MGCCC men’s basketball looks for more success in 2009-10

Calvin Walker (5) is one of the team’s returning sophomores in 2009-10.

When Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College showed up at the 2009 Region 23 Tournament, not many expected the Bulldogs to make a lot of noise.

Three wins later, Gulf Coast was celebrating its first Region 23 crown under head coach Wendell Weathers and the college’s first trip to the NJCAA National Tournament since 1993.

This season Weathers and assistant coach Patrick Wilcher are hoping to mold together another squad capable of pulling off a repeat. The task won’t be easy since the Bulldogs are losing four starters, including NJCAA All-American Justin Ray, who signed with Texas Southern last spring.

Five sophomores are returning for the Bulldogs (19-11 in 2008-09), including starting forward Calvin Walker (6’7”-Gautier) and versatile inside player Willis Brownlee (6’5”-Pass Christian). “We don’t have a lot of experience coming back this season,” Weathers said. “We’re hoping Calvin and Willis can be leaders for us.”

In the off-season, Weathers signed four players and was also in the process of adding a few more signees late this summer before fall practice begins Oct. 1. Marlon Williams (6’1”-Moss Point) and transfer Jason Jones (6’6”-Memphis) leads a group of newcomers that will have to grow up quickly.

“We lost some pretty good players from last year’s team,” Weathers added. “Right now we don’t have much size or depth. But we signed most of the guys that we wanted, so we’re hoping things will come together. If we’re able to get physically ready for the long season ahead and stay injury free, we have a chance to make some noise this year.”