An early, early look at local players making an impact in college basketball

Drez McBride is one of several Augusta raised NJCAA standouts from last weekend.

Daniel Carr scored 18 points and dished out 6 assists for Queens Saturday in an 87-74 loss to Northern State in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. The junior point guard who led Midland Valley to a state championship in 2016 ran the show for the 7th ranked (Division II) Royals in the team's 2 games last weekend. Carr, a preseason second team all (SAC) league player, tallied 17 points and 8 assists in Friday's 101-87 win over William Jewel in the opening night of the Classic.



Queens will play Emmanuel College this Friday at 7:30 in Hickory, North Carolina.

JUCO Spotlight

I have about a dozen reasons to make this the season I add junior college coverage to AugBball because that is about how many good players will make a major impact at two year schools in places close like Georgia and South Carolina, and far away like Nebraska and Iowa. Here is a rundown of the players and teams that shined during the first official weekend of NJCAA action:

Tre Gomillion scored 13 points on 5 for 5 field goal shooting, and he grabbed 8 rebounds in Gordon State's 74-73 season opening victory over Cleveland State Community College. The freshman, who led Aquinas to a state title last season and earned Augusta Chronicle Player of the Year recognition the season before that, followed Friday's performance with another good one Saturday. In a 101-94 win over Roane State Community College, Gomillion tallied 18 points and 8 rebounds on another perfect outing (8 for 8) from the field.

Tre Gomillion led Aquinas to a state title in 2018.

Gordon State's 2-0 start to the season brings optimism that the team can make a big improvement over last season's 7-24 season record. The team will take on Santa Fe College this Friday at 8:00 P.M.

Rand posts Lincoln County type numbers and Williamson commits to D1 USC Upstate

Ahmad Rand (shown here in 2016) scored 26 points in USC Salk's loss Saturday.

USC Salk, home of no fewer than 5 local players, went winless in its first two games, including an 83-68 loss to the nation's #1 team, Northwest Florida State Friday, and a 90-80 loss to Coastal Alabama Saturday. Lincoln County graduate ('17) Ahmad Rand scored 26 points Saturday, making 11 of 14 field goals. The 6'8" center also grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked 4 shots, posting a line that recalls his time at Lincoln County, where he led the Red Devils to a deeper run in the class 1A state playoffs than anybody I know can remember for LC.

Rand's teammate Kevin Williamson, who graduated from Aiken last May after leading the Hornets to two consecutive region titles and two straight class 4A quarterfinal finishes, also scored 10 points Saturday after posting 9 in the opener. Many 4 year college coaches made a mistake in not signing Kevin after last season, but Division I USC Upstate capitalized by securing his commitment over the weekend:

6’5 G Kevin Williamson (@x_ballout) has committed to USC Upstate! pic.twitter.com/aqRLWXUuG3

— USC Salk MBB (@Salk_Hoops) November 5, 2018

Tez Collins (North Augusta '18) scored 8 points and 5 points, respectively, in the two games for Salk, and Rod Culver (Fox Creek '17) scored 9 on 3 for 4 shooting in Saturday's game.

Drez McBride wasted no time getting started putting the ball in the basket

McCook's Drez McBride (Butler '18)

McCook Community College's Drez McBride (Butler '18) scored 12 points Friday in a 125-78 win over Louisiana Christian Prep, and he logged another 17 Saturday in another win over the MCC All Stars. Both games were part of the MCC Tip-Off Classic. McCook (Nebraska) will take on Air Force Prep Tuesday at 5:00 P.M. Eastern.

Barton big in Southeastern's win

Deandre Barton (Butler '17) scored 12 points in Southeastern's 86-84 win over Kirkwood Community College Saturday, helping his team finish the weekend with two wins after a comfortable 89-63 victory over Carl Sandburg College Friday. Southeastern (Iowa) will play Bryant and Stratton College Wednesday at 8:00 P.M. Eastern.

Andrew wins a pair and a host of Augustans contribute

Andrew College topped Chattahooche Valley Community College 72-71 Friday and Southern Basketball Academy 78-64 Saturday. A handful of local players contributed:

Tim Williamson (Glenn Hills ‘18):
Friday - 5 pts, 3 reb, 3 as
Saturday - 5 pts, 9 as

Moses Jones (Cross Creek ‘16):
Friday - 3 pts
Saturday - 5 pts

Javen Whitehead (Josey ‘17):
Friday - 2 pts
Saturday - 6 pts

Keith Littles (Butler ‘18):
Saturday - 6 pts