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Men's Basketball

November 2, 2009
Nationally ranked Cyclones poised for success in 2009-10 season

After being crowned Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference champs and narrowly missing a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championship last season, this year’s squad is already starting off the season ranked 15th in Division II of the NJCAA. The Cyclones are looking strong and ready to go farther with talented recruits and key returning players.

Returning guards David Baez (6’0”/George Washington) and Kodahmus Llongbey (6’2”/Summit Prep) and forward Scott Lyons (6’3”/Ridgewood Baptist) are back for another year with the Cyclones. Coach Dedrick Shannon will look to 6’4” forward Kaleb Watts (Rich South) for steady offense.

Among the newcomers is 6’8” power forward/center Miami of Ohio transfer Dwight Mc Combs (Whitney Young). Mc Combs attended the Top 120 JUCO basketball camp this summer, which is an invitation-only camp for the top junior college hoopsters in the country. Freshman 6’5” guard/forward Kyler Market (Willowbrook) also will be an impact player this season. An All-Conference and All-Area player, Market was the all-time leading scorer at Willowbrook with 993 points to his credit. Guard Malcolm Holmes (6’0”/Hubbard) also should make some noise on the court this season. Other strong newcomers include guards Kevin Davis (5’9”/Fenger), Linus Ellzey (6’1”/Marist) and Dron Walker (6’1”/Evergreen Park), forward Jesse McGhee (6’2”/Hales), and center/forward Terell Orun (6’7”/Thornwood).

“Mc Combs is going to be really good and has a chance to be All-American and All-Region. Market will be strong too. We have more talent this year, but it’s tough to replace our leader from last year, Marcale Marshall, who was conference player of the year and an All-Region player. But we are ready for action,” Shannon said.

As always Shannon wants his players to commit to their classes. He also has team goals to win 20 games and compete for the Region IV and conference titles.

“Our mental approach this year needs to be different because now we’re the hunted instead of the hunters. I need to get the guys mentally prepared, especially since they want redemption after failing to advance to nationals last season,” Shannon said. “We’re optimistic about having a great year.”