Olney Central looks to make a move

The Olney Central College Blue Knights are looking to make that next move to the top half of the Region 24 Conference. Head coach Mike Burris is entering his 3rd season with the Blue Knights who finished 14-17 last year and lost eight games by four points or less. Burris played at OCC before moving onto Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to finish college career. JucoJunction had a chance to touch base with Coach Burris today on some of his players.

Tijan Jobe: (SO) 7-foot-0 (265) from Gambia, Africa. Jobe played first semester last year at Butler County Community College in Kansas.

"Tijan is as physically imposing as any player I have ever had here at OCC. Tijan has really improved on the offensive end, but right now his defense and rebounding is ahead of his offensive game," said Burris.

Jobe played at Laurinburg Institute for 1 1/2 years before heading to junior college.

Tijan runs the floor very well and he will see a lot of minutes for us this coming season. IP-Fort Wayne, Eastern Washington, Morehead State, Cleveland State and Murray State are keeping tabs on the center this fall.

Burleigh Porte: (SO) 6-foot-8 (210) from Liberia, Africa. Porte was at Butler County Community College in Kansas last fall with Jobe.

"Burleigh has improved leaps and bounds since arriving here. He has shown he can step away from the basket and hit the 17 footer and has a 7'2 wing span," said Burris. "The power forward is very tenacious on the backboards especially the offensive end."

IP-Fort Wayne, Campbell, Morehead State, Cleveland State and Western Illinois have

inquired about Porte this fall.

Ahmad Grant: (FR) 6-foot-2 (170) from Peoria, IL. Grant is a shooting guard that was 5'8 in high school when he graduated back in 2005. Ahmad took 18 hours of

classes as a part time student at Illinois Central College back in 2005-2006. Ahmad didn't attend any classes last season.

"Ahmad is a very good shooter with a great midrange game. He is an above the rim athlete with a scorer's mentality but his length allows him to be a very good defender," said Burris.

IP-Fort Wayne and Western Illinois have inquired about Grant this fall who will try to graduate and move on and have three years left to play.

Derek Garris: (SO) 5-foot-9 (160) from Dudley, NC. Garris attended classes last season at Wayne Community College in North Carolina as a student.

"Derek is a jet quick point guard with a solid handle," said Burris.

Garris has a chance to graduate with three years of eligibility to play at the next level.

J.T. Hatfield: (FR) 6-foot-4 (205) from Terre Haute, IN. Hatfield redshirted last year at OCC when he arrived in January 2007.

"J.T. is an excellent slasher and can really defend with his 6'10 wingspan," said Burris.

J.T. plays the 2/3 spot on the floor.

Ryan Laswell: (FR) 6-foot-3 (205) from Madison, IN. Laswell is an academic qualifier who can leave after this season with three years left to play.

"Ryan is a tough kid with a great basketball IQ. He can really shoot the lights out of the basketball from the two guard position," said Burris.

"This is the best group of kids we have had since I have been here at Olney Central College. We are very,very athletic at the 4 and 5 positions," said Burris.

JucoJunction will see Olney Central next month at the Vincennes (IN) Jamboree on October 7, 2007. OCC will also play at Southern Indiana in Rick Ball's Event on October 20, 2007.