Transfers look to make immediate impact for Kat basketball team
11/9/2010 8:39:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The pair combined for 29.2 points per game last season as they led Sam Houston to a 25-8 record, the Southland Conference regular season and tournament championships and a berth in NCAA Division I "March Madness."
"The answer is simple," Hooten said. "You don't replace Ashton Mitchell and Corey Allmond. They are two of the best guards ever to play for Sam Houston. What you do is find other talented players, mold them with your returning group and find what works best for your new team."
Last spring, Hooten signed three outstanding junior college student-athletes who can come to Sam Houston and make an immediate impact this year as the Bearkats seek to defend their Southland championship.
The trio consists of and 6-7 forward Marcus James, 6-2 forward Nafis Richardson, 5-10 guard Marcus Williams,
"We're very excited about what all three players bring to the table," Hooten said. "What has impressed me most about the three is their willingness to learn and their work ethic."
James was a two-time all-conference performer for coach Bryan Zollinger at Seward County in Liberal, Kan. He averaged 10.7 points and 5.1 rebounds for squad that went 24-9 in 2010. Seward County lost by just two points to No. 15 Butler in the NJCAA Regional.
James was All-State, All-City and All-Conference for coach Trent Hillard at Wilby High in Waterbury, Conn., where he averaged 22.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.0 blocks.
"Marcus has been a pleasant surprise," Hooten said. "He brings even more of a skill package than we saw when he played in junior college. His versatility inside and out will help him play multiple positions. He is long and athletic and has a great motor. Marcus is very coachable and we're expecting big things from him."
Richardson played for two strong junior college. At McLennan Community College he was a first team All-NTJCAC and conference "Newcomer of the Year" for coach Kevin Gill. Richardson led No. 24 McLennan to 2010 conference championship, averaging 16.4 points and 3.2 assists per game.
As a freshman at Paris Junior College he averaged 12.2 points per game, leading the team to 25-6 record, the TEAC North Zone regular season champion and the finals of the NJCAA Region XIV tournament.
Richardson was a four-time All-Conference performer for coach Ed Sdoo at Hodgson Vo-Tech in Wilmington, Del., where he averaged 23 points as a senior.
"Nafis is a tough, physical player who is a very capable scorer," Hooten said. "He is a capable defender and a versatile player. We're excited to have him and look for him to play a major role in this team's success."
Williams was Hooten's first signing after becoming head coach. Williams earned honorable mention NJCAA All-America as a freshman and second team All-America last year at Cochise College in Douglas, Ariz. He helped lead the Apaches to 26-5 record in 2010 and a 50-13 overall mark in his two years with the team, averaging 20.3 points as a sophomore in 2010 and 18.4 as a freshman.
He led Rio Rancho High School to the New Mexico Class 5A state championship as a junior in 2007 and three consecutive district titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008, averaging 26.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists as a senior.
"Marcus is an extremely talented combo guard who can score and make things happen," Hooten said. "He has great athleticism and is an excellent defender. Marcus has a great work ethic and tremendous competitiveness. He has had some great coaching."
Sam Houston opens its 2010-11 schedule this Saturday, November 13, with a 7:30 p.m. game at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum against Mary Hardin-Baylor.
This week only, Bearkat fans have the opportunity to purchase general admission tickets to all three of Sam Houston's first home games for just $3. That's $1 per game.
The other two contests are against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Monday, November 15 and Saint Thomas on Wednesday, Dec. 1. Both games tip at 1 p.m.
The 3-GAMES-FOR-$3 offer is available online only at www.gobearkats.com. For more information or to purchase other tickets, contact the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
