FORT SCOTT, KS. – No Ceilings
That's the phrase the Fort Scott Community College men's basketball program is going by this year. The Greyhounds are a much different team than a year ago with only one returner.
This year's Greyhound program will feature players from all across the country to try to win its fourth Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference championship in a decade.
From Coach Cochran, "It has been such a great opportunity to be back in Fort Scott and coaching such an unbelievably talented group of student-athletes. What our program has established by our players and coaches so far has truly set a foundation for now and the future. Our players have bought into winning on and off the court daily, we have developed a brotherhood that I hope will last a lifetime. We had a great showing in our first jamboree beating some nationally known programs and I couldn't be prouder of the Greyhounds. We are extremely excited for this upcoming season and we can't wait to pack Arnold Arena this year!"
The Upperclassmen
FSCC will contain five sophomores from Oklahoma or Texas that will contribute to the 2022-2023 season.
From Houston, TX, #1 Kris O'Neal transferred from Temple College, where he helped lead the Leopards to a 20-win season. Before Temple, the point guard led his high school to a 6A state championship.
O'Neal states, "I am extremely thrilled about this upcoming season here at Fort Scott! This will be my first and last year here but I wish I could stay for four years. The culture that we have built in a matter of three months is unbelievable. We have a special group of guys put together this year, and I believe we will win a lot! I am truly blessed to be a part of this basketball program, school, and community but most importantly represent the city of Fort Scott across my chest every game."
#2 Kaden Morgan joins the Greyhounds from Weatherford College, originally from Fort Worth, TX. Morgan was named district 4-6A Defensive MVP in a strong Texas league. He was also an academic all-district selection.
Returner, #3 Bryce Journee from Owasso, OK. The sophomore guard, averaged 5.1 ppg and 3.1 rebounds per game wearing the Maroon and White last season.
State Fair Community College transfer, #10 Clance Crosby. The 6'10, sophomore center has currently heard from multiple division-1 schools.
Crosby explains his thought about the season, "One of my favorite quotes is from Michael Jordan, it reads "some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." That being said, with the culture we've already established here at Fort Scott on and off the court, I believe we will make GREAT things happen this year, I can't wait for the upcoming season. With the hardworking and extremely talented group of guys we have here there are no ceilings and nothing we can't overcome! I'm glad to be a greyhound, it's truly an honor!!! #noceilings #GOGreyhounds"
#12 Sean Franklin transfers from Tyler Junior College after graduating from Choctaw High School in Oklahoma. Franklin averaged 8.5 ppg and 3.5 rebounds per game for the Apache's.
The Freshman
Fort Worth, Texas native #0 Keryn Collins comes to Fort Scott from Division-2 Missouri Southern where he scored a season-high 14 points at Pittsburg State University. Collins is a former Top-100 Player in Texas.
Collins describes, "I'm beyond excited to play for these coaches, this team, school, and town. I'm beyond prepared to give you all a show night in and night out, this year will be one to remember for sure! The culture of our community is unmatched, I'm so grateful to be a part of this and for that I will give my all to the amazing, Fort Scott. Looking to leave a legacy, thanks for having me"
Division-1 transfer, #5 Cooper Smith joins the Greyhound from Northwestern State University in the Southland Conference. The Louisiana native is the leading scorer in school history at Hornbeck High School with over 2000 points.
6'7, forward, #11 Baker Beal from Rock Island, IL. Beal has heard interest from over five division-1 conferences across the country.
The state MVP of Texas, #13 Lamarcus Penigar. Penigar won back-to-back state titles for Clarendon High School and obtained 2A MVP honors after scoring 41 points in the state championship game.
From Basel, Switzerland, #14 Zaid Weibel. The 6'3, guard played in the top league in Switzerland after getting moved up from a stint in the second league.
#20 Mohamed Maxamud, originally from Westerville, OH. The 6'9 forward had a stellar high school career at Westerville South High School.
6'5, guard #23 Shaun Nichols joins the Greyhound from Atlanta, GA. Nichols led his team to a state semi-finalist appearance during his senior season.
Houston, TX native #32 Tariq Johnson comes to FSCC after being named 6A-17 Defensive MVP. Johnson also led the Houston area in charges taken his junior and senior seasons.
#33 Andre Norris, from Arlington Martin High School in Arlington, TX. Norris helped lead the Warriors to a 28-8 season and a 6A semi-final appearance after going six rounds deep.
The Schedule
The Greyhounds were invited to two preseason jamborees; one in Wichita, KS where the Greyhounds beat Lamar Community College, 57-53, and We Are United Prep, 55-41, after dropping the third game 48-50 to Seminole State College. FSCC will play in the GASO Jamboree in Carrolton, TX on the 23rd of October.
Game one the Hounds will travel to Hutchinson, KS for a battle with the Blue Dragons at 7:30 pm on 11/1.
The first games in Arnold Arena will be the annual Gladbach classic on November 4th and 5th. On Friday, the Hounds will host Avila JV at 8:00 pm then Washburn JV the following day at 6:00 pm.
FSCC will start conference play on January 14th when Highland Community College visits Arnold Arena for a 4:00 pm tipoff. This game will be hosted by Landmark National Bank where a free autographed jersey from the 2022-2023 Greyhound team will be given to a fan at halftime.
This KJCCC Regional tournament will start on March 4th with the championship being on March 11th at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, KS.
If anyone is interested in sponsoring a game or having your logo in Arnold Arena for the 2022-2023 season contact Blake Cochran at 620-223-2700 ext. 7280 or by email at blakec@fortscott.edu