2010-2011 Team

After qualifying for the Regional playoffs during the 2008-2009 season, the Westerners were looking to make some noise last season in the playoffs, but a 5-9 mark in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) prevented a return trip. Relentless recruiting by Westerner head coach, Jason Sautter should put the team back in the hunt for a Regional playoff berth in 2010-2011. During Sautter’s initial season in 2008-2009, the Westerners made their first post season appearance since 1985.

Key losses for Western Texas College include Trevor Charles (Middle Tennessee State), Edis Derversivic (Long Beach State) and Will Harrison (Quinnipiac University).  The Westerners will have to replace Charles’s scoring, Derversivic’s all around skill level, and Will Harrison’s leadership, strong defense, and general athleticism, according to Sautter.

Malcom Herron (Woodridge, IL), Adidoun Adogoke (Atlanta, GA), and Lonnie Robinson (Deerfield Beach, FL) all return from last year’s squad that went 15-12 overall. Herron is one of the top 3-point shooters in the junior college ranks, and hit 45% beyond the arc while averaging 12 points per game during his freshman year. Coach Sautter also looks for a breakout season for Adogoke. Also known simply as “B”, Adogoke, at 6’8” and 255 lbs, has the body to post up and pull down a good number of rebounds, but can also run the floor.  Robinson, a 6’5” wing, cracked the starting line-up late in the season, but stayed there with his performance. Robinson has the ability to run and jump, and can hit the three with consistency.

Several newcomers should impact the Westerners right away. Chris Brand, a 6’10” transfer from East Mississippi College should exert himself in the post. Sautter looks for Brand to develop his perimeter ball skills, but sees a major upside with Brand. Monzaigo Williams, a 6’ guard from Palmdale, California, possesses elite level speed and quickness. “In addition to possessing the offensive skills he needs to be an effective point guard, Monzaigo can also play defense,” noted Sautter. “He hustles, communicates, and brings a high energy level to the game,” according to Sautter, “he has the potential to be one of the best point guards in the country as a sophomore.”  Deverell Biggs, a 6’ freshman guard, prepped at Omaha Central High School in Nebraska, where he not only won three state championships in basketball, but won the high jump at the state track meet last spring with a 7 foot leap. Biggs, who can penetrate, or shoot the three, also has the capabilities to create opportunities for the offense. Guard, Keith Spellman (Brooklyn, NY), scored over 2,000 points during his high school career, and has outstanding athleticism and quickness, and should contribute to the backcourt. Isiah Stokley, a 6’3” guard from Brooklyn, New York, attacks the rim in the open floor, and possesses the kind of athletic ability that should allow him to contribute. Stokley has worked to improve his shot selection during his transition to the college game.

The Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) should again be competitive at the national level. WJCAC conference member, Howard College is the defending national champions in the NJCAA (Division I). “This is the seventh year I have been associated with the league, and I think the league is as good as it has ever been,” assessed Sautter, “two out of the top five teams in the country in the prea-season polls should be conference teams.”