Season Outlook

THE SEASON
The 2007-2008 Conquistador basketball team will rely heavily on three returning sophomores, one transfer and one redshirt freshman. With eleven new recruits, Dodge City will be young and inexperienced to start the season. Dodge City 26-6 record in 2006-07 ended the year with a second straight conference championship and another trip to the Region VI final four. This was the fourth trip to the final four in the last seven years. This years team will take some time to develop an identity, but the talent is deep and the expectations will be high for this group. There must be a commitment to maturity, teamwork, and a strong desire to be the best. The excitement around the program has become an expectation as the Conqs will have another opportunity to chase a conference championship and a trip to the national tournament.

THE PLAYERS
Returning for the Conquistadors are two wing players 6’6 Ty Patterson, a versatile guard who shoots, scores and can really defend, and 6’2 Jase Herl, a tough combo guard who is an excellent passer and shooter. Also returning this year is 6’6 Shawn Harden and redshirt freshman guard Emmanuel Holmes, both players provide athleticism amd depth at their respective positions. These four players along with 6’8 transfer Xavier Kilby, Colorado State University, must provide leadership early in the year to set the tone for our season.

The newcomers are a very versatile and talented group of players who will be asked to mature quickly and compete at a high level form day one. At the point position, Cory Perkins, brother to alumnus Julius Perkins will compete with Emmanuel Holmes and Dante Redmond. The wing positions will have competition between DeMario Williams, Sean Jantz, Nick Angelos, and Auston Abbott. The post players; Mason Felter, Anthony Harris and Sonny Salomon are interchangeable and very athletic. This team will be much like the previous teams during Coach Hoberehcht’s tenure; they are very versatile and will have the ability to give many different looks on the floor throughout a game. Look for a strong, physical defense and an athletic and explosive offense.