Competition does not get much fiercer than the Jayhawk Conference, just ask Allen Community College head mens basketball coach Andy Shaw.
Last season, the Red Devils started hot with a 10-1 record, but began to lose steam in January when they lost seven consecutive contests.
We had things rolling, and then after Christmas break we hit a slump, Shaw said. We had a lot of things go right in the month of November. A lot of games were close and we won by one, two, or three points. They were really anybody’s game. After the break, a lot of those things that did go our way before, didnt.
The Red Devils finished last season strong, winning four of their last five games to finish 16-15 overall and 7-13 in conference play. For the 2019-2020 season, the goal remains the same for ACC, a 20-win season.
In order to reach that level of success, sophomore forward Malik Hardmon will need to have another big season. Last year, Hardmon averaged 12.7 PPG and 7.8 RPG. Hardmon used the offseason to improve his 3-point shooting to become a threat from beyond the arc. Hardmon will be complemented by D1 transfer guard Joel Boyce from Coppin State University, who spent last season at Pensacola State and was redshirted due to a foot injury.
Boyce is a smooth scorer. He can score off the dribble, get to the rim and finish, good mid-range pull up, and catch and shoot the three, so he can really do it at all three levels, Shaw said. Malik has proven himself in this league, and there will be some times where we have to lean on him and hope he can provide us some leadership.
On Sunday, ACC traveled to Overland Park to scrimmage against Johnson County Community College and Highland Community College. The Red Devils earned a win over Highland, but struggled to find a rhythm against Johnson County.
The jamboree was the first opportunity for Shaw to see his freshmen in live action. Those that stood out were guards Shakim Jenks, Cedric Rollerson, and Tyler Blue, all in a battle for the point guard spot. Also impressing were twins Donell and Donzell Carter. Donell is listed 6 feet 5 inches, and can slide in the lineup at the small forward position, while Donzell is 6 feet 7 inches, and can be deployed as a stretch forward. Shaw also highlighted late signee Erlyn Ramirez, who can impact the floor with his big physical presence.
Currently, the Red Devils have 17 players on the roster. Shaw expects to redshirt a couple of players after evaluations throughout the month of October.
The season is still in the beginning stages, but Shaw already sees avenues in which the Red Devils can improve.
Rebounding will be huge. Last year was the best rebounding team that Ive had, and we have Malik back who averaged a lot of rebounds, so Im hoping that will continue, Shaw said. Historically, I havent had great rebounding teams. With this group right now, it is all about becoming consistent. Right now, we are really good at times, but sometimes we are not, so its a bunch of up and down, but I think we will get there.
ACCs first home game is Oct. 25 against Randall University in an exhibition matchup. The Red Devils will host their annual Red Devil Classic on Nov. 1 versus Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa.
