Roadrunners add two from Kansas

When Brooks Thompson took the head coaching at the University of Texas - San Antonio, he knew he couldn't piddle around if he wanted to compete in the Southland Conference right away. So the first-time head coach hit the road and the phones hard, trying to find quality players that would fit right into his proposed style of play. He recently found his backcourt of the future in the Kansas JC ranks, landing Melvin Smith and DeMarcus Lyday from Dodge City Community College.

"Brooks did a really good job coming in and establishing a good rapport with them, and creating some interest in UTSA basketball," said Dodge City head coach Brian Hoberecht. "The opportunity to play together and play in that league and have some success was really exciting to them."

Thompson was able to sign both Smith and Lyday despite not yet receiving an official visit from either player to UTSA's campus. The reason why - Thompson is friends with Hoberecht, and when he called his old buddy asking for some help, the connection was made. Both Dodge City standouts had options at other schools - Smith had made a visit to Central Arkansas and Lyday had visited Missouri-Kansas City - but both were sold on the opportunity immediately available at UTSA.

In Lyday, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound Wichita, Kansas native who averaged 11.7 points and 3.5 assists, the Roadrunners get help at lead guard.

"Demarcus is a point guard who can slide over to the two a little bit," Hoberecht said. "He's a good playmaker who also has the ability to score. He's a tremendous defender and a very tough competitor. Our team won 23 games and were conference champs, and he was the quarterback behind all that."

Smith, who at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds is originally from Covington, Tennessee, is a two guard who paced Dodge City this past season at 12.8 points per game.

"Melvin is exceptional in the mid-range game, and can score off the bounce," Hoberecht said. "He's a great defender as well. He was an all-region player and while we have five guys that averaged double figures, he led us in scoring."

Hoberecht will certainly miss the contributions of both Smith and Lyday, but is excited about seeing them move on to a good situation.

"I think it's a good level for both of them," Hoberecht said. "They can step in and make an immediate impact, especially in the philosophy that Coach Thompson wants. They should be good players in that league and should help them compete."

Earlier in the spring signing period, Thompson inked his first recruit - also out of the KJCCC - in Coffeyville combo guard Isaiah Allen.