With five returnees, and a number of talented newcomers joining the Allen Community College basketball ranks, things are looking up for the 2013-14 season.
Head coach Andy Shaw expects the Red Devils to surprise some people, particularly after Allen’s struggles from 2012-13.
Allen had one of its toughest seasons ever last year, enduring injuries and a number of close losses, ending the campaign with a 6-25 overall record and 2-16 mark in Jayhawk Conference play.
“Not to take anything away from last year’s team, but we do seem to be deeper, and we have a competitive bunch,” Shaw said. “And they seem to like each other.”
Among the talented newcomers is Alex Miller, a 6-4 Claremore, Okla., native who transferred to ACC after redshirting a season at Northeastern State University.
“Alex is a scorer,” Shaw said. “He can shoot from the perimeter and create plays off the dribble. He’s good in transition and can score in a variety of ways.”
Raheem Tyner, a 6-6 forward out of Brooklyn Park, Minn., should provide ACC’s most physical presence around the rim, Shaw noted.
“He rebounds well and can defend, plus he has a nice jumper from about 15 to 17 feet,” Shaw said. “He has a physical presence that can make a difference.”
A pair of returning guards, Cezanne Burnes and Tray Fountain, are in the mix for Allen’s starting point guard. Burnes is from Atchison, Fountain from Garland, Texas.
“They both have really stepped up their leadership in practice,” Shaw said. “They pretty much know what I expect.”
Fountain averaged 5.0 points and dished out a team-high 80 assists in 31 games. Burnes, in spot duty, still was third on the team with 26 assists.
Also under consideration for point guard responsibilities is Josh Sweet, a 5-10 freshman out of Topeka.
Three other returnees also should play significant roles on the court.
Diallo Wesley, a 5-11 guard out of Wichita, Ben Uno, a 6-2 guard from Irving, Texas, and 6-4 forward Alex Keiswetter of Wichita had their moments last season, and should offer a stabilizing presence.
“Alex has really improved his game tremendously,” Shaw said. “He’s a more physical player and he looks more comfortable out there.”
An “old” newcomer also may be familiar to Red Devil faithful. Tyrone Jones, a 6-4 forward out of Oklahoma City, averaged about 10 points for ACC in 2011-12, then took a year off the court and enrolled only as a student.
“Tyrone has matured quite a bit,” Shaw said. “He can be a big impact guy for our team.”
Shaw sees a number of formidable opponents in the rugged Jayhawk Conference.
“It’s going to be even tougher this year with Butler moving over to our side of the conference,” he said. “Coffeyville seems to always be tough, Labette is a good team. We have our work cut out for us.”
Allen opens Saturday at home against Hesston.
Allen Community College men’s 2013-14 roster
1 Ben Uno Irving, Texas Guard 6’2 Sophomore
3 Cezanne Burnes Atchison Guard 5’10 Sophomore
4 Diallo Wesley Wichita Guard 5’11 Sophomore
5 Tray Fountain Garland, Texas Guard 6’0 Sophomore
10 Cody Sluder Rantoul Forward 6’4 Sophomore
11 Courtney Stockard St. Louis, Mo. Forward 6’4 Freshmen
12 Josh Sweet Topeka Guard 5’10 Freshman
21 Alex Keiswetter Wichita Forward 6’4 Sophomore
22 Alex Miller Claremore, Okla. Guard 6’1 Sophomore
23 Tyrone Jones Oklahoma City Forward 6’4 Sophomore
30 Jake Ullery Scranton Forward 6’4 Freshman
32 DeShawn Watson Midwest City, Okla. Forward 6’5 Freshmen
33 Raheem Tyner Brooklyn Park, Minn. Forward 6’6 Freshmen
50 Kenya Brown Pleasantville, N.J. Forward 6’5 Freshmen
ACC men’s 2013-14 schedule
Nov. 2 — Hesston, 4 p.m.
Nov. 4 — Johnson Co. 7 p.m.
Nov. 8 — Barton Co. (at Coffeyville), 5 p.m.
Nov. 9 — NOC-Tonkawa (at Coffeyville), 5 p.m.
Nov. 12 — Fort Scott, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 — Dodge City, 8 p.m.
Nov. 16 — Pratt (at Dodge City), 4 p.m.
Nov. 19 — Kansas City, Kan., 7 p.m.
Nov. 22 — Tabor JV, 8 p.m.
Nov. 26 — Hutchinson, 8 p.m.
Dec. 3 — Fort Scott, 8 p.m.
Dec. 7 — Hesston, 4 p.m.
Dec. 9 — Ottawa JV, 8 p.m.
Dec. 12 — NEO A&M, 7 p.m.
Dec. 14 — Johnson Co., 4 p.m.
Jan. 8 — Hutchinson, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11 — Kansas City, Kan., 4 p.m.
Jan. 15 — Coffeyville, 8 p.m.
Jan. 18 — Cowley, 4 p.m.
Jan. 22 — Butler, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 — Neosho, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 — Ottawa JV, TBD
Feb. 1 — Labette, 4 p.m.
Feb. 3 — Independence, 8 p.m.
Feb. 5 — Cowley, 8 p.m.
Feb. 8 — Butler, 4 p.m.
Feb. 12 — Coffeyville, 8 p.m.
Feb. 19 — Neosho, 8 p.m.
Feb. 22 — Labette, 4 p.m.
Feb. 26 — Independence, 8 p.m.
Home games in Bold
Red Devils optimistic for 2013-14
