2008-09 Season Preview -
Season Outlook:
Starters Returning:
# Name HT YR Pos. Hometown School
55 Simon Morefield 6-7 Sr. C Independence, MO Truman HS
GP: 29 GS: 18 PPG: 9.6 RPG: 5.5 FG: 55%
2 Jonathan Carter 6-0 Sr. G Colorado Springs, CO Coronado HS
GP: 31 GS: 11 PPG: 4.8 FG: 46% APG: 2.6 STLS: 22
Top Impact Recruits:
|
Name |
HT |
YR |
Pos. |
Hometown |
School |
Jewel Carter 5-11 JR G Kansas City, KS Highlands CC
GP: 27 PPG: 10.7 RPG: 3.3 FG: 40% FT: 71% 3FG: 30%
Freddy Franco 6-0 JR G Roswell, NM South Mountain CC
GP: 34 PPG: 7.8 FG: 44% APG: 4.8 STLS: 75
Accolades: South Mountain finished 7th in the nation in NJCAA Division II. Compiled a two year record of 44-15 as starting PG for every game.
Michael Johnson 6-7 JR F Kansas City, KS Coffeyville CC
GP: 32 PPG: 3.0 RPG: 2.9 FG: 41% 3FG: 50% BLKS: 17
Accolades: 3rd place national tournament finish in 2007 (NJCAA Division I). Compiled a two year record of 57-14.
Cy Wynn 6-3 JR G/F Sanford, FL Des Moines Area CC
GP: 20 PPG: 2.0 RPG: 1.5 FG: 43% FT: 73%
Accolades: First Team All-State (Seminole HS), Ranked 3rd best guard/forward in the State of Florida. Compiled a two year record of 55-11.
Season Outlook:
During the 2007-2008 season the Yellowjackets made positive strides in the right direction. With some key returners, an exciting recruiting class and new Head Coach Jeffrey Hamilton, the Yellowjackets will look to greatly improve upon last season's successes.
Guards: The guard position returns key player Jonathan Carter (6'0" Sr. Colorado Springs, CO), a part time starter last season. JC is a tough defender and has worked hard during the off-season to expand his game offensively. JC will provide the senior leadership that this team needs. At the off guard position the Yellowjackets return Matt Mullins (6'2" Sr. Burleson, TX). Mullins is a high energy guy and will play a role in this season's success. Newcomer Jewel Carter (5'11" Jr. Kansas City, KS), a transfer from Highlands Community College; will be an immediate impact at the off guard position. Jewel is an athletic scorer who will be a tough match up in the HAAC. Another Newcomer Freddy Franco (6'0" Jr. Roswell, NM), is a transfer from South Mountain Community College. Freddy started every game for the last two seasons at South Mountain, leading them to an overall record of 44-15 and a 7th place finish in this years NJCAA Division II national tournament. Freddy is a good defender, distributor and hard worker; Freddy will improve this team tremendously.
Wings/Forwards: This versatile group will be able to play several positions on the floor. They include two returners and two newcomers. Key returner Jared Stricklin (6'4" So. Grain Valley, MO), is a skilled perimeter player who is a big time threat from behind the arc. At the forward position the Yellowjackets return Lucas Harris (6'5" Jr. Colorado Springs, CO). Lucas is a physically tough defender who can score inside/out. The newcomers are led by Mike Johnson (6'7" Jr. Kansas City, KS), a transfer from Coffeyville Community College who will be reuniting with high school running mate Jewel Carter. Mike will be a key part to the 2008-2009 season as he is a versatile big man who can play multiple positions. Mike is a natural born leader and a good teammate. Closing out the wing/forward position is Des Moines Area Community College transfer, Cy Wynn (6'3" Jr. Sanford, FL). Cy is extremely athletic and will be an inside/out threat.
Posts: Returning starter Simon Morefield (6'7" Sr. Independence, MO) will bring a physical presence in the paint. He will join the team in November after completing his duties as starting defensive end for the Yellowjacket football team. He will be joined by two sophomore big men, Stevan Trisic (6'8" So. Belgrade, Serbia) and Yohana Alphonse (6'8" So. Des Moines, IA), who will see early action while Morefield completes the football season. Both players have improved tremendously over the last year in many areas and are expected to make huge contributions this season.
This will be a talented Graceland team that will look to prepare for the difficult HAAC schedule with a strong non-conference agenda. Non-conference highlights will be the always tough, host of the NAIA Division II national championship, College of the Ozarks; traditionally strong MCC teams Grandview and Ashford; two difficult classic at national powers Columbia College and Embry Riddle University, NCAA Division II power Quincy University and first year NCAA Division I program University of South Dakota.
The Heart of America Athletic Conference has joined the NAIA Division I scene and your Graceland University Yellowjackets have their eyes set on nothing short of a National Tournament, held at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO.
