The Howard Payne men’s basketball program has 11 new faces along with the six returners to round out the 2009-2010 team.
The Jackets return six players, all guards from last season’s 7-18 team. Losing three post players to graduation, head coach Troy Drummond knew what they needed to get done through recruiting in the off-season.
“Losing three post players to graduation and returning six guards, Coach Matt Zinser (assistant coach) and I needed to get some players that could play inside and help us out right away.” said head coach Troy Drummond. “We believe we have secured some newcomers that will help us.”
The program did secure four inside players that should see time this season – Daniel Bubel (6-8, FR, C, Granbury), Kanyon Payne (6-6, FR, F, Granbury), and Joshua Dada (6-5, FR, F, Mansfield-Timberview). Add to that transfer from University of Texas at Dallas Brian Hummel (6-8, C, Argyle).
Other freshman include, Grant Young (6-2, G, Granbury), Kelly O’Keffe (6-5, F, Houston-Lamar Consolid.), Micheal Thompson (6-3, G, Brownwood), Ross Whittet (6-1, G, Granbury), Cory Edwards (6-1, G, Little Elm), and Aaron Bass (5-11, G, Crosbyton) along with first year senior Ronald Wright (5-10, G, Pittsburg, CA).
Returning is ASC Honorable Mention West Division wing Keith Perry (6-6, SR). He averaged 12.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season. Brandon Irwin (6-2, SO), last season’s ASC West Division Freshman of the Year, averaged 10.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game and should be one of the go to players this season.
The Jackets also return 6-4 guard Brock Woods and 6-3 guard John Bryant, both played for HPU two seasons ago.
Other returners include, starting point guard Zane Smith (5-9, JR), Brit Campbell (6-1, SO), Quentin Calloway (5-11, SO), and starting guard Henry Valladares (6-3, SO).
The Jackets had a -3.4 rebounding margin last season and coach Drummond is making that a point of emphasis this season to improve.
“We did not do a good job last year of keeping opponents off the offensive glass. We play solid defense and will score some points but we know have to do a better job rebounding this year,” said Drummond.
The Yellow Jackets will open the season at the Fred Jacoby Classic at the University of Texas at Tyler on November 20-21, 2009. Howard Payne will have their season home opener on Thursday, December 3rd against the University of the Ozarks at 7:30 pm.
