It’s hard to believe, but college basketball season is here. This week, we’ll preview Michigan’s 19 junior college teams.

By Patrick Hayes

At a glance

• Coach: Randy Henry, sixth season
• Last year: 19-12, 10-8 MCCAA
• Conference: Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA)
• Key losses: Karl Moore, Lydell Mason, LenDerrick Witcher, Daniel Hill
• Key additions: (freshmen) Delandon Laye, Salah Alawgari, Terrel Sewell, Damon Grahm, Chris Brown, Zinoviy Pelekh, Jonathan Campbell, Grantham Bettner, Nicholas Redmond, Terrance Coles; (sophomores) Marcus Williams, Jordan Eastman, Kyle Bambach
• Team website
• Schoolcraft C.C. news on BallinMichigan

Overview

Schoolcraft established itself as a formidable, tough opponent last season. After losing several key players, they’ll have to do it again.

Strengths

Schoolcraft has one key returning player from last season among the four sophomores on the team in Richmond Jackson. Jackson averaged 8.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in a supporting role. Eastman, a sophomore transfer, also has some experience after playing in 28 games and averaging 2.3 points per game for Kellogg Community College last season.

Weaknesses

Four players who scored in double figures last season — Moore, Witcher, Mason and Hill — all have to be replaced. Moore is the biggest loss. He was one of the most productive players in Michigan JUCO last season, averaging 22.7 points, 12.1 rebounds and nearly a block and a steal per game. He will continue his college career at the University of Rio Grande.

Together, those four players accounted for about 57 points per game and played big minutes. Schoolcraft will need several players from its incoming class to be immediate contributors to replace that.

Circle these dates …

• Jan. 7 and Feb. 4 — Delta finished two games behind Schoolcraft in the standings, but the Pioneers got better as last season progressed and will be looking to move up.
• Jan. 19 and Feb. 16 — Macomb finished just one game behind Schoolcraft last season and will also be on the team’s heels, looking to improve in the standings.

Outlook

Schoolcraft is well-coached and, although its reasonable to expect some drop-off considering what they lost from last season, they’re still a good bet to be a factor in the Eastern district.

Previously

• Alpena needs to replace talented foursome from last season
• Sophomore Larry Taylor leads an improving Jackson C.C. program into season
• Delta loses All-American Jody Hill in quest for third straight district final four
• Kellogg’s Darius Holman among state’s top returning players
• Wayne County returns two big-time scorers
• New coach hoping to lead Lake Michigan to more success
• Mix of new and old talent should help Kalamazoo Valley improve

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