Texas Talk: Roadrunners start fast

Various classics and the beginning of a 22 game conference season in NJCAA Region XIV highlighted this week in Texas. Some of the classics were the Angelina College Classic, Cedar Valley Classic, Collin Co. Classic, and the West Texas Classic at Odessa College.

On Tuesday night, the Texas Eastern Conference opened up conference play. A major upset occurred on this evening. Tyler beat #5 ranked San Jacinto 80-69. Freshman guard Tyrone Cole led the Apaches with 25 points and five 3 pointers. Panola appears to be an early favorite for the conference title, as the rolled over Kilgore 70-57. The surprise team of the conference so far has been Angelina. The Roadrunners opened conference play with a 75-64 victory over Trinity Valley. The Roadrunners continued their winning ways with three victories in their own Thanksgiving classic. Paris opened up conference play with a solid 66-60 win over Navarro. Over the weekend, Collin Co., Cedar Valley, and Odessa were the hosts for three top quality classics. In the Collin Co. Classic, a major upset occurred. Clarendon beat #5 ranked San Jacinto 96-86. This gives the Ravens a 6-3 record, after the first nine games. In the Odessa tournament, #9 ranked Howard defeated Lee 65-47 in the championship game. To reach the finals, the Hawks had to defeat #10 ranked Midland 67-58. At the Cedar Valley Classic, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M defeated Brookhaven 81-75.

Games to watch this week

Navarro @ Angelina

Panola @ San Jacinto

Kilgore @ Lon Morris

Tyler @ Trinity Valley

Temple @ South Plains

Collin Co. @ South Plains

Temple @ South Plains

Weatherford @ Howard

Weatherford @ Midland

Player of the week

Lon Morris College's Hernol Hall

Hernol Hall continued his dominating play this week. He helped to lead the Bearcats to four victories this week. Lon Morris now is 8-0 on the season and 1-0 in conference. On Tuesday, Lon Morris defeated cross- town rival, Jacksonville 67-52. Hall scored 19 points and pulled down 14 rebounds. He even stroked two three pointers in the win. He continued his impressive play at the Angelina Classic in the Bearcats victories over Lamar Pt. Arthur, Carl Albert (OK), and Southern-Shreveport (LA). The 6 foot 10, Hall has signed to play the next year at Duquesne University.

Recruiting Updates

For Angelina College, Chip Cartwright and Jonus Brown are two of the most under-recruited low-mid major prospects in the country. This backcourt tandem has led the Roadrunners to an 8-1 start. So far only Stephen F. Austin has shown interest in the two.

Kilgore College has eight sophomores with NCAA Division I interest. Guard Antonio Odom signed with Georgia State University. Point guard Ron Larris has entertained interest from New Orleans and Georgia State. Second guard, Casey Forge has interest from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. All-American Marcus Hubbard has Auburn, Nebraska, UNLV, Kansas State, and University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Power forward, Dwight Coleman lists Texas Pan American. Guard Michael Harmon has sparked the interest of Gardner-Webb, Utah Valley, and Birmingham-Southern. Swingman James Causey is looking at University of Louisiana-Monroe and Northwestern State (LA). Power Forward, Jonathan Leopaul is looking at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, also.

Lon Morris has Hernol Hall, who has signed with Duquesne, yet the Bearcats have more highly recruited sophomore. Athletic guard, Chuma Awaji lists Troy, Central Florida, and UTEP.