Mississippi College Looks to Get Back Atop ASC in 2011-12
Head coach Don Lofton found himself in a familiar position at the end of the 2010-11 season as his team advanced to their 13th American Southwest Conference Tournament in the 13 years it has been in existence. However, the Choctaws took an unfamiliar path, not clinching a berth into the playoffs until the final day of the regular season.
The Mississippi College men's basketball team has enjoyed a run of success that programs in all divisions would envy with six ASC Tournament Championships and trips to the title game in 10 of 13 seasons. The Choctaws had to have a different mindset as they stepped on the court against rival Louisiana College in a loser-goes-home game at the "Golden Dome". The Choctaws pulled away late and advanced to the ASC Tournament as the #4 seed from the East Division.
Coming into the 2011-12 season, the Choctaws have a strong nucleus of players returning, but they will have to replace their top offensive player and the general of the offense. Ken Black led MC in scoring and tallied double-figures in all but one game last season. Point guard Kelvin Lester departed after starting a majority of the games over his junior and senior seasons.
The Choctaws have been predicted to finish second in the ASC East Division. With three starters returning, including an All-ASC selection, to go along with yet another strong recruiting class, the Choctaws will look to get back to the ASC Championship Game for the first time since 2009 and earn their first title since 2007.
POINT GUARD
With the loss of an experienced leader in Lester from last season, the Choctaws will need someone else to step up and take the reins of the efficient offense. In steps returning guard, Marlon Ester (6-0, 170), who will be making the move from the wing position to the floor general. The former Mississippi JUCO All-Star averaged six assists per contest while at Hinds Community College and should make an easy transition to the position. His shooting touch should also challenge the opponent's defense after nailing 35% of his three-pointers last season.
Behind Ester the future looks bright at the position with the arrival of two freshmen in Blake Clark (6-0, 170) and Reggie Davis (6-0, 185). Clark was a First Team All-Region selection at Marshall County High School and was named to the All-Tournament teams for the District, Region, and State Tournaments. Davis is a young player that has the potential to make a huge impact on the Choctaw program.
WING
The lone returning All-ASC player for the Choctaws returns on the outside as senior Greg Pulliam (6-3, 180) comes back for his final season. The Houston, MS native earned an Honorable Mention selection after averaging 11.0 points per game and finishing in the top 10 in the league in three-point percentage (.394). Pulliam brings a smooth game to the floor, and his sneaky slashing ability gives defenses fits. He will be charged with leading the new group of wings.
Stepping up to take the other outside position is MC's top recruit in Brandon Blake (6-3, 203) from Oxford, MS. Blake is an explosive player that brings an excellent rebounding presence to the wings. His athleticism allows him to make explosive plays and opens up good looks for his teammates on the floor. Blake was an All-State performer at Oxford High and averaged 21 points per game.
Junior Jesse Taylor (6-2, 194) will see his first action as a Choctaw this season after missing all of last year with an injury. The upside is that Taylor had a season to learn the offense and the culture of the successful program. The Ooltewah, TN native is an excellent shooter that brings leadership to a young group of Choctaws. While Pulliam and Blake will be slashing wings, Taylor will keep the defense honest from the outside.
Three young players will give the Choctaws depth on the outside with sophomores Caleb Vaughn (6-2, 175), Connor Neuman (6-1, 175), and Calvin Johnson (6-4, 170). Vaughn saw some action last season and has shown great strides in the preseason. Neuman is an excellent shooter that could be used long-range situations this season. Johnson transferred from Pearl River CC and has a lot of length on the wing.
FORWARD
The most athletic returning Choctaw will come in the form of the lengthy post player Chad Jones (6-6, 215), who came on strong as the season progressed last season. Jones will have to fill the large shoes left behind by last year's leading scorer Ken Black. The Southwest MS CC transfer averaged eight points and five rebounds per game last season while leading the team with a .583 field goal percentage. His capability for the explosive game was shown last season against Louisiana College when he scored 25 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.
Joining Jones on the post will be the much anticipated arrival of Trevon Malone (6-7, 215) after spending the last two seasons gaining knowledge of the MC basketball approach. The Memphis, TN native averaged eight points and nine rebounds per game at Tuskegee University before making the move to the Choctaws. Malone is a very coachable player that never stops competing. The fact that he has spent the last two seasons with the team will give him an advantage heading into the early part of the season.
Giving Jones and Malone a run for their money will be Hinds CC transfer Adam Smith (6-5, 210). The former Murrah High standout has a motor that never stops and will give the Choctaws a high energy level on the floor. Smith gives the Choctaws some clout on the inside to complement the length and athleticism of Chad and Trevon.
Junior Micah McNally (6-5, 195) showed some major improvements in his first season as a Choctaw and will look for an injury-free year to contribute down low. The Long Beach, MS native saw action in five games prior to the Christmas break, but an injury forced him to miss the rest of the season. MC will also have a young player looking to contribute in freshman Taylor Fletcher from Denham Springs, LA. Fletcher averaged a triple-double at Central Private School and earned a trip to the State All-Star Game.
SCHEDULE OUTLOOK
The Choctaws will open their season with an exhibition game at Louisiana Tech on November 13th in Ruston. Following the preseason game against the Bulldogs, MC will jump directly into conference play with a road trip to Schreiner and Texas Lutheran at the end of November. The Choctaws will play their only non-conference games of the year in the Belhaven Classic on December 29th and 30th.
The Choctaws will open 2012 with home games against McMurry and Hardin-Simmons, who were picked to finish first and third in the ASC West Division. The first games against the East Division will be against Louisiana College with games against the Wildcats on December 6th and January 9th.
The West Division champion will host the ASC Tournament following the regular season on February 24th-26th.
WRAP-UP
The Choctaws will look to advance to their 14th ASC Tournament in 14 tries as they open the 2011-12 season. Three solid returners to go along with an excellent recruiting class could push the Choctaws back to where they are accustomed to going, and that is the NCAA Tournament.
