Dwayne Brunson Leading Barton Surge in NJCAA Poll

Barton (KS) has worked it way up to #16 in the NJCAA Division I poll with a 12-0 record, thanks in large part to the inside play of 6-7 soph forward Dwayne Brunson (pictured at right).

Brunson tallied 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the Cougars to a 92-72 win over Northern Oklahoma-Enid during the final day of the Hesston Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 26. A day earlier, he scored 18 points with 11 rebounds and 5 blocks in a 91-83 victory over the host school.

In other recent outings, the Queens (NY) Cardozo HS graduate had 26 points and 12 boards in a 94-54 romp over McPherson JV, 24 points and 8 rebounds in a 113-57 rout of Southwestern Kansas JV, and 13 second-half points in a 91-83 double overtime decision over Frank Phillips (TX).


As expected, Bronx-Monroe took over the top spot in the NJCAA D-1 rankings of 11/15, after soundly defeating preseason #1 Southern Idaho en route to a 5-0 start. The Mustangs upped that mark to 8-0 after sweeping a pair at the Jim Brown Classic in Hagerstown: 99-78 over host Hagerstown (MD) and 85-61 over Allegany (MD). Davon Marshall led the Monroe scorers in both contests with a game-high 27 points against previously-unbeaten Hagerstown followed by 15 points versus Allegany.

Elsewhere among nationally-ranked D-1 teams, Indian Hills (IA) has moved up to the #4 spot and reached the 8-0 mark with a 73-69 victory over host Mineral Area (MO). Dustin Hogue contributed 12 points for the Warriors. . . South Plains (TX) is now #6 with an 8-0 record, as Tymell Murphy recorded 13 points and 9 rebounds in a 90-67 win over Panola (TX) after earlier tallying 22 points and 11 rebounds in an 86-75 triumph over State Fair (MO). . . Lamar-Port Arthur (TX) is at #15 with a 7-1 record, including an 88-76 defeat of Tomball in which Derrick Dawkins scored 12 points. . . Seward (KS) entered the rankings at #18 with a 6-0 log as Daveon Boardingham netted 16 points in a 112-63 romp over Redlands (OK) and 10 points in a 93-61 rout of Clarendon (TX). . . Southeastern Iowa took its first loss at the hands of #2 Coffeyville (KS) 76-52, getting 13 points from Jordan Aaron, who was coming off a 19-point effort in an 80-76 decision over Iowa Lakes. Aaron helped the Blackhawks (10-2) bounce back with a pair of 25-point games: 75-71 over Iowa Central and 91-75 over Lincoln (IL). . . #7 Vincennes (IN) needed two overtimes to top visiting and previously-unbeaten Olney (IL) 72-70. Trivante Bloodman led Olney with 17 points, then added 14 points in a 127-59 rout of Greenville JV and 24 points in a 77-61 triumph over Southern Institute.


In other results around the Thanksgiving holiday:   Anthony Prescott dropped 25 points for Florida State (2-5) in a 68-64 overtime setback to Florida-Jacksonville. He then had a team-high 17 points in another narrow loss, 81-79 to #5 Palm Beach (FL). . . Joel Wright scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds but Blinn (TX) suffered its first loss, 96-82, to visiting Temple (TX). Wright then had 20 points as the Bucs (6-1) rebounded with a 134-52 thrashing of CyFair. Blinn improved to 7-2 with a 123-62 romp over Houston-Southwest, receiving 24 points from Wright, 14 points from Shamel Williams, and 10 points from Rasi Jenkins. . . Karim Rowson netted a game-high 23 points for Western Oklahoma in a 72-64 triumph over Hill (TX) and 14 points in a 78-77 overtime decision over Carl Albert (OK). . . Jo-Jo Swift dropped 19 points as North Platte (NE) downed Hastings JV 89-59. . . Deshaun Wiggins topped 9-1 Eastern Utah with 21 points in a 77-74 win over Central Arizona, 16 points in a 78-74 win over Eastern Arizona, 19 points in an 86-82 win over McCook (NE), and 24 points in a 100-89 win over Western Nebraska. . . Chad Coachman scored a team-high 15 points for Pratt (KS) in an 84-79 setback to Clarendon (TX). . . Jamal Williams had 13 points with 5 assists as Lake Land (IL) lost to Lincoln (IL) and later scored 11 points in a 75-52 loss to #7 Vincennes (IN). . . Giovanni McLean had 14 points for Moberly (MO) in a 71-70 loss to Highland (IL) and 12 points in a 79-60 defeat by #8 Howard (TX). . . Iowa Western is getting contributions from several NY-area players while building a 9-1 record. Delvin Brooks scored 15 points in a 75-70 victory over Ellsworth (IL), Xavier Munford tallied 24 points in a 100-73 beating of South Australia Sports Institute, Brooks had another 15 in a 78-56 romp over Southwestern Iowa, and Kelvin Dixon had a double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds in an 86-64 triumph over Northeast Nebraska. . . Jarrel Joye scored 11 points as Polk (FL) defeated Santa Fe (FL) 68-61. . . Chris Hooper recorded 10 points and 9 boards as Kaskaskia (IL) edged Three Rivers (MO) 74-71. He also had 10 points in a 116-70 romp over McKendree JV. . . Mike Buffalo had 13 points to help Copiah-Lincoln (MS) defeat Northwest Mississippi 73-61. . . Devin Walker scored 25 points and A.J. Thomas had 14 points with 12 assists as Globe Tech fell to 3-2 by dropping a 104-98 overtime decision to Erie. . . Andre Armstrong netted 16 points to lead Rochester Monroe to a 70-64 victory over Allegany (MD). . . Tevin Calhoun had a game-high 17 points and Dwight Gist added 12 points for Hill (TX) in an 83-59 defeat by Navarro (TX). In a previous 78-64 loss to Angelina (TX), Gist scored 14 points and Calhoun added 12. . . Malcolm Brooks had a busy holiday week for Lamar (CO): game-high 20 points in a 78-72 loss to New Mexico Military, team-high 11 points in an 83-67 loss to New Mexico, 12 points in a 70-61 defeat by Cloud (KS), team-high 11 points in a 76-73 decision over Colorado Northwestern, and game-high 18 points in an 84-68 loss to Casper (WY). . . Steven Liebert scored a team-high 17 points with 8 rebounds as Northeastern Colorado lost 84-68 to Murray (OK). James Stukes then had the game-high of 22 points and Liebert added 14 points as NJC (3-5) bounced back with a 110-57 rout of Tabor JV. . . ASA improved to 4-3, getting 23 points from Sa'Quan Davis, 21 points from Daquan Brickhouse, and 19 points with 10 rebounds from Mike McLeod in a 98-88 defeat of Nia Prep.

Ty Murphy Records Double-Double in Battle of Unbeaten Ranked Teams

Tymell Murphy (pictured left) recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds as South Plains (TX), ranked #18 in the preseason NJCAA poll, handed #13 Lamar-Port Arthur (TX) its first defeat, 81-68, at the Midland Classic on 11/12.

Murphy, a 6-5 soph transfer from upstate Mohawk Valley, made 8-of-15 field-goal attempts with 5 offensive rebounds and a team-high 3 assists.

Lamar-Port Arthur (4-1), the defending Region XIV champions, received 10 points from Derrick Dawkins in the loss.

#2 Bronx-Monroe swept its three games at the State College of Florida Classic to reach 5-0, although the finale was a 90-87 struggle over Indian River (FL). Davon Marshall poured in 26 points, including 6-of-6 free throws, to ensure that the Mustangs returned to New York unbeaten with a shot at the #1 spot in the national rankings. . . In Monroe's first game, Marshall had 22 points and Orlando Sanchez added 21 points with 11 boards in an 84-57 rout of host Florida State, which got 10 points from Anthony Prescott. The Mustangs then defeated Daytona (FL) 75-63, receiving 14 points apiece from Drimir Ferguson and Anthony Banks, who also recorded 10 rebounds.

ASA was also at the Florida event, returning home with a 3-3 record after dropping a 69-66 decision to the host school despite a game-high 22-point effort from Mike McLeod. Sa'Quan Davis had the high of 18 points in an earlier 74-64 win over Southwest Academy and Justin Laboy scored 16 points in an opening day 79-68 loss to Broward (FL), marking the 200th career victory for Broward coach Bob Starkman. . . ASA headed south following an 82-79 decision over Bronx, overcoming a 32-point performance by the Broncos' Claude Blue with 16 points from Davis, and 15 points with 8 assists from Daquan Brickhouse.

In other highlights: Prescott had 17 points in Florida State's win over ASA after previously scoring a team-high 22 in his team's season opening 82-78 win over Central Florida. . . Dustin Hogue had 15 points and 8 rebounds as #9 Indian Hills (IA) rolled over Mid-Michigan 109-56. He then added 10 points and 8 rebounds as the Warriors improved to 5-0 with a 94-71 triumph over John Wood (IL). . . Blinn (TX) is also off to a 5-0 start with Joel Wright scoring 19 points in a 79-62 victory over Temple (TX) and another 23 points in a 96-70 win over Houston Blaze. . . Another 5-0 team, Southeastern Iowa, received a game-high 22 points from Jordan Aaron, including 10-of-10 from the line, while coasting over Malcolm X (IL) 101-72. . . Xavier Munford netted 21 points, and Devin Brooks recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, to spark Iowa Western to a 99-78 win over Northeast Nebraska. Munford then had another team-high of 23 points in a 76-56 victory over Johnson (KS). IWCC improved to 5-1 as Munford tallied 12 points and Brooks added 11 points in a 71-65 win over unbeaten Missouri-West Plains. . . Olney (IL) reached 4-0, getting 10 points from Trivante Bloodman in an 84-46 romp over Summit Christian Academy. . . Daveon Boardingham scored 20 points with 8 rebounds for 5-0 Seward (KS) in a 98-61 romp over Highland (KS). . . Jo-Jo Swift had 10 points and 7 assists for North Platte (NE) in a 78-61 defeat by Seward. . . Dwayne Brunson scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds as Barton (KS) improved to 3-0 with an 121-67 victory over Tabor JV. . . Dwight Gist scored a game-high 22 points for Hill (TX) in an 83-75 setback to Navarro (TX) and recorded 12 points and 7 assists in an 85-79 loss to Jacksonville (TX). Hill (4-2) broke its losing streak with 12 points from Tevin Calhoun in a 76-71 win over Cedar Valley (TX). . . Karim Rowson had back-to-back games with 14 points as Western Oklahoma evened its record at 2-2 with wins over Oklahoma Wesleyan JV (87-67) and Mid-America Christian JV (108-48). Rowson then poured in 29 points in a 98-62 rout of Tinker AFB. . . A.J. Thomas scored 30 points to lead Globe (3-1) to a 90-82 win over Lackawanna. In his previous game Thomas recorded 17 points and 16 assists as Globe downed Bronx 87-77. . . Malcolm Brooks scored 18 points (8-of-11 from the floor) for Lamar (CO) in a 106-58 defeat of Little Big Horn and 14 points in a 121-62 rout of Oglala Lakota. . . Jamal Williams scored 13 of his 14 points in the second half as Lake Land (IL) took its first loss, 91-80 to unbeaten 6-0 Vincennes(IN). . . Steven Liebert scored 12 points for Northeastern Colorado in a 79-72 loss to Northwest Wyoming.

Monroe's Win Over #1 Southern Idaho Highlights Opening Week of JC Season

Monroe received a team-high 20 points from Drimir Ferguson (pictured on right) while posting a 71-54 triumph over NJCAA preseason #1 Southern Idaho in the final game of the first Mustangs Invitational.

In the earlier game, Harcum placed six players in double figures to take a 115-97 victory over Genesee, which received 31 points from Kenton Chan-Man and 23 points from Deylon Bovell.

In other highlights during the first week of the 2011-12 season: Dwight Gist scored 18 points and had 9 assists, and Tevin Calhoun added 12 points, as Hill (TX) opened with a 101-45 romp over Southwest Adventist. . . Dwayne Brunson recorded 26 points, 8 boards and 3 blocks to lead Barton (KS) past Bethany JV 116-67. Brunson then added 15 points and 11 boards in a 112-65 victory over Larks. . . Joel Wright scored 23 points to lead Blinn (TX) to an 81-44 triumph over Victoria. Shamel Williams then had 21 points as Blinn downed Tomball 103-57. . . Leroy Isler had a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds as Lee (TX) downed Kingwood 82-50, and then scored 18 points with 6 assists in a 120-64 rout of Houston-Southwest. . . Trivante Bloodman netted 17 points as Olney (IL) topped Summit Christian Academy 80-64, then followed with 14 points in a 108-69 triumph over Aim High Prep. . . Lon Morris (TX) opened with a 67-58 win over Weatherford (TX), getting 10 points and 13 rebounds from Kyle Francis and 11 rebounds from Vernell Blackman. . . Dustin Hogue scored a team-high 20 points as Indian Hills (IA), ranked #9 in the preseason poll, crushed Indiana Dabney 119-57. . . Derrick Dawkins had 11 points as #13 Lamar-Port Arthur (TX), routed CyFair 125-57. . . #18 South Plains (TX) got 14 points from Tymell Murphy on 6-of-7 shooting in an 81-66 win over Ranger (TX). . . Daveon Boardingham scored 23 points for Seward (KS) in a 119-35 rout of Sterling JV. The Saints then moved to 2-0 as Edson Avila scored 13 points with 9 rebounds in a 105-79 triumph over God's Academy. . . Reynaldo Walters had 11 points for Redlands (OK) in a 104-65 victory over Southwestern Christian JV. . . Thomas Moore poured in 31 points to lead Globe past Howard (MD) 89-82. Globe then lost to Prince George's 88-76 while receiving 25 points from Devin Walker and another 18 points from Moore. . . Jordan Aaron topped Southeastern Iowa with 20 points in a 71-68 overtime decision over Moraine Valley. . . James Stukes had 13 points and Steven Liebert added 11 points for Northeastern Colorado in a 70-61 loss to Eastern Wyoming. Liebert had tallied 16 points and 9 rebounds in NJC's season-opening 74-66 defeat by Air Foce Prep. . . Karim Rowson recorded 15 points for Western Oklahoma in a 74-63 setback to Paris (TX).

Monroe Wins Battle of NJCAA #1 vs. #2

Monroe ran up 38-18 halftime lead and maintained a double-digit margin the rest of the way to defeat NJCAA preseason #1 Southern Idaho 71-54 in the final game of the Mustangs Invitational at the new Monroe Ahletic Complex on November 5.

The Mustangs (2-0), ranked #2 in the preseason poll, dominated the perimeter game, getting 20 points from Drimir Ferguson and 18 apiece from Davon Marshall and Marco Bourgault.

Luke Cothron (#25 in picture at left) recorded game-highs of 21 points and 13 rebounds for CSI (2-1), which shot just 3-of-19 from the three-point line.

Both teams were in action at the invitational a night earlier, with CSI rallying to overtake Harcum (PA) 102-92 and Monroe coasting past upstate Genesee 77-39.

BallStars New York JUCO Jamboree - Oct. 30, 2011

Big Apple Sports was among the two dozen junior colleges and prep schools that took part in the 7th Annual BallStars New York Juco Jamboree at Mt. St. Vincent College in the Bronx. Several four-year schools, including some from the Division I ranks, were in attendance.

In the final scrimmage of the one-day event, Big Apple Sports dropped an overtime thriller to Bronx Monroe, ranked #2 nationally in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll. Big Apple got solid backcourt play from their guard trio of Chris Hampton, Eddy Eguisarri and Bolade Akingboyle. Forwards Tyrie Orosco and Winston Egwu also made solid contributions inside against the taller Mustangs.

Big Apple plans to scrimmage other junior colleges and prep schools in the coming weeks.

Notes from Dallas JUCO Blowout - Oct. 7 & 8, 2011

Big Apple Sports was at the Dallas JUCO Blowout where 60 junior colleges and prep schools played in front of scores of D1 coaches as well as scouting services from around the country.

Among the NY-area players we caught in action that we will be following throughout the upcoming 2011-12 season: Joel Wright, a 6-6 forward, from Brooklyn (NY) Jefferson, at Blinn (TX). . . Tevin Calhoun, a 6-6 soph wing guard from Linden (NJ), at Hill (TX). . . Tymell Murphy, a 6-5 forward, from Brooklyn (NY) Marcy Avenue Campus, at South Plains (TX). . . Dustin Hogue, a 6-5 wing from Yonkers (NY), at Indian Hills (IA). . . Kyle Francis, a 6-9 freshman from Brooklyn (NY) Jefferson, and Vernell Blackman, a 6-6 soph from Brooklyn (NY) Canarsie, both at Lon Morris (TX). . . Michael Taylor, from Brooklyn (NY) Boys & Girls, and Darwin Ellis, from Brooklyn (NY) Lincoln, both at Midland (TX). . . Dwayne Brunson, a 6-7 forward from Queens (NY) Cardozo, at Barton (KS). . . Leroy Isler, from Brooklyn (NY) Boys & Girls, at Lee (TX). . . David Samuels, a 6-7 forward from the Bronx (NY) and Phelps School, at Collin (TX). . . Jahseth Lloyd, a 6-6 forward, from Brooklyn (NY) Bushwick, at Hill (TX). . . Derrick Dawkins (pictured at left), a 6-0 point guard, from Bronx (NY) Satellite Academy, at Lamar-Port Arthur (TX). . . Daveon Boardingham, a 6-7 forward, from Newark (NJ) Shabazz, at Seward (KS). . . Chris Gayot, a 5-10 point guard, from Queens (NY) Cardozo, at Missouri-West Plains. . . Isiah Stokley, a 6-2 guard, from Queens (NY) Edison, at McLennan (TX). . . Reynaldo Walters, a 5-11 guard, from Queens (NY) Cardozo, and Allan Marshall, a 6-5 forward, from Brooklyn (NY) Jefferson, both at Redlands (OK). . . Shamel Williams, a 6-5 forward from Brooklyn (NY) Jefferson, at Blinn (TX). . . Kervin Rameau, a 6-5 guard from Brooklyn, at Missouri-West Plains. . . Zieyik Estime, a 6-6 wing from New York, at Panola (TX).