Texas Talk

After one more week of play, conference races appear more crowded than before. In the North, things have gotten much tighter. McLennan now only holds a ½ game lead on Temple. McLennan is 7-1 and Temple is 7-2 in conference play. In the East, #14 Angelina and Paris are now tied with a 12-3 conference record. Lon Morris trails by one game at 11-4. Don't look now but San Jacinto is in fourth place with a 10-5 record.

In the West, #1 Howard continues to dominate with a 7-0 record and #12 Midland has a 6-1-conference record. Some more exciting games occurred in Texas, this week. On Monday, #12 Midland defeated South Plains 72-61. Freshman guard Rodrigue Mels led Midland, from Abymes, Guadeloupe with 20 points. Ultra explosive freshman guard, Steve Harley led South Plains with 20 points. On Wednesday, San Jacinto upset #14 Angelina by the score of 65-63. Freshman Booker Woodfox led the Ravens with 18 points. Reggie Fuller 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks led the Roadrunners.

Also, on Wednesday, Lee upset Lon Morris 76-75. Mike White thoroughly dominated play with 25 points. In addition, White's aggressive play in the paint got Hernol Hall in foul trouble and the Rebels held Hall scoreless on the evening. On Thursday, #1 Howard continued their dominance. The Hawks, who are one of the top defensive teams in America, "locked up" New Mexico Military, 84-43. On Saturday, Lon Morris got back on the winning track, defeating Panola 95-86. Freshman guard, Bryson Graham led the Bearcats with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Darren Hopkins led the Ponies with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Also, on Saturday, Temple did their part to shake up things in the North. They beat McLennan 82-80. Corey Harbert led Temple with 21 points. Freshman standout, Marlon Vincent led McLennan with 23 points and 9 rebounds. In addition, TCU commitment, Marvin Gentry did not play for McLennan, due to a sprained ankle.

Games to Watch

(Wed.) San Jacinto @ Lon Morris

(Wed.) Paris @ Panola

(Thur.) #1 Howard @ #12 Midland

(Thur.) Frank Phillips @ South Plains

(Sat.) Collin Co. @ Temple

(Sat.) Lon Morris @ Paris

Player of the Week

This week's Player of the Week has one of the sweetest strokes in juco basketball. This week's honor goes to a freshman, Marcus Thornton, a 6-foot-3 185-pound guard, from Kilgore College. For the week, Thornton averaged 30 points. On Wednesday, in an 83-80 loss to Tyler, the Baton Rouge, LA native tossed in 34 points on 10-17 from the field. He followed that performance up on Saturday with 26 points in an 87-74 victory over Blinn.

Recruiting Update

Without a doubt, one of the most talented forwards in juco basketball resides in Kilgore, TX. Marcus Hubbard, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound young man from West Palm Beach, FL. has three main suitors: Auburn, UNLV, and Kansas State. Auburn may have taken a slight lead.