Transfers lead the way at NMJC

The Thunderbirds of New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, NM are flying high into the semester break with an 11-3 record under a first-year head coach, Chris Tifft. JucoJunction takes a closer look at the T-Birds in this article.

MarcAnthony Franks, (SO) 6-foot-8 (215), hails from Aberdeen, MD. Franks played last season at Lamar Community College with coach Tifft. "Marc is an athletic big man that can change ends of the floor by blocking shots or by shooting the ball out to 15 feet. He has the tools you would want in a power forward or low post player," said Tifft. Franks is currently averaging 8.2 ppg and 4 rebounds this season for the T-Birds.

David Mecanovic, (SO) 6-foot-3 (190), also came over from Lamar Community College and hails from Australia. "David is a saavy player that really understands the game very well. David has great size for a point guard and his at best when creating for others on the floor," said Tifft. David is currently averaging 4.1 ppg and 2.6 rebounds on the season.

Nick Waddell, (SO) 6-foot-6 (290), transferred in from John A. Logan College in Carterville, IL after last season. Waddell, a power forward from Chicago, is currently averaging 10.7 ppg and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 58.5% from the floor this season for the T-Birds. "Nick has a wide body with great hands and touch. He is hard to handle on the block," said Tifft.

Heath White, (SO) 6-foot-2, transferred in from Clinton Junior College in Rock Hill, SC. White, a Cincinnati, OH native, will have to go the Division 2 route because of academics. "Heath is an explosive athlete that can get to the rim and rebound the basketball," said Tifft. Heath is currently averaging 9.2 ppg this season. White averaged 19 ppg last season at Clinton Junior College.

Derick Pullen, (SO) 6-foot-3 (205), was a holdover from last season's team at NMJC under then head coach Jimmy Voight. Pullen a Chicago native is an off-guard with great size and explosiveness.

Armond Battle, a redshirt freshman 6-foot-7 (190), is a transfer from University of Tulsa. Battle needs to graduate from NMJC this spring to have three years left to play. "Battle is a long and athletic but

needs to continue to improve his strength and get healthy," said Tifft. Battle a wing player is currently 9.7 ppg this

season.

The T-Birds look to make some noise in the second half of season and open up January 1,2010 with Southwest Texas Junior College in the T-Bird Shootout.