NT recruits primed for season

MeanGreen61 · August 30, 2006

Basketball coaches see balance, talent in new recruits

Richard C. White

Issue date: 8/30/06

It may be football season, but the NT basketball teams are ready to go with new recruits in tow.

The women's basketball team has incoming freshmen Mimi Goodman, Brittney James and Torrian Timms ready to contribute. Goodman had back surgery last spring, so her play on the court depends on her ability "to overcome the injury as well as learning a new system."

Goodman "is a very physical player, which is something that we haven't always had within our post players," NT women's head coach Tina Slinker said.

Slinker told people not to sleep on Timms because of her size and said she is "one of the better block players I've seen in a long time."

The major weakness the team had last season was on the offensive side of the ball with its inability to rack up points. In James, she has a "versatile player who really has the potential to score," Slinker said.

Also new is transfer student Yari Escalera, who must sit out this season per NCAA rules. Slinker is looking forward to Escalera playing next year because of the point guard position that is still in question for the team. Slinker said Escalera has "potential at being a team captain."

The women's team also has two junior college transfers, Lysa Koubiteb and Mamie James. Both are juniors. Slinker sees in these players the experience and leadership needed to "fill in some of the pieces that we're missing."

Slinker's players combine to form "a nice team with a good mix." Slinker recently gave her players T-shirts honoring their 2005-2006 Sun Belt Conference West Division Championship. "Now we just have to go out and defend it," Slinker said.

On the men's side, transfer students Collin Dennis and Roderick Flemings must sit out this season, also, because of NCAA rules.

Head coach Johnny Jones said they will bring "an attitude in practice that will give us an opportunity to challenge and get some really stiff competition daily."

Junior Jonathan Jackson was a transfer student who sat out last year and is eligible to play this season. Jones thinks it will be tougher for Jackson to step in because he hasn't played a full season in the last two years.

Jones sees the talent in Jackson but said "basketball is a very difficult game, and when you don't get the reps that you need you can get a little rusty."

Collin Mangrum is the team's only freshman, but that's not stopping Jones from seeing his capabilities.

"He has shown the ability to play with the upperclassmen," Jones said.

With the new recruits, Jones said it's the most balanced team he's coached in years.

Edited August 30, 2006 by MeanGreen61

Buford_Julep · September 1, 2006

Jackson missed most of his two JC seasons. The season before that he was redshirted at Eastern Washington. If my memory is correct, Jackson was also ineligible his senior year in high school. He may have gone four seasons without playing much in official games.

No matter how much talent he may have I don't think we can expect him to be a big part of the team this season.