Men's Basketball News
2009 ~ 2010 Season
Yamaguchi Headed to Carolinas Conference
Otero Junior College’s point guard Yuki Yamaguchi has committed to play at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, North Carolina next season. Pfeiffer is a NCAA division two school in the Carolinas Conference that finished with a 13-7 conference record last year.
Yamaguchi started 59 of 61 games as a Rattler and averaged 6.1 assist per game and 3.7 points per game in his career at Otero. Yamaguchi also broke the season and career free throw percentage record at Otero shooting 89.7 percent from the line in his two-year stint. “We are excited to have Yuki at Pfeiffer. Now we just need to find some guys for him to pass to,” commented head Pfeiffer coach Dave Davis. Otero head coach Houston Reed had this to add about Yamaguchi, “Yuki is like no player I have ever coached. His commitment, work ethic, and loyalty is impeccable. He really fits into Pfeiffer’s open court game and their full-court defensive system of play.” Yamaguchi also made a visit to Roberts Wesleyan in Rochester, New York.
Rattlers Ink Peyton Twins
The Otero Junior College men’s basketball team signed Chris and Justin Spurling of Peyton, Colorado. The Peyton Panthers finished 23-3 on the season and were state runner up in the 3A state basketball tournament this season.
The twin towers, standing at 6’6” and 6’7” dominated the glass and paint for the Panthers this season. They combined for 15 points per game, 12.3 rebounds per game, and 97 blocked shots on the season. Both are three year varsity lettermen at Peyton. Chris was Tri-Peaks all-conference, CHSAA all-state, Denver Post all-state, and Gazette Telegraph all-area. Justin was recognized as Tri-Peaks all-conference and received his team’s Blue Collar award.
Head Coach Houston Reed is excited about what the Spurling boys can bring to the program, “Both Chris and Justin are tough. They are athletic and finish above the rim. They know how to defend the post and come from a system that teaches half court defensive principles. I look forward to being able to work with them on the block and continue to develop them. The bottom line is they are good, tough, hard working, blue collar winners.”
White Signs at Park
Otero Junior College forward Jordan White will sign at Park University in Parkville, Missouri. Park is located 15 miles north of Kansas City, MO and is a NAIA division one program. Park University head coach Jason Kline has been recognized twice as NAIA division one national coach of the year and has built their program off NCAA division one and junior college transfers.
Jordan White is originally from Denver, Colorado and prepped at George Washington High School. Jordan averaged 5.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg in his final seven games as a starter for the Rattlers. Jordan will also be recognized as an academic all-region selection for his performance in the classroom in the 2008-09 season. “Jordan has a great feel for the game and understands how the game is suppose to be played. He has developed a big time body to go along with his athleticism,” commented head coach Houston Reed.
Three Rattlers Sign to Move On
Three student-athletes from the Otero Junior College men’s basketball program signed national letters of intent to play at four-year programs next season. All three are receiving athletic scholarships to continue playing basketball and finish their four-year degrees.
Dominic Moore originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana will play for division one University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff who finished 13-17 last season. Dominic gave the Rattlers 4 ppg and 4 rpg as a sophomore. “We brought Dominic in here to give our program some length and athleticism. He is a prototypical division one power forward,” Coach Reed commented. Dominic also made an official visit to Alabama State University.
Daniel Steffensen from Rio Rancho, New Mexico will play for Fort Lewis College next year who spent part of the season nationally ranked and made the division two national tournament for the third straight year. Steffensen was selected as an all-region player this year and averaged 15.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, and 4.0 assist for the Rattlers. Steffensen leaves Otero as 8th all-time in scoring in Otero basketball history. “Fort Lewis’ offensive system of play really fits Dan. He really has a chance to be an impact player in the RMAC league,” Coach Reed commented. Steffensen made other official visits to Northern State and Dixie State.
Joey Stukes from Aurora, Colorado prepped at Hinkley High School and will go on to play at Western State College in Gunnison who finished 14-14 last season. Joey averaged 10.7 ppg and shot 41 percent from three his sophomore season before having a season ending ACL injury with eight games left in the regular season. “Joey is a by-product of our program. He really worked hard and bought into being a college basketball player in his time here,” Coach Reed commented.
Moore, Steffensen, and Stukes will graduate from OJC with associate degrees. Coach Reed also added that four other Rattlers are expected to sign in the coming weeks.
Steffensen Recognized
Otero Junior College’s Daniel Steffensen was selected as to the 2008-09 all-region team. Steffensen led the Rattlers in scoring and rebounding averaging 15.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg respectively. He was second on the team in assist at 4.0 per game. Steffensen was also named to the Region IX all-tournament team. Steffensen leaves Otero as 8th all-time in scoring in the history of the program.
Team GPA - 6th in Nation
The Otero Junior College men's basketball team finished the 2007-08 academic season ranked sixth in the nation in team grade point average. The Rattlers finished with a 3.11 team gpa. Total team grade point average in accumulated by the final grades for all players that used eligibility for the Rattlers during the season.
Along with the national academic recognition, seven student-athletes received regional honors as academic all-region recipients. Those finishing the academic year with a 3.25 gpa or higher were Matt Andenucio (Pueblo, CO), Cody Henry (Joes, CO), Steve Lane (Westminster, CO), Cole Smith (Burlington, CO), Daniel Steffensen (Rio Rancho, NM), Geoffrey Todd (Boulder, CO), and Yuki Yamaguchi (Tokyo, Japan). Todd, Henry and Lane were also honored as academic All-Americans.
Coach Reed had this to say about his team's academic success, "We are proud of the effort and success of our program in the classroom. It's some reinforcement that our student-athletes understand that their performance in the classroom is their first priority."
Snyder Joins UCCS
Otero Junior College is proud to annouce that former Rattler Alex Snyder signed a national letter of intent to play at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs next season. Snyder will be joining OJC post Cole Smith in this year's recruiting class.
Snyder averaged 8.6 ppg and 4.2 rpg for the Rattlers last season. Snyder appeared in only 19 of 31 games last season because of several season injuries. "Alex was an X-factor for our program last season. We were a much better team in practices and games with him on the floor," stated OJC head coach Houston Reed. Snyder's most impressive stat came from the defensive end taking a total of 25 charges.
Snyder is a graduate of Harrison High School in Colorado Springs, and finished his last two semesters at OJC with 4.0 gpa. "Coach Canton is getting a tough player that wins the battles in the trenches. He will have an opportunity to impact UCCS if he can stay healthy," Reed commented.
Snyder was one of three sophomores for the Rattlers last season.
Cole Smith first big piece in what will be good recruiting class By Doug Fitzgerald
What promises to be a very exciting recruiting class for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs men’s basketball program got its first big piece Tuesday.
Mountain Lions men’s basketball coach Russ Caton announced the signing of junior college transfer Cole Smith to a national letter of intent.
Smith will come to UCCS as a junior, having played his first two seasons at Otero Junior College. As a sophomore, Smith averaged 16 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 57 percent from the field. He led the Rattlers in scoring, rebounding, free throw attempts, free throws made and field goal percentage.
“He brings the size and strength to our program that we needed more of last year,” said Caton. “He’s a physical post player who runs well and can get to the foul line.”
His former coach, Houston Reed, cited Smith’s physicality and pointed out that the Burlington High School graduate shot 232 free throws in 30 games, an average of 7.73 per game. Smith finished his junior college career as Otero’s 11th all-time leading scorer, which is impressive because the school has produced many NCAA Division I transfers.
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