Last Year’s Finish: 21-6, 8-3 DII Sec. V / Sec. V Runner-up / DII State Tourn. 2nd Rd. Projected Starters: Pt.-Malique Collins, Pt.-Tre Mitchell, W-Quincy Smith, W-Tyrese Stevenson, P-Ma-Lon Sanders. Off the bench: W-RJ Lefebvre,
Pt.-Alfred Jordan, Pt.-Raheem Oliver, W-Devin Dourisseau. BIG Returners: Malique Collins, Tre Mitchell, Quincy Smith, Ma-Lon Sanders. BIG Losses: Byron Young: All-Time leading rebounder in school history. Reymundo Romero: Point. HUGE leader on/ off the court. Glue guy. BIG Newcomers: Alfred Jordan.
The '15-16 season had the best record in school history (21-6) and with it comes high expectations. WE are HUNGRY. Coming just short of repeating as SECTION CHAMPS and losing to the eventual State Champions didn't sit well. The summer reminded us to fill the void TOGETHER. Conditioning & practices have been outstanding. We believe it is the leadership of our seniors, which have been playing together since the summer of 2013 and went 14-4 as freshman, has created chemistry personified. A TEAM identity, bought into and sold to the lower levels. THAT’S ownership. The SENIORS have defined our success. They have LEAD and will continue to lead our tradition of excellence.
We are blessed to be able to coach here at La Joya. We have been humbled with their dedication to each other and the program. This has been a process & we've been able to taste success BUT we have a desire to take it further. THEY are HUNGRY, HUMBLE, and HAPPY. That is exciting. They are a TEAM. They know we (coaches) have their backs which allows them to have each other’s back. We may get looked over again this year by all the so-called experts and that is okay. We like having that CHIP on our shoulder. We have SOLID, hard-working kids who play the game the right way. We are excited for our program and our community and are looking forward to having fun this year. The 2016-2017 FIGHTING LOBOS: MALIQUE COLLINS – SR– 5’10 – 160 lbs. – Pt.: Another returning Varsity member, Malique is a THE floor general. He is SPEED on TOP of SPEED with a RELENTLESS SPIRIT. He is strong and unselfish. He knows how to FINISH. His decision making and his work ethic makes him a catalyst in helping our offensive ATTACK go. He is a TRUE “pass first” POINT but don’t let this fool you, he can score. His 3-pt shooting is a dangerous weapon the has this year. QUINCY SMITH – SR – 6’2 – 160 lbs. – Pt. / Wing: Quincy is another high octane guard who can “D” you up. He has long arms and anticipates the passing lanes. “Q” ATTACKS the basket and can finish with the best of them. His biggest improvement is his 3-pt. shooting. With his added confidence in his shooting, he has capitalized on his potential and brings another scoring weapon to the table. TRE MITCHELL – SR – 6’2 – 145 lbs. – Pt. / Wing: Tre Mitchell did not get the respect that he deserved last year and I still don’t feel as if he is getting it now. As a returning starter and all region performer, Mitchell is a quick, hard worker, relentless, anticipating, LEADER who believes in team first. He has a very nice floater in the lane and MUST be closed out on at the 3-pt. line because he can flat out shoot it. His length, speed and ability to get to the rim at will is his greatest assets. With his two years of VARSITY experience Tre is someone that we will count on every game. TYRESE STEVENSON – SR – 6’3 – 210 lbs. – Wing / Post: Tyrese is athletic, runs the floor well, is relentless around the basket, has a nose for the ball and will do anything for our team. He is an undersized post who makes up for it with his Basketball IQ. He will be asked to be one of our leading rebounders. MA-LON SANDERS – SR – 6’4 – 195 lbs. – Post: Ma-Lon has all the potential in the world and has demonstrated it last year (his first year of playing high school basketball). He is athletic and has a RELENTLESS nose for the ball. His QUICK second jump and REBOUNDING focus will be a MUST for the FIGHTING LOBOS this season. RJ LEFEBVRE – SR – 6’1 – 180 lbs. – Wing: RJ Lefebvre is a HARD NOSED GRIT-GUY who will rebound, take charges and hit the floor for a loose ball. An emotional leader on the floor, his STRENGTH and ATHLETICISM is his greatest attributes. He is also one of our better SPOT UP 3-pt. shooters. JOSH GUNN – SR - 5’11 – 165 lbs. – Wing: Josh Gunn is the consummate TEAM GUY. He is Mr. STEADY EDDIE!! A tremendous leader by example, Josh is a fundamental guy who brings toughness to the court every day. He is another tremendous SPOT UP shooter who will compete and help lift the games of every member of our team. DEVIN DOURISSEAU – SR - 6’0 – 160 lbs. – Wing / Post: The Quarterback on our football team, Devin brings incredible athleticism and a defensive intensity that will be relied upon this year. Devin’s length, quickness and relentless on ball defensive prowess will add to our defensive team concept. ANGEL HUTCHINSON – SR – 6’2 – 240 lbs. – Post: Angel Hutchinson is another returner to the program after a 2-year layoff (knee injuries). He is a starting lineman for our football team, Angel brings toughness and enthusiasm to our team. He has added 20 lbs. of muscle which has provided many possible Football scholarship opportunities. His presence will increase intensity and competitiveness in practice. RAHEEM OLIVER – JR – 6’0 – 225 lbs. – Pt.: Raheem is a very good floor general. He reminds me of John Bagley (former Boston College and Boston Celtic Point Guard). He knows how to use his body to create contact and get the ball to the basket to at least have a chance for an old fashion 3-pt play. His 3-pt shooting is solid and his basketball IQ raises his game to another level. COREY WHEELER – JR – 6’3 – 160 lbs. – Post: Corey Wheeler is a long athletic post player who keeps the ball high around the basket. He runs the floor well and plays solid defense. A TEAM guy, Corey will develop this year into a solid post for the FIGHTING LOBOS. SERGIO RODRIGUEZ – JR – 6’3 – 165 lbs. – Post / Wing: A hard working, versatile player, Sergio can play inside and out. He is a hard worker who will do everything asked of him. He is (along with pretty much everyone else – BUT him specifically) is one of those character kids. He always does the right thing regardless of the consequences. KEYWAN CODY – JR – 6’4 – 170 lbs. – Post: Another long, athletic BIG, Keywan has a good nose for the ball, sets solid screens and will fill the lane on the break. Keywan will have to sit out the first 9 games of the season because of transferring. ALFRED JORDAN – SO – 5’7 – 110 lbs. – Pt.: Alfred Jordan is in the mold of a La Joya Guard: quick, hard worker, relentless, anticipates, ATTACKS and believes in team first. He is our future BUT that doesn’t mean he will not contribute THIS YEAR. We expect great things from him when he relieves Malique without ANY loss in productivity. The experience that he has gained this summer has helped his confidence and has improved our bench tremendously.
Finally, EXCITEMENT at La Joya. After our pre-season conditioning, fall league and practices, I'M excited. I’m excited to coach this team and HONORED to be associated with each one of them. We don’t have the “who’s who” players BUT we have LA JOYA kids: hard-nosed, kick you in the pants kids who will take their hard hats to work and won’t be OUTWORKED. We also have an EXPERIENCED ALL-STAR Coaching staff; coaches who allow me to oversee our progress while they utilize their talents and expertise. They are:
Mark Taylor: Coach Taylor has been a head coach at the HS and Junior College levels in Kansas and also was an Assistant Coach at the University of Kansas. He brings over 40 years of coaching experience to our program going on his 3rd season. There is no coincidence that we have won 40 game in the 2 years he has been a part of our staff. Damien Edwards: Coach Edwards is entering his 5 year with us and is definitely my polar opposite. He brings a calmness that helps balance our approach. He is my Skill Development Coordinator and Head Freshman Coach. He does a fantastic job teaching our big men in the most detailed way. Abe Newell: Coach Newell begins his 3rd year as an Assistant Coach here at La Joya (6th overall with me) and 1st year as the Head JV Coach. Newell will be our Advanced Scouting Coordinator. He brings a tremendous insight and helps me look at things more analytical. David Guzman: Coach Guzman is another HEAD COACH on the court. The former Head Coach of Trevor Browne, Guzman brings a wealth of knowledge to our program especially on the defensive end. As my Co-Defensive Coordinator, Guzman (along with Coach McGhee) will spearhead our defensive efforts and implement a game plan for our season. This will allow me to take a broader look at what we are doing as a program. Michael McGhee: Coach McGhee, Co-Defensive Coordinator, is another Trevor Browne product. A 1993 graduate of Trevor, McGhee was 1st team all-Metro performer who went on to play at Yavapai and West Texas A & M. The past 2 years he was an Assistant for Desert Hts. Prep and won back to back CAA State Championships (41-2 record). Coach McGhee brings us new energy and a championship pedigree that will be contagious.
I appreciate this opportunity to share with you a quick glimpse into the 2016-2017 FIGHTING LOBOS BUT like everyone else this year, we haven’t done a thing. We are all undefeated. And with that I would like to wish everyone good luck this year and wish everyone an injury free season. Appreciate every MOMENT. Tomorrow is not promised – enjoy each day with your family, with your team and take time for yourself! Enjoy the day! Coach Lefebvre
