Allen Community College’s basketball team announced the signings of eight players, bringing the total to 15 new players for the 2014-15 season. In June, the college signed on seven players. — Darius Redrick, a 6-2 guard, who hails from Junction City.
Assistant coach Ryan Mahoney said the team will redshirt some of the players, but doesn’t know how many or who.
The newcomers:
“He was here on campus last season,” Mahoney said. “He redshirted and was also the team’s manager. He earned his way onto a scholarship, by working out with our guys on the court and the weight room. We’re looking for him to bring toughness. He’s a hard working kid and very tough.”
— Zach McNabb, a 6-0 guard, helped lead Basehor-Linwood High School to a 19-4 record last season. He averaged 11.2 points and shot 32 percent from behind the arc.
“Zach is a very good shooter,” Mahoney said. “He’s not a one-dimensional player by any means but that’s what he does best, shoot the basketball. We’re looking for him to come in and be able to spread the floor.”
— John Cornett is a 6-7 forward who comes from Camden Military Academy in South Carolina. He’s a transfer student.
“He’s very athletic and a long forward,” Mahoney said. “He’s an extremely intense individual, both on the court and off, which both coach Shaw and I liked when we worked him out. We think he’s going to bring a lot of toughness to the team both offensively and defensively. We’re hoping he comes in as a high-level rebounder.”
— Kevin Bartley, a 6-6 forward, calls Canada home and helped Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute to a 25-8 record. The team won conference and city championships. Cornett averaged 17.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.1 steals and 2.1 blocks.
“We’re looking for him to be a dual threat, inside-outside, a guy that can pick-and-roll and finish above the rim in traffic,” Mahoney said. “But, we also want him to be a guy that can pick-and-pop when a bigger, slower forward is guarding him.”
— Jermaine Long is a 6-2 guard who helped lead Lusher Charter High School in New Orleans, La. to a 17-11 record. He is the school’s all-time leading scorer, averaging 17.8 points and 4 rebounds. He was named to the All-District team and was an All-State honorable mention.
“We really like Jermaine because he’s versatile — he can play all three guard positions,” Mahoney said. “He’s very good off the bounce, attacking the rim. When we brought him up for a visit he just got up to the rim at will.”
— Ithello Cross, a 6-7 forward, is from Gainesville, Ga. His high school had a 16-11 record last year, while he averaged 8 points and 6.5 rebounds.
“He comes from a very athletic family,” Mahoney said. “He has three older brothers, that all play collegiate football. One of his brothers, Imani Cross, is in line to be the starting running back at Nebraska next year. He’s a hard worker, we’re looking for him to come in and compete to control the paint.”
— Jemeel Henson is another 6-7 forward that ACC picked up. He comes from Kansas City Central and graduated in 2013. He didn’t play basketball last year.
“He’s a long wiry, very good athlete,” Mahoney said. “He’s a tough, hard-nosed kid that doesn’t really back down from anybody. We’re looking for him to be a high level rebounder, block shots, finish above the rim, get garbage points on offense, dump offs and things like that.”
— Richard Thompson Jr., a 6-4 wing from Tulsa, Okla. He was homeschooled and wasn’t able to play basketball his senior season.
“He’s a very good shooter with a nice, feathery touch,” Mahoney said. “We’re looking for him to come in and add depth at our wing position. With Courtney Stockard coming back, he’s our only other true, legitimate wing that can play on the perimeter.”
ACC basketball tops off roster with eight more
