Coyote basketball looks to build on recent success

After having the best two-year record for the program in a quarter century, what comes as an encore? 

Well, keep on winning, of course, Weatherford College head men's basketball coach Chris Lewis noted with a smile. In his three seasons leading the program, Lewis' teams have a 59-31 record, including back-to-back 20-win seasons of 23-8 in 2022-23 and 21-10 last season. 

The Coyotes have advanced to the Region V Tournament in each of the past two seasons. 

WC returns five players from last season. Newcomers include four sophomore transfers, along with 10 freshmen. 

"We don't have a set lineup, but our depth is a lot better than last year," Lewis said. 

Sophomores back include Melvin Quennecart, 6-foot-7-inches, Paris, France; Handy Toussaint, 6-8, Powell, Ohio, led team in rebounds (6.9 per game) and blocks (0.6); Gordon Magok, 6-9, Juba, South Sudan, third on team in rebounds (4.3) and tied for second in blocks (0.4); Tyson Whybrew, 6-6, Pflugerville, tied for second on team in blocks (0.4); and Marcus King-Danchie, 6-5, London, England, led team in field goal percentage (52.1) and 3-point percentage (39.5). 

"All five played a decent number of minutes. Knowing what to expect will help," Lewis said. 

Sophomores transferring in are: Marvin Brimmage, 6-2, Washington D.C., played at Morgan State last season; Antwan Wilson, 6-4, Salisbury, Maryland, from Maryland Eastern Shore; Braylon Crosby, 6-0, Mansfield, transferring from Cedar Valley College; Wayne Franklin, 6-0, Wayne, New Jersey, played at Fordham. 

"Three have played at (NCAA) Division I, and having experience at that level, working with guys trying to get to that level, is important," Lewis said. "Just having that veteran experience, combined with our returners, creates a good balance." 

The freshman class includes 6-7 Acuel Deng (Sydney, Australia), who redshirted last season. 

"Having him in a college basketball program for a year, he understands our system, our expectations, and what will help us immediately on the court," Lewis said. 

Joining Deng are true freshmen: Adrian Shackleton, 6-3, Palm Beach, Florida; Adame Ouertani, 6-8, Cannes, France; Guerin Morgan, 6-1, Millsap; Larry Elting, Jr., 6-6, New York, New York; Bol Dhieu, 6-8, Rumbek, South Sudan; Trace Bagley, 6-3, Millsap; Jaelan Edwards, 5-9, Spring Valley, New York; Julius Brundage, 6-5, Key West, Florida; and Jonathan Blackburn, 6-1, Weatherford. 

"All have great skill sets. Obviously, there's a learning process and curve, but they have a great work ethic and attitude," Lewis said. "And having that roster turnover ever year, guys buying in and doing everything to help the team is critical." 

Once again, the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference will be competitive throughout, Lewis expects. 

"Our conference every year is extremely competitive," Lewis said. "There are different styles, and you have to show up prepared for that." 

As for Region V, Lewis also stressed that it will, as always, be among the toughest in the entire country. In early preparation for what they expect to be another trip to the postseason tournament, Lewis has the Coyotes facing several teams from out west early in the season. 

Lewis praised his team's versatility, saying, "We have a lot of guys who can do multiple things and beat you in different ways, making it to where no team can key in on a single player." 

He also stresses defense. 

"I want to always be a great defensive team. You never know if a shot's going in or not," he said. "Defense will always travel, no matter where you're playing. 

"I've got high expectations. My goal is to win conference every year."