Future is bright for Olney Central

The Olney Central College Blue Knights made great strides this season under second year Head Coach Mike Burris. The Blue Knights finished the season at 14-17 and lost eight games by four points or less. OCC only had three sophomores on the team this season but, the future in Olney, IL looks very bright. Coach Burris had a chance to talk to JucoJunction today about his players' recruitment and some of his freshmen.

Chris Dougherty: (SO) 6-foot-9 signed with Indiana State University for baseball. Dougherty is a pitcher on the diamond.

Ihsan Phillips: (SO) 6-foot-9 (205) from Philadelphia, PA. The former Philadelphia Lutheran player had a great start to the season. Phillips really showed some flashes this year on how good he really could be. Ihsan played his freshman season at Panola JC (TX) where he saw limited action. Phillips averaged 9.3 ppg and 6.7 rebounds this season. Ish also managed to have 64 blocks this season.

"Ish is an athletic face up four with some three man skills. We had him defend the five at times and he struggled," said Burris.

Phillips is a long-athletic and skilled player.

"I really think Ish will be better at the next level playing with bigger post players," said Burris.

Towson, Central Michigan, Ball State and UT-San Antonio are following Phillips this spring.

Chris Tucker: (SO) 5-foot-9 (180) from Philadelphia, PA.

"Tucker is a tough Philly kid. Tuck can defend and is very physical at the point guard spot," said Burris.

Chris started out at Gloucester County College (NJ) a few years back but never played. Tucker enrolled at Olney Central back in January 2006 and has been there for three full-time semesters. He just played one season for the Blue Knights and should have three years left to play at the next level. Chris averaged 9.2 ppg and 5.1 assists this season for the young Blue Knights.

North Carolina A&T, UT-San Antonio, West Texas A&M and Gannon (PA) are watching Tucker this spring.

Steve White: (FR) 6-foot-7 (195) from Milwaukee, WI. White had a solid freshman campaign for the Blue Knights. Steve averaged 14.5 ppg and 9 rebounds per outing while shooting 63% from the floor.

"Steve in my opinion was one of the best freshmen in our league," said Burris.

White had eight double-double games this season.

"He has a great nose for the ball and is a tremendous offensive rebounded," said Burris.

White must add strength and weight to his frame for the next level. Western Kentucky and UW-Milwaukee are keeping there eyes on him for the future.

Jared Rehmel: (FR) 5-foot-11 (150) from Jasonville, IN. Rehmel is a two guard that's an academic qualifier with three years left for the next level. Jared was an all-region selection this season while averaging 14.2 ppg and 2.4 steals while shooting over 39% from three point range. Jared hit 80 three pointers this season.

"Jared was playing 39 minutes a game for us in league play and averaged 20 ppg the last 6 games of the season. He can really shoot the ball and he's a great competitor," said Burris.

Josh Jones: (FR) 6-foot-4 (200) from Jefferson, ME. Jones is a 4/3 combo forward.

"Josh is our best team defender and is blue collar - warrior type of kid. He took 20 charges this season for us. Josh must now work on his perimeter game and his ball handling," said Burris.

Jones averaged 7.9 ppg and 5.5 rebounds this season for the Blue Knights.

Jeremy Kendle: (FR) 6-foot-2 (190) from Jeffersonville, IN. The strong point guard redshirted this past season for OCC. Jeremy will have three years left after leaving the Blue Knights. Kendle really came on the scene last summer at The JC Challenge in

Indianapolis during the summer evaluation period.

The Blue Knights brought in some new faces at the winter break in Garrick Broadnax and J.T. Hatfield. Broadnax is a 6-foot-4 wing player that spent the first semester at New Horizons Christian in Danville, VA before heading to Olney Central. Broadnax is from Columbia, SC. Broadnax will be a freshman athletically next season. Hatfield is a 6-foot-3 (200) 2/3 man from Terre Haute, IN.

"JT is a long and athletic kid who can really defend the ball," said Burris.

The future at Olney Central College looks very bright. College coaches will be making plans to stop on by in the summer time to check out these talented freshman.