By Kyle Grew, Staff Reporter.
Delta College Men’s Basketball Team has netted several victories in preseason scrimmages and went 3-0 at the Owens Community College Jamobroee in Ohio. Now, the team hopes to continue putting up “W”s as the season gets real.
The men were set to travel to top-ranked Rock Valley College in Rockford, Ill., on Saturday and open at home on Thursday when Rochester College’s JV squad visits the Pioneer gym at 7 p.m.
“I want to bring a winning culture to Delta,” said new Head Coach Kyle Blackbourn.
The team ended last season with a 14-17 record and loss in the district tournament semifinals.
Blackbourn, who is spending his first season with the Delta team, has a mix of returners and new talent to work with.
Delta is a young and hungry team lead by three returners:
Chris Chrzan (SO) Forward and Gabe Blalock (SO) Forward who are both players who provide a lot of game experience and leadership. Michael Venner (SO) Guard, is another returner and key contributor, but he is sidelined right now with an ankle injury but is very close to returning.
Adding to those returners are some key newcomers:
Markell Bradshaw (FR) Guard, will be someone they look to handle to the ball and give a spark on defense. Davian Phillips (FR) Guard, adds to the defensive identity being established and provides a great quality as a good teammate. Justin Person (FR) Guard, is player that can player either guard position and can really light up the scoreboard and with some polishing on the defensive end can be a really good player.
Another player who is a mix between returner and newcomer is Travon Cotton. The sophomore played for Delta during 11/12 season will be a leader on the team while using a keen awareness and strength down low to score and corral rebounds.
Blackbourn is kind of used to winning. He joins Delta after guiding Benedictine College to a win in the national tournament. Having that big game experience and winning mentality, he hopes to bring the same to Delta.
Specifically, Coach Blackbourn stated the thing he wants to bring Delta as a team is a “defensive Identity”, which he feels Delta lacked last year.
Blackbourn notes that a tough schedule, which consists of nine top-20 ranked teams, will help mold this team going forward.
Quite possibly their biggest test will be in their first game of the year when they travel to Rock Valley College, the preseason division III NJCAA No. 1 team.
“The Game will be a good measuring stick for us,” stated Blackbourn.
Check the Delta Collegiate’s sports section online at www.DeltaCollegiate.com for all the latest scores.
