Massachusetts wing putting up big numbers

For now, it is probably safe to call Mo Horton one of the best junior college players you probably haven't heard of. Most probably haven't because Horton plays at Division III Quinsigamond Community College. But Horton has put up numbers as good as just about anyone--try 37 points, 14 rebounds and five assists a game as a freshman.

"The first semester he was able to kind of blend in a little more, he averaged about 28 and had some guys around him," said QCC head coach Jon Weiner. "Second semester, at one point we had eight players on our team and teams would key on him and try and take him away because they knew he was our only scoring option. To be honest with you, we are D3, but even the D2 teams we played couldn't match up with him. He is an inside outside guy, 6-3, muscular kid, very versatile."

Horton can obviously put the ball in the hole, but it is his all-around game that draws raves from his coach.

"We had possessions where he would battle on the boards, get two or three offensive boards and then score," Weiner said. "I think his best stat last year was he was 25th or 26th in the nation in assists, averaged over five a game."

And recruiters took notice of Horton's impressive debut. He had chances to leave Quinsigamond after his first season, but would have had to take the SAT again due to his academics out of high school. Horton passed on the chance and returned to play a second season for Weiner.

"It was a comfort factor for him and he knew academically he probably wasn't ready to go," Weiner said. "He's got two children that he's in their lives so he wants to stay close to home and that played a part in it as well."

For that reason, when Horton does make his college choice, he is not likely to stray far from the Worcester campus. He has lived in the area for about ten years. Regional teams such as Boston University, Long Island, Northeastern and New Hampshire are keeping tabs on Horton.

"I see him as, if he goes D2, he's going to be a star. He'll be a go to guy," Weiner said. "I think if he goes to Boston U or LIU, he'd be more of a role player. When he plays in summer leagues, to be honest with you, he played in a city league that had a lot of D2 and d3 players, he ended up as MVP of it as an incoming freshman. When he does play at a higher level, he has shown his ability to stand out. I don't see him going to a big name D1 school, but I think if he goes to middle of the road, Boston U, Northeastern, he can definitely have a lot of success and have that success right away."