Recruiting heats up at NW Alabama

Jared Strode, (SO) 6-foot-5 (210) wing player, has taken some time in life to figure out where he wants to be next year. Strode has signed with NCAA D2 program Columbus State in Columbus, GA. Jared started off his college career at Shawnee Community College in Ullin, IL back in the fall 2004. Strode played just the fall semester before leaving and headed back to Winchester, KY.

"Columbus State was on Jared from the beginning," said Northwest Shoals Community College Head coach Tommy Dillon. "They are going to let him have a lot of freedom on offense and it's a great fit for Jared because he excels in a up tempo style of play."

Coach Dillon and Strode are both from the same hometown in Kentucky.

Teammate Robert Davis has offers from Winthrop and Troy according to coach Dillon. Davis, (SO) 6-foot-4 (195) from College Park, GA, previously attended Enterprise-Ozark community College in Alabama.

Sharpshooter Anthony Wallen, (SO) 6-foot-3 (170) two-guard from Anderson, AL, averaged 11 ppg last season. Wallen is receiving some looks this fall from Middle Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky according to coach Dillon.

"Wallen has a great stroke, you need to know where he is at all times on the floor," said JucoJunction staff member Bret Swanson.

Coach Dillon is in his first season running the Patriots. He is looking to improving on the team's dismal (5-25) season from a year ago. Look for things to change this season in Muscle Shoals, AL.