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
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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