By ALAN HOSKINS
Did Kansas City Kansas Community College’s move to Division II basketball come two years too late?
Coach Jon Oler might think so. Led by the nation’s rebounding leader, Marshall star Dennis Tinnon, the 2010-11 Blue Devils came within one win of the Jayhawk East championship and were 7-0 against four of the five teams they will be competing against in Division II for a right to advance to the national tournament – Johnson County, Fort Scott, Highland and Brown Mackie (Hesston is the fifth team).
Oler, however, is optimistic that this year’s Blue Devil squad – although almost entirely new – can make a run at both the playoffs in Division II and the Jayhawk East title.
“We’ve got more size than we’ve had in recent years and more depth,” says Oler. “I’m excited about Division II, especially the format where the top two teams get byes and then host first round games. This is a good group. We scrimmaged Pratt and Colby and beat them both without Josh Rupprecht. ”
A 6-6 forward from O’Hara and the only returnee who started a game last year, Repprecht had a breakout freshman season, averaging 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds on a team that finished 19-12.
“He’ll be a good leader,” says Oler. “He’s tough and a great competitor and may play a little more on the wing this year where he’s improved his 3-point shooting.”
The only other returnees are Jordan Banks, a 6-1 guard from Olathe East, who came on strong the second half of the season, averaging 3.8 points and 1.9 rebounds; and 6-6 forward Austin Hughes of Olathe North, who saw limited action. Evan Burns, a 6-2 guard from Bishop Ward, also returns after red-shirting last season. He’ll have two years of eligibility.
Size will come from a quartet of transfers – 6-6 Chris Parker of Schlagle, who came from Allen County; 6-7 Dominique Washington, a former Hogan Prep standout who transferred from Fort Scott; 6-8 Bader Belfekih, a native of Qatar who played last year at Santa Fe Community College in Florida; and 6-10 Evard Atcho of Cugy, Switzerland, a transfer from Northern Oklahoma.
