Barton projected 8th in West
The Barton County Community College men's basketball team will start fresh this season. The Cougars enter the campaign with a brand new coaching staff and a totally overhauled roster. No members from last year's team appear on this year's roster. Barton was picked to finish 8th in the Jayhawk West by the coaches. Although, with new coaching and brand new talent, the Cougars could surprise some people.

Garden City is the early coaches' favorite to win the West, with the Broncbusters also receiving votes in the Preseason NJCAA Top 30 Poll. Seward County starts the season ranked No. 23 in the NJCAA, but the Saints are picked to finish second to Garden City in the West. Hutchinson is picked at 3rd place, followed by Cloud County, Butler, Pratt, Dodge City, Barton County, and Colby. Coffeyville was picked 1st in the East, followed by Independence at 2nd at the Jayhawk Conference Basketball Preseason Press Conference Monday in Wichita.

Barton will start new this year, with a new coach and roster. This team is built for speed and athleticism, instead of traditional size. Coach Craig Fletchall joins the Cougars from Neosho, where his team finished third in the East this past season. Barton returns no members from last year's team. Point guard Dominique White, transfer from Fresno State will be important to the Cougars this season, bringing big time college experience and leadership to the Cougars. Guard Reggie Love brings explosive shooting to the table, which will help open up the inside game.

West favorites Garden City return 1 letterman from last year, but have a number of key players coming back from last year's Jayhawk Conference Championship team. Seward will bring back 3 lettermen from last year. Returning sophomores Adam Tanner and Jerrell Green will add leadership and experience to the Saints. After a 5th place finish last season, Hutchinson returns 5 lettermen, including 4 other sophomores. The post game will be important to a Blue Dragon team loaded with post players. Cloud County returns 7 key men from last season. They were a young team last year, with experience hoping to be a factor a better team this season. Four letter-winners for Butler this year, with a trio of sophomores leading the way. Corey Bailey and Jordan Clements will be counted on to score, with a talented freshman class helping out. The Pratt Beavers will return 5 lettermen from last year's team. They have many kids that can score the ball, an important aspect in their system. Dodge City enters the new season with 4 lettermen from last year. They return a trio of good perimeter players, with young and athletic posts. Colby only brings back 2 letter-winners from 2004-2005, but have a lot of character players. Guard play will be important to the Trojans.

Jayhawk West poll
1. Garden City (23-10, 13-3)
2. Seward County (23-9, 11-5)
3. Hutchinson (17-12, 7-9)
4. Cloud County (16-15, 8-8)
5. Butler (18-14, 6-10)
6. Pratt (19-17, 8-8)
7. Dodge City (13-17, 5-11)
8. Barton County (13-17, 8-8)
9. Colby (15-15, 6-10)

Next
Fri., Nov. 4 – v Air Force Prep, 8 pm (Pizza Hut Classic at the Barton County Gym)
Sat., Nov. 5 – v Neosho, 8 pm (Pizza Hut Classic at the Barton County Gym)

-30-

Check out Barton County Basketball Online at www.bartonccc.edu/sports