Frogs Go Juco Route
Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 1:37 pmGetting right to point of matter
By Jeff Wilson
The national letters of intent have been faxed in, and the four recruits who make up the class of 2007 for the TCU men's basketball team are working their way toward Fort Worth.
Their arrivals are eagerly anticipated, and some will be on campus within a month. While no one is heaping expectations on the group, each is expected to make an impact in what stands to be a critical season for coach Neil Dougherty.
At the very least, Dougherty believes the recruits will make TCU a deeper, more athletic and higher-scoring team when the season opens in November.
"I'm really happy with them," said Dougherty, who is 61-92 in five seasons at TCU. "We addressed a lot of needs. We've added ability and depth. Collectively, that group is going to help elevate us."
The class includes three junior-college transfers and a 20-year-old freshman, who spent the past two years at a Philadelphia prep school. Dougherty admits he prefers signing high school prospects, but said the Frogs stand to benefit more from two-year players.
Each stands to play significant minutes, and some could jump into a starting lineup that is certain to include junior forward Kevin Langford and senior guard Brent Hackett.
TCU, 13-17 last season, might benefit most from Henry Salter, a third-team JUCO All-American who was the only junior-college player nationally to rank in the top 10 in points and rebounds.
At 6-foot-4, he gives TCU a piece that was missing last season -- a scorer who creates matchup problems and can get his points in a variety of ways.
His presence could help open the perimeter for Hackett, the Frogs' top outside shooter.
Brandon Stores (6-9) and John Ortiz (6-8) will give TCU more bodies and more athletic ability inside. Stores showed last season that he is the scorer of the two, averaging 13.6 points, and Dougherty also expects 6-11 Luke Tauscher to make an impact as a redshirt freshman after missing last season with a back injury.
The most intriguing player, though, is point guard Mike Scott. He graduated high school in 2004 but spent the past two seasons working to support his family and honing his game at Philadelphia Lutheran Christian Academy.
Dougherty said sophomores Jason Ebie and Martiese Morones are capable, but neither received enough playing time as freshmen to stake a claim to the starting job. Ryan Wall can play the point, but coaches like him better as a full-time shooting guard.
Scott is a good shooter, but likes to push the tempo and get the ball in the right hands. Dougherty said the class should allow TCU to play at a faster pace.
"I know that [Dougherty] has scorers and he's bringing in scorers," Scott said. "I just want to add to it whenever those guys are off, and when they get back on, I'll just wait my turn."
ONLINE: gofrogs.com
FANTASTIC FOUR?
G Mike Scott 6-0, Philadelphia Lutheran Christian Academy, Well-seasoned freshman (20 years old) likes to push tempo
G Henry Salter 6-4, Gulf Coast (Miss.) Community College, Third-team JUCO All-American
F Brandon Stores 6-9, College of Southern Idaho, Seven 20-point games and shot 54 percent
F John Ortiz 6-8, Colby (Kan.) Community College, Versatile enough to defend on the perimeter
By Jeff Wilson
The national letters of intent have been faxed in, and the four recruits who make up the class of 2007 for the TCU men's basketball team are working their way toward Fort Worth.
Their arrivals are eagerly anticipated, and some will be on campus within a month. While no one is heaping expectations on the group, each is expected to make an impact in what stands to be a critical season for coach Neil Dougherty.
At the very least, Dougherty believes the recruits will make TCU a deeper, more athletic and higher-scoring team when the season opens in November.
"I'm really happy with them," said Dougherty, who is 61-92 in five seasons at TCU. "We addressed a lot of needs. We've added ability and depth. Collectively, that group is going to help elevate us."
The class includes three junior-college transfers and a 20-year-old freshman, who spent the past two years at a Philadelphia prep school. Dougherty admits he prefers signing high school prospects, but said the Frogs stand to benefit more from two-year players.
Each stands to play significant minutes, and some could jump into a starting lineup that is certain to include junior forward Kevin Langford and senior guard Brent Hackett.
TCU, 13-17 last season, might benefit most from Henry Salter, a third-team JUCO All-American who was the only junior-college player nationally to rank in the top 10 in points and rebounds.
At 6-foot-4, he gives TCU a piece that was missing last season -- a scorer who creates matchup problems and can get his points in a variety of ways.
His presence could help open the perimeter for Hackett, the Frogs' top outside shooter.
Brandon Stores (6-9) and John Ortiz (6-8) will give TCU more bodies and more athletic ability inside. Stores showed last season that he is the scorer of the two, averaging 13.6 points, and Dougherty also expects 6-11 Luke Tauscher to make an impact as a redshirt freshman after missing last season with a back injury.
The most intriguing player, though, is point guard Mike Scott. He graduated high school in 2004 but spent the past two seasons working to support his family and honing his game at Philadelphia Lutheran Christian Academy.
Dougherty said sophomores Jason Ebie and Martiese Morones are capable, but neither received enough playing time as freshmen to stake a claim to the starting job. Ryan Wall can play the point, but coaches like him better as a full-time shooting guard.
Scott is a good shooter, but likes to push the tempo and get the ball in the right hands. Dougherty said the class should allow TCU to play at a faster pace.
"I know that [Dougherty] has scorers and he's bringing in scorers," Scott said. "I just want to add to it whenever those guys are off, and when they get back on, I'll just wait my turn."
ONLINE: gofrogs.com
FANTASTIC FOUR?
G Mike Scott 6-0, Philadelphia Lutheran Christian Academy, Well-seasoned freshman (20 years old) likes to push tempo
G Henry Salter 6-4, Gulf Coast (Miss.) Community College, Third-team JUCO All-American
F Brandon Stores 6-9, College of Southern Idaho, Seven 20-point games and shot 54 percent
F John Ortiz 6-8, Colby (Kan.) Community College, Versatile enough to defend on the perimeter
