Coming off a 19-11 season that included losing to Cowley Community College on the road in the opening round of the NJCAA Region VI tournament, Barton’s men were dealt somewhat a slap in the face.
The Cougars were chosen to finish seventh out of nine teams in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Western Division in 2011-12.
“I think our chemistry is better and I think we’re deeper,” Barton head coach Craig Fletchall said. “Obviously, to lose two quality players is the reason why we’re picked low in the conference.
“I think we use it as a motivation. I think the reality of it is, we’re better this year, but so is everybody else in the league. It’s going to be a really up-and-down league, and I think a lot of teams are using November to experiment with a lot of different things like we are — different lineups and going small and going big and getting our freshmen acclimated.”
Fletchall, who is entering his seventh season at Barton and is assisted by second-year man Matt Hundley, says the level of play should be enhanced compared to last season.
“Probably more than ever before since I’ve been here,” Fletchall said. “It seems like there’s a lot of talent in the league and a lot of returning players and a lot of transfers.”
Barton’s pool of talent is led by 6-foot-7 post player Dwayne Brunson, who emerged as one of the top freshmen in the Jayhawk Conference last season, averaging a team-high 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds. Also expected to lend some front-line help is 6-4 forward Darius Hill, a spot player for the Cougars a year ago.
The Cougars also have a number of newcomers this season, blending in with the likes of sophomore guards Jalen Boyd, DaVonte Grant and Carl Wallace.
The Cougars lost two players to the NCAA Division-I ranks in swingman 6-4 Colin Beatty, who signed at Pacific, and Adam Young, a 6-8 forward, who was recruited to Cal State-Northridge. Beatty averaged 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds, while Young narrowly missed averaging a double-double, averaging 9.3 points and 9.01 rebounds.
Players that didn’t return include point guard Storm Sanders and shooting guard Kevin Barber.
Barton has gotten off to a 2-0 start in the young season, eclipsing the century mark in both games. The Cougars beat the Bethany junior varsity last Tuesday at home, 116-67, and then drubbed Hesston’s varsity, 112-65 on Thursday night.

Barton Community College
2011-12 Basketball
MEN
 1     Jonathan Pittman          Sophomore       6-6       Forward       New Orleans
 3     Jalen Boyd                   Sophomore       6-4       Guard       Topeka
 4     Kurt Walker                  Freshman       5-11       Guard       Topeka
11    Andell Cumberbatch    Freshman       6-3       Guard       East Orange, N.J.
13    Shaka Thomas             Freshman       5-10       Guard       Topeka
15    Julian Rose                  Sophomore       6-1       Guard       Junction City
21    Ben Proffitt                  Sophomore       6-0       Guard       Nickerson
23    DaVonte Grant            Sophomore       6-0       Guard       Topeka
24    Algie Key                     Freshman       6-3       Guard       Decatur, Ga.
31    Dwayne Brunson         Sophomore       6-7       Forward       Queens, N.Y.
33    Carl Wallace               Sophomore       6-5       Guard       Philadelphia, Pa.
35    Darius Hill                   Sophomore       6-4       Forward       Kansas City, Kan.
RS   Tyler Brashears           Sophomore       6-4       Guard       Leawood
RS   Anthony Goode           Freshman       6-0       Guard       Randallstown, Md.
RS   John Goodson             Freshman       6-3       Guard       Decatur, Ga.
RS   Mario Monroe             Sophomore       6-9       Forward       Dorchester, Maine
RS   Turon Parker               Freshman       6-1       Guard       Canton, Ohio