiefs’ average margin
of victory this season is 26.9 points per game and enter
The Tournament on a 13-game winning streak.
Nuts and bolts: This trip to Hutchinson is the program’s
third ever and first in 25 years. Coach Jack Robertson
has won over 800 career games and is in his 42nd
season at Faulkner State. In 1978, he coached the Sun
Devils against legendary coach Nolan Richardson, who
was coaching Texas Western Junior College at the time,
in Hutchinson.
GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE
Coach: Phillip Gaffney
Location: Rome, Georgia
Record: 27-6
National ranking: unranked
Bid: District 13 Champion
Last appearance: First time
First-round game: Butler, 10 a.m. Tuesday
Probable starters
#
NamePos YrPPGRPG
0Doniel Dean
G
Fr 10.1
4.6
1 Taquan Givens
G
Fr
8.9
2.4
3 Denzel Council
F So 11.2
6.2
15 Donavan Harris
C So 11.3
8.3
2 Montrel Goldston
G So 10.9
5.4
Top reserves
10Terrence Thompson
F
Fr
8.7
8.8
32
Ty Toney
G So 17.6 3.5
13 Paris Ballinger
G
Fr
5.0 1.5
About the Chargers
Strengths: The Chargers are aggressive driving to the
paint and drawing foul calls. They ranked third in the
nation in free throws attempted per game (33.6) and
free throws made (21.4).
Nuts and bolts: Georgia Highlands is only in its third
season of basketball. GHC went 0-30 in its first season.
They missed the National Tournament in Hutchinson by
one point on a last second shot last year.
GILLETTE COLLEGE
Coach: Shawn Neary
Location: Gillette, Wyoming
Record: 27-7
National ranking: NR
Bid: District 9 Zone qualifier
Last appearance: first
First-round game: Hill, 4:30 p.m. Monday
Probable starters
#
NamePos YrPPGRPG
14Lorenzon Bonam
G
So16.2 6.8
3 Renard Suggs
G
So 13.3
3.4
12
Ben Glover
G R-So
7.8
3.3
22 Sarp Gobeloglu
F R-So
9.8
6.1
5 Quinton Everett
F
So 14.3
3.9
Top reserves
35Kavell Bigby-Williams
F
Fr 10.9 9.8
24
Brandon Jones
G
Fr 16.8 5.0
About the Pronghorns
Strengths: Scoring. The Pronghorns are ranked second
in the nation in field-goals made per game with 36.6.
They are the sixth-ranked scoring averaging 96.8.
Nuts and bolts:Sophomore guard Renard Suggs set a
school record in the regular season with eight 3-pointers
in a game against Northwest Community College in
Colorado. Suggs has made five 3-pointers in seven
games during his time at Gillette
HILL COLLEGE
Coach: Swede Trenkle
Location: Hillsboro, Texas
Record: 28-3
National ranking: 3
Bid: At-large
Last appearance: 2014
First-round game: Gillette, 4:30 p.m. Monday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
1 Tyrell Green
G 6-7 So 14.9 6.5
3 Marcus Johnson
G 6-1 So 16.7 8.1*
5
CJ Williams
F 6-6 So 8.7 9.5
21 Jemerrio Jones
G 6-5 Fr 12.9 13.1
32 Kristian Keys
G 6-3 So 7.5 3.3
Top reserves
0 Evan Moorman G 6-1 So 11.2 0.7
24 Devocio Butler G 6-6 Fr 11.0 3.9
34 Stefan Zecevic G 6-6 So 6.1 5.8
*-Assists
About the Rebels
Strengths: This team can really shoot the 3, making
46.2 percent from behind the arc. Better than one in four
of their shots come from deep, and four Rebels average
making more than one a game. ... Jones is a beast, easily averaging a double-double and is one of the nation’s
top rebounders. ... Their offense will get a lot of praise,
but they only give up 53.1 points a game.
Nuts and bolts: Trenkle’s brother Brady is the head
coach at Garden City Community College. ... This is just
the Rebels’ third NJCAA appearance ever. ... Won the
NTJCAC conference for the first time in 42 years. ... Lost
a triple-overtime thriller at Coffeyville before Christmas.
HOLMES COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Coach: Jason Flanigan
Location: Goodman, Mississippi
Record: 23-6
National ranking: NR
Bid: District 15 champion
Last appearance: First time
First-round game: Eastern Florida State, 2 p.m. Monday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
3Marcus Washington G 6-1 So 10.0 5.1
4
Daryl Macon G 6-3 Fr 22.9 3.8
5D’Angelo Richardson G 5-9 Fr 6.1 1.1
12 Cedric Harper
F 6-6 Fr 8.7 5.2
32 Dietrich Taylor
F 6-5 Fr 6.1 3.7
Top reserves
2 Jarvis Williams G 5-8 So 6.6 1.8
11 Torlorf Thomas G 6-4 So 4.4 1.8
About the Bulldogs
Strengths: For starters, they come from the same
region, district and state that produced last year’s national
champion. And like Jones County last year, the Bulldogs
don’t come in with a lot of fanfare. ... A patient offensive
team scores just 73.5 points a game, but they know how
to defend, holding opponents to 53.8 points a game. ...
Macon is an elite scorer, and he scores from anywhere
on the court. He’s also one of the nation’s top foul
shooters at 87.9 percent.
Nuts and bolts: Flanigan played in the Sweet 16
at Mississippi in 2001, hitting a clutch free throw in a
second-round win against Notre Dame. ... Won an
overtime thriller with Pearl River to qualify for the national
tournament.
sThe Hutchinson News
2015 NJCAA TOURNAMENT
Monday, March 16, 2015 Page 11
2015 TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS
HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Coach: Steve Eck
Location: Hutchinson, Kansas
Record: 28-6
National ranking: 23
Bid: District 6 champion
Last appearance: 2013
First game: Trinity Valley/Monroe winner, 8 p.m. Tuesday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
1
Zach Winter G 6-3 So 4.2 3.2
5
Bashir Ahmed
G 6-7 Fr 16.8 7.2
12 Austin Budke
F 6-6 So 12.8 4.2
25 Keanu Pinder
F 6-8 Fr 6.3 6.1
33DeShawn Freeman F 6-7 So 18.4 9.2
Top reserves
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
0
Che Bob
G 6-6 Fr 8.6 3.0
3 Akbar Hoffman
G 6-1 Fr 10.5 2.7
21 Moataz Aly
F 6-0 Fr 2.0 2.6
About the Blue Dragons
Strengths: Hutchinson shot the third-most free throws in
the country this season, which serves the dual purpose of
putting opponents in foul trouble and getting uncontested
shots at the line. Freeman can crank out points in the
paint for the offense. Ahmed can join him down there
with his dribble penetration, or he can sneak along
the perimeter, where he connects on 38 percent of his
3-point attempts. Freeman, Winter and Budke are the
only veterans. “They wanted it pretty bad. We only had
three sophomores, but that was enough,” Eck said.
Nuts and bolts: Eck surpassed 800 career coaching
wins this season ... The Blue Dragons set the program
record for blocks this season, now with 223. Aly and
Pinder each average 1.8 per game, and Freeman 1.0
... Winter and Budke are starters found in-state – Winter
from Andover, Budke from Beloit ... This is the program’s
18th tournament appearance. Hutchinson won NJCAA
titles in 1988 and 1994.
INDIAN HILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Coach: John Wardenburg
Location: Ottumwa, Iowa
Record: 29-4
National ranking: 13
Bid: District 11 champion
Last appearance: 2014
First round game: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday vs. winner of
Eastern Florida State/Holmes
Probable starters
#
PlayerPos PPGRPG
0 Akoida Manyang
F
8.6
6.9
1
Malik Dime
C
10.8
7.2
2
Gary Williams
G
13.0
4.5
15
James Harris
G
9.9
2.7
24
Louis Adams
12.7
3.1
Top reserves
23 Jordan Washington
C
14.7
7.4
11
Jerrelle Deberry
G
12.1
4.2
About the Warriors: Indian Hills makes a return to
Hutchinson after losing to Jones County last year in the
championship game. A deep team, the Warriors feature
six players boasting a double-digit scoring average and
average 97.9 points per game. Four other Warriors
average at least 8.4 points per game.
Nuts and bolts: John Wardenburg in his first year
coaching Indian Hills after Barret Peery left to become an
assistant at Arizona State. Wardenburg was an assistant
under Peery and actually was Peery’s high school
basketball coach in the 1980s at Payson High School.
Indian Hills is in Ottumwa, Iowa, which is the hometown
of famous actor/comedian Tom Arnold.
JOHN A. LOGAN COLLEGE
Coach: Kyle Smithpeters
Location: Carterville, Illinois
Record: 27-6
National ranking: 22
Bid: District 16 champion
Last appearance: First time
First-round game: Cape Fear, 8:30 p.m. Monday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
15 Bobby Mannie
G 5-11 So 3.4 1.4
20Martavian Payne
G 6-2 So 16.0 4.3
23Connor Wheeler
G 6-2 So 5.1 3.5*
24 Jordan Martin
G 6-8 So 8.1 5.3
25 Russell Woods
F 6-8 So 13.8 6.9
Top reserves
1Ranell Crossland F 6-6 Fr 6.7 4.3
5
AJ Riley G 6-4 So 9.0 3.8 3.8
32 Tamas Bruce F 6-8 Fr 5.2 4.7
*-Assists
About the Volunteers
Strengths: An efficient offensive team that averages
a16.3 assists on 30.2 field goals made per game.
They also have a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. ...
Defensively, they lock down and give up just 61.4 points
a game. ... They’ve shown the ability to win any kind
of game, including up-tempo (109-89) and slow-paced
(68-64).
Nuts and bolts: Won’t receive the fanfare due to being
a first-timer, but the Volunteers own a win – the only win
– against Vincennes. In that game, Riley had a chance
to win in regulation but missed a pair of free throws. In
overtime, he took over the game and earned redemption.
MINERAL AREA COLLEGE
Coach: Corey Tate
Location: Park Hills, Missouri
Record: 27-3
National ranking: 10
Bid: District 4 champion
Last appearance: 2013
First game: Hill/Gillette winner, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
1 Anthony Virdure
G 6-2 So 13.7 3.1
3 Greg Tucker
G 6-3 So 11.7 3.2
5 Jamal McDowell
G 5-11 So 5.5 6.3*
15 Randy Holmes
F 6-5 So 14.0 6.0
32 Jalen Norman
F 6-6 So 8.7 7.2
Top reserves
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
4 Dwayne Pow
G 5-8 Fr 6.5 1.1
10 Aaron Cassell
G 5-9 So 5.4 1.0
22Freddy Bitondo
F 6-8 Fr
7.5
5.5
*-Assists
About the Cardinals
Strengths: Mineral Area is unlikely to make mistakes
– the Cardinals turn the ball over less than 10 times per
game even with their uptempo offense. McDowell, the
point guard, takes care of the rock. “He has a high basketball IQ. He’s smart about the gambles he takes with
his passes,” Tate said. Holmes is often the beneficiary.
He converts on 54 percent of his shots. “He shoots a high
percentage, but he just plays the game as it comes to
him,” Tate said.
Nuts and bolts: This is the second time Mineral Area has
qualified for the NJCAA under Tate. He has deep roots in
the program – he played for the Cardinals, too. “I know
I’m invested,” Tate said ... Holmes, McDowell, Norman
and Virdure all connect at 42 percent or better from
3-point range ... Tucker is headed to Jacksonville State.
MONROE COLLEGE
Coach: Jeff Brustad
Location: Bronx, New York
Record: 24-8
National ranking: NR
Bid: District 3 champion
Last appearance: 2012
First-round game: Trinity Valley, noon Tuesday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
1
Will Tavares
G 6-6 Fr 9.9 4.1
2 Thomas Rivera
5 Joel Angus III
21
Ran Tut
22Lukas Landgren
G 6-0 So 9.1 4.9*
F 6-7 So 15.5 8.4
F 6-9 Fr 8.4 5.3
F 6-8 Fr 3.9
2.3
Top reserves
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
3 Jaylen Benton
G 6-2 So 8.7 2.7
4 Shackquiel Scott
F 6-7 Fr 7.7 4.5
23 Keith Harris
F 6-7 So 6.9 4.7
*-Assists
About the Mustangs
Strengths: Angus III is the veteran presence, as well
as the top offensive option. On defense, the Mustangs
force bad shots. Opponents shoot just 38 percent against
Monroe, and 29 percent from beyond the arc. The team
has played a lot of man, but may switch to primarily zone
for the tournament. “We can play a big zone and simplify
things for our guys come tournament time. We’ve bought
into it,” Brustad said.
Nuts and bolts: Tut and Harris will flip-flop in the
starting rotation, dependent on match-ups ... Rivera also
averages 2.1 steals per game ... Angus III made the trip
to the NJCAA Tournament a year ago when he played
for Westchester ... Brustad is bringing the Mustangs to
Hutchinson for the sixth time in his tenure.
NORTHWEST COLLEGE
Coach: Brian Erickson
Location: Powell, Wyoming
Record: 30-4
National ranking: No. 15
Bid: District 9 champion
Last appearance: 1969
First-round game: 2 p.m. Wednesday vs. John A. Logan/
Cape Fear winner.
Probable starters
#
Player
HtPosPPGRPG
1William Desillen
6-3
G 21.1 2.6
3Daryle Morgan
6-6
F 10.7 4.1
5 EJ Hubbard
6-4
F 11.7 4.5
10 Colin Mary
5-10 G 8.7 2.2
23 Christopher Boucher6-10
F 22.2 11.6
Top reserves
11
Daniel Milota
5.6
2.8
22
Ammar Rehman
7.4
2.8
About the Trappers: Northwest features a lethal scoring
combo of William Desillen and Christopher Boucher. Both
average over 20 points per game. Boucher averages a
double-double per game as well, snagging 11.6 rebounds
a contest. The Trappers have outscored opponents by an
average of 19.5 points per game.
Nuts and Bolts: Northwest is making their first trek to
Hutchinson since Richard Nixon was president and
the year man landed on the moon. In other words, 46
years. Boucher and Desillen are both natives of Quebec,
Canada. The Trappers also have a player from Prague,
Czech Repuplic in Daniel Milota.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE
Coach: Steve Demeo
Location: Niceville, Florida
Record: 29-2
National ranking: 5
Bid: District 8 champion
Last appearance: 2013
First-round game: Noon Wednesday, vs. San Jacinto/
Columbia State winner.
Probable starters
#
Name HtPos PPG RPG
1 Treshaad Williams 6-6
F
8.9
7.4
4
Jalen Jackson 6-6
G 17.7
4.6
5
Brandon Austin
6-7
G 15.4
4.6
22
Benji Bell 6-4
G 16.7
3.3
41 William Pfister 6-8
F
3.4 4.9.
Top reserves
2 Xavier Moon
6-2
G
7.6
2.6
31 Jordan Capps
6-7
F
8.2
3.3
About the Raiders
Strengths: Northwest Florida State has an explosive
offense that averages 89.3 points a game. The team
shoots at 52.2 percent clip and connects on 39.2 percent
of its 3-point field goal attempts. Three starters average
15.4 points or more and the Raiders outscored their
opponents by an average of 26.2 points per game.
Nuts and bolts: The Raiders return to Hutchinson after
a runner-up finish at the 2013 Tournament. Coach Steve
DeMeo has 17-years of coaching at the Division 1 level,
including a stint as an assistant coach for Providence
from 1998-2008.
SAN JACINTO COLLEGE
Coach: Scott Gernander
Location: Pasadena, Texas
Record: 28-5
National ranking: 12
Bid: At-large
Last appearance: 2006
First-round game: Columbia State, 6:30 p.m. Monday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
1
Naiel Smith G 6-4 So 6.7 4.4
3
Candido Sa G 6-9 Fr 4.7 5.5
5Jevonlean Hedgeman F 6-7 So 10.0 7.6
10 Willie Magnum G 6-1 So 20.9 3.6
22
Michael Carey G 6-5 So 11.1 5.8
Top reserves
0 Dana Raylor G 6-4 Fr
7.4 2.8
24 Donte Thomas G 6-3 So 12.2
About the Ravens
Strengths: They don’t have a dominant rebounder, but
they dominate teams on the boards, taking nearly 18
more a game. ... They handle the ball well and take care
of it, averaging 12.5 turnovers a game. Thomas and
Smith combine for nearly 10 assists a game and four
others average at least one assist. ... Magnum is one of
the more exciting scorers in the tournament.
Nuts and bolts: Gernander played for the 2003 San
Jac team that finished second. ... While this is San Jac’s
20th appearance at the NJCAA Tournament, it will be
the Ravens’ first since 2006. They’ve won four national
championships.
SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE
Coach: Steve Green
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Record: 26-6
National ranking: 25
Bid: District 5 champion
Last appearance: 2014
First game: Vincennes/Cochise winner, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
0
Jerron Martin G 6-1 So 2.4 0.6
1
Andre Spight G 6-2 So 14.6 3.6
4
David Kadira
F 6-7 So 5.8 2.6
15Emmanuel Omogbo F6-7So17.0 9.4
22 Brandon Neel G 6-4 So 10.9 5.6
Top reserves
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
10Diamante Langston G 5-11 Fr 3.4 1.7
11
Pat Birt G 6-5 So 12.2 4.0
23Marlon Jones F6-9Fr7.44.6
About the Texans
Strengths: Omogbo is quite the thumper in the paint,
converting on 62 percent of his shots. Recovered from a
high ankle sprain to start the season, Omogbo’s health
has been a boon for South Plains. “He’s really come
on since Christmas,” Green said. The Texans hold fort
around the 3-point line, stifling opponents to 28 percent
from long range. “We really focus on that. Our league has
a couple teams in it that probably demanded we paid a
lot of attention to that,” Green said.
Nuts and bolts: Green has led the Texans to two previous NJCAA titles, 2008 and 2012 ... A year ago, South
Plains lost a one-point heartbreaker to Indian Hills in the
tournament. Omogbo and Spight return off that team. “I’m
not sure they focused on that all year long. They probably
will now, though,” Green said ... Spight has committed to
Arizona State.
TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Coach: Kris Baumann
Location: Athens, Texas
Record: 27-4
National ranking: 4
Bid: At-large
Last appearance: 2014
First-round game: Monroe, 10 a.m. Tuesday
Probable starters
#
NamePos Ht YrPPGRPG
00 Nicholai Brown C 6-9 So 4.9 4.3
11 Dedrick Basile G 5-10 So 15.0 7.6*
13Clarence Williams F 6-9 So 7.7 6.4
15Sheldon Hagigal G 6-2 So 12.1 2.8
21Preston Anderson G 6-6
Fr 4.2 2.0
Top reserves
4 Jhaustin Thomas F 6-7 So 10.4 5.2
24 Aldonis Foote F 6-6 Sr 8.0 4.5
25Devante Jackson F 6-8 Fr
4.5 4.4
*-Assists
About the Cardinals
Strengths: This is an experienced team with eight sophomores. ... They’re effective on offense as they’re sinking
51.1 percent of their shots, and 41.2 percent from 3-point
range. ... Thomas leads the team by making 61.2 percent
from the field, but he struggles from the free-throw ling at
49.2 percent. ... They have size that has dominated the
rebounding battle, taking more than 41 per game while
giving up less than 30 on average.
Nuts and bolts: Baumann has taken two schools to the
NJCAA Tournament. In 2009, he led Garden City to a
sixth-place finish under the old false double-elmination
format before taking the Cardinals last year. ... Seven on
the roster are Texans, and they have just one international player – Brown from Jamaica.
TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE
Coach: Mike Marquis
Location: Tyler, Texas
Record: 23-9
National ranking: NR
Bid: District 14 Champion
Last appearance: 2014
First-round game: Faulker State, 10 a.m., Monday
Probable starters
#
NamePos YrPPGRPG
12 Ronnie Stacy
G
Fr
4.0
1.6
3 Dominique Shaw
G So 14.4
2.3
11
Faith Pope GSo12.5 6.3
33
Dale Jones
F So 17.3
8.6
44 Ike Okwarabizie
C
Fr
6.8
7.0
Top reserves
24
Tyler Miller
F
So
6.7
4.4
22 Daryl Stewart
G
Fr
6.7
1.6
1
Levi Yancy
F
So
3.4
4.0
32
John Paul
C
So
3.9
3.4
About the Apaches
Strengths: Team strengths have been size, depth and
great spirit, Marquis said. The Apache are ranked 12th in
their conference with a 3-point percentage of 41.2.
Nuts and bolts: Jimmy Butler(Chicago Bulls/NBA all
star) formerly played at Tyler Junior College and flew in
to watch the regional championship game. The Apache
enters the tournament on a three game winning streak.
They are also undefeated (5-0) at neutral sites.
2015 NJCAA TOURNAMENT
Page 12 Monday, March 16, 2015
2015 TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
Coach: Todd Franklin
Location: Vincennes, Indiana
Record: 32-1
National ranking: 1
Bid: District 16 Zone qualifier
Last appearance: 2014
First-round game: Cochise, 12 p.m. Monday
Probable starters
#
NamePos YrPPGRPG
20 Everett Clemons
G So
9.5
4.8
4 Charles Foster
G So 15.1
3.8
33 Mychal Mulder
F So 15.7
6.4
22
Makur Puou
C
Fr
4.2
4.2
32
AJ Patty
F
Fr 12.5
7.6
Top reserves
2 Donte McGill
G
So
11.4
3.4
35 Keith Mack
F
Fr
7.3
4.5
34 Nigel Holley
F
Fr
3.6
3.4
About the Blazers
Strengths: Vincennes has been a powerhouse, making a Final Four
appearance in back-to-back years. They have four players averaging
double-figures
Nuts and bolts: The Blazers ended the regular season as the No. 1
ranked team in the country, but heads into the tournament as the No.
9 seed. Vincennes lost in the regional championship to John A. Logan
College in a 105-98 overtime stunner. The Blazers were previously on a
32 game winning streak.
Arena
• From Page 4
improved restrooms, additional seating for people
with disabilities, air conditioning into the main arena,
and more office and meeting
space.
In January, the NJCAA
committed to allowing
Hutchinson to host the
men’s basketball tournament another 25 years if
the sales tax vote passes.
The NJCAA approved a
similar deal with Grand
Junction, Colorado, the host
of its Division I baseball
national tournament, after
renovations were agreed
upon there.
Leicht said the result of
Hutchinson’s vote would not
necessarily be a reflection
of fan interest in the community.
“I think it’s a matter
of economics, and where
people are with their own
monetary situations,”
Leicht said. “I would not
say it would be an affront to
the NJCAA if the sales tax
is not passed. We certainly
hope it is, but we understand
there are a lot of factors that
go into this.”
The American Legion
Lysle Rishel Post #68 has
operated the event since it
first came to the city in 1949.
Continuity has its appeal.
“The tradition of it – the
American Legion and the
way they put it together,”
Hutchinson coach Steve Eck
said. “It would be a shame to
see it someplace else with all
they’ve done over the years.”
The Hutchinson News
Review
• From Page 6
Peery said. “Our big guys
changed shots, and our
rebounding ... that’s all
we talked about the last 24
hours, because they’re a
great offensive rebounding
team.”
Indian Hills’ two-point
lead vanished when South
Plains’ Billydee Williams
sank a 3-pointer for a 70-69
lead. But with 2.3 seconds
left, Indian Hills’ Lester
Medford was fouled. He
made both free throws.
Indian Hills 97,
Harcum, Pennsylvania 94,
semifinal
Indian Hills’ high-powered offense ran into one
capable of piling up points
too.
Harcum pushed the
Warriors to the last second,
but Indian Hills’ confidence
in another close game
shined.
“They know how to play,
they know how to win,”
Peery said. “They’re used
to winning. They expect to
win. I thought they handled
themselves very well at the
end.”
Kaylee Everly/The Hutchinson News
Columbia State’s Thomas Dunans (1) shoots as Vincennes players
try to block on March 20, 2014, at the Sports Arena.
Indian Hills led 74-59
midway through the second
half when Harcum made a
charge.
The Bears sank 9 of 13
from 3-point range in the
second half. They got as
close as 95-94.
Travis Morisse/The Hutchinson News
Deterioration of the concrete buttresses that support the arched
roof frame is shown here on the southeast corner the Sports Arena
Dec. 24, 2014.
Funding improvements
will pull much of the weight
in discussions to keep the
NJCAA Tournament in
Kansas. On the surface,
Hutchinson and the Sports
Arena have won over visiting teams over decades.
“Hutchinson is the right
spot,” said Butler coach
Mike Bargen, who lived in
Hutchinson when his father,
Gary, coached Hutch from
1978-1986. “I think some
of the outside-looking-in,
in terms of non-Kansas
schools or those other states,
they look at it and say,
‘That’s been there forever
and we could do just as good
a job.’ I don’t know if they
really understand the way
Kansas supports community
college.
“You just don’t see the
turnout you see in Kansas.”
Kaylee Everly/The Hutchinson News
Harcum’s Hakeem Rogers (3) shoots as Indian Hills’ Lester Medford (11) blocks, Friday, March 21,
2014, at the Sports Arena.