Junior college basketball: Wranglers think they'll be well-round when pieces are put together

In Dennis Helms’ view, his Odessa College men’s basketball team does not yet have a go-to player.

He believes there are several capable for the job, but for now it remains vacant, and he’s still accepting applications.

The Wranglers have not necessarily been defined by their No. 1 options in recent years, but they’ve at least been easily identifiable.

In the 2009-10 season, it may be their highest returning scorer, sophomore guard Josh Brown; or sophomore guard Desmond Woodberry, whom Helms expects much from; or freshman Kevin Schaffartzik, described by Helms as a sharp-shooter, whose streak of seven consecutive deep 3-pointers after practice — Schaffartzik was unaware of observers — punctuated the point.

“A few players are doing a good job and we would like one of them to rise to that level,” Helms said.

But what Helms will say this team does have, and what he felt last year’s team lacked, is already clear to him: strong defense and perimeter shooting.

Defensively, last year the Wranglers ranked sixth among the nine Western Junior College Athletic Conference teams in points allowed per game (61.3) and scoring margin, outscoring teams by an average of 10.93 points.

Defense, Helms said, seemed like an option to OC. There one play, absent the next.

“We never played defense last year,” he said.

Refreshing to Helms is not only this Wranglers team’s ability to play defense but its enthusiasm for it.

Days before the season opener against visiting Wayland Baptist JV Tuesday — a game the Wranglers won 88-21 — it seemed genuine.

“We’re way better, especially on defense,” Brown said. “We have people that will work hard. Last year we had people that were lazy, didn’t care. This year, everybody cares, everyone’s more focused.

“Most everyone we have now likes to play defense. Last year, we were just about offense, not really caring about defense. This year, that’s the main thing we’re focusing on.”

The Wranglers preferred style is man-to-man; the more aggressive, the better.

For a team that’ll need scorers to step up, OC is hoping turnovers lead to more offensive opportunities.

“More people are buying in and want to play defense and not just play it to play it,” Woodberry said. “We’d rather work hard on defense to make our offense easier.”

Woodberry said most conference teams have run-and-gun offenses, and defense usually gets left out of the picture. He wants the Wranglers to be strong on both ends.

Meanwhile, OC is not counting their losses, the five freshmen from the eight on last year’s squad who did not return. Most notably, starters Justin Najera, a forward who left for personal reasons, and D’Andre Williams, a point guard who transferred to Mt. San Jacinto Junior College in California, are gone.

But Helms said the Wranglers will be fine.

Freshman Thomas Schoeps will likely start at point guard, with Schaffartzik close on the depth chart. Both are shooters, Helms said. And consistent shooting was not something last year’s team had, either.

 “We couldn’t make you pay,” Helms said. “You gotta make people pay. And we have the ability to make them pay.

“If you don’t pressure us and we can’t make a shot, we can’t make you pay.”