#1 Barton County (KS) CC has improved to 5-0 after winning the SMSU-West Plains Tip-Off and the Barton County Pepsi Classic. They defeated Lee (TX) CC 88-62, SMSU-West Plains (MO) CC 91-83 in OT and #29 Motlow (TN) CC 92-61 to win the Tip-Off. They bested Seminole (OK) CC 94-79 and Grayson (TX) CC 72-59 to win their event.
6-8 freshman Rodney Epperson made six of nine from the floor to lead the Cougars with 17 points in their win over Seminole. 6-10 sophomore Robert Whaley had 16 points and nine rebounds. Whaley is considered one of the top JC players in the country and committed to Cincinnati. 6-3 sophomore Randy Pulley, who played at St. Louis last season, had 14 points, ten assists and three steals. 6-2 freshman Justin Rose made five of six shots to finish with 14 points and 6-10 sophomore Nouha Diakite, who committed to Louisville added ten points and nine rebounds.
Whaley had 24 points and eight rebounds in the championship game win over Grayson County. Epperson added 14 points and Pulley had eleven points and five assists.
All five Cougar starters are averaging double figures, led by Robert Whaley (16.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.8 bpg). The others are Rodney Epperson (14.0 ppg), Randy Pulley (13.8 ppg, 5.4 apg), Nouha Diakite (12 ppg, 8 rpg) and Justin Rose (11.6 ppg).
They host the Pizza Hut Classic this weekend and will face Bethel College and Lee (TX) CC.
#2 Okaloosa-Walton (FL) CC is 4-0 after wins against Bevill-Sumiton (AL) CC 97-69, IMG Academy 94-77, Jones (MS) CC 111-85 and Delgado (LA) 99-92. Twins Ronell and Donell Taylor scored 29 and 25 points in the win over Jones CC.
6-6 sophomore Donnell had 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocked shots against Delgado. 6-5 sophomore Ronell made five three-pointers to add 21 points. The Taylor twins recently committed to UAB. 6-4 freshman Derek Thomas had 18 points and 6-6 sophomore Michael Phillips added eleven. 6-1 freshman point guard T.J. McCullough had ten assists and no turnovers.
The Raiders face Delgado again on Saturday and Jones County on Tuesday.
#3 Lon Morris (TX) CC is 4-0 after an 86-58 win over Southern/Shreveport (LA) CC, 91-64 victory against Houston (TX) Quest, a 70-53 victory over Weatherford (TX) and beat Midland (TX) CC 95-79.
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6-3 sophomore Edgar Moreno, who signed with Texas, led Lon Morris with 25 points in the win over Midland. 6-10 sophomore Diego Romero, who inked with Florida State, added 24 points. 6-5 sophomore Aaron Curtis, who is headed to TCU, had twelve points and 6-10 freshman Estaban Bonzano added eleven.
#4 Southeastern Iowa (IA) CC improved to 3-0 with wins over Salt Lake (UT) CC 83-79, Doane JV 109-35 and John Logan (IL) CC 68-44.
6-6 freshman Ivan Almonte made nine of 13 shots to finish with 18 points and eleven rebounds against John Logan. 6-2 freshman Marvett McDonald made four three-pointers to score twelve points. 6-1 sophomore Filiberto Rivera had ten points and nine assists and 6-8 freshman Doug Thomas added ten points.
They will play in the Southwest Missouri-West Plains Tournament.
Defending national champion and current #5 Dixie (UT) CC is 5-0 with victories over Glendale 9AZ) CC 77-63, Luke AFB 99-44, Northland Pioneer (AZ) CC 94-82, Palomar (CA) CC 71-45 and Weatherford (TX) CC 94-49.
6-6 freshman Nick Hammer made six of eight three-pointers as he lead all scorers with 24 points against Palomar in the first round of the Dixie State Classic. 6-7, freshman Charles Johnson added 17 points and ten rebounds and 6-3 sophomore Mike Hall finished with eleven points and ten boards.
The Rebels defeated Weatherford in the Dixie State Classic finals to win their 51st straight game at home. 7-0 sophomore Steve Castleberry had 18 points and nine boards. Johnson added 14 points and 6-1 freshman Chris Huber had 13.
They will host the Dixie State Challenge this weekend.