Coaches calling on Western Oklahoma prospects

Rolando De La Barrera has been all smiles so far this season with his (12-3) club. Luis Augusto signed early with Idaho and Reggie Huffman has verballed to New Mexico on his only visit. Coach De La Barrera has some more players receiving D1 interest and putting the Pioneers and Altus, OK on the map in Region 2.

Mike Lacey: (FR) 6-foot-3 (190) from Alpharetta, GA.

Lacey is an academic qualifier coming out of the Patterson School (NC). Lacey had committed to Virginia Military Institute but opted to go the juco route instead.

"Mike's recruiting is going to pick up as people learn that he's a qualifier," De La Barrera said. "He's a solid 190 and a legit 6'3 with a military type work ethic."

Virginia Military Institute, Florida Atlantic and Maine are calling on Lacey who is averaging 4.6 points per game this season.

Renato da Paz: (SO) 6-foot-10 (340) from Brazil. Da Paz is a third year post player that sat out last year at National Champion Arkansas Fort Smith and as a freshman played at Dixie State College in 2004-2005 under Jeff Kidder.

"When there are no players available that can play with their backs to the basket, a number of people will want this guy," said the coach. "He has great size and hands."

Da Paz is truly a space eater that can shoot it from six feet in. Stony Brook (NY) and High Point are calling on him.

Mario Burns: (SO) 6-foot-0 (172) from Las Vegas, NV. Burns is 24 years old. He attended Feather River CC (CA) back in 2004-2005 where he averaged 14 points per game.

"Mario is a very explosive full court player that is able to slice through most presses," De La Barrera said.

Burns is a crafty ballhandler that will graduate on time. Mario started classes part-time back in 2003-2004 at Feather River CC (CA). Southern Utah, Northern Colorado and

Midwestern State (TX) have called on Burns. Mario is at 9.6 points this season and five assists for the Pioneers.

Johnnie Young and Derrick Wright are two freshman that are playing really well this season for Western Oklahoma. Young 6 foot 2 (180) from Edmond,OK is averaging 9.7 points per game. Young has posted a 29 pt game versus Clarendon (TX) and 21 pts versus Carl Albert State. Wright 6-foot-6 (225) from Brooklyn, NY is a power forward.

"Derrick can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket," de la Barrera said.

Wright is averaging 8.7 points and 5 rebounds this season.