Hesston pushes record to 16-13 with win in regular season finale
The Hesston College men’s basketball team closed out the 2010 regular season in style, beating Barclay College (Haviland, Kan.) 81-49 to finish the year with a 16-13 record.
Freshman Chas Clemens (Oklahoma City, Okla.) led the way with 19 points, while sophomore Rickey Vick (Edmond, Okla.) added 16 in his final game at Yost Center. Nathan Ensz (Goessel, Kan.), also a sophomore co-captain, finished with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Larks shot over 50 percent from the floor for the game, establishing a 31-16 halftime advantage and never looking back.
Hesston hopes to carry the momentum into their first round playoff game on Saturday, February 27, when they travel to Salina, Kansas, to take on rival Brown Mackie College. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.
Cold night shooting dooms Larks
The Hesston College men’s basketball team lost to Region VI rival Highland Community College (Highland, Kan.) on Saturday (Feb. 20) afternoon 62-50. The Larks were scoreless in the first five minutes of the game and ended the first half with only 15 points on 19% shooting and 0-for-9 from beyond the arc. The Larks defense held their own, however, allowing only 27 first-half points to stay in the game.
Hesston was led by freshman Devin Lloyd (Kansas City, Mo) with 21 points, while sophomore Rickey Vick (Edmond, Okla.) added a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. The Larks got within four points in the second half following Vick’s breakaway dunk, but could get no closer than that. The Larks also were outrebounded 36-31.
Hesston plays their last regular season home game on Tuesday, February 23, against Barclay College (Haviland, Kan.) looking to get back on track before the regional playoffs start February 27 at Brown Mackie College (Salina, Kan.).
Hesston men earn important win as playoffs near
The Hesston College men’s basketball team got back in the win column with a 75-65 victory Thursday night (Feb. 18) over North Central Missouri College (Trenton, Mo.) in Yost Center. It was a seesaw game throughout with neither team able to
extend a sizeable lead.
The Larks were led by freshman Devin Lloyd (Kansas City, Mo) and sophomore Rickey Vick (Edmond, Okla.) with 27 and 25 points respectively. Freshman Alex Roth (Hesston, Kan.) reached double figures with 11 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Vick led the team with nine boards while freshman Chas Clemons (Oklahoma City, Okla.) had a team-high four assists.
A clutch performance from the free throw line sealed the win for the Larks, as they hit 17-of-23 from the line in the second half to improve to 15-12 on the year. Hesston has now won eight of their last nine contests.
The Larks play again on Saturday, January 20, when they host Highland Community College (Highland, Kan.) hoping to keep the momentum going as they approach the regional playoffs.
Second half surge pushes Larks past Rhema Bible
Freshman Alex Roth (Hesston, Kan.) hit eight free throws as part of a game-high 19-point effort to lead the Hesston College men’s basketball team to a 62-50 victory over Rhema Bible College (Tulsa, Okla.) on Thursday night (Feb. 4) in Yost Center.
Roth had seven rebounds for Hesston, who won for the fifth time in seven games to put their season mark at 12-12. Rickey Vick (Edmond, Okla.) added a double-double, posting 10 points and 12 boards. Freshmen Devin Lloyd (Kansas City, Mo.) and Chas Clemons (Oklahoma City, Okla.) each added 11 points.
The Larks shot just 25% from the field in the first half and went into halftime trailing 26-21. The second half was a different story with Hesston coming out firing with a 7-2 run in the opening moments of the half to cut the lead to one. The Larks carried the momentum throughout the second half, outscoring the Eagles 41-24 to finish with the 12-point victory.
The Larks head out of town on Saturday, Feb. 6th to take on Oklahoma Wesleyan in Bartlesville, Okla., then head to Salina, Kansas, to take on rival Brown Mackie College on Feb 10th. The next home game is on Feb. 18th versus North Central Missouri College (Trenton, Mo.), tipping off at 8.
Vick leads Hesston to road win
Sophomore Rickey Vick scored 20 points and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds to lead the Hesston College men’s basketball team to a 69-55 win over Bethel College JV (North Newton, Kan.).
Vick dished out a five assists, also a team-high, to help Hesston to its fourth win in five games.
Freshman Devin Lloyd (Kansas City, Mo.) connected on 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and finished with 19 points. As a team, the Larks committed just 11 turnovers.
Hesston shot the ball extremely well in the first half, connecting on 11-21 from the floor (52.4%), including 6-9 from 3-point range to build a 39-32 halftime advantage. The Lark defense clamped down in the second half, as Bethel shot less than 30% from the field during the final 20 minutes.
Now 11-12 on the year, Hesston looks to get back to .500 with a road trip to Enid, Oklahoma, to take on Northern Oklahoma College on Saturday, January 30th, beginning at 4 p.m.
Larks drop nail-biter to Brown Mackie
Hesston hosted Brown Mackie College (Salina, Kan.) on Thursday, losing to the Lions when Bernie Bahr (Ashland, Montana) hit a three-pointer with 3.2 seconds left to give the visitors a 69-66 victory.
The Larks were led by freshman Devin Lloyd (Kansas City, Mo.) with 25 points. The Lions were led by Brian Word (Baltimore, Md.) with 21 points. Lloyd scored the Larks first nine points as Hesston jumped out to an early lead before the Lions came back to lead 34-32 at half. Freshman Alex Roth led the Larks in boards, grabbing 8 before fouling out late in the second half.
The Larks shot 39.3% from the field in the highly-contested Region VI game. The Larks head to Wichita to play Friends University JV on Saturday, Jan 16 tipping off at 2:30.
Second-half rally not enough for Larks
Facing a double-digit deficit late in the second half against Southeast Community College (Beatrice, Neb.), the Hesston College men’s basketball team stormed back to within three points with just over a minute to play, but were unable to get any closer and eventually feel by a 69-60 score.
Rickey Vick (Edmond, Okla.) led all scorers with 16, aided by a three-for-five showing from beyond the arc. Jordan Herrera (Silver Spring, Md.) and Vince Sorrells (Cedar Park, Texas) contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, while Alex Roth (Hesston, Kan.) led Hesston with eight rebounds.
SCC shot 50% from the floor in the first half, opening a 34-29 lead at the break. The visitors seemed poised to break the game open at times during the second half, but the Larks hung around long enough to make a late charge to keep things interesting.
Down 63-56, Brad Uhles (Maysville, Okla) hit a three-pointer at the top of the key to cut the lead to four, and a Vick free throw on the next Hesston possession made it 63-60, but that was as close as it got, as SCC escaped Yost Center with the win.
The Larks, now 7-10 on the year, are off until a January 14 home game versus Brown Mackie (Salina, Kan.).
Herrera, Ensz come up huge in win over Haskell
On a snowy Monday night in Hesston, the Haskell Indian Nations University JV (Lawrence, Kan.) men’s basketball team invaded Yost Center, with the Larks defeating Haskell by a score of 86-69 for their 7th win of the season and third in a row.
Freshman Jordan Herrera (Silver Spring, Md.) returned from an ankle injury to lead the Larks with 17 points and seven assists while also collecting seven boards. Sophomore Nathan Ensz (Goessel, Kan.) added his best game of the year with a 15 point, 12 rebound double-double. Freshman Alex Roth (Hesston, Kan.) contributed another double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Rickey Vick (Edmond, Okla. ) and freshman Bradley Uhles (Maysville, Okla.) both contributed double digit point totals with Vick dropping 15 and Uhles adding 10.
The Larks travel to Johnson County Community College (Overland Park, Kan.) seeking revenge for an earlier 57-70 loss to the Cavaliers. Hesston then plays Southeast Community College (Beatrice, Neb.) on December 14 for the last game of the semester.
Larks roll over Central Christian JV
The Hesston College men’s basketball team fought off the feisty Central Christian JV Tigers (McPherson, Kan.) in a 66-52 home win on Thursday as the Larks picked up their 5th win of the season. Hesston out-rebounded Central Christian by a 44-26 margin while holding the Tigers to just 29.3% from the field to earn the win.
The Larks received huge performances from freshmen Alex Roth (Hesston, Kan.) and Bradley Uhles (Maysville, Okla.). Roth ended with 12 points and 11 rebounds to collect another double-double. Uhles dropped a team high 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Sophomores Dylan Krahn (Hutchinson, Kan.) and Jason Crawford (Natoma, Kan.) each dished out six assists to lead the team. The Larks shot 45.9% from the field.
Hesston travels to North Central Missouri College (Trenton, Mo.) to take on the Pirates at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 5 before returning home to take on Haskell Indians Nation University (Lawrence, Kan.) on December 7 at 7:30 pm.
Larks drop double-overtime heartbreaker to Labette
Looking to rebound from Friday night’s loss, the Hesston College men’s basketball team came out with a purpose on Saturday night against Labette County Community College (Parsons, Kan.), going toe-to-toe with the visiting Cardinals before falling in the second overtime by an 81-76 count.
Four players scored in double figures, led by Alex Roth (Hesston, Kan.), who notched a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Vince Sorrells (Cedar Park, Texas), Devin Lloyd (Kansas City, Mo.), and Dylan Krahn (Hutchinson, Kan.) added 17, 14, and 13 points, respectively.
“Saturday was a heart breaker but we had some guys really step up,” said Head Coach Dustin Galyon. “Dylan Krahn and Bradley Uhles played some big minutes for us and did a terrific job. I was very proud of our effort. Alex Roth looked like very solid on Saturday and he hit some big shots to keep us in the game.”
Hesston looks to get back in the win column with a Tuesday night game at Tabor College JV (Hillsboro, Kan.), beginning at 8 p.m.
Larks outplayed by Northern Oklahoma College- Enid Jets
The Larks hosted Northern Oklahoma College - Enid (Enid, OK) in their first game of the annual Thanksgiving Classic tournament, with the visiting Jets pulling out a 78-58 win over the Larks.
Hesston was led by freshman point guard Devin Lloyd (Kansas City, MO), who scored 25 of the teams 58 points while collecting five boards and two assists. Sophomore Rickey Vick added 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. The Larks were hurt by cold shooting mostly notable starting freshmen Chas Clemons (Oklahoma City, OK) and Alex Roth (Hesston, KS) who went a combined 1 for 15 from the field.
“We played hard and I thought that our effort overall was great tonight,” said Head Coach Dustin Galyon. “We were able to get some really easy buckets out of our offense when we were patient. Devin Lloyd stepped up and Vince Sorrels did a great job in the post. NOC - Enid is the second best team we've played behind Seward, but I thought the first ten minutes and the last ten minutes are kids did some really good things.”
Larks drop Threshers in a nail biter
Yost Center played host to the Hesston College Larks and the Bethel College Threshers JV (North Newton, KS) on Tuesday night and Hesston was able to pull out a 53-50 win. Hesston utilized strong defense to hold on to a late lead to pick up their fourth win of the year.
The Larks were led offensively by freshman Chas Clemons (Oklahoma City, OK) with 15 points including 3 three-pointers. Freshman Alex Roth (Hesston, KS) added 11 points, grabbed seven boards and three steals. Sophomore Rickey Vick (Edmund, OK) added 12 points while dishing out a team high five assists.
The Larks host Northern Oklahoma College-Enid (Enid, OK) on Friday night with tip off at 8 p.m. as their first game of the annual Thanksgiving Classic. The Larks hope to improve to 5-5 with a win against NOC–Enid.
Hesston notches third win of the year with 72-58 decision over Bethany
The Hesston College men’s basketball team improved to 3-1 on their home court with a 14-point win against Bethany College JV (Lindsborg, Kan.) Saturday afternoon.
Freshman Chas Clemens (Oklahoma City, Okla.) had a huge day, connecting on 12-of-23 from the floor to finish with a season-high 31 points, while co-captain Rickey Vick (Edmond, Okla.) added 17 points and eight rebounds.
“I thought our guys did a good job of coming out and playing solid defense and taking good shots within the offense,” commented Head Coach Dustin Galyon. “We missed several open looks early but we connected on the offensive end in the second half. Defensively we continue to get a little bit better and we are going to need to continue to trust each other on both ends.”
The Larks will look for consecutive wins when they host Bethel College JV (North Newton, Kan.) on Tuesday, November 24, beginning at 8 p.m.
Larks drop pair at Pepsi Classic
The Hesston College men’s basketball team lost games to National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I powers Barton County (Great Bend, Kan.), 77-69, and Seward County (Liberal, Kansas) 85-67, during Seward’s Pepsi Classic over the weekend, putting the Lark’s season record at 1-2.
Seward, ranked fifth in the country according to The Sporting News, is the pre-season favorite to win the Jayhawk Conference, while Barton County won the western division of the Jayhawk last year with a 28-5 record.
In Friday night’s opener versus Barton County, the Larks received a boost from Kris Sponslor (Edmond, Okla.), who netted 23 points to go along with six rebounds. Fellow freshman Alex Roth (Hesston, Kan.) recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards. Sophomore Rickey Vi ck (Edmond, Okla.) added 13 points, seven rebounds, and three steals on the night.
“We played hard and in the second half and had everyone trying to execute within the game plan,” said Head Coach Dustin Galyon. “Unfortunately, in the first half we had 13 unforced turnovers – but responded well with only five in the second half.”
Against Seward County on Saturday, freshman Devin Lloyd (Kansas City, Kan.) connected on 7-of-11 from the floor to finish with 19 points, while Sponslor, Roth, and Vick added 13, 11, and 10 points, respectively.
“Seward is the most talented team we will play all season, picked #1 in the Jayhawk and very solid,” added Galyon. “We did some good things against them and it was a ball game the full 40 minutes. I was impressed with our ability to continue to work as a team. This was a good test for us, as the Pepsi Classic is as solid of an opening weekend tournament in the country in the NJCAA.”
The Hesston men will hit the road again on Tuesday, November 10, for a Region VI contest against Highland (Kan.) Community College, beginning at 7 p.m.
Big first half nets 1-0 start for men’s hoops
The Hesston College men’s basketball team shot 63.6% from the floor in the first half of Tuesday night’s home opener versus Union College (Lincoln, Neb.), building a 54-32 halftime lead en route to a 90-67 win to kick off the 2009-2010 campaign.
Freshman Jordan Herrera (Silver Spring, Md.) led the way with a game-high 24 points and eight rebounds in his collegiate debut, while co-captains Rickey Vick (Edmond, Okla.) and Alex Roth (Hesston, Kan.) recorded 17 and 16 points, respectively.
“I was very pleased with our effort and ability to share the basketball,” commented Coach Dustin Galyon. “Everyone tried to do what we asked within our offense. We have a lot to work on, but if we continue to share the ball like we did tonight we will be a tough team.”
Three Union players scored in double-figures, led by Shawn Perry with 21.
“Defensively we have a long way to go and we will be very committed to giving more pressure on the ball and trusting one another to help and recover,” added Galyon. “I was pleased with our hustle and overall effort.”
Depth across the board a strength for Larks as a new season approaches
Second-year head coach Dustin Galyon is understandably excited as another season of Hesston College men’s basketball gets under way. A strong core of returners aided by a deep and talented freshmen class has the Larks poised to soar past last year’s 12-18 mark.
Among the four returning sophomores are Rickey Vick (Edmond, Okla.), a 6'2" small forward, and 6'8" center Nathan Ensz (Goessel, Kan.). Vick and Ensz and 6'4" freshman forward Alex Roth (Hesston, Kan.) will serve as co-captains for the Larks.
“We have strong leadership in our sophomore group,” commented Galyon. “It’s great to have returning players who are familiar with the program as we look to move things forward.”
The 2009 recruiting class includes 10 student-athletes from six different states, and affords Galyon the luxury of quality depth at each position. According to Galyon, the class as a whole is expected to compete for and win ample playing time this season.
“We have a smart group of freshmen who have a good understanding of who we are as a basketball team,” added Galyon. “We’ll need our kids to step up immediately and assume leadership roles. They’re a capable group, and will be fun to watch.” Galyon will be assisted by second year coach Alex Galyon and Dallas Stutzman, in his 12th year as director of basketball operations for the team.
The Larks play an impressive 29-game schedule that provides several exciting matchups throughout the area. Within the first 15 calendar days of the regular season, Hesston tips off against NJCAA Division I powers Seward County Community College (Liberal, Kan.) and Barton County Community College (Great Bend, Kan.), as well as Region VI rivals Highland (Kan.) Community College and Johnson County Community College (Overland Park, Kan.), the defending NJCAA Division II National Champions. Hesston begins its season with a Tuesday, November 3, home matchup versus Union College (Lincoln, Neb.) beginning at 8 p.m.
Campus-wide pep rally for Hesston College basketball to be held on eve of season opener
At 8 p.m. Sunday night, November 1, less than 50 hours before the Hesston College men’s and women’s teams begin the 2009-2010 campaign, a campus-wide pep rally will be held in Yost Center. The event is open to the public and free of charge.
A dunk contest, three-point shoot out, and a brief scrimmage by each team are just some of the activities planned in what promises to be an entertaining evening. CAB (Campus Activity Board) will sponsor several activities throughout the night, while current Hesston College students, as well as faculty and staff members, will be involved in the event.
“This year’s event is going to be better than ever,” commented athletic director Art Mullet. “Moving the date back a month will afford the teams an extra month of practice before they’re put on display, and changing the time to 8 p.m. will allow more community people to enjoy the show.”
This year’s rosters include nearly 30 student-athletes from 10 states, and head coaches Dan Harrison (women) and Dustin Galyon (men) are each anticipating a great season. Both coaches are entering their second year at the helm of Hesston College basketball.
“With nine returning players, there is much to look forward to for women’s basketball at Hesston College,” said Harrison. “I’m looking forward to getting started.
“I’m excited about the group we have,” added Galyon. “Our guys are starting to understand what we’re looking for as a program, and I’ve been pleased with their ability to learn quickly.”
The Hesston College women’s and men’s basketball seasons get under way on Tuesday, November 3, with home games versus Union College (Lincoln, Neb.) at 6 and 8 p.m., respectively.
Hogan Prep (Kansas City, Mo.) standout Devin Lloyd inks with Hesston
The Hesston College men’s basketball program acquired another talented guard for the upcoming season following the signing of Hogan Prep (Kansas City, Mo.) 5'11" senior Devin Lloyd. With the departure of guards Kevin Blackmon and Carlton Dean, Lloyd is expected to push for immediate playing time this fall.
A committed student-athlete, Lloyd plans to complement his time on the hardwood by pursuing an Aviation degree from Hesston College.
“I am extremely excited to have Devin join our program,” commented Hesston College Coach Dustin Galyon. “Devin is a serious athlete who is going to help our club. He can score, defend, and he is just a tough player. Devin is a strong competitor and I believe his leadership skills will really help us. He comes from a great family and it has been a fun process recruiting him.”
Lloyd is the son of Rodney and Diana Lloyd, Kansas City.
Christian Heritage Academy (Oklahoma City, Okla.) grad Chas Clemens signs to play basketball at Hesston College
Chas Clemens, a 6’1” combo guard from Christian Heritage Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Hesston College.
Clemens averaged just over 23 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game as a senior for CHA. A skilled shooter, Clemens shot 56 percent from the field and 87 percent from the free-throw line this season while knocking down 36 three-pointers, earning Little All-City honors, as well as all-state accolades.
A four-time academic honor roll recipient, Clemens excels in the classroom and intends to study Business Administration at Hesston College.
A dual-sport athlete, Clemens also played football for CHA.
“Chas will be a great addition to Hesston College on and off the floor,” said Hesston basketball coach Dustin Galyon. “He has incredible character and a great work ethic. I look for Chas to be an impact type of player – his ability to shoot the basketball will help us. He makes great decisions and has an unbelievable passion for the game. Chas had some really good offers on the table and we are excited that he’ll be in a Lark jersey for the next couple of years.”
Clemens is the son of Brian and Janis Clemens, Oklahoma City.
Galyon announces three signings to kick off 2009-'10 recruiting class
Wednesday, April 8 marked the first day 2009 high school graduates could sign a letter-of-intent for the upcoming basketball season in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), and by noon, three local talents had inked letters to continue their academic and athletic careers at Hesston College.
Taylor Nebel and Alex Roth, both of
Hesston, along with Tyler Mitchem of Newton are the newest Larks, according
to Hesston College head coach Dustin Galyon. Nebel is a 6'0" point guard/shooting
guard, Roth a 6'4" wing/post player, while Mitchem is listed as a 5'10"
point guard.
Teammates on this year’s state tournament qualifying team, Nebel and Roth were instrumental in the Swather’s 25-2 campaign.
As a senior, Roth averaged 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while shooting 65% from the floor on his way to collecting 1st team All-League and 2nd team All-State accolades.
Roth is a three-sport athlete at Hesston High, as he also competes in football and tennis. A Kansas Scholar, Roth excels in the classroom as well, as he was named to the Principal’s Honor Roll all four years during high school.
“We are so excited to have Alex join our program,” said Hesston College Coach Dustin Galyon. “He is an outstanding young man who brings great character to our team. Alex is a skilled player who has continued to get better every year. I think he will help us out on both ends of the court, and is just an extremely smart and hardworking player. Alex is a guy who has a great feel for the game – he doesn’t force things and is a team first guy.”
Roth is the son of Clark and Deb Roth, Hesston.
Also a three-sport athlete at Hesston High (Tennis, Cross-Country), Nebel scored eight points and dished out over two assists per game his senior year. A threat from beyond the arc, Nebel made good on 44% of three-point attempts as a senior.
Nebel will continue a family tradition of Hesston College athletics, as both his parents were student-athletes for the Larks.
Like Roth, Nebel is a Kansas Scholar and has been a mainstay on the honor roll throughout his academic career at Hesston High.
“Taylor is a great young man that we are excited to have in our program,” said Galyon. “He’s a great athlete, he plays great defense, and he really understands the game and that will help him be successful at our level. Taylor is a very intelligent young man and we’re very happy to have him.”
Nebel is the son of Brian and Brenda Nebel, Hesston.
A 2nd team all-league performer his senior year, Mitchem had a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio from the point guard position while contributing seven points per game to the Newton High offense.
Aside from his success on the hardwood, Mitchem was tabbed a Superintendent Scholar his freshman year, and was named to the National Honor Society as a junior.
“Tyler is a natural leader who really understands what it takes to compete night after night,” commented Galyon. “He is a physical guard and I love the way he competes. Tyler has a big heart and he has the ability to be a great floor leader at our level. His defensive effort is second to none and I think he’ll become an even stronger offensive player here. We’re very excited to have him join our program.”
Mitchem is the son of Doug and Sue Mitchem, Newton.