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2011-12 Season Season
Record: 27-9 *NJCAA
Region IV Champions
NJCAA Division II All-American: Richaun Holmes (Lockport)
* Denotes Conference Game
April 4, 2012
March 26, 2012
March 12, 2012
March 5, 2012 The Cyclones moved one step closer to their desired destination to nationals after a 60-47 win on March 4 in the semi-finals over Prairie State College. There was tight defense by the Cyclones, although their offense was not as sharp as it has been, owing to more fatigue by the starters getting more playing time in the playoffs. The players worked cohesively as a team, however, to continue their playoff run. Lane Barlow (St. Rita) scored 14 points, which included eight free throws, and grabbed five boards in addition to three assists and one steal. Mike O’Donnell (Leo) followed with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) finished the night with 12 points, six rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and one assist. Avery Busch (John Hope) had nine points, all from 3-pointers; four rebounds, one assist, and one steal while Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) rounded out the bunch with seven points, two rebounds and an assist. Moraine Valley is a mere 40 minutes away from an appearance in the NJCAA finals as they face Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference foe Elgin Community College on Saturday, March 10, in the NJCAA Region IV championship. Cyclones get ranked In addition to their advancement in the playoffs, several Cyclones have been ranked in the NJCAA Division II polls. Mike Jackson (Thornridge) was seventh and Richaun Holmes (Lockport) eighth for field goal percentage with a 62.78 and 62.27 percent, respectively. Jackson is ranked third for 3-point field goal percentages with a 55.56 percent while teammate Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) ranks sixth with a 51.97 percent. Holmes comes in at number one in individual blocks per game with an average of 5.633. Moraine Valley is ranked 19th as a team in the division.
March 2, 2012 The Cyclones advanced one more step in the playoffs March 1 after a massive 81-61 win over Oakton Community College in the first round of the NJCAA Region IV playoffs. The Cyclones continue their quest for a trip to nationals as they hit the semi-finals on March 4 against Prairie State College. After a two-week hiatus, the Cyclones were anxious to get back on the court and play ball. From the tip-off Moraine Valley took control of the game, leading 38-26 at the half. The Cyclones were sharp on offense all night, sharing the ball and making plays, offsetting a slightly less than stellar defensive night. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) led the charge with 21 points, nine blocks, eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Lane Barlow (St. Rita) had a good night with 17 points, including two 3-pointers and five free throws, five rebounds, one steal, and one assist. Mike Jackson (Thornridge) scored 16, of which two were 3-pointers, and had six rebounds. Avery Busch (John Hope) rounded out the top scorers with 10 and one rebound.
February 17, 2012 In their last Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference game of the regular season, the Cyclones solidified their status as co-conference champs Feb. 16 with a 57-43 win over Oakton Community College. Moraine Valley shares the top spot with Waubonsee Community College, with both teams sporting a 12-2 record. Their most recent win wasn't a nail biter as the Cyclones were up most of the game. Mike Jackson (Thornridge) led the charge with 15 points, including eight free throws and a rebound. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) scored 12, going 5-for-8 from the floor and scoring two 3-pointers while grabbing one rebound and earning an assist. Mike Schick (St. Laurence) had eight points for the night, including four free throws, one assist, one rebound, and one steal. Although the Cyclones have to share the championship, they are seeded first in the NJCAA Region IV playoffs because they defeated Waubonsee in both meetings this year. 'So far the season has been a learning process. We have grown as a team and as a family. We continue to get better each game, but we have yet to play our best basketball. We've won 11 in a row, but we can play better which is a good spot for us to be in,' said coach Dedrick Shannon. 'I'm very excited about the playoffs because I think we can make a run at the Region IV championship this year.' The Cyclones will begin their playoff run on Thursday, March 1, at home against Oakton Community College.
February 15, 2012 Grabbing their 10th consecutive win, the Cyclones had an ugly, but effective 73-67 victory Feb. 14 over Prairie State College. This wasn't the finest performance by the Cyclones, but enough to keep their streak going and make a stronger run for the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship. Moraine Valley started the game as they usually do, making too many jump shots and not attacking the basket enough. It also was sophomore night for the Pioneers, giving them a more energetic run in the first half. Within the first 15 minutes of the game the Cyclones were down 17-7, but by halftime had regained the lead 32-28. In the last two minutes of the matchup the Cyclones were up by four points before the Pioneers ran ahead by four. A turnover and two traveling calls on Prairie State and a foul on Richaun Holmes (Lockport) helped the Cyclones surge ahead for the win. Holmes was on fire with 29 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and an 11-for-12 average from the free-throw line. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) had 16 points, nine of which were from 3-pointers, and two rebounds. Lane Barlow (St. Rita) scored 13 points, including 7-of-9 free throws, grabbed five boards and had three assists and one steal. Mike Jackson (Thornridge) rounded out the top scorers with eight points and had five rebounds. Holmes also was named Skyway Player of the Week starting Feb. 12 for his game against Elgin Community College in which he scored 26 points with nine rebounds and four blocks and a game with Waubonsee Community College in which he scored 25 with 11 rebounds and six blocks.
February 10, 2012 The stakes were high Feb. 9 for the Cyclones in their matchup against Waubonsee Community College. With Waubonsee first in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference, Moraine Valley needed a win to tie their record and share the top standing, which they did on sophomore night. The Cyclones won 69-55 in their last home game. Like many of their games this half of the season, the Cyclones led most of the night and at one point were up by 20 points. Despite the lead, the game proved to be intense for both teams. By halftime Moraine Valley was ahead 40-26. When Lane Barlow (St. Rita) and Mike Jackson (Thornridge) were on the bench because of foul trouble, the Chiefs went on a 14-0 run to close the gap. But the Cyclones prevailed and maintained a lead until the end. This was the second time this season that the Cyclones faced and were victorious over the Chiefs. As he has all season, Richaun Holmes (Lockport) led the force with a double-double'20 points and 11 rebounds'in addition to seven blocks and two assists. He was 7-for-8 from the floor with six free throws. Avery Busch (John Hope) went 5-for-7 on the floor with three 3-pointers, scoring 14 points, grabbing three boards and getting three assists. Jackson scored 13 in addition to getting five assists, two rebounds and one steal. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) had 10 points, three 3-pointers and one rebound, while Barlow scored nine, all from 3-pointers, had three assists and six rebounds.
February 8, 2012 The Cyclones mindset is that they shouldn't lose any more games this season, and more so that they shouldn't have lost two conference games in the 11 played so far. They made up for it with a win over McHenry College last week and on Feb. 7 got redemption against Elgin Community College. The Cyclones won that matchup 68-61. In another slow start, the Cyclones settled for jump shots early and had less ball movement, keeping them down by two at the half. Foul trouble for starters Lane Barlow (St. Rita) and Mike Jackson (Thornridge) also hurt the team. Moraine Valley trailed most of the game until the last nine minutes when they traded the lead on and off with the Spartans. With more aggression and attacks at the basket in the second half, the Cyclones were able to surge ahead for the win. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) led the way with 26 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, and one assist. Barlow was next with 18 points, including five free throws, six assists, one rebound, and one steal. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) scored 16, three of which were 3-pointers, and grabbed two boards. Jackson had six points, nine rebounds and two assists.
February 6, 2012 The Cyclones earned their seventh straight victory, 68-55, over College of Lake County on Feb. 4, thanks to tough defense in the second half. At the start of the game the Cyclones shots weren't falling, and they fell behind 18-0. But by the start of the second half, Moraine Valley closed the gap 36-37, which is the most points the Cyclones have given up in the first half all season. They were a totally different squad in the second half, allowing the Lancers only 19 points and ultimately winning the game. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) led the field with 19 points, including five free throws. He also had five blocks and seven rebounds. Close on his heels was Avery Busch (John Hope), who added 15 points, which included three 3-pointers and two free throws, and contributed two assists, two blocks, and eight rebounds. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) had 13 points for the night, and Mike Jackson (Thornridge) scored 11 points and added two assists, one block and one rebound.
February 3, 2012 Unlike their previous matchup against McHenry County College, the Cyclones were anxious to prove their strength in a second meeting, Feb. 2, where the tide was turned. Moraine Valley crushed the Scots, 72-40. The Cyclones led the entire game with Richaun Holmes (Lockport) scoring a dominating 34 points, including several slam dunks and alley-oops. He was 13-for-22 from the floor with three 3-pointers, five free throws, four blocks, and nine rebounds. The next highest scorer was Steven White (Tinley Park) with 11 points; he also had one rebound. Lane Barlow (St. Rita) came up with eight points, three assists, two blocks, and a steal, and has been pivotal with his guard play. Mohamed Abuhamdeh (Sandburg) rounded out the scoring with seven points, including three free throws. The team had just five turnovers and 17 assists.
February 1, 2012 Running on a five-game win streak, the Cyclones tacked on their latest victory over Morton College. Moraine Valley led from the start of the game Jan. 31 and never looked back. At one point the Cyclones were up by 26 points, eventually winning 75-61 over their historically tough rival. Collectively, the team had 21 assists and five turnovers on the night. Mike Jackson (Thornridge) was the leading scorer with 19 points, including five 3-pointers. He tacked on two assists, rebounds and steals. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) had 14 points with seven rebounds and one block followed by Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont), who scored 12 with two 3-pointers, two assists and two rebounds. Avery Busch (John Hope) had an active night with 11 points, one 3-pointer, two free throws, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Justas Martinkus (Lemont) also scored 11 and had an assist while Lane Barlow (St. Rita) scored eight with eight assists.
January 29, 2012 As predicted by the Moraine Valley coaches, the Cyclones are continuing their win streak, this time a 56-39 win over College of Lake County on Jan. 28. It was a defensive match with the 'Clones holding the Lancers to 18 points at the half. Moraine Valley controlled the game from the start, allowing all players to have time on the court. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) scored 17 points, grabbed eight boards and blocked four. Mike Jackson (Thornridge) had nine points, six rebounds and a block. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) scored nine with two rebounds while Justas Martinkus (Lemont) banked eight points.
January 27, 2012 The Cyclones grabbed their third straight win Jan. 26, crushing Oakton Community College 78-55 at home. It was a collective effort offensively and defensively by Moraine Valley with nearly every player scoring. The high-energy Cyclones held Oakton to just 14 points in the first half thanks to unshakeable defense. The Cyclones are gelling, evidenced by movement and sharing of the ball. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) led the charge with 19 points, going 7-for-8 from the floor, grabbing seven boards and blocking three. Avery Busch (John Hope) followed with 11 points, including two 3-pointers, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Lane Barlow (St. Rita) had 10 points and Justas Martinkus (Lemont) followed with nine, all of which were 3-pointers. Mike O'Donnell (Leo) had nine points, three blocks and three rebounds, while Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) scored eight, grabbing one rebound.
January 25, 2012 It's been a month since the Cyclones put together a win streak, but they grabbed their second straight Jan. 24 with a sturdy 67-57 win over Prairie State College. The first half got off to a rough start with the Cyclones shooting 2-for-11 from the 3-point line and ultimately being down 34-29 at halftime. With a hefty pep talk at the half, the Cyclones came back with renewed intensity and outscored the Pioneers by 15 points on average. Players attacked the basket more, stopped settling for jump shots and passed more often to leading scorer, Richaun Holmes (Lockport), for layups. Holmes ended the night with 24 points, going 8-for-14 from the floor and making seven free throws. He added seven rebounds and a block to the night. Mike Jackson (Thornridge) was the next leading scorer with 20 points and eight free throws, plus six rebounds and two assists. Jackson has lately stepped up his game to become a big factor in the wins.
January 20, 2012 With two starters back in the lineup, the Cyclones returned to form Jan. 19 with a 73-62 win over Waubonsee Community College. The Cyclones led the entire matchup and looked like a totally different team from their last game. Starters Lane Barlow (St. Rita) and Mike O'Donnell (Leo) were back on the court and brought some much needed energy to the team. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) had 26 baskets on the night, making 12-of-15 free throws, grabbing eight rebounds, blocking four, and stealing one. Barlow scored 14 with five rebounds and one steal. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) finished with 12 points, including two 3-pointers, and three rebounds.
January 18, 2012 There was little spark in the Cyclones' game Jan. 17, evident by the team's 72-53 loss to Elgin Community College. Moraine Valley stayed competitive at the start where the score played back and forth. By the half the Cyclones were down 28-25. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) made a 3-pointer to start the second half, but a lack of rebounds and turnovers pushed the Spartans further ahead to the end of the game. Masiulionis and Avery Busch (John Hope) were the top scorers with 10 followed by Mike Jackson (Thornridge) with eight points. Masiulionis also had three rebounds, one block and was 4-for-7 from the floor. Busch had two rebounds, one steal and had two free throws while Jackson had four boards and was 3-for-3 from the floor.
January 11, 2012 In what looked to be a win in their second Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference game turned into a mental lapse Jan. 10 when the Cyclones fell 67-62 in overtime to McHenry County College. For most of the game the Cyclones were up by at least 10 points. In the last two minutes of the second half, Moraine Valley had too many turnovers, missed key free throws and poor shots leading to a tied game and overtime play. The Cyclones struggled to score in overtime, contributing to the loss. Only Richaun Holmes (Lockport) and Mike Jackson (Thornridge) were able to score in the double digits, 25 and 18, respectively. Holmes also had 10 rebounds and six blocks while Jackson got seven boards, two blocks and two steals. Avery Busch (John Hope) is seeing more court action and scored six while rebounding four and blocking one.
January 8, 2012
December 23, 2011
December 21, 2011
December 12, 2011 The Cyclones mixed things up a bit with an out-of-town tournament Dec. 9-10, breaking even for the weekend. In the first game, the Cyclones were pitted against NJCAA Division I number-three ranked Indian Hills Community College-Ottumwa. Coming out strong in the first half, the Cyclones stayed competitive and kept the game close until Indian Hills went on a run to lead by 18 points. With five minutes left before the half, the Cyclones had a run of their own to cut the lead. Johnny Baldwin (Corliss) had some key steals and layups to close the gap to eight points. In the second half the Cyclones cut the lead to four on three separate occasions, but couldn't catch up to Indian Hills for the 89-67 loss. Early in the first half, Cyclones offensive threat and top rebounder Mike Jackson (Thornridge) was injured, which could have made a difference in the final outcome of the game, said head coach Dedrick Shannon. The Cyclones fared better in their game the following day against William Penn University JV, winning 101-72. Jumping out from the get-go, the Cyclones were up before William Penn tied it at 15 and continued with back-and-forth play. At halftime the 'Clones were up 49-35. An early run in the second half had the Cyclones up by as much as 40 points, allowing for some bench players to see action on the court.
December 9, 2011 The NJCAA Division II 18th ranked Cyclones had their work cut out for them Dec. 8 when they faced Division III-10th-ranked Joliet Junior College. Despite some shooting deficits, the Cyclones won the battle, 56-51. Within the first 10 minutes, Moraine Valley was up by 14 points thanks in part to the energy and intense defense on the court, which stalled the Wolves. Both teams struggled to score, but the Cyclones were still up 30-20 at halftime. The Cyclones had a scoring drought to start the second half and the defense slacked, but they still were ahead by one or two points throughout the game. With four minutes left, the score was tied at 45, but Moraine Valley prevailed. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) led the team with 20 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. He was 6-for-7 from the free-throw line. Mike Jackson (Thornridge) followed with 15 points, three of which were 3-pointers, eight rebounds and one steal. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) rounded out the top scorers with nine points and a rebound.
December 4, 2011 After annihilating Trinity Christian College in their first matchup Dec. 1 by more than 60 points, the Cyclones let their guard down in the team's second meeting Dec. 3, but still came out with a 79-56 win. Moraine Valley was ahead from the start and never looked back. Lane Barlow (St. Rita) led the team with 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, six steals, and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) followed with 15 points, shooting three 3-pointers and going 4-for-4 in free throws. Both Mike Jackson (Thornridge) and Richaun Holmes (Lockport) had nine points. Jackson had seven rebounds while Holmes had four in addition to two blocks and a steal.
December 2, 2011
November 30, 2011 The Cyclones' four-game win streak came to an end Nov. 29 in part due to a rough second half that led to a 70-63 loss to Kankakee Community College. After being up by nearly 20 points at one time in the first half, the Cyclones fell apart and lost focus after halftime. There was a little back and forth play in the second half, but there were too many poor shots and at least eight turnovers to maintain a lead. Once the Cyclones lost the lead, the game was over. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) was once again the top scorer with 21 points. He tacked on another triple-double to his season with 12 blocks and 10 rebounds in addition to hitting 11 of his 15 free throws and one steal. Johnny Baldwin (Corliss) followed with 11 points, going 4-for-6 from the floor and 3-for-4 from the free-throw line and grabbing two steals. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) also had 11 points, banking one 3-pointer and getting two assists. Mike O'Donnell (Leo) had nine points with one 3-pointer, seven rebounds and two blocks. He went 4-for-4 in free throws.
November 23, 2011 The wins continue piling up for the Cyclones who clinched their fourth straight on Nov. 22. Although they struggled with foul trouble in the first half, it didn't offset their 76-62 win over Parkland College. At the end of the first half, Moraine Valley was down by four. Once the team regrouped at halftime, they took a solid lead with 10 minutes left in the game. Mike O'Donnell (Leo) was on all night, leading the team with 21 points, shooting 4-for-4 from the 3-point line, hitting all three two-point shots and nailing all three free throws. He also had eight rebounds. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) had his second triple-double of the season with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocks. He was 7-for-7 at the free-throw line and had four assists. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) rounded out the leading Cyclones scorers with 11 points, going 3-for-9 from the arc with two rebounds and one steal.
November 21, 2011 The Cyclones are on a roll, grabbing their third consecutive win Nov. 19 with a dominating 71-42 victory over Kishwaukee College. Moraine Valley was the stronger team from the start, easily leading within the first five minutes. By halftime the Cyclones were up 42-18 before cruising to a nearly 30-point win. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) scored 23 going 9-for-17 from the floor with five 3-pointers. Mike O'Donnell (Leo) was the next leading scorer with 19 points, three blocks and six rebounds. Every player had some time on the court with all but two scoring.
November 18, 2011
November 16, 2011
November 14, 2011 There wasn't total domination in the Cyclones' 80-77 loss to Saint Xavier University, but there were enough turnovers and bad shots in the first half to keep them down. The Cyclones played Saint Xavier's varsity team Nov. 12, but matched their skill level and should have won the game, said assistant coach Justin Domingo. For most of the night Moraine Valley was down, but with seven minutes left in the second half the team bounced back and was up by five. With 56 seconds left, Richaun Holmes (Lockport) scored off a rebound to get within two points of the Cougars, but couldn't get another game-winning shot like during the Cyclones' Nov. 10 win over Triton College. Holmes led the team with 28 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. He was 6-for-8 from the free-throw line. Lane Barlow (St. Rita) followed with 13 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Mike O'Donnell (Leo) banked 12 points, going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line, with six rebounds. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) and AJ Bridges (Eisenhower) each had 10 points.
November 11, 2011
November 11, 2011 For their home opener, Moraine Valley came out swinging with high energy in the first 10 minutes, opening their lead by 14 points. The players were crashing boards until they lost focus and had the lead cut to two, 35-33, at the half. Between bad shots and not taking care of the ball, the Cyclones allowed Triton to go on a 12-2 run. The second half was more back and forth play with each team tying the score or taking the lead at one point. With 5.7 seconds left in regulation time and the score tied at 67, Richaun Holmes (Lockport) hit the game-winning jump shot. Holmes finished the game with just nine points, but seven rebounds and four blocks. Top scorers for the night were Mike O'Donnell (Leo) and Mike Jackson (Thornridge) each with 15 points. O'Donnell was 3-for-5 in 3-pointers and 4-for-8 from the floor with eight rebounds and a block. Jackson was 4-for-6 from the floor with five rebounds. Lane Barlow (St. Rita) was 3-for-6 from the field with one 3-pointer, eight rebounds, and two steals for the night.
November 7, 2011 The first game against Marshalltown Community College was a 69-58 victory on Nov. 4. Marshalltown was up most of the game, and the Cyclones battled and were down by 14 until Lane Barlow (St. Rita) hit a 3-pointer just before halftime to cut the lead. The Cyclones found their rhythm and flow and played harder in the second half to surge ahead. Richaun Holmes (Lockport) stepped up his aggression, making more jump shots than he did in the first half. He ended the game with 17 points, four blocks and eight rebounds. Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont) was the leading scorer with 18 points, along with four rebounds. He was 4-for-7 from the free-throw line. Mike Jackson (Thornridge) also contributed 15 points, five rebounds, and was 3-for-3 at the line. In their game against Southeastern Community College on Nov. 5, the Cyclones had to contend with tough calls, falling 71-68 in overtime. After leading nearly the entire game by at least six points, the Cyclones had a lane violation call that pushed the game into overtime. Holmes was on fire with a triple double, grabbing 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 blocks. Masiulionis contributed 16 points, four rebounds and one steal, going 3-for-7 from the line. Both Barlow and Johnny Baldwin (Corliss) each had nine points.
November 3, 2011 The slate is clean for the 2011 men's basketball team. After a rocky couple of years, head coach Dedrick Shannon recruited a new class of athletes he hopes will buy into the Cyclones tradition of excellence. Shannon, in his eighth season at the helm, didn't return any players from the 2010-11 squad, but did see his NJCAA All-Region IV player Louis Green (St. Joseph) and All-Conference guard Morris Woods (Argo) graduate. Both are playing at Division I schools, Green is at Seattle University while Woods attends Eastern Illinois University. There were good athletes on the team last season, but they struggled to become a cohesive unit and consistently win games. 'Last year the guys didn't buy into it. They wanted to do it their way and not my way. And some guys didn't do what they needed to in the classroom either. Last year's returners were a distraction,' Shannon said. 'It's exciting because we're starting over fresh. These guys have the potential to be really good.' The players this year are versatile, athletic and interchangeable in multiple positions. One of the top prospects is 6'8' freshman Richaun Holmes (Lockport). The forward/center has already committed to playing next season at Bowling Green University in Ohio. He along with forward Mike O'Donnell (Leo/6'5') can both go out and nail 3-pointers. Shannon also expects big things from transfers Lane Barlow (St. Rita/5'10'), Mike Jackson (Thornridge/6'3'), Modestas Masiulionis (Lemont/6'3'), and freshman AJ Bridges (Eisenhower/5'9'). Barlow and Josh Freeman (Richards/5'10') will be hounded as the guards to step up on the court. As a guard/forward, Jackson has solid shooting ability and the energy to help lead the team as well. 'We have tons of talent, and I'm not sure if they know how hard they have to work at the college level. These guys have the potential to be really good,' Shannon said. 'Our main goal is to get out of the cellar. I'm very disappointed with last season. It was the worst season of men's basketball at Moraine Valley, and I want to eliminate that. Moraine Valley basketball is better than that. That's another reason I cleaned house. They need to understand the tradition here.' The Cyclones have a tough road ahead, but with the talent level on this team, Shannon believes they can push ahead of the pack. He has just two goals this year: play hard and play tough. 2010-11 Season Season
Record: 10-21
All-Region IV second team: Louis Green (St. Joseph/UIC)
* Denotes Conference Game
April 25, 2011 Cyclones Louis Green (St. Joseph) has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Seattle University starting in the fall. The 6-foot-10 forward/center was being recruited by several Division I institutions before choosing Seattle where he will be playing on a scholarship.
March 21, 2011 Despite a late-season comeback, the Cyclones couldn't continue their win streak and ended a long season in the first round of Region IV playoffs. Moraine Valley was hot and cold this season, giving both players and coaches a lot to learn from. The late season addition of Kennedy Jones (Bolingbrook) had some influence in the Cyclones' five-game win streak leading into the playoffs, but the team cooled off in the first round where they lost to rival Waubonsee Community College on Feb. 24. "We had a tough time in the playoffs. It wasn't where it needed to be," said coach Dedrick Shannon. Ending the season with a 10-21 record and a 7-8 conference finish may have been a bitter pill to swallow, but several players are heading to four-year colleges and universities to continue their education and basketball careers, goals that Shannon likes to point out. Morris Woods (Argo) signed a letter of intent to play at Eastern Illinois University before the first game of the season, a testament to his strength on the court. "He was one of the more talented kids to play at Moraine Valley, and one of the earliest to sign with a four-year school as a freshman before we even started," Shannon said. "He's going to do well. He's a strong, physical guard and can really score. That's what I think he'll bring to Eastern. He's tough. He'll be hard to replace here. He's the best pure scorer I've coached in a few years." Brandon Stanciel (Walther Lutheran) is set for Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he'll join a growing contingent of former Cyclones. Big man Louis Green (St. Joseph/UIC) is being recruited by three or four Division I institutions and both Patrick McCarthy (St. Rita) and Dwayne McGhee (Richards) are looking at colleges as well. The sophomores will be missed, especially Woods who was named to the All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference first team, and Green who received a nod to the All-Conference second team and NJCAA All-Region IV second team. "This year was a learning and humbling experience, mostly for me. I think some of the guys learned some lessons, and I hope they'll use that to move forward," Shannon said. "Next year is a totally new game. A couple of kids were red-shirted this year, and I hope to get them back."
February 25, 2011 Hopes for a big Cyclones comeback in the NJCAA Region IV playoffs were dashed Feb. 24 as the team lost 64-57 to Waubonsee Community College. This highly intense playoff match-up started well for the Cyclones, who had beaten the Chiefs in their most recent meeting. Moraine Valley raced to a 6-2 lead and continued to stay ahead while Morris Woods (Argo) and Louis Green (St. Joseph) were punishing the Chiefs' interior defense. In the last four minutes of the half both teams held a balanced attack with the Cyclones ahead 32-19 at the buzzer. In the second half the Cyclones played a little flat, and Waubonsee wasn't ready to go down without a fight. The first five minutes of the half was fairly even with the Cyclones keeping their lead at 38-28. But the Chiefs sprung to life and had their own a 13-4 run. Both teams traded hoops before an 8-2 rally by Waubonsee gave them the lead at 58-55 with 1:28 to play. The Cyclones struggled to convert enough in the last 88 seconds to get ahead while the Chiefs went 6-for-8 from the free throw line to secure the victory. Kennedy Jones (Bolingbrook) led the final charge with 17 points, four assists and three rebounds. Woods chipped in 12 points and seven boards. Randall Rushing (Richards) added 11 points, three assists and three steals.
February 22, 2011 It was sophomore night for the Cyclones in their final regular season game Feb. 19, and they didn't disappoint, overwhelming McHenry County College in an 86-63 victory. After a rough start this year, Moraine Valley ended with a five-game win streak and a regular season record at .500. The five sophomores- Patrick McCarthy (St. Rita), Morris Woods (Argo), Dwayne McGhee (Richards), Brandon Stanciel (Walther Lutheran), and Louis Green (St. Joseph)- started in their last home game. The visiting Scots jumped out to an early lead with Moraine Valley pecking away. At the 9:30 mark the game was tied at 18, but a 14-2 run over the next five minutes, led by Kennedy Jones (Bolingbrook) and Green who collectively scored eight points, gave the Cyclones the advantage. By halftime Moraine Valley was up 40-32. Within the first eight minutes of the second half, an energetic Cyclones team went on an 18-8 run and continued to dominate the game. Four Cyclones had double digit figures for the night. Green scored 17 with 14 rebounds and four blocks. Donald "DJ" Davenport (Xavier Academy) had 14 points and eight boards. Jones dropped in 11 points with four assists and three steals, and Woods added 10 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Playing the best they have all season, the Cyclones head into the NJCAA Region IV playoffs on Feb. 24 against Waubonsee Community College.
February 18, 2011 With the regular season nearly over the Cyclones are finally gelling, and just one game away from reaching .500 this season, evident by their massive 72-41 win Feb. 17 over a struggling Oakton Community College. From the tip off Moraine Valley jumped ahead with a 15-3 blitz. Sturdy defense and good offensive execution kept the Cyclones up 33-15 by halftime. The Cyclones opened the second half scoring on seven of their first eight possessions to stretch the lead to 48-20 with 15:22 left in the contest. Ahead 53-22, all 12 Cyclones were able to see court time. Each player contributed to the game, solidifying their fourth straight win. Seven Cyclones scored five or more points led by Brandon Stanciel (Walther Lutheran) and Marquel Pierce (John Marshall Metropolitan) who each had 13. Stanciel also had two blocks with Pierce contributing five assists and four steals. Louis Green (St. Joseph) chipped in 12 points with 10 rebounds and five blocks. Kennedy Jones (Bolingbrook) added eight points, five rebounds and three steals. Morris Woods (Argo) and Donald Davenport (Xavier Academy) scored seven points each with Woods grabbing six boards and three steals while Davenport pulled down eight boards.
February 16, 2011 It may be late in the season, but the Cyclones seem to have found their game after winning their third straight Feb. 15. Losing a close one last time to Waubonsee Community College, the Cyclones would not repeat that fate, instead winning 57-48. Both teams had trouble getting any baskets in the first half with each team scoring on only three of their first 12 possessions. The defense had a clamp on both ends of the court, but by halftime the Chiefs had a slight 31-29 lead. Defense was still a premium in the second half, especially for the Cyclones, who only allowed four points in the first 10 minutes and outscored Waubonsee 14-5. Louis Green (St. Joseph) and Morris Woods (Argo) scored 9-of-14. Another 13-5 Cyclones run was led by Kennedy Jones (Bolingbrook), who banked 11. Moraine Valley took the lead for good, keeping Waubonsee at bay and forcing 17 second-half turnovers. Jones led the charge with 17 points, including three 3-pointers and five rebounds. Woods had 12 points and five rebounds while Green finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.
February 14, 2011
February 11, 2011 It's been a long time coming, but the Cyclones took control at home Feb. 10 as they trounced College of Lake County 62-42. Both squads started off slowly with a 9-8 Cyclones lead after five minutes. Lake County jumped ahead briefly, but Moraine Valley went on a few runs to lead 36-22 at halftime. The second half started out rocky for the Cyclones as they went 1-for-7 in the first six minutes, and the Lancers countered with a 9-1 run to cut their deficit. But the Cyclones responded with a 10-0 run and further advanced their lead to 54-37 on a basket and free throw by Morris Woods (Argo). Another blitz led by Marquel Pierce (John Marshall Metropolitan) pushed the Cyclones out of reach for the win. Louis Green (St. Joseph) dominated with 14 points, nine boards and nine blocks. Pierce chipped in 11 points and five assists off the bench while Woods scored nine and had four rebounds.
February 9, 2011 There were more chances for the Cyclones to win the contest against Morton College on Feb. 8, but too many turnovers and not enough offensive gains yielded another loss (67-62). The game started out as a tight battle with the lead changing hands three times in the first four minutes. The Panthers cruised ahead, but the Cyclones continued to fight back, lagging 39-30 at the break. In the second half, the first four minutes were tight with neither team grabbing an advantage. Both teams had several runs, including a 9-6 run by the Cyclones to cut the lead to 64-60 with 54 seconds remaining in the game. Two free throws by Marquel Pierce (John Marshall Metropolitan) cut the lead to 64-62. But three Morton free throws and a Cyclones turnover ended the chance for a comeback. Morris Woods (Argo) led the charge with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Louis Green (St. Joseph) put up 14 points, 11 boards and four blocks.
February 7, 2011 A sluggish offense hurt the Cyclones Feb. 5 as they fell 71-60 against Prairie State College. The Cyclones started off slowly once again, eventually falling behind 31 -21. However, a 6-2 Cyclones run cut the deficit to 33-27 at the break. In the second half, Moraine Valley continued their slow pace, unable to score on their first 11 possessions. At the 14-minute mark the Cyclones trailed 42-27. The Cyclones had at least two scoring runs left in them, first a 12-4 run to cut the lead to 59-49, and then a 5-2 run in the following two minutes. But 10 straight missed free throws hurt the 'Clones at the end leading to the loss. Kennedy Jones (Bolingbrook) had 12 points and four rebounds to lead the team. Jerome Taylor (Rich East) chipped in 11 points.
January 28, 2011 It took two overtimes, but Moraine Valley broke their losing streak for an 85-82 win Jan. 27 over Oakton Community College. The Cyclones were on fire from the start, scoring on five of their first six possessions to take an early lead. To close out the half, the Cyclones went on a 17-7 run to lead 37-29 at the break. Moraine Valley's momentum continued after halftime as they jumped to a 44-32 lead. A four-minute scoring drought, however, allowed the Raiders to close the gap to 58-57 with 2:10 left. The Raiders then tied the game, and Morris Woods (Argo) had a great look at the buzzer, but his 12-footer fell short to send the match into overtime. In the first overtime the Raiders raced to a 66-62 lead, but Moraine Valley answered with scoring by Kennedy Jones (Bolingbrook) and Louis Green (St. Joseph). With 13 seconds left, Oakton was up 69-66. The Cyclones cut the lead with a play that broke down, but ended with the ball in the hands of Green who calmly stroked a 24-foot 3-pointer to tie things up with 0.2 seconds left. The second overtime began with the Cyclones blowing down the defense and scoring on their first six possessions to lead 80-73, but Oakton wouldn't give up. Three Cyclones turnovers cut the lead to 83-82. Randall Rushing (Richards) hit two smooth free throws with 20 seconds remaining. The Cyclones defense stopped the Raiders on their last possession to secure the 85-82 double overtime victory and break a six-game losing streak. Green had a monster game with 23 points, 17 rebounds and six blocked shots. Jones chipped in 20 points and five rebounds. Woods had 13 points and five boards. Brandon Stanciel (Walther Lutheran) scored seven points and six rebounds while Dwayne McGhee (Richards) came off the bench to add eight points and grab four rebounds.
January 26, 2011 Another close one for the Cyclones ended in a 62-58 loss, this time at home Jan. 25 against rival Waubonsee Community College. Starting off strong, the Cyclones were up early, and with 5:12 left in the first half had a hefty 26-16 lead. Moraine Valley couldn't stop a surge by the Chiefs before halftime, that closed the gap to 30-26. In the second half, both teams struggled for the first seven minutes as the Cyclones held on to a 37-32 lead. With less than three minutes remaining, Waubonsee tied the game at 51. The Cyclones had some turnovers and lack of execution that kept them tripping to the finish line for the loss. Morris Woods (Argo) led the Cyclones with 17 points and eight rebounds. Newcomer Kennedy Jones (Bolingbrook) scored 11 with five assists while Jerome Taylor (Rich East) banked 11.
January 21, 2011
January 19, 2011 It was an unfortunate case of deja vu Jan. 18 for the Cyclones who lost 70-68 to Morton College, the identical result from their previous game. The Cyclones started out slow, but went on a 16-4 run to eventually take a 19-18 lead. It was tight the rest of the half with Morton holding on to a narrow 33-32 lead at the break. In the second half, the Cyclones were able to push ahead 38-33 in the first three minutes, but the lead continued to change hands. With the game tied at 67 and 52 seconds left, the Cyclones fouled twice allowing the Panthers to hit three out of four free throws to seal the win. The Cyclones were led by Morris Woods (Argo) with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. Louis Green (St. Joseph) chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds while Randall Rushing (Richards) scored 13 points and grabbed four rebounds.
January 18, 2011
January 12, 2011 Another close game for the Cyclones this season ended in a 68-64 loss, this time against Elgin Community College on Jan. 11. The game was close throughout with the Spartans up 32-29 at halftime. Moraine Valley took a 57-56 lead with 2:44 left in the game on a 3-pointer by Jerome Taylor (Rich East). The score bounced around as both teams traded baskets for the next two minutes. Thanks to a 3-point basket by Randall Rushing (Richards) the Cyclones took the lead back at 64-62 with 52 seconds remaining. With time running out, Elgin shut down the Cyclones and grabbed the victory. Rushing led the team with 24 points and six rebounds while Morris Woods (Argo) added 14 points and eight rebounds.
January 10, 2011 The Cyclones bounced back from a big loss with their first Skyway conference win (70-55) Jan. 8 against McHenry County College. The first Skyway game of the season started out slowly as both teams were feeling each other out in the first half. Each team had the lead at one point, and by the half Moraine Valley was down 32-29. With 9:52 left in the second half the Scots led 48-46, but not for long as the Cyclones went on an 11-2 run. Moraine Valley's defense stopped the Scots on 10 straight possessions to take a 63-50 lead with 3:36 left. The Cyclones sealed the win by shooting 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. Randall Rushing (Richards) led the offense with 20 points and five rebounds. Morris Woods (Argo) added 19 points and eight rebounds. Jerome Taylor (Rich East) scored 12 points with four steals while Brandon Stanciel (Walther Lutheran) chipped in six points and nine rebounds.
January 7, 2011
December 22, 2010
December 20, 2010 Ending a tough eight-game losing streak, the Cyclones found their energy and defense at home against Kishwaukee College on Dec. 19, winning the battle 63-59. Moraine Valley put together a total team effort making huge strides in defense. The game started off in see-saw fashion as both teams took turns in the lead. With the score tied at 20 and five minutes left, the Cyclones went on a 12-6 run to go ahead at the end of the half. In the second half, Kishwaukee came to life with a 20-6 run within the first seven minutes. Morris Woods (Argo) went on an eight-straight point barrage to cut Kishwaukee's lead to 48-46 with less than seven minutes left in the game. Then Louis Green's (St. Joseph) hoop and harm with four minutes remaining put the 'Clones ahead 52-51. With 2:37 left and the Cyclones down 53-52, Woods powered to the hoop to put the Cyclones ahead again. Marquel Pierce (John Marshall Metropolitan) sealed the win in the last 30 seconds from the free-throw line. Woods led the Cyclones with 16 points, all coming in the second half. Green added eight points with nine blocks and seven rebounds to spur the defense. Pierce ended the night with seven points. Darius Parker (St. Laurence) scored 12 points- four of those three-pointers. Randall Rushing (Richards) scored all eight of his points in the second half.
December 16, 2010 Shooting woes continued for the Cyclones, who lost their eighth straight game Dec. 15, this time at home against Olivet Nazarene University. Olivet Nazarene got out to a fast start in the first half by hitting 7-of-11 three-pointers. The Cyclones shot just 37 percent from the floor and ended up trailing 34-21 at the half. The second half continued to see the Cyclones lag as they were down by 14 for most of the remaining minutes. The game ended in a 65-47 loss for Moraine Valley. The Cyclones were led in scoring by Morris Woods (Argo) with 15 points and seven rebounds. Marquel Pierce (John Marshall Metropolitan) scored 10 points with four steals.
December
8, 2010 The road has been tough for the Cyclones this season who lost 67-63 in a close battle Dec. 7 against NJCAA Division I ranked Kankakee Community College. Moraine Valley was up 23-19 at the half playing with great tempo. However, the Cavaliers went on a 17-4 run to start the second half, going up 36-27. With seven minutes left in the game, Kankakee increased the lead to 49-35, but the Cyclones clawed back to within 10, making it 58-48. Moraine Valley picked up the pace and had their own 8-2 run to cut the lead, but were still down 60-56 with 1:08 to play. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough juice left for the Cyclones to pull out a win this time. Morris Woods (Argo) led with 23 points while Randall Rushing (Richards) chipped in with 15 points off the bench.
November 12, 2010
"I think it is a great place for Morris to thrive both on and off the court. He has a chance to have a great career there. Most importantly, he's going to school for free. In this economy you can't beat that," Shannon said. "This is just another step for our program to continue moving in the right direction. This was a proud day to be a Cyclones."
November 8, 2010 The Cyclones grabbed their first win early this season, a big 76-64 win over Saint Xavier University on Nov. 5. This win was a battle as the Cyclones were down by as much as 12 in the first half because of poor guarding and low energy. Moraine Valley picked up their game in the second half. Saint Xavier is always a tough and smart team with disciplined players who work hard, but the Cyclones persevered for the win. Darius Parker (St. Laurence) scored 28 with eight three-pointers, Louis Green (St. Joseph) had 21 points with eight rebounds, Morris Woods (Argo) banked 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Marquel Pierce (John Marshall Metropolitan) had eight points, six assists and four steals. "We're still moving forward and the guys have a lot to learn. We have to learn on the job because it doesn't get any easier this season. We play six teams that are ranked this year," said coach Dedrick Shannon.
November 3, 2010 The home opener Nov. 2 for Moraine Valley was a battle as they faced St. John's Military, but the Cyclones lost by a slim 77-75 margin. "We played very hard, and it was a tough loss but a great learning tool. We played a really tough team that probably has four or five division one players," said coach Dedrick Shannon. "This is one of the toughest teams we'll face this year. We have a chance to be really good. This was a wakeup call for our guys who are transitioning from high school to the college level."
November 2, 2010 With the core of their team gone and an appearance at the national tournament just out of reach the last two seasons, a new crop of Cyclones basketball players are ready for their next challenge. The Cyclones lost last year's top sophomore players, NJCAA All-Region IV and All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference power forward/center Dwight Mc Combs (Whitney Young) and guards Krystopher Randolph (Brother Rice), Kodahmus Llongbey (Richards) and D'ron Walker (Evergreen Park), who were each all-conference players. The lone returner from that group, forward Dwayne McGhee (6'5"/Richards), was a red shirt last season but played on the conference championship team in 2008-09. His experience should help in leading the team this year. Some core newcomers include guard/forward Brandon Stanciel (6'7"/Walther Lutheran); 6'10" forward/center and UIC transfer Louis Green (St. Joseph); and Argo grad Morris Woods (6'3"/guard/forward), all of whom have offers from four-year colleges and universities. Then there's Richards alum Randall Rushing (6'1"/guard) and Texas-bred Donald Davenport (6'5"/guard/forward/Xavier Academy). Other new Cyclones hoping to aid the team this year are guards Kennedy Jones (6'0"/Bolingbrook), Patrick McCarthy (6'1"/St. Rita), and Marquel Pierce (5'9"/John Marshall Metropolitan); guards/forwards Jerome Taylor (6'3"/Rich East) and Asante Thompson (6'3"/Tinley Park); and forward Michael West (6'3"/Bethesda Christian). There's still the need for a player to step up as a leading point guard, but otherwise the team is gelling. "We're well-balanced. There's no standout because we're a cohesive team. We have at least three guys who could individually play Division I basketball. We have some quality kids with good character this year. That always helps," said coach Dedrick Shannon. "We're really excited for this season. As always our ultimate goal is making it to nationals. Third time's a charm, but I think we can do it. We have players that want to learn and get better." The Cyclones will continue their ongoing rivalry with Morton College, who they've traded wins with in the playoffs the last two seasons. Region IV champ Waubonsee Community College is ranked this year and another team to keep on the radar. "I want to see us play hard and compete well. If we do that we'll be ready for a conference championship and region title," Shannon said. Shannon is joined again this season by assistants Dan Lange, Chris Lewis and Ryan "Reno" Alston. He has a former Cyclones on his coaching staff this season- Don Malic, a recent graduate of Trinity Christian College.
October 22, 2010
September 23, 2010 Moraine Valley is hosting its annual Cyclones Jamboree Oct. 10. College men's basketball teams will be competing with one another in this day-long tournament starting at 8 a.m. with the Cyclones versus Elgin Community College. Other participants include Daley College, Harper College, Kankakee Community College, Kennedy-King College, Lansing Community College, Malcolm X College, Lithuanian World Center, Morton College, Oakton Community College, Olive-Harvey College, Prairie State College, Triton College, and Waubonsee Community College. For additional information, call (708) 974-5727.
August 3, 2010 The men's basketball team continues to grow with the addition of a transfer from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Louis Green, a St. Joseph High School graduate and All-Area player, brings experience with him. As a freshman at UIC, he scored a season high 29 points with eight rebounds. The 6'9" center will be a strong supplement to the Cyclones squad. "He'll be a major impact right away. He's huge and takes up a lot of space," said coach Dedrick Shannon. "He can be really good and with his help we hope to see the conference title back in our hands and finally a Region IV championship."
May 4, 2010 It's official: Six Cyclones have earned scholarships to continue their education and play ball at four-year universities. Power forward/center Dwight McCombs was a desired commodity for several top colleges around the country, but he ultimately settled with the University of Central Florida. Guard Krystopher Randolph is joining his former Cyclones teammate Roy Beard at Robert Morris University. Guard Kodahmus Llongbey is heading south to St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida. D'ron Walker, guard, was accepted at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he also will join former Cyclones teammate Marcale Marshall. Another guard, Christopher Quinn, committed to Trinity International University in Deerfield. Guard/Forward Scott Lyons is headed to Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. "I hate to see any of those guys go. They had an unbelievable two-year span, the best ever since I've been here. But most of all it was a pleasure watching them grow into men. Helping them get into other schools was a joy for me," said coach Dedrick Shannon. "Working with my six players to get them scholarships and choose a four-year college was tough at times, but in the end that's what it's all about, getting the kids in school. Not to mention it has made recruiting for our team a lot easier." With that many players moving on, the Cyclones are expecting to rebuild with a handful of returners and some recruits. The Cyclones already have commitments from some local talent, including Torii Minnifield (Eisenhower), Kendall Love (Thornton), Jerome Taylor (Rich East), Rob Johnson (Rich East), Morris Woods (Argo), Josh Creed (Brother Rice), and Darius Parker (St. Laurence). 2009-10 Season Season
Record: 16-17
All-Region IV first team: Dwight Mc Combs (Whitney Young/Miami of Ohio)
* Denotes Conference Game
March 10, 2010 The regular season didn't turn out exactly as planned for the Cyclones, but once they started Region IV playoffs they surged to a near berth into the national championship for the second consecutive season. Before starting their first playoff game on Feb. 25, head coach Dedrick Shannon cut a few players that were bringing the team down. "We were hurting and I needed to cut some guys. That move brought the team closer together, and they saw that I believed they could win," Shannon said. Overcoming McHenry County College in the first playoff game and then nationally ranked rival Morton College in the semi-finals, whom they lost to last year in the finals, set the Cyclones up for a chance to play in the nationals. The final contest on March 6 against Waubonsee Community College was intense, but the Cyclones lost 83-90. "We played well, but they played great, shooting 67 percent from the field by halftime. It was hard to recover," Shannon said. Foul trouble sidelined Moraine Valley's top two players, Dwight Mc Combs and Krystopher Randolph, and neutralized the defense, Shannon said. By halftime the Cyclones were down 14, but cut that to one point with a minute left in the game. "My guys did an incredible job. Of course, we were disappointed with the results, but we made it to the finals for the second consecutive year," Shannon said. "The team is going in the right direction." In the last two seasons the Cyclones have racked up a 44-22 record, a best for Shannon. The team's overall record of 16-17 and 5-9 conference record fell short of the Cyclones's goal of another Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship or 20-plus win season. However, the silver lining was playing tough in the playoffs and particularly knocking conference champs Morton College out in the semi-finals, Shannon said. Despite finishing fifth in the conference, the Cyclones boast a number of honors for their players. Mc Combs topped the NJCAA Division II in individual blocks per game with five, was ranked third in field goal percentage and rebounds, and 11th for individual scoring. He also was named to the All-Region IV, All-Region IV tournament and All-Conference first teams. Randolph joins Mc Combs on the All-Region IV tournament and All-Conference first teams. Kodahmus Llongbey and D'ron Walker both got nods for the All-Conference second team. At least six players- Mc Combs, Randolph, Walker, Llongbey, Christopher Quinn, and Scott Lyons- are expected to continue their education and play basketball on scholarships at four-year colleges and universities. A lot of talented players are moving on to other schools, but Shannon has some good hoopsters expected to return and has leads on skilled freshman. "I hope to replace the guys leaving with new faces that have the same quality character. I'm anxious to work with the returning guys, too," Shannon said. "We hope next year is the year we go to nationals."
November 2, 2009 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), Kodahmus Llongbey (6'2"/Richards) and Krystopher Randolph (6'0"/Brother Rice) 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 D'ron Walker (6'1"/Evergreen Park), forward Jesse McGhee (6'2"/Hales), and center/forward Aaron Green (6'5"/Lockport). "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." 2008-09 Season Season
Record: 28-5 *Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Champions (clinched Feb. 17)
All-Region IV first team: Marcale Marshall (Rich South)
* Denotes Conference Game
September 4, 2009 Tryouts for the men's basketball team have been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the gym. If you have any questions, call head coach Dedrick Shannon at (708) 974-5461 or e-mail shannond5@morainevalley.edu.
June 9, 2009
May 1, 2009
April 27, 2009
March 12, 2009
Feb. 27, 2009
Feb. 20, 2009
Jan. 5, 2009
Oct. 28, 2008 2007-08
Season
* Skyway Conference
2007-08 Season Preview Coming off a 19-win season in 2006-07, Moraine Valley's men's basketball team is looking to finish the upcoming season with 20 or more wins and earning a spot at the national tourn'ment in March. "We had a great season last year, and of course we want to improve upon it with an even better showing this season," said head coach Dedrick Shannon. "Our first goal will be to compete for the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship, and if we can do that, I think we'll be a major contender in post-season play." "The talent on this year's team is deep," Shannon said. "We have skill players available at every position that are ready to compete for a conference title." Contributing to the Cyclones' campaign this year will be second-year starter Larry Woods (Shepard High School, a 6'6" guard/forward who recently was named one of the top 120 junior college players in the nation and a first-team pre-season All-American. Woods, who was the team's leading scorer last season, will be supported by Larrell Gary (Whitney Young High School), a 6'1" second-year guard who will establish his leadership on the floor. Roy Beard, a 6'8" forward/center who transferred from East Central Oklahoma also is expected to make a big presence under the boards. Outside shooter and steadfast defender Evon Mosby (Rich South), a 6' first-year guard, also will be a key player for the Cyclones this season, as will 6'5" second-year guard/forward Brandon Price (Marist High School) and 6'4" first-year guard/forward Durrelle Garmon (Prosser High School). Additionally, 5'10" first-year guard Julian Ibarra (Reavis High School) will bring a 21 point-per-game high-school average into collegiate play. Several supporting roles also will be crucial to Moraine Valley's success this year, including the talents of McKinley Bell (Harper High School), a first-year 6'4" guard/forward; Donny Malic (Andrew High School), a second-year 5'9" guard; Scott Erickson (Andrew High School) a second-year 6'2" guard/forward; Dominique Sanders (Eisenhower High School) a first-year 6'2" forward; D'Ron Walker (Evergreen Park), a first-year 6'2" guard/forward; and Rob Sankey (Curie High School), a first-year 5'10" guard. "We have a solid team this year," Shannon said. "If these kids commit to the team and to their studies, this season will have some real potential." 2006-07 Season Review
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For the second consecutive year, the Cyclones have a player who signed a
National Letter of Intent to continue playing basketball at an NCAA Division I four-year
university. This year it's freshman 6'8' forward/center Richaun Holmes
(Lockport). 
Six-foot-three guard/forward Morris Woods (Argo)
signed a National Letter of Intent on Nov. 11 to play basketball at Eastern
Illinois University next fall. The freshman is the first student-athlete in
Cyclones coach Dedrick Shannon's tenure to sign before finishing his first year
of college ball.
The finale to an otherwise outstanding season was not ideal, but Shannon was
pleased with his team's accomplishments. The Cyclones ended the season with a
28-5 overall record, a 13-1 conference record, and topped the conference for the
first time since 2002.
