With only one player from last year’s Jefferson Davis Community College Warhawk basketball team returning to the court for the Warhawks in the coming months, coach Allen Gainer has been busy hitting the recruiting trail over the summer.
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.
“R.J. is a 6-foot guard from Marianna, Fla., and is the only returning player from last year’s team,” Gainer said. “He is an outstanding shooter, solid ball handler, and is good defensively. He is an intelligent player that we will look to for leadership in trying to get our young team ready.”
Along with Bowers and Gainer from last year’s squad, 13 players will be new players. Counting Bowers, of the 14 players for the Warhawks, eight come from Alabama while four come from Florida and two from Louisiana. The two players from Louisiana come from the same high school—New Roads. Of the eight players from Alabama, three come from Sylacauga. Of the four players from Florida, two come from Washington High School.
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 High School in Alabama.”
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.”
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.”
Keaynon Gulley comes to JDCC and also hails from Washington HS in Pensacola.
“Keaynon is a 6-3 post player,” Gainer said. “He is a strong, physical rebounder and defender. He is undersized, but plays hard.”
The two players from Louisiana for the Warhawks of JDCC — Dee Jay Braggs and Drea Cobb— come from New Roads.
“Dee Jay is a 6-6 forward and was on the first team all-state team and was district MVP in Louisiana,” Gainer said. “He comes in averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game and is talented inside and out. Drea is also a 6-6 forward and made the second team all-district in Louisiana. He is a physical rebounder with a nice touch around the rim.”
The tallest player that will be coming to JDCC for the 2012-2013 season will be Matt Bass.
“Bass is a 6-7 forward from Guntersville and is a skilled offensive player with ability to shoot out to the 3-point line,” Gainer said. “He will be a matchup nightmare for everyone in our league.”
As for the league, JDCC picked up a transfer from league-rival Alabama Southern in Demetrick Goodwin.
“Demetrick is a 6-1 point guard from York, Ala.,” Gainer said. “He transferred from Alabama Southern and adds experience to our team. He is lightening fast up the floor with the ball and should dramatically improve our fast break opportunities.”
Gainer and the Warhawks of JDCC will begin their season in November.