Preview 2006: Dodge City is loaded

While Andre Hill, thought to be one of the top prospects in the junior college Class of 2006, will not return to Dodge City for his sophomore season, don't feel too bad for Conquistador coach Brian Hoberecht. The cupboard is hardly bare

Four Conquistador sophomores could head to the next level next year.

Demarcus Lyday sat out last season after transferring, but will be back to run the point and lead Dodge's team.

"He's 6-3, a point guard that can combo at the two a little bit," Hoberecht said. "He's a high major Division One point guard, no question in my mind. I sent Corey Lewis to Colorado State last year and he'll be good there. I was out there recently and he's going to be a really really good player for them. Corey was really talented and this kid's better. He's not better because he's a better point guard, but he's better because he's 6-3, he can get in the lane and do a little bit more."

Joining Lyday in the backcourt will be Tennessee native Melvin Smith.

"He's probably a mid-major kid, really athletic, kind of a slashing two guard," Hoberecht said. "He's got a great mid-range game and a he's great defender. What he is is a great piece of the puzzle, don't see kids with great midrange games and he's got that. He can shoot the three, but his mid-range game is his strength."

Up front, 6-foot-6 Jake Sims will get some looks from Division One programs and should sign somewhere and power forward Quinton Currie has the ability to move on as well.

Here's the scary part: you haven't even gotten started on the prospects at Dodge City.

"My incoming class is phenomenal, really, really good," Hoberecht said. "That's the nucleus of the team is the sophomores. But my best players may end up being my freshmen coming in. Three kids have the potential to be high majors."

We'll just let the coach break them down.

"We got a young man out of Florida, Green Acres, named Charlie Coley," Hoberecht said. "He's 6-7, a combo forward is what I would call him. He is a big time athlete. He has a great knack aroudn the basket to get his hands on the the ball, scoring or passing."

Hoberecht said some had Coley rated as the No. 3 power forward in the state of Florida last season.

"Wade Knapp is a 6-8 kid out of Kansas, a versatile combo forward. He's probably mid major plus right now."

Jaray Mathews, a 6-5 player out of Fort Worth, he's a wing. He is Conference USA good if he'd have qualified out of high school.

With that kind of talent, look for the Conquistadors to make some major noise in the Jayhawk Conference, possibly the best league in junior college hoops.

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.