Red Devil men keyed by newcomers

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Sports

November 1, 2012 - 12:00 AM

Several new faces will grace the court for Allen Community College this season, with a few noteworthy exceptions for local basketball fans.The Red Devil men have brought in a talented crop of newcomers, whose defense-first mentality and work ethic off the court brings promises of a bright future.At the helm for Allen this season is Andy Shaw. Shaw took over at mid-season in 2011-12 for the departed Anwar Perry.To improve on last year’s 14-17 record, the Red Devils will have to become acclimated to each other quickly, Shaw said.Allen has 13 new players this season, a mix of incoming freshmen transfers from other schools.The 2012-13 Red Devil campaign starts this evening at Hutchinson. Tipoff is at 7:30.“Relying on so many transfers probably wasn’t the original plan, but we have a good group of guys who have done everything that’s asked of them on the court,” Shaw said. “They’ve worked hard.”It may take a while for the players to determine their roles within the team, Shaw said, but there is plenty of talent to work with.
 
OF THE TWO returning sophomores, one is well known to Iolans.Seth Walden, a 6-1 sophomore guard, starred on the court for Iola High. He struggled at the outset of last season, as freshmen are known to do, before finding his groove at mid-season.“He’s got a nice shooting touch, shooting 40 percent from 3-point range,” Shaw said. “He probably showed the most improvement on the roster last season.” Walden averaged six points, two rebounds and a steal per game in 2011-12.“He’s had a great attitude in practice — a likable kid,” Shaw said. “He’s the kind of player that you’ll miss when he’s gone.”Meanwhile, Drelan Tripplett a 6-8 forward out of Oklahoma City, will give the Red Devils some much-needed size inside.“He’s big and talented, which is what you need in conference play,” Shaw said.
 
AMONG THE newcomers:— DeAndrea Barnette transferred to Allen from Northern Illinois University. The 6-4 guard out of Oklahoma City will be counted on for his scoring. “He’s a crafty player with a good IQ,” Shaw said. “We’re excited to have him.”— Cameron Blue is a 6-6 combo guard/forward out of Pflugerville, Texas. He also is a transfer, coming from Lamar State College in Port Arthur, Texas. “He can play the guard, but he’ll really help us because he can play forward, where we don’t have a lot of depth, “ Shaw said. “He’s a good shooter with a smooth stroke. He’ll be counted on for his defense and rebounding, too.”— Andrew Rountree, 6-4, comes to ACC from Portland, Ore., after transferring from Eastern Arizona University, whose athleticism already has drawn attention from four-year universities. “He can finish above the rim, and he plays hard. He’s vocal on the court, and he knows the game very well. He’ll provide some valuable leadership.”— Ce’Zanne Burnes, a 5-11 freshman out of Atchison, took a medical redshirt last year at Johnson County Community College before transferring to ACC. “He handles the ball very well, and he’s a good defender and he likes to create for others. He’ll get a lot of time at point guard.”— Ricky Roberts is a 6-foot freshman from Richland Hills, Texas, who best can be described as a “gym rat,” Shaw said. “He’s got a scorer’s mentality, and he’s put in a lot of work in the weight room. He’s the type of kid you have to pull off the court at the end of the day.”— Tray Fountain, at 6-foot, gives the Red Devils a quick guard “who can finish at the rim,” Shaw said. “His speed and athleticism are his strength. He’s very good in transition.”— Diallo Wesley, 5-10, is a Wichita freshman who can create off the dribble for his teammates. “He can get into the lane to distribute, but he’s also got a nice little floater, and he’s a threat with his pull-up jumper,” Shaw said. “He was all-conference in high school. He’s another good kid on a roster full of them.”— Bryce Schippers is a medical redshirt transfer from Garden City Community College. The 6-3 sophomore is from Overland Park. “He transferred because he wanted to be closer to home,” Shaw said. “He’s a good shooter who handles the ball a lot better than people give him credit for.”— Ben Uno is a 6-2 guard out of Irving, Texas. “We brought him in late, around the first week of school,” Shaw said. “He keeps practices fun. He can score at the rim or hit from the three.”— Alex Keiswetter was one of Wesley’s teammates in high school. At 6-5, the Wichita native will be counted on for his rebounding and defense. “He does a lot of the dirty work that teams need to be successful,” Shaw said. “He’ll take a charge, dive on the floor for a loose ball, help with rebounding. He’s the type of player every coach wishes he has because he works so hard.”— Mitchell Walter, at 6-10, is the Red Devils’ tallest player and will be counted on inside, Shaw said. The Washington native “has probably improved the most out of anybody on the roster,” Shaw said. “He’s been working on his skills since the day he got here. He’s tall and skinny, but he has good footwork.”
 
TWO OTHER newcomers didn’t have to travel far to find a spot on the ACC roster.Clint Heffern, attending Allen on a baseball scholarship, decided to double his fun and claim a spot on the basketball squad.Like Walden, Heffern was a multi-sport standout at Iola High.“We’re excited about having Clint on the team,” Shaw said. “He’s got a lot of talent, and he’ll outwork anybody. You have to in order to play two sports like he’s doing. His schedule is unbelievable.“I think if you’d ask him to run through a brick wall, he’d do it for you,” the coach continued. “And as hard as he works himself, he’s also learning to be more vocal, to encourage the other guys. I would gladly take a roster of Clint Hefferns.”Former Yates Center High standout Paul Stockebrand earned a roster spot for his performance during open tryouts.“We’re glad he decided to pick the sport back up,” Shaw said. “At 6-4, he’s been able to help with our post game.”
 
SHAW said Cowley and Coffeyville community colleges look to be threats for the Jayhawk Conference and Region VI titles this year.“But the Jayhawk Conference is loaded with good teams,” he said. “Whoever wins this conference will have to earn it.”

Allen Community College
2012-2013
Men’s Basketball Schedule
Nov. 1 — Hutchinson, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 3 — North Central Mo., 4 p.m.
Nov. 6 — Butler Coonty, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 — Brown Mackie Classic
ACC vs. K-State Salina, 5 p.m.
Nov. 10 — Brown Mackie Classic
ACC vs. Brown Mackie
Nov. 13 — Pratt, 8 p.m.
Nov. 17 — Hutchinson, 7 p.m.
Nov. 20 — Butler County, 8 p.m.
Nov. 28 — North Central Mo., 8 p.m.
Dec. 3 — Southwestern JV, 7 p.m.
Dec. 5 — Pratt, 8 p.m.
Dec. 8 — Hesston, 4 p.m.
Jan. 5 — Highland, 4 p.m.
Jan. 9 — Independence, 8 p.m.
Jan. 12 — Fort Scott, 4 p.m.
Jan. 16 — Neosho County, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 19 — Coffeyville, 4 p.m.
Jan. 21 — Labette, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 — Kansas City, Kan., 7 p.m.
Jan. 26 — Cowley County, 4 p.m.
Jan. 30 — Johnson County, 8 p.m.
Feb. 2 — Highland, 3 p.m.
Feb. 6 — Independence, 8 p.m.
Feb. 9 — Fort Scott, 4 p.m.
Feb. 13 — Neosho County, 8 p.m.
Feb 16 — Coffeyville, 7 p.m.
Feb. 18 — Labette, 8 p.m.
Feb. 20 — Kansas City, Kan., 8 p.m.
Feb. 23 — Cowley County,7:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 — Johnson County, 7:30 p.m.
March 5 — Region VI Tournament
March 8-11 — Region VI Tournament
March 19-23 — NJCAA National Tournament
Home games in bold
Allen Community College
2012-2013
Men’s Basketball Roster
No.    Name    Height    Pos.    Class    Hometown
2    Clint Heffern    5-10    G    Fr.    Iola
3    Ce-Zanne Burnes    5-11    G    Fr.    Atchison
4    Diallo Wesley    5-10    G    Fr.    Wichita
5    Ricky Roberts    6-0    G    Fr.    Richland Hills, Texas
10    Tray Fountain    6-0    G    Fr.    Garland, Texas
11    Bryce Schippers    6-3    G    So.    Overland Park
12    Ben Uno    6-2    G    Fr.    Irving, Texas
21    Alex Keiswetter    6-5    F    Fr.    Wichita
22    DeAndrae Barnette    6-4    G    So.    Oklahoma City, Okla.
23    Cameron Blue    6-6    G/F    So.    Pflugerville, Texas
30    Seth Walden    6-1    G    So.    Iola
32    Paul Stockebrand    6-4    F    Fr.    Yates Center
33    Drelan Tripplett    6-8    F    So.    Oklahoma City, Okla.
42    Andrew Rountree    6-4    F    So.    Portland, Ore.
50    Mitchell Walter    6-10    F    Fr.    Washington
Head Coach: Andy Shaw
Assistant Coach: Ben Rovenstine

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