After seeing two of his starters from last year’s basketball team sign scholarships to continue their basketball careers and two more players still considering their options, Jefferson Davis Community College Warhawk basketball coach Allen Gainer has been busy hitting the recruiting trail.
Gainer, who led JDCC to the South Division conference championship this past season and to the Final Four of the regional tournament before falling to eventual champion Wallace-Hanceville in the semifinals of the ACCC regional tournament in Tuscaloosa 74-60, said only R.J. Bowers will be back from a team that went 19-10 last season and came up only one game shy of a berth in the title game.
“I believe we have signed what will be the top point guards and wings in our conference,” Gainer said. “I am still looking to add some size to the mix.”
So far, Gainer has signed 10 players to help JDCC next season. Of the 10 players, seven are from Alabama while three are from Florida.
Adrian Rich, a 6-4 guard/forward from Georgiana is one player that Gainer has signed.
“Rich was a second team all state player that led his team to a final four appearance in state tournament before losing to the eventual champion,” Gainer said. “He is a very athletic and exciting player.”
Kenny Nabors, a 6-6 wing player from Thompson High School in Alabaster is another Warhawk recruit.
“He had a long body and arms and will fit in great with our pressing style,” Gainer said. “He is left-handed with perimeter skills and will cause match up problems for everybody we play. He played for former Warhawk Greg Dickinson who is now an assistant at Thompson.”
Fletcher Forte is a 5-11 guard from Pensacola High School that will join JDCC next season.
“He won MVP of the Pensacola area all star game and is an outstanding 3-point shooter,” Gainer said.
Chris Oden, Donterious Riggins and Craig Cunningham will all come to JDCC from Sylacauga High School.
“Oden is a 5-9 point guard and is an outstanding defender, great shooter, and leader,” Gainer said. “He led his team to the final four in 5A before losing to the eventual champion. Riggins is a 6-foot guard and is a tremendous athlete. He is a very strong finisher at the rim. Cunningham is a 6-2 wing player who played post in high school, but will move to wing for us. He is a hustle player with high intensity and desire.”
Van Dale Daniels comes to JDCC from Tallassee.
“He is a 6-3 post player and is an active rebounder,” Gainer said. “While undersized, he competes hard and overcomes his lack of height.”
From Blount High School in Mobile, Anthony Bell, a 5-10 combo guard will join the Warhawks.
“He is a deadly 3-point shooter and a lock down defender,” Gainer said. “He played for former Warhawk Jairus Jackson who is now an assistant at Blount.”
Dentone Pope is another JDCC recruit.
“He is a 6-2 guard from Washington High School in Pensacola where he won the Pensacola Sports Association slam dunk competition,” Gainer said. “He is an exciting finisher on fast break.”
The final recruit so far for JDCC also hails from Washington HS in Pensacola.
“Keaynon Gulley is a 6-3 post player,” Gainer said. “He is a strong, physical rebounder and defender. He is undersized, but plays hard.”