By Mark H. Stowers
The Mississippi Delta Community College Trojans are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2022-2023 season that only had five total wins – two of which were in conference. Head Coach Derrick Fears has six sophomores on his roster, four with experience from last year's team. Combine that with eight freshmen ready to make their mark on the JUCO level and the Trojans are looking to make a name for themselves in the 2023-24 season.
"We are long and athletic," Coach Fears said. "We shoot the ball very well so we're going to get the ball down the floor and play an up-tempo basketball game."
Looking at leadership, Coach Fears will be leaning on his sophomores who played a lot last season to step up for the Trojans.
"A bunch of freshmen had to play a lot last year. Through our scrimmages, folks are saying we are a very exciting team. We defend, we're long and athletic and shoot the three very well. If we shoot it well from the perimeter, we'll be hard to beat," he said.
With freshmen post players who "are learning the game and once they catch up, we'll be ok." The defense will "mix and match a little bit. We're long but we're not big and stocky guys. We'll do some trapping and up-tempo press to generate easy opportunities for us to score."
The Trojans will be without sophomore JeQuann Roberson due to some academic issues but the 6-foot, 9-inch, 240-pound center will be needed when conference play begins in January.
"I've got another 6-foot, 9-inch freshman from Michigan – Daivion Traylor," Coach Fears said. "He's athletic, long, blocks shots and shoots the jump shot really well and an above the rim type guy. He's going to be our lob guy this year. He's already making a buzz this year with that."
The freshman class includes Elijah Hollins from Nashville along with Javeon Smith from Greenwood.
"We expect those two to be impactful kids. They are going to start for us," Coach Fears said. "Hollins is a great shooter and almost a three-level scorer. We expect him to be impactful. He's one of those guys who can get to the rim as well. Smith is a great shooter and rebounds the ball. He's in the top eight rotation and we expect him to hit the floor and play."
Sophomores Jherrone Jones and Latrell Vance are "two kids to keep an eye on in our league. They were our top two scorers last year. We expect them to take it to the next level. We are going to go as they go. In a scrimmage this past weekend, they came out blazing and we just blasted the team. But when they struggle from the perimeter, the team struggles. They are looking good right now."
Vance had knee trouble last season as did Jones but each is "healthy" according to Coach Fears.
The Trojans have been picked last in the MACCC and as always face tough competition top to bottom in the conference.
"It's going to be tough. Pear River is ranked in the top 10 in the country. Co-Lin is going to be good as well. Pearl River beat some teams out of Texas and they really beat them. East Mississippi, Co-Lin and Itawamba got some D1 kids to transfer back so they'll all be tough," Coach Fears said.
The team kicked off the season with a November 1 home game against Tennessee Prep and then hosts the Royal Ambassadors on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at J.T. Hall Coliseum. The Trojans travel to Hinds on Monday for a 7:30 p.m. matchup then travel to Louisiana on Saturday, November 11 to take on Baton Rouge Community College at 2:00 p.m.
Coach Fears is entering his 20th season at the helm of MDCC roundball and welcomes Anthony McDonald, a former player who helped the team to the 2013 State playoffs, to the bench as his assistant coach. The Aberdeen native, competed on the JUCO level as a guard, first for the Indians at Itawamba Community College in the 2011-12 season and then for the Trojans in the 2012-13. During his tenure as a player, MDCC was a runner-up in the MACCC.
Assistant Coach McDonald continued his playing career at Mississippi Valley State University and upon graduation continued his graduate studies at North Carolina Central University where he was named Second Team All-MEAC his senior season in 2013-14. and the team was crowned MEAC Champions. After his collegiate career, Coach McDonald played professionally overseas in Spain, German, Chile and the Dominican Republic. After retiring he became a skills trainer and recreational youth coach.
With nowhere to go but up, look for the Trojans to make a move in the MACCC this season.