Defending champs reload quickly
Head coach Josh Newman had three weeks to put together a team before school started last fall. The result so far hasn't been to bad. The Lions are currently 19-8 on the season in Region 2. JucoJunction had a chance to touch base with the first year head coach on his players' recruitment today.
Paul Campbell (FR) 6-foot-10 (200) from Toronto, Ontario signed early with Winthrop University. Campbell will have three years to play for the Eagles.
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Chris Echols (FR) 6-foot-6 (225) from Blytheville, AR.
"Echols is an extremely athletic 4/3 man," said Newman.
Chris is an academic qualifier who will have three years to play after this season at the next level. Chris must work on his perimeter skills for the next level.
Tennessee Tech-offered, Tennessee-Chattanooga-offered, UNC-Wilmington offered, Winthrop-offered, San Diego-offered, Arkansas State-offered are all showing interest in the freshman. Echols is averaging 13.2 ppg and 6.5 rebounds this season for the Lions.
Kechan Myers (SO) 6-foot-0 (170) from Philadelphia, PA. Myers played last season at Panola JC (TX) under Scott Monarch.
"Kechan plays the point guard for us, but he's more of a combo guard. He can really score the ball in transition and likes to play in an up tempo setting," said Newman.
New Orleans and LaSalle are keeping tabs on Myers this spring. Kechan is averaging 14.6 ppg, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season while playing about 38 minutes a game. Kechan has been at about 18 ppg since the break.
Jacolby Hardiman (FR) 6-foot-5 (190) from Milwaukee, WI. Hardiman is an academic qualifier out of Bradley Tech High School.
"The small forward is the universal do it all guard, he's our best defender. Jacolby is a extremely tough kid," said Newman.
Hardiman recently scored 28 points versus Arkansas Baptist. Jacolby is averaging 11.2 ppg and 5.2 rebounds this season. Indiana State is really courting Hardiman's progress this spring.
Justin Bailey: (FR) 6-foot-1 (170) from Fort Smith, AR. Bailey redshirted last year on the national championship team. Bailey is a shooting guard nicknamed "Squash" that comes first off the bench for the Lions.
"Justin will be able to move on this spring and graduate and have three years to play at the next level," said Newman.
Justin is a all-academic kid with a 3.5 GPA and averages 7.4 ppg for the Lions.
Zane Meehl: (FR) 6-foot-3 (185) from New Zealand.
"Zane is very versatile he can play the 1,2 or 3 positions for us," said Newman.
The academic qualifier will entertain offers after this season and have three years to play at the next level. Zane is getting 5.9 ppg a night.
Arol Longar: (FR) 6-foot-9 (230) from Rochester, MN. Longar is the brother of Longar Longar at Oklahoma. Arol transferred in from Bevil State-Fayette (AL)
where he redshirted at last season. Longar can leave this season and have three years to play.
"The low post player can really the run the floor but is raw on the offensive side of the game," said Newman.