Cherrington Takes Early Trip; Midland Update

While St. John's bound Rodney Epperson has garnered most of the ink this fall at Midland College in Texas, the Chapparals have several other key players that should propel the program back into the upper echelon of Region V.

One of the players we liked last weekend at the Dallas JC Jamboree was husky 6-7, 240 pound power forward Englebert Cherrington of Belize.

Cherrington, who played at Midland last year, is a physical big man with the ability to knock down the outside jumper. He uses his body well in the low post, scores on contact and knocks down the occasional jumper from the wing.

According to Midland Head Coach Shannon Hays, Cherrington visited Toledo from Sept. 19-21. In addition to the Rockets, Colorado has offered Cherrington, while Baylor and Texas A&M are also sniffing with the strong and athletic forward.

Cherrington's bookend at Midland, 6-6, 230 pound power forward Sergio DeRandamie of Paramaribo, Suriname, attacks the offensive glass with passion. Louisiana Tech and Montana State have shown the most early interest in Cherrington, Hays said.

Another key front line soph should be 6-6, 220 pound jumping jack Hakim Rasul of Tucson, Ariz. Rasul played at Yavapai four years ago, so a clock issue will mandate that he go the D-II/NAIA route.

Another interior player, 6-9 freshman center Mamery Diallo, has committed to Gonzaga. JUCO Junction broke this story last week regarding Diallo's commitment to the Zags.

After seeing Diallo last week at the Dallas JC Jamboree, we feel he is still a bit rough around the edges. He struggled at times on the offensive end, but his frame and ability to run the floor were impressive.

The key to this year's Chaps could be the point guard position. We liked the athleticism and competitiveness of 6-1 sophomore Brian Latham of Memphis, Tenn., but he can be erratic at times. If Latham can bring stability to the position and get the ball to the Midland big men, then the Chaps won't be an easy out in Region V come March.