Jayhawk jive: More from the Sunflower State

COWLEY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE TIGERS

In the pre-season poll the coaches of the Jayhawk Conference have picked Cowley County to win it all. After a 21-11 overall, 12-6 Jayhawk finish last year the Tigers look strong on paper with 6 returning lettermen.

The question is will the Tigers live up to their pre-season hype. 6' 7" forward Marcus Watts from Clinton, South Carolina returns as the Tigers' top scoring threat. He is a pressure shooter who wants the ball in crutal times. He averaged 11.2 per game as a freshman. He is expected to also step up on the defensive end of the floor being the team leader.

6' 4" Julio Anthony is a returning Sophomore shooting guard from Charlotte, North Carolina who averaged 42% from the three-point line last season with a 10.1 scoring average. Look for head coach Brian Jackson to depend on the "Tobacco Road Connection,"for key offensive production this season.

When it comes to point guard 6' 0" sophomore James Franklin from Olathe, Kansas is Jackson's man. Franklin's unselfish play should help him lead the team in assists. His cool ball handling skills are a pleasure to watch. He will be counted on heavily to inspire the Tigers to play the style needed to put "W's," on the board.

6' 8" forward Lionel Saban from France is the other hightower oposite Watts.

Saban, who is still learning the American style of basketball, will be counted on to wax the glass.

Local favorite Dane Kelley from hometown Arkansas City balances out the back court. Every team needs a scrapper like this on their team. Whether he starts or comes off the bench his style of play makes the price of a ticket worth paying for.

Sophomore Andy Bonczyk from Newton, Kansas rounds out the returning lettermen for the Tigers. Bonczyk will be challenged for playing time in a tough back court that now has recruits from Chicago, Wichita, and Kansas City area. He must step up his game.

New faces include:

6' 2" freshman guard Josh Cummings from Chi-town. Cummings must adjust to a different life style coming from the big city to a small town. The question is will he fit in and contribute right off the bat. Chicago is a whole different world than Ark City. It can be an education in itself besides the books.

Freshman forward Matt Muncy comes to the Tigers from Maize (we called it Corn), Kansas a small village northwest of Wichita. A farm community that has grown into a suburb has produced more than corn. The adjustment to small town life will not be as difficult as it has been for other players on the Tigers, but the question that makes Muncy suspect is: Did Maize High School play the level of competition that other big city schools played and can Muncy play to that level? Time will tell.

Freshman forward Santwan Latunde (now is this a basketball players name or what?) from Landover, Maryland is the other out-of-state recruit. He has the name, the question is can produce? If he can, the Tigers have depth to spare.

Cowley County looks as strong as a bull on paper. Jackson doesn't need to stir the pot

to much to make it work. Coaches who have this much talent need to step back and see just how much they need to coach. Some coach too much, others not enough. It is a fine thin line to success.

Cowley opened up at home Nov.1 verses Cloud County, then travels to Concordia to play the T-birds again Nov. 5. This is an early test for both teams right out of the shoot. A good start and the Tigers are on the way, a bad start and the Tigers will have to regroup in Tonkawa, Oklahoma versus NOC-Tonk.

If Cowley can win 6 more games than last year and lose 6 less that would make them

27-5 and a contender for the Regional Title.

COFFEYVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

When it comes to winning games, Jay Herkelman has a knack. Herkelman's 255-84 record speaks for itself. This guy can recruit and recruit well. As long as Herkelman is at Coffeyville they will be in the hunt for the title and a shot at the NJCAA national title.

Herkelman is returning six lettermen to the Red Ravens for the 2005-06 season.

5' 8" guard Boo Richardson from Kansas City, Kansas returns along with

6' 7" sophomore forward Anthony Slack from New Orleans.

Along with Slack is 6' 3" Isaiah Allen, a 6' 3" sophomore guard from Portland, Oregon. The last returning letterman is 6' 6" Tarod Sanders, a wide body from Macon, Georgia.

6' 9" sophomore forward Anthony Griffin from the Brew City along with 6' 7" sophomore forward Ronnie Carter fill out the rest of the experienced bench. Don't be suprised to see valuable minutes from these two, they can play a big factor in the win/loss column.

Coffeyville has loads of depth and experience that sums up to leadership on the floor. Last year's 26-7 finish will be hard to top, but if anyone can do it it will be Herkelman.

Newcomers include: 6' 1" freshman guard Aaron Jackson from KCK. Ja'mal Stewart a 6' 4" forward/guard from Junction City, 6' 3" freshman guard Tyrone Cook from Elizabeth, New Jersey, 6' 7" freshman forward Barry Eberhardt from Inkster, Michigan, 6' 3" freshman guard Brandon Kennedy from Rialto, California, and 6' 3" freshman guard Darrius Blanding from Durham, North Carolina.

The "Ville," opens at home against a touch Butler County Nov. 5, then with always touch

Arkansas(Ft. Smith) on Nov. 8. The Red Raven will then host the "Bricktown Classic," Nov. 11-12 against Northern Oklahoma, Neosho County, and Newman University. If Coffeyville can win just 3 more games than they did last season they would finish 29-4 in a conference that is the cream of the crop.

LABETTE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CARDINALS

 

Head Coach Armando Johnson is returning three lettermen this season. The Coaches Poll is picking the Cardinals to finish in the bottom third in the Eastern Conference this season. There have been some lean years since the Cardinals ruled in the 60's. The once power house rulers have long faded into a bland program. It is up to Johnson to take a program that has been in ashes and pull themout of the phoenix and make them the power they once were.

There is a lot of rust in Parsons and it is time it was scraped off. The Cardinals finished 6-24 last season and again no one player has stepped forth and become the star that Labette needs to shine brightly.

   

6'2" sophomore Stephen Carter a local Parson, Kansas guard returns along with 5'11" sophomore Junction City guard Andrew Yates and 5' 11" Marwin Hudge another sophomore guard from Junction City.

Carter averaged 8.7 ppg and 3.2 rpg last season. He has worked hard in the off-season to improve his shot and become a more aggressive player on the boards. Yates spent the most time in the gym this past season opting not to go home for the summer  taking classes and working under  the weight bar.

 

Others to watch for are Walter Battle, Mike Spillman, Fabio Brito, Joe Roberts and Jordan Bradberry. Spillman is the tallest of the crew at 6'8" and is a freshman from Neodesha, Kansas which has produced some quality athletes over the years in D-II. Battle is a 6' 7" freshman from Chicago. Johnson hopes his street savy is what the Cardinals need to strengthen their board strength. Brito is a  6' 8" Brazilian who must learn to fit in this program. He must learn the language and the American game in a hurry for the Cardinals to improve on their poor record. Roberts a 6' 6" Freshman follows from Junction City. He is a swing man who can play guard and small forward. He must bring strength off the bench for the Redbirds to improve.

Bradberry is another story. He is a 6'6" Freshman forward from Topeka from a area rich in juco talent over the years. It will be up to him to see where he fits in. If he can lace up his shoes and cleanse the boards along with adding a few points off the bench, Labette can move up in the standings.

Johnson will shoot for .500 this season and he would be happy, but most likely if they

finish 10-20 it has been an improvement.