Gordons the name at Sheridan

Anybody recruiting a player named Gordon at Sheridan College is going to have to be a little bit more specific. Gordon Chase and Gordon Brown should provide a solid 1-2 punch for head coach Joel Davidson this season.

Chase, who goes by Gus, a nickname he got in part to separate himself from Brown who was a childhood friend, has already picked up two scholarship offers.

"He's got offers from Montana and Montana State, then Santa Barbara is probably third in line as far as showing the most interest," Davidson said. "He's had a lot of phone calls, but I'm not sure how serious they are. Most people want to see him in Tulsa."

Chase, rated the No. 29 prospect in the class by JucoJunction, will show off his skills at Jerry Mullen's event in Tulsa on July 29th and 30th. At 6-foot-4, some schools are wary of Chase as a power forward. However, he had 15 points and 15 rebounds against the College of Southern Idaho and averaged 29 and 15 rebounds in two games against Western Nebraska a season ago.

"He's just got a knack to score the basketball and rebound. He's 6-4, 245 and that's why a lot of people overlook him, he is a four man," Davidson said. "He really understands how to play, uses his body very well. He is very, very skilled, he can step out and shoot it."

Davidson said he thinks Chase could blossom into a higher level player than what he's being recruited as right now.

"I'm familiar with the Big Sky, because of our region, I've seen it for several years. If he went to a school in the Big Sky, he could be as successful, or close to as successful, as he is here," Davidson said. "I think he could go bigger, but it's one of those things, what are you caught up in? I think there's no question he could go higher, but I don't know if it's going to benefit him to go higher."

As for the other Gordon, Brown transferred to Sheridan from Coffeyville for this season.

"He's a very athletic wing, really really athletic," Davidson said. "He can really shoot the ball well. He had a good summer, he's working hard getting stronger. There's no question he'll be a mid-major player."

St. Bonaventure, Kent and Montana are among the schools showing the most interest in the Coffeyville tranfer right now.

Speaking of transfers, Sheridan's got another one who came to the program from Division One.

Jake Schmidt, who is 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, played last season at the University of Utah. However, he was recruited to the Utes by Rick Majerus and opted to leave after not playing a major role with the new coaching staff.

"He can really shoot the ball and he's going to help us," Davidson said. "I think he will definitely go back to Division One, but I'm not sure at what level yet."

6-foot-9 Panola (TX) transfer Michael Taylor will also provide help in the frontcourt for Sheridan this season.

Over the next few months, JucoJunction.com will be doing team previews from coast to coast to get junior college basketball fans set for an exciting 2005-06 season. To talk about this story with other juco hoops fans, check out the JucoJunction Board or our premium forum.