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Men's Basketball

May 15, 2013
Basketball shorts

Karrington Ward played in the 2013 NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game in Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena on May 11 where he scored 24 points and was named MVP of the West All-Stars team.


Former forward Richaun Holmes (2011-12), who was NJCAA Division II All-American when he played with the Cyclones, had a successful 2012-13 season with his current team at Bowling Green State University. He set a new school record with 73 blocked shots, breaking the previous record of 59 set by Cornelius Cash in the 1973-74 season. Holmes also shot 63.6 percent from the field, the fourth-best season in program history. He ranked third in the Mid-American Conference and 36th in the country in blocked shots.

March 24, 2013
Cyclones #2 in nation, finish trailblazing season

Finishing second in the nation at the NJCAA Division II Championship Tournament is quite a feat. The Cyclones were in control all season-long, but after four intense games they came up short of taking the national title home (March 23). Losing 87-69 to Rend Lake College was a tough blow, but it was the first time the men’s basketball team had advanced that far in the programs’ existence and the first time two teams from the same state played in the Division II championship.

“It was a great run, and I enjoyed every step. This was great for Moraine Valley. It was the chance of a lifetime for these guys,” said Dedrick Shannon, in what was his final game as the Cyclones’ head coach. “After the game there was no holding our heads down. These schools we played have big scholarships for players. They have recruits from all over the country. We have local kids, and our biggest guy is 6’7”. Rend Lake had five guys over 6’7”. But we played impressively.”

Despite another double-double, his fourth in the tournament, by Karrington Ward (11 points, 11 rebounds), who was named to the All-Tournament team, and a couple of strong point totals from All-Tournament player Darryl “DJ” Hervey (17) and Dave Williams (13), the Cyclones couldn’t stop the shooting barrage by Rend Lake. Moraine Valley was shut down in the first half, shooting just 23.5 percent from the field, going 3-for-18 in 3-pointers. By halftime the Cyclones were down 48-26.

The Warriors’ defense and energy continued to halt the “94-feet-of-heat.” Although the Cyclones did outscore their opponent in the second half, it wasn’t enough to make up a significant first half deficit. After three consecutive games in the national tournament, the Cyclones just ran out of gas. “Playing four games the way we play is tough. We were fatigued. Normally we’d get the ball right back, but we were dead. We couldn’t press like we usually do. Rend Lake ran us down,” Shannon said. “It’s a tough task for anyone to win four back-to-back games, but we gave it a good try.”

Being down by nearly 30 points at one time, the Cyclones pushed back, nearly doubling their point total from the first half. In every game during the tournament, Moraine Valley was down at one point and fought back. “We kept playing hard, kept fighting no matter what,” Hervey said. “But Rend Lake shot well. They were up 19-3 at the start and we couldn’t come back that day. It was their day.”

Like most of their tournament experience, the Cyclones came in as the undersized underdogs. “Every game we played everyone penciled us out. They thought we were too small and weren’t shooting well. Then we won and did it again and then did it again,” Shannon said.

The Cyclones had supporters in the stands, including former players and college president Dr. Sylvia Jenkins. Between the crowd and enthusiastic bench players, the support helped the collective winning effort, Hervey said.

Despite a loss at the highest level [NJCAA Division II] of ball, the Cyclones made the community, school and region proud, and the players were like celebrities for the week in Danville, Shannon said. “At first I was disappointed we lost. It hurt to see Rend Lake cut down the net, but the next day when you look at the whole journey, it was great to see how we made history,” said Hervey, who is looking to transfer to a four-year university. “I’m happy all the hard work paid off.”

In addition to making school history by going further in the national tournament than any previous team, the Cyclones also won more games in a season than any other Cyclones men’s basketball team, finishing up with a 31-6 overall record. They also were Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference co-champions and NJCAA Region IV champs. Throughout his coaching career at Moraine Valley, Shannon worked toward playing in the national tournament and said it was the team’s destiny. He tried to build the program back up, evidenced by two consecutive runs at nationals. “The standards are higher, that’s what I wanted, and we turned some heads. It was a team, no, a family effort for many years,” he said.

Shannon is stepping down as the head coach, but is confident the winning legacy will continue. “I had a blast. The first game I coached we lost 129-75. To be there and then coach this last game at the national championship, we did some things right. It’s exciting. The next coach will have good support,” he said. “I’m happy it’s over, and I can start a new chapter. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my sons, and I’m going back to school.”

March 23, 2013
Cyclones advance to title game

For the first time in Cyclones men’s basketball history, the team is competing for the NJCAA Division II title after downing six-seeded Brown Mackie College (Kan.) at the national tournament March 22.

The pressure was on before the game even started—Brown Mackie has made five national tournament appearances, winning the championship twice. Moraine Valley had already been written off based on size alone, said head coach Dedrick Shannon. With four main players under 6’0”, the Cyclones had to contend with taller competition.

Moraine Valley was down at the end of the first half, 44-36, shooting just 37.5 percent from the floor to Brown Mackie’s 48.4 percent. A shift occurred after halftime with Moraine Valley taking command of the basket until their 81-75 win, advancing them to the championship matchup.

Karrington Ward continued to be a force with 25 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks. Johnte Shannon helped with 14 points and four rebounds. Gerald Dorsey and DJ Hervey each scored 11 with Hervey adding six rebounds, seven assists and five steals to the mix. Other contributors included Dave Williams (nine points) and Marquell Pierce (seven points, four assists, four steals).

March 22, 2013
Cyclones in Final Four

Regardless of the ultimate outcome, the Cyclones will end their season as one of the top teams in the nation after advancing to the NJCAA Division II Final Four. Karrington Ward and Gerald Dorsey each scored 22 points to lead seventh-seeded Moraine Valley to a 78-74 upset victory over second-seeded Monroe Community College (NY) on March 21.

This is the third time the Cyclones have earned a berth in the Final Four. Athletic director Bill Finn, during his tenure as head coach, led the Cyclones to the semi-finals in 1990 and 1999.

The third time almost wasn’t a charm. After a rough first half, it looked as though the Cyclones would be playing in the consolation bracket. Moraine Valley shot just 31.6 percent from the field, falling behind 38-29 at halftime.

With rediscovered strength, the Cyclones came out strong in the second half, shooting 50 percent from the field. Monroe struggled with turnovers, having 22 compared to Moraine Valley’s 10 for the game. Ward finished with a double-double, adding 12 rebounds to his double figure scoring as well as eight blocks. Dave Williams scored 10 while Brett Kaiser had eight points and six rebounds and DJ Hervey had seven points and five assists.

The Cyclones continue their run tonight at 8 p.m. against basketball powerhouse Brown Mackie College (#6), Kan. Watch the action live at http://bit.ly/10rUiaL. If Moraine Valley wins, they play for the championship March 23 at 7:30 p.m., but if they lose, they play at 5:30 p.m. for third place.

March 21, 2013
Cyclones move to round two at nationals

It was a nail-biter to the end, but the Cyclones came out on top in the first round of the NJCAA Division II Championship on March 20 in Danville, Ill. Moraine Valley’s fast and fierce pace was too much for Grand Rapids Community College (MI), which was running on a 10-game win streak going into this competition, ousting them in a 73-68 victory.

After losing the first game in last year’s national tournament, the Cyclones were determined to make amends this time around. It was a game of ups and downs for both teams, but ultimately turnovers and free throws helped the cause. Grand Rapids had 29 turnovers compared to Moraine Valley’s 17, and some key free throws at the end of the second half kept the Cyclones ahead. Not to mention five Moraine Valley players scored in double digits, a trend this season.

By halftime the Cyclones were only up 31-30, but at one time they were down by nine points. The Cyclones slowly pulled ahead, and some free throws by Marquell Pierce and DJ Hervey with less than two minutes to go gave the team some breathing room. As he has all season, Karrington Ward led the attack with 17 points (including two dunks), 10 rebounds and five blocks. Helping the cause were Pierce (11 points), Gerald Dorsey (11 points, four steals), Brett Kaiser (10 points, three steals), and Dave Williams (10 points, four steals).

The Cyclones face Monroe Community College (NY) in round two of the NJCAA Division II Championships tonight at 8 p.m. Catch the action at http://bit.ly/ZNe4wX.

March 11, 2013
Cyclones claim region championship, head to nationals for second consecutive year

Do you believe in miracles? Yes, but this wasn’t a miracle. It was hard work and the 94-feet-of-heat mindset that got the Cyclones (28-5) a second consecutive NJCAA Region IV championship and a trip to the national tournament.

The Cyclones faced Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference foe Morton College, which took one game from Moraine Valley this season in two matchups, before running away with an 83-69 win March 9 in the regional championship game.

It was a big night for the Cyclones in this final playoff game, also lending to the first triple-double of the season for Karrington Ward. He came out fighting with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals, helping him earn Region IV Player of the Year, Region IV Tournament MVP and a spot on the Region IV first team and Region IV All-Tournament team. Moraine Valley was ready for the challenge in this hard-fought, gutsy victory. The constant Cyclones pressure wore down the Panthers, and was evident on the court. All season this has been a successful strategy for the Cyclones, contributing to a 28-5 record and co-conference championship.

Adding to this pivotal victory was the action by Marquell Pierce (13 points, six assists), who also was voted to the All-Tournament team, Dave Williams (18 points, eight rebounds) and Gerald Dorsey (10 points), who received a nod to the All-Region first team.

“It speaks volumes about the hard work and dedication these guys put in this year. It's a very exciting time for Moraine Valley. Ironically, in the past every time we've made nationals, it's been back-to-back year,” said head coach Dedrick Shannon, who received Region IV Coach of the Year. “Last year we were just excited to be there. This year it's not enough just to qualify. We want to bring home some hardware. We are playing at a very high level right now so anything is possible.”

The Cyclones start their run in nationals March 20 at 11 a.m. against a white hot Grand Rapids Community College squad in Danville, Ill. Watch all the action on www.ihigh.com/njcaatv/. Moraine Valley goes in to this first round seeded seventh out of 16 teams.

March 4, 2013
Cyclones one game away from nationals

The old adage “win or go home” is what the Cyclones are standing by in the playoffs. In a crucial 88-70 victory over Oakton Community College on March 3, Moraine Valley advanced to the NJCAA Region IV finals.

The Cyclones were focused and ready for playoff action. In what turned out to be more of a battle, the Cyclones were up 48-38 at halftime. After the half, the Cyclones came out quick and extended their lead to 25. This proved to be too much for Oakton to handle as they could not break the double digit deficit.

Karrington Ward had a double-double for the night with 27 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and three steals with help from Marquell Pierce (12 points, eight assists), Gerald Dorsey (11 points), Johnte Shannon (11 points), and Dave Williams (eight points, six assists, five rebounds, three steals).

Next up is rival Morton College in the Region IV finals on March 9. They’ve split wins in their two meetings this season, so the pressure is on for both teams to advance to the national championship.

March 1, 2013
’Clones run away in playoffs

The Cyclones continued their winning ways on Feb. 28, this one being an important victory to advance to the NJCAA Region IV semi-finals. Topping 100 points again, Moraine Valley toppled McHenry County College 112-79 in the first round of playoffs.

After shaking off a slow and sluggish first half, the Cyclones were able to run away with this game, winning by 35 points. The Scots were shorthanded and couldn’t handle the feisty, fast paced game that the Cyclones have established this season.

Gerald Dorsey led the way with 26 points followed by Karrington Ward (20 points), Kyle Ward (19 points), Zoran Arsenovic (12 points), and Marquell Pierce (eight assists).

February 25, 2013
Cyclones claim second consecutive Skyway co-championship

The Cyclones ended their regular season just as they started—with a 100-plus blowout win. Besides speed this season, the Cyclones demonstrated a knack for scoring more often in the century mark (12 times) than in the last five years. Their 107-55 victory over Oakton Community College on Feb. 21 also solidified a second consecutive Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference co-championship.

From start to finish Oakton was no match for Moraine Valley. Focused the entire game, the Cyclones took control and never looked back, evidenced by five players scoring in the double digits. Karrington Ward had 23 points and seven rebounds followed by Johnte Shannon (20 points), Gerald Dorsey (12 points), Dave Williams (12 points, four rebounds), Kyle Ward (11 points, five assists), Darryl Hervey (nine points, five rebounds, four steals), Brett Kaiser (seven points, 11 rebounds), and Marquell Pierce (seven points, six assists).

Moraine Valley finished the regular season with a 12-2 conference record, tying with Morton and Waubonsee Community College for first place. However, the Cyclones were seeded first in region playoffs. Karrington Ward was named Skyway Player of the Year and got a nod to the All-Conference first team along with Hervey. Pierce and Shannon were named to the All-Conference second team.

“It’s always good to finish on top. Winning a conference title is a yearly goal. Being back-to-back champions with only one returner from last year is even tougher,” said head coach Dedrick Shannon. “We’re looking forward to defending our Region IV title and possibly returning to Danville for the national championship. These are exciting times at Moraine Valley.”

The Cyclones start NJCAA Region IV playoffs at home on Thursday, Feb. 28, against McHenry County College. Get all the action on SportsTownChicago.com where you can hear the game live.

February 20, 2013
Cyclones take charge

From start to finish the Cyclones took command over Prairie State College Feb. 19 and didn’t let go. Moraine Valley’s 92-54 win was made even more poignant because head coach Dedrick Shannon was honored at the game for his impending departure post-season.

There was never a time when the Cyclones weren’t ahead, aside from a brief 12-12 tie near the 14-minute mark. A barrage of 3-pointers by Karrington Ward and a couple layups from Darryl Hervey moved the Cyclones up 22-13. With 1:15 to go in the first half Ward dunked it before a Pioneers turnover gave him a second dunk within nine seconds. At halftime Moraine Valley had a cool 46-26 lead.

It took nearly two minutes before the Cyclones scored in the second half, but easily coasted to the victory and allowed some bench players time on the floor. There was nothing but movement and flow the entire matchup.

Ward posted 26 points, 15 rebounds and four steals followed by Johnte Shannon (15 points), Brett Kaiser (11 points), and Hervey (10 points, six assists).

February 17, 2013
’Clones back on track

The Cyclones played like two different teams Feb. 16 but were able to find their stride and tack on another conference win, the 10th. Moraine Valley defeated McHenry County College 115-85.

In the first half the Cyclones had no life, no intensity, no sense of urgency, and found themselves down 49-46 at halftime. After the half, the Cyclones took a 180-degree turn for the better with more focus and efficiency on the court. Moraine Valley exploded and scored 69 points, using stifling defense to hold the Scots to 36 points.

Karrington Ward led the way with 29 points and 13 rebounds followed by Johnte Shannon (22 points), Darryl Hervey (18 points, six rebounds), Dave Williams (12 points), and Marquell Pierce (seven points, nine assists, six steals).

February 15, 2013
Nine-game win streak snapped

There was no love on Feb. 14 for the Cyclones as their nine-game win streak was snapped by Waubonsee Community College. Although Moraine Valley fought a hard battle, they came up short in the 97-94 loss. With this lost, Moraine Valley was ousted from a solid first place position in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference.

After taking a quick lead in the first half, the Cyclones fell behind and could not regain the lead. But the Cyclones never gave up. They scratched and clawed until the end of the game and nearly came back and pulled out a victory.

Gerald Dorsey led the charge with 26 points followed by Karrington Ward (18 points, 13 rebounds, five blocks), Marquell Pierce (15 points, four assists) and Johnte Shannon (13 points).

February 13, 2013
Cyclones top century mark again

Holding on to a national ranking is something the Cyclones aren’t having trouble with this season. The ninth-ranked squad also held their place atop the conference with another 100-plus win Feb. 12 over Elgin Community College, 104-57.

Moraine Valley had its second consecutive game where quickness and endurance overwhelmed the opponent, and it showed in the final score. The Spartans were bent over and gasping for air because of the constant pressure from the Cyclones.

Karrington Ward recorded another double-double, 23 points and 15 rebounds along with four steals. He had help in the collective team effort from Johnte Shannon (21 points), Dave Williams (17 points, three steals), Gerald Dorsey (13 points), Marquell Pierce (10 points, 11 assists), and Kyle Ward (six points, 10 rebounds, five steals, five assists).

February 11, 2013
Cyclones stay on top

The Cyclones are starting to make a habit of winning with scores topping 100. In their eighth straight win Feb. 9, Moraine Valley destroyed College of Lake County in a 105-46 victory.

Maintaining speed on the court, the Cyclones didn’t let down and had seven players score in the double digits. Helped by the Lancers’ 68 turnovers, the Cyclones had a team total of 13 steals. It was a collective effort with Karrington Ward scoring 17 points, Darryl Hervey with 16, Dave Williams with 15, Brett Kaiser with 14, Gerald Dorsey and Kyle Ward each with 11, and Johnte Shannon tallying 10 points. The Ward brothers totaled 15 rebounds with Karrington blocking three. Hervey led with seven assists.

February 6, 2013
’Clones eke out 20th win

The Cyclones got their just revenge on Feb. 5 when they eked out a 92-90 victory over Morton College, the only team to have given Moraine Valley a conference loss this season. This also was Moraine Valley’s 20th win.

Despite the close finish, the Cyclones led by 18 points in the first half and at one time in the second half by 27 points. Morton kept fighting, especially when down by two. Moraine Valley had some ups and downs this game, looking solid one minute and sloppy the next, coming up with the victory. This win helped maintain a tie for first in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference.

Karrington Ward had a big night with 23 points and 13 rebounds followed by Gerald Dorsey with 19 points and Dave Williams with 15. Kyle Ward scored eight points and grabbed eight boards while Marquell Pierce had six points and 11 assists.

February 1, 2013
Cyclones are on fire

The Cyclones are blazing a trail in conference, winning their sixth straight on Jan. 31. Holding on to a three-way tie in conference, Moraine Valley needed this 89-74 victory over Oakton Community College.

Even though the Cyclones won by 15 points, it was a much closer game. Once again, the Cyclones wore down their opponent with constant pressure and speed. For the first time this season, Moraine Valley had six players in double figures. “When a team has six players in double digits, this usually means that the team is very unselfish, which is rare nowadays,” said assistant coach Jelani Boline.

Karrington Ward topped the leader board with 19 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks followed by Johnte Shannon with 15 points and Gerald Dorsey with 14. Darryl Hervey scored 13 points along with four assists, five rebounds, and five steals. Marquell Pierce had 10 points, 10 assists and six steals while Brett Kaiser scored 10 points and had seven boards.

The Cyclones have some revenge to take tonight when they face Morton College, the only conference team to have beaten Moraine Valley so far.

February 1, 2013
’Clones grab fifth straight

Since the Cyclones started conference play in 2013, they have only lost one game, their first one. On Jan. 29 they earned their fifth straight win, a 100-82 victory over Prairie State College.

For the eighth time this season, the Cyclones put up triple digits in a win, thanks in part to a signature fast-paced style of basketball. By midway through the second half, the Cyclones were up 30 points, and it looked like the Pioneers were worn down until the end. “One thing you can count on is that when Moraine Valley has five players scoring in double figures, we usually win,” said assistant coach Jelani Boline.

The big scorer for the night was Johnte Shannon with 19 points followed closely by Karrington Ward, who had 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. Brett Kaiser scored 16 while Gerald Dorsey had 13 and Darryl Hervey had 11 points, four rebounds and two steals.

January 25, 2013
Cyclones move into first

In an important game for the Cyclones, they defeated Waubonsee Community College, undefeated in the conference, 90-79 on Jan. 24. Not only was this the Cyclones’ fourth straight win, but also one that tied them for first in the conference.

Moraine Valley fought every step of the way in their latest win. There were several lead changes throughout the game with the Cyclones taking over the last part of the second half and leading by 10 points down the stretch. “It looked like Waubonsee was worn down and hadn't seen that type of pressure this season,” said assistant coach Jelani Boline.

Once again, five Cyclones scored in double figures with Karrington Ward and Marquell Pierce earning double-doubles. Ward had 25 points and 15 rebounds while Pierce had 13 points and 10 assists. Other contributors were Dave Williams with 12 points, Brett Kaiser with 12 points and five rebounds, and Darryl Hervey, who had 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.

January 23, 2013
Cyclones bringing heat

It was another 100-plus win for the Cyclones on Jan. 22 when they edged out Elgin Community College 110-96.

The Cyclones and Spartans were in a dogfight for the entire first half as Moraine Valley clung to a 53-50 lead at halftime. Midway through the second half, the Cyclones pulled away and wore Elgin down with the “94 feet of heat” style of play that has been the Cyclones' bread and butter all season. Karrington Ward led the charge with 31 points and 12 boards followed by Gerald Dorsey, who had 21 points and five steals. Brett Kaiser scored 15 while Marquell Pierce had 14 points and six assists and Darryl Hervey scored 10 points in addition to his seven assists and five rebounds.

With this win, the Cyclones advanced to 16-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play. The true test comes tonight as the Cyclones face an undefeated Waubonsee Community College team.

January 18, 2013
Cyclones trump Lancers

From the tipoff it was an easy blowout win for the Cyclones on Jan. 17 when they crushed College of Lake County 101-39.

Moraine Valley played stifling defense, evidenced by the team’s 19 steals for the game. By the end of the first half, the Cyclones were ahead 48-17. This was an easy win, which allowed bench players an opportunity to get some time on the court.

Gerald Dorsey had 30 points and four assists for the night. Johntae Shannon and Cameron Julierat had 12 and 10 points, respectively while Karrington Ward scored 11 with 12 rebounds and three blocks and Brett Kaiser had 11 points and five rebounds.

January 16, 2013
Killer win by Cyclones

What the Cyclones lacked in their first conference game they made up for in their second. In their third highest scoring game this year, Moraine Valley walloped McHenry County College 136-82 on Jan. 15 at home.

Moraine Valley was back to their typical game style, attacking on offense and defense from start to finish, or “94 feet of heat,” as the coaches term it. McHenry County College wasn't in shape to handle what the Cyclones brought the entire 40 minutes of play. Moraine Valley had six players in double figures led by Karrington Ward, who had 26 points and 16 rebounds, followed by Gerald Dorsey with 24 points, Johnte Shannon with 18, Kyle Ward with 16, Darryl Hervey with 15, and Shaun Johnson with 10 points along with seven rebounds. Marquell Pierce had a big night with 10 assists while Brett Kaiser had 10 boards.

January 14, 2013
Cyclones fall in conference opener

The Cyclones were rolling on a 13-3 record before their first conference game of the season on Jan. 13. Unfortunately Moraine Valley, still ranked 10th in the country, lacked focus and intensity in a 69-51 loss to Morton College.

There wasn’t much energy in the first half when the Cyclones scored just 24 points and did slightly better after halftime. Overall, Moraine Valley shot 1-for-29 from behind the arc and went 16-for-74 in total field goals. "The players didn't have a sense of urgency to start the conference play off with a win and set the tone for the rest of the season," said assistant coach Jelani Boline. "Instead we came out with a lack of focus and toughness and just looked disinterested in the game. That is unusual for the team I am used to watching play 94 feet of heat from start to finish. Hopefully this was a wake up call that we can't take any days off."

Gerald Dorsey was easily the top scorer and most aggressive with 18 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and he went 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Karrington Ward had 11 points, eight rebounds and one steal. The next highest scorer was Brett Kaiser with five points.

January 4, 2013
’Clones start 2013 with win

The Cyclones started off the new year right with an 83-75 win over the eighth-ranked team in the nation—Kishwaukee College—on Jan. 3.

This was a big win since three starters didn't dress, but Moraine Valley still had five players score in double figures. “These are the kind of games that we need to win, especially after having some time off. Going into conference with a 13-3 record is very promising, but we must stay hungry and continue to get better to make a run in the conference and reach our goal of repeating a trip to nationals and putting ourselves in a position to go further than last year’s team. I hope our guys can stay focused in the classroom and on the court without any other distractions,” said assistant coach Jelani Boline.

Kyle Ward led the team with 22 points, six rebounds and four steals. Darryl Hervey had 16 points, three assists and three steals; Marquell Pierce scored 12 in addition to his five assists and two steals; Johnte Shannon scored 12 and stole two while Karrington Ward rounded out the bunch with 11 points, nine boards, four blocks, and four steals.

December 21, 2012
Ugly win for Cyclones

The Cyclones got their groove back Dec. 20 with an ugly 75-69 win over College of St. Francis JV.

Once again, several players were out of the lineup, including leader Karrington Ward. After falling behind for most of the game, the Cyclones clawed their way back down the stretch for the win. Darryl Hervey was the top scorer with 22 points followed by Marquell Pierce with 16 and Cameron Julierat with 10.

December 19, 2012
Cyclones fall to Bulldogs

With three starters out of the lineup to start the game Dec. 18, the Cyclones struggled to find their rhythm and fell 69-61 to South Suburban College.

The first half was slow with the Cyclones scoring only 25 points. Holding the Bulldogs to only 15 points in the second half kept Moraine Valley in the game, but not enough to pull out a win. Karrington Ward and Gerald Dorsey led the charge with 16 points and three rebounds each. Kyle Ward scored 11 and grabbed four boards while Johnte Shannon had seven rebounds.

December 9, 2012
Cyclones denied by Mott

Moraine Valley’s matchup Dec. 8 with number four nationally ranked Mott Community College was a big test. Mott hadn’t lost a home game in 10 years, and the Cyclones couldn’t break the cycle, losing the contest 82-73, but not without a fight.

The Cyclones are ranked ninth in the NJCAA Division II and had a 10-game win streak going into this game, but injury and stunted rebounding contributed to the loss. There was a glimpse of hope at the end of the first half when Moraine Valley was ahead 41-35. However, things got shaky when leading scorer and rebounder Karrington Ward re-injured his foot shortly after halftime. Even though he wasn't having his typical game, the Cyclones looked to him to turn that around in the second half especially since teammates Gerald Dorsey, Marquell Pierce, Kyle Ward, and Darryl Hervey carried the load in the first half.

Despite the loss, the Cyclones gave Mott trouble with their speed, quickness and pressure. Moraine Valley had 17 steals and caused 23 turnovers, but Mott killed the Cyclones in rebounds, 50 to 29. Five players finished the game in double figures. Starting sophomore point guard Pierce played 37 minutes and had 11 points, four assists, four rebounds, and zero turnovers. “In a big time game and against a pretty physical team on defense like that speaks volumes of how he ran his team—with poise and very efficiently,” said assistant coach Jelani Boline.

Hervey was the next leading scorer with 15 points, four steals and four rebounds. Dorsey had 12 points, Kyle Ward scored 11, grabbed five boards and stole four while Johnte Shannon had 11 points and four steals.

December 7, 2012
Tenth straight for ’Clones

The Cyclones players are stepping up and grabbed their 10th straight win Dec. 6, a 76-64 victory over Joliet Junior College.

After a dogfight of a game against Olive Harvey, Moraine Valley had more of an ugly win with Joliet. The Cyclones shot only 21 percent from the 3-point arc and just eight total free throws. “This comes from a lack of inside presence. Hopefully, one or two of the inside players will step up and fill that void sooner than later. Until then, Moraine Valley's offense will come mainly from the perimeter. The old saying goes, if you live by the three you will die by the three,” said assistant coach Jelani Boline.

But some players are stepping up including Kyle Ward. In the last two games, Ward has been more active on the court. Against Joliet he had 15 points, five rebounds, five assists, and six steals. He also had back to back steals and dunked both times. Ward’s brother Karrington continued to lead the team, this time with 23 points, 12 rebounds and four steals. Dave Williams had 12 points for the night.

December 5, 2012
Hard-fought victory over Olive Harvey

The Cyclones 90-72 win over Olive Harvey College on Dec. 4 may look like a blowout, but it was a hard-fought, well-earned victory.

From the tip-off this was one of the most physical games of the season. Both teams got away with more than usual, but the Cyclones rose to the occasion and proved that despite a general lack of height and need for speed, they are up to any challenge no matter what.

Just up 42-37 at halftime, Moraine Valley came out for the second half more focused and thrived in a hostile environment to win big. The Cyclones really put the game away after a Karrington Ward dunk that could have been on the top 10 plays of the day on SportsCenter. He stole a pass close to half court then took off, strode inside the free throw line and did a windmill dunk to rock the house.

Ward ended the night with 23 points and seven rebounds followed by Darryl Hervey, who scored 14, grabbed five boards and had four assists. Other double-digit scorers included Gerald Dorsey with 13 points, Johnte Shannon with 11 and Marquell Pierce with 10 in addition to his six assists and five steals. Kyle Ward rounded out the bunch with nine points and 11 rebounds.

December 4, 2012
Cyclones crush Trolls

The Cyclones had all cylinders running Dec. 3 when they crushed Trinity Christian College JV 118-68.

In the first half alone Moraine Valley scored 65 points, allowing only 25 for the Trolls primarily in the last three minutes. After halftime, the Cyclones lost some steam, weren't on point defensively, didn't box out for rebounds, and became a little sloppier, but still managed to earn the victory. “Hopefully Moraine Valley gets this out of their system early in the season because against some better teams this can come back to haunt them,” said assistant coach Jelani Boline.

Karrington Ward led the Cyclones again with a double-double, scoring 32 and grabbing 14 boards. Marquell Pierce had 19 points, eight assists and for being the shortest player on the team at 5’9” an impressive two blocks, the most for a Cyclones that night. Johnte Shannon had a big night scoring 29 and getting eight rebounds. Darryl Hervey had just five points but 10 assists and seven boards.

November 30, 2012
Cyclones dominate Rams

Moraine Valley rediscovered some speed and dominated Wright College on Nov. 29 with a 93-75 win.

The Cyclones held a commanding lead, going up 55-34 at halftime. Once again, Karrington Ward led the team with a double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 13 boards. He also had two assists. Brett Kaiser followed with 14 points and two steals and Gerald Dorsey with 13 points and three rebounds. Marquell Pierce rounded out the group with eight points, five assists and two steals.

The Cyclones have a long week ahead of them, ending with a game against Mott Community College, a squad that hasn’t lost a home game in 10 years.

November 28, 2012
Cyclones grab ninth straight

Always a thorn in their side, Kankakee Community College became the latest victim of the Cyclones in their sixth consecutive win, this one a 72-62 victory on Nov. 27.

Some time off from Thanksgiving break slowed the Cyclones down, evidenced by their lowest points scored in a win and only two players scoring in the double digits. Despite some sluggishness and a close game, the Cyclones held a solid 43-36 lead at halftime. Karrington Ward was the big scorer of the night with 28 points added to his 10 rebounds and four blocks. Marquell Pierce was next with 12 points while Johnte Shannon scored eight.

November 17, 2012
Cyclones pressure yields another win

They may have started off sluggish, but the finish was the opposite for the Cyclones as they dominated the University of St. Francis JV on Nov. 16 in a 114-81 victory.

In the first half Moraine Valley played sloppy ball before turning up the heat after halftime, pulling away from St. Francis. Once again the pressure put on by the Cyclones wore down the Saints, especially in the last 10 minutes of the game. Karrington Ward led the charge with 27 points and 10 rebounds followed by Johnte Shannon with 17 points and Dave Williams who scored 15.

November 16, 2012
’Clones grab fourth straight win

In their fourth straight win Nov. 15, the Cyclones played aggressive ball, upsetting Triton College 98-86.

The Cyclones came out of the gate fearless, aggressive and intense, grabbing an early 20-5 lead. Some sloppy plays and a lack of discipline on defense slowed Moraine Valley down and cut their lead to 52-44 by halftime. “If Moraine Valley doesn't learn how to play aggressive on defense and apply pressure without fouling, it’s going to come back to haunt us in the future,” said assistant coach Jelani Boline. However, this was another game where five Cyclones had double digit figures. “This is how the game should be played. It seems like the players enjoy playing with each other. There is no ‘I’ in this team,” Boline said. “The future looks promising because Moraine Valley is only scratching the surface and has a lot of room for improvement.”

Leading the Cyclones once again was Karrington Ward, who scored 19 and grabbed 12 boards. Gerald Dorsey had 17 points and six assists while Darryl Hervey and Johnte Shannon each scored 16.

November 14, 2012
Unselfish ball equals win for Cyclones

After their last hard won battle against Cincinnati State Tech, the Cyclones thought they could roll through Harper College the same way. Although Moraine Valley couldn’t pull away from the Hawks, they did grab a 95-85 win on Nov. 13.

The Cyclones continued to show promise even though they lack a solid inside game, said assistant coach Jelani Boline. They put constant pressure on Harper on both ends of the floor, which can be problematic for teams not used to it. Five Cyclones scored in double figures, indicating that overall they are playing head coach Dedrick Shannon’s style of unselfish basketball.

Karrington Ward was the top scorer with 23 and seven rebounds followed by Johnte Shannon with 22 points and Gerald Dorsey, who had 14.

November 10, 2012
Cyclones gut it out

In the Cyclones’ quest for another trip to nationals, their 80-79 win over nationally ranked Cincinnati State Tech and Community College on Nov. 9 was a big step in the right direction.

The lead changed hands often as both teams played hard and tough ball, but Moraine Valley used their speed. Gerald Dorsey had a big night with 29 points. With seven seconds left in the game and the score tied at 79, Dorsey was fouled and made a free throw to put the Cyclones up for the win. Karrington Ward had 13 points with 14 rebounds for the night.

November 9, 2012
Cyclones crush Trinity

After a narrow loss in their last game, the Cyclones bounced back in a big way Nov. 8 with a 137-67 win over Trinity Christian College.

In their second blowout this season, the Cyclones used pressure which was just too much for Trinity. “The old saying is, ‘Pressure busts pipes!’ Well that’s exactly what happened in this game. One thing can definitely be said about Moraine Valley men's basketball, it is fun to watch if you are a fan,” said assistant coach Jelani Boline.

Trinity Christian struggled to get into their offensive sets because of constant ball pressure and an unmatchable offensive transition game by Moraine Valley. Karrington Ward once again led the Cyclones with 25 points, six assists and six rebounds. Gerald Dorsey was next with 17 points followed by Dave Williams with 16. Marquell Pierce had 11 assists followed closely by Darryl Hervey with 10.

November 4, 2012
’Clones fight in narrow loss

The Cyclones may not have the height, but they have the fight. Although they had their first loss Nov. 3, it was to an NJCAA Division I school ranked 20th nationally. Moraine Valley fell 74-71 to Southwestern Illinois College.

Moraine Valley fought the entire game and had to, considering their tallest player is 6-foot-6-inches while Southwestern had three players over 6-feet-10-inches tall. What they lacked in height they made up for in speed. While Southwestern wanted to pound the ball down low to their big guys, the Cyclones played fast and got the opponent out of their comfort zone with constant pressure on offense and defense. Moraine Valley was led by 6-foot-6-inch Karrington Ward with 31 points and seven rebounds. Darryl Hervey had 10 points and four assists while Brett Kaiser had nine points.

November 2, 2012
Home-opener equals huge win

The Cyclones’ home-opener Nov. 1 was an eye-opener as they dominated Columbia College in a 138-30 victory.

Moraine Valley used a balanced offensive attack and stifled defensive pressure which Columbia College could not handle. This game was controlled by the Cyclones from start to finish. The big shooters of the game were Gerald Dorsey with 21 points, Des'nique Harris with 18 and Brian Townsend with 15.

November 2, 2012
Cyclones looking for speed to defend title

The 2012 NJCAA Region IV and Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship Cyclones are back, but with a whole new look and strategy. Only one player from last year’s team, which played in nationals and posted a 27-9 record, returned with many transferring on scholarships to four-year colleges and universities. But the 2012-13 squad has “94-feet of heat” to bring this season.

The 2012 region and conference coach of the year, Dedrick Shannon, returns for his ninth season at the helm. Not only was last season the first time Shannon coached the Cyclones into the NJCAA tournament, but he also was selected 2012 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Co-Coach of the Year in NJCAA Division II. He is joined by an all new crew of assistants—Jelani Boline, Aaron Green and Brandon Willaby.

Moraine Valley’s NJCAA Division II first team All-American and conference player of the year forward/center, Richaun Holmes (Lockport) is gone this season, now playing at NCAA Division I Bowling Green State University. Others who moved on are All-Region and All-Conference forward Mike Jackson (Thornridge) and All-Conference players Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont/guard/forward) and Lane Barlow (St. Rita/guard).

Of the championship squad, only guard Mike Schick (St. Laurence/5’11”) returns. Schick averaged 2.5 points per game and is a smart player who will help lead this new group.

Some strong newcomers include brothers from Lockport High School Karrington Ward (6’7”/guard/forward) and Kyle Ward (6’1”/guard). Karrington Ward is an All-American transfer from Kankakee Community College who averaged 23 points and nine rebounds per game. Shannon expects big things from guard Gerald Dorsey (Tinley Park/5’9”), a solid scorer. Guard Darryl Hervey (Rich South/6’0”) will bring some leadership to the team with Karrington Ward. Other newcomers include guard Cameron Julierat (Australia/5’10”), forward Des’nique Harris (Plainfield East/6’4”), center/forward Shaun Johnson (Argo/6’5”), guard/forward Brett Kaiser (Stagg/6’3”), guard Marquell Pierce (Marshall Metro/5’9”), guard Johnte Shannon (Thornwood/6’1”), guard/forward Brian Townsend (Evergreen Park/6’4”), and guard Dave Williams (Tinley Park/5’10”).

After a successful 2011-12 run that included a top 16 finish in the nation and first run in 10 years in the NJCAA Division II championship, expectations run high for the Cyclones. In the pre-season, the team was ranked 11th. The only downside is they are guard-heavy and lack the height of last year. With that in mind, the Cyclones will play a different style on the court and depend on speed to outplay opponents.

“With three starters under 6-feet tall, we’re going to play fast. We’ve done a lot of conditioning for speed. No question, we are fast,” Shannon said. “We’re more athletic and can shoot the 3-pointers. They work really hard, there are no attitudes and we want to defend our title. We have a chance to do that as long as we keep together; we’re going for titles.”