After an outstanding 28-4 season that saw the Schoolcraft College men’s basketball team earn a berth in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II tournament, expectations remain high entering an abbreviated 2021 season.
Schoolcraft was ranked No. 4 in the National Junior College Athletic Association preseason poll. The Ocelots are slated to begin the season on Friday, Feb. 19, against Wayne County Community College District.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the national tournament was canceled, with continuing safety and health protocols delaying practice until after the new year. No fans will be allowed to attend games, but Director of Athletics Cali Crawford hopes that all the contests will be available on a livestream.
Coach Corey McKendry said fans can expect to see the Ocelots play their usual high-powered, up-tempo style, with perhaps even more offensive firepower.
“This is probably one of the best shooting teams we have had – we can really shoot the ball from every position,” he said. “Our shooting ability should allow us to space the floor and attack the basket.
“I strongly believe that we have one of the best backcourts in the country with a lot of versatility to move guys around. We will almost always have at least two point guards on the floor together, which should help us to play at the fast tempo we like to play at.”
The Ocelots have four sophomores and six freshmen, which is a relatively high number.
“We need to be very connected defensively with many freshmen learning on the fly how hard you have to defend to win at this level,” McKendry said. “I am very happy to see how we have grown and so thankful to have the opportunity to compete.”
Building relationships between the coaches and the players has been a focus during the extended break leading to the start of the season.
“One thing we really try to have in our program is very strong relationships,” McKendry said. “People may think that talent is a reason for our past success, and that is true to an extent, but the reason our teams have played together is because of a genuine connection they have with each other that lasts long after the ball stops bouncing.
“We build these during recruiting and even though there were challenges we stayed connected as much as possible. Our guys have high character and are learning how to become a family in these challenging times. If anything, some of the stuff we have been through before we even hit the court helped bring us closer together.”
That togetherness will be tested right off the bat as the Ocelots jump into Michigan Community College Athletic Association action right off the bat against the Wildcats.
“Our conference is one of the top junior college conferences in the country, with four schools ranked in the top 18 and three others receiving votes in the preseason poll, so it will be tough,” McKendry said. “Without nonconference games to get ready, it will force us to be very focused, especially early.”
Leading the returners is D’Quarion Cole, a 6-foot-4 sophomore out of Pontiac who was the Ocelots’ leading scorer at 11.7 points per game last season. “Dq” also added a team-high 7.5 rebounds a game on his way to earning All-Conference honors.
The Ocelots, who play in the Metro Division of the MCCAA, are scheduled to play 14 games in the regular season.
A look at the team
D’Quarion Cole
- Number: 10
- Position: Point guard
- Height: 6-4
- Year: Sophomore
- Hometown: Pontiac
- High school: Pontiac
Coach McKendry says: “Dq” has been ranked a top 5 point guard in the country by JUCO recruiting services … 11.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.2 apg as a freshman … We will use his size and versatility to move him around and try to be a matchup problem for the opponent … He is our vocal leader and we feed off his competitiveness and toughness … Poised for a big year … Lots of mid-major interest … Cousin of Daveaun Cole.
Randy Gilbert
- Number: 21
- Position: Forward
- Height: 6-6
- Year: Sophomore
- Hometown: Detroit
- High school: Cass Tech
Coach McKendry says: Randy averaged 6.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg as a freshman … He should have a major role this year stretching the defense from 3 and scoring inside … Brings toughness and experience as a redshirt sophomore (Ferris State transfer).
Daveaun Cole
- Number: 3
- Position: Wing guard
- Height: 6-5
- Year: Sophomore
- Hometown: Pontiac
- High school: Pontiac
Coach McKendry says: Dae will be our best defender and provide scoring to the lineup … Very good in transition and can make shots … His length around the rim helps him to play even bigger than his height suggests … Should have a big sophomore jump.
Jordan Whitford
- Number: 5
- Position: Point guard
- Height: 6-0
- Year: Sophomore
- Hometown: Detroit
- High School: King
Coach McKendry says: Jordan is a redshirt who should bring a lot of big-game experience after a strong high school career at Detroit King where he hit numerous game-winners … He is a steady point guard who can do it all .. He’s really worked hard during the shutdown to be ready for his opportunity.
Jamoni Jones
- Number: 1
- Position: Point guard
- Height: 6-0
- Year: Freshman
- Hometown: Grand Rapids
- High School: East Kentwood
Coach McKendry says: Jamoni is a talented freshman who will make a huge impact from day one … He is already receiving Division I interest before he has played a game. … Jamoni can really shoot the ball and plays with a great pace. … He is athletic and can run a team or be a lead scorer … Expected to have a large role.
DeAndre Terrell
- Number: 2
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6-7
- Year: Freshman
- Hometown: Detroit
- High school: Osborn
Coach McKendry says: DeAndre is a long, athletic wing who can really shoot the ball … He is just scratching the surface of his development but he should get better and better as the year goes on … His potential is through the roof … We need him to dominate the glass with his length and athleticism while providing a scoring punch.
Shamar Howard
- Number: 0
- Position: Point guard
- Height: 6-0
- Year: Freshman
- Hometown: Lansing
- High school: Everett
Coach McKendry says: Shamar is a tough, athletic point guard … He is excellent with the ball and probably our most athletic player … He is a blur in transition and great at finding his teammates when the help comes … He will be fun to watch.
Trevon Smith
- Number: 44
- Position: Forward
- Height: 6-8
- Year: Freshman
- Hometown: Detroit
- High school: Westland John Glenn
Coach McKendry says: Tre is a big-bodied lefty forward who can really score around the rim … He is capable of stepping out and hitting perimeter shots … He is a load around the basket scoring with either hand … We need him to continue to develop quickly into a force down low.
Trae Ruggles
- Number: 11
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6-6
- Year: Freshman
- Hometown: Grass Lake
- High school: Grass Lake
Coach McKendry says: Trae was a great late addition to an already-loaded recruiting class … He is very athletic and can really make shots … He can get down the floor quickly and really attacks the basket in transition … He has been working hard to be ready for his opportunity and should be a solid piece on both ends of the floor.
Jiovanni Miles
- Number: 24
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6-2
- Year: Freshman
- Hometown: Novi
- High school: Novi High School
Coach McKendry says: Jiovanni is a very talented D-I transfer from Wisconsin-Green Bay…He can really shoot the ball and his experience and poise will help…He is a playmaker off the dribble who can make defenses pay for guarding him too closely…Should have a big season.