Two Otero Posts to Compete in RMAC

Otero Junior College Men's Basketball is pleased to announce that two Rattlers will move on to Division II schools in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference next season.

Yoshio Allen (6'5 Post from Aurora, CO) has signed to play at Black Hills State University. Yoshio is a self-made player that spent three years here at Otero. He red-shirted his first year, battled a knee injury in his second, and was an absolute monster for the Rattlers this year. He had a career high of 22 pts against Western Nebraska this season. In 2013, Allen averaged 7 pts and 5 rebs a game while shooting an astounding 64% from the field. Yoshio saw the highs and lows while at Otero and truly earned everything that he got. His work ethic and attitude to get better are unmatched. We wish him well and know that his persistance and effort will make him successfull in all of his future endeavors.  

Kallen Link (6'8 Post from Colorado Springs, CO) will move on to Regis University next year. Kallen was a part of the 2012 Region IX Championship team as well as this year's team that went 26-8 and made it to back to back championship games. Kallen really worked to impove his body while at Otero and he will be a great addition at Regis.



Four Rattlers to play in Heartland Conference next year...

After another successfull season in which Otero finished as Region IX Runner-Up's with a record of 26-8, we are pleased that all 10 Sophomores are moving on to play at the next level. Four Rattlers will move on to play in the powerhouse Division II Conference called the Heartland.

Jason Armstead (6'1 PG from Mt. Pleasant, TX) and Andre Rieder (6'4 Wing from Boulder, CO) will continue their playing careers together at Texas-Permian Basin. Armstead was a transfer for the Rattlers after red-shirting on the 2012 Championship team. Jason made tremendous strides during his time at Otero and became a terrific point guard. His defensive mindset and ability to fulfill any role asked of him will never be forgotten. Andre Rieder leaves Otero with a career record of 56-14. He was the best defender in all of Region IX this past year and routinely held the other team's best player to well below their average production. Andre is one of the toughest, most intelligent players we've ever had and we will miss him greatly.



Perryonte Smith (5'10 PG from Milwaukee, WI) has committed to Newman University in Wichita, KS. Perry had offers from several presitigious Division II schools and also recieved strong interest from Pepperdine and Florida A&M at the Division I level. Perryonte was the unquestioned leader for this year's team and started every game. Smith averaged 7.5 pts and 3.6 assists per game this past season. Over the past two seasons, he played in all 70 games for the Rattlers and helped attain a 56-14 record. Perry's toughness and loyalty will never be forgotten.

Chris Strong (6'6 Post from Albuquerque, NM) will play at Dallas Baptist next season. Strong is another Rattler that finished his career with a 56-14 record and was instrumental in Otero's 2012 Region IX Championship and 2013 Region IX Runner-Up finish. Chris's toughness, intelligence, and leadership were crucial to our programs success in the last two years. He is a skilled post that was also our best screener on our team. Chris led the team in charges taken this season and set the tone for the rest of team in terms of toughness and accountabilty. He recieved strong interest from numerous other Division II instituions. His unselfishness and will to win will be missed.



Brown to play at Montana State

Terrell Brown (6'4 guard from Colorado Springs, CO) becomes the latest Rattler to play for one year at Otero and move on to the Division I level. Terrell decided to attend Montana State University after recieving interest and offers from several Division I schools. The skilled lefty will have 3 years of eligibility to make a lasting impact for the Bobcats. This past season, Terrell led the Rattlers in scoring with 14.7 pts per game while helping the team to a 26-8 record and a Runner-Up finish at the Region IX Tournament. He was named to the 2013 All-Region IX team (First team), Runner-Up for conference Player of the Year, and was named to the 2013 Region IX Tournament team. Terrell's work ethic and dedication are unmatched. His growth as a player in just one season was tremendous and we will miss having him in our program.



2012-2013 Season Review: Rattlers Fall Just Short From Return To Hutch...

The 2012-2013 Otero Men's Basketball team finished with a record of 26-8 and made the Region IX Championship game for the second year in a row. Otero was seeking to defend their 2012 Region IX Championship and make another trip to Hutchinson, Kansas for the NJCAA National Tournament. Unfortunately, the Rattlers were unable to close out North Platte Community College in the last minutes of the final. However, it was still an incredible season for Otero. The Rattlers notched impressive non-conference wins against Air Force Prep, Missouri-West Plains, and New Mexico JC (NJCAA Ranked All Year). Otero placed 2nd in the Region IX South with a conference record of 11-5.


2012-2013 Otero Junior College Men's Basketball



In the 2013 Region IX Tournament, the Rattlers defeated Miles City, Central Wyoming, and Northwest Wyoming en route to Back to Back Championship games. Sophomores Perryonte Smith, Chris Strong, Yoshio Allen, Andre Reider, and Kallen Link finished as the winningest players in Otero history with a record of 56-14 over the last two seasons. Transfers Jason Armstead, Kentwan Smith, and Daniel Hield all made great impacts in their short time as Rattlers. Freshman Terrell Brown and Chris Golden were both named to the All-Region IX team.

 

The season is a journey and this journey was unforgettable. This team defended the 2012 Championship all year long and took the best shot of every opponent they faced. Their chemistry and camaraderie couldn't have been better and it was an amazing group to coach on and off the floor. We will remember this TEAM and these guys for a long time...

Midnight Madness

Otero Basketball Players Get Introduced.

The start of basketball season is a joyous occasion. This past Monday, the Otero Men's Basketball team, along with their fellow students, faculty, and staff celebrated the beginning of a new journey with Midnight Madness. Nearly 300 people attended the event that included some full-court drills, 3 pt and knockout contests, and finished with a raucous dunk contest. The first 100 students that showed up received free Rowdy Rattler t-shirts. The event started at 10pm but students were already lined up outside the McDivitt Center at 930pm. Elliott Hamdeed, a sophomore from Colorado Springs, won the 3 pt contest by hitting 31 3's in 2:30 minutes. Coach Reed proved he is still deadly from the outside by winning a hotly contested knockout competition. Students won free t-shirts, hoodies, gift cards, and one lucky student won a 32 inch flat screen TV. The highlight of the night was the dunk contest. Seven different Rattler players competed and wowed the crowd. Kentwan Smith, sophomore from the Bahamas, won the top prize by dunking over Coach O'Connor for his first dunk and then going between his legs JR Rider style for his second dunk. This was the first year that Otero MBB has had Midnight Madness, but the evening was so successful that it will probably become a staple on the first night in October.

Kentwan Smith Dunks Over Coach O'C.

Alex Padgett Competes in 3pt Contest.

Another Journey Begins...2012-2013 Season Preview

Returning Sophomore Perryonte Smith

In the upcoming 2012-2013 season, the Otero Junior College Rattlers will look to defend their Region IX Championship. Led by seventh-year head coach Houston Reed, the Rattlers have returned seven sophomores from last year’s roster. That number can be misleading because only three of those players gained genuine playing experience. For some added experience, the Rattlers added four transfers to the team. Five true freshmen will complete the roster. “This group is as talented as any group we have assembled in my tenure here,” said Reed. “The challenge for this group will be fulfilling specific roles, playing as a collective group, and forming an identity that includes toughness."

Returning Sophomore Chris Strong

The Rattlers will be not be returning any starters from last year’s 2012 championship team. Perryonte Smith, Chris Strong, and Lathan Lieb all saw consistent action as freshmen. Kallen Link worked hard in the off season to improve his stock. Yoshio Allen missed much of last season with any injury,  Elliott Hamdeed and Andre Reider will give the roster added depth.  “We will need this group to fulfill a lot of different roles that are equally important,” Reed commented.

The Rattlers added four transfers. Kentwan Smith and Daniel Hield are both natives of Freeport, Bahamas. Smith competed at division one Louisiana-Lafayette last year, while Hield was at Odessa College. Terrell Brown transferred from division one South Dakota and was 5A metro player of the year in Colorado Springs in 2010-11. Point guard Jason Armstead was at Cowley County Community College previously and red-shirted at Otero last spring. Reed stated, “This group of guys really need to get everything out of this season. Their additions could be what puts us in contention."

On the freshman side, Chris Golden is an all-state guard out of Milwaukee. The Rattlers kept the New Mexico connection alive by gaining sharp shooter James Healy from Cibola High School. The freshmen class is completed by adding three Colorado natives in Derek Hillyer from Bayfield, Nick Ongarato from Broomfield, and Alex Padgett from Fruita. Reed commented, “We love this group of guys. We feel they embody the foundation of the program and are great fits here at Otero."

The South Sub-Region IX will now be playing all their opponents in a home-home match up this season. Now giving the Rattlers sixteen conference games. Reed elaborated, “From our analysis Region IX has a lot of good teams this year. We understand the type of effort and execution we’ll need to play with daily to be one of those teams."

Rattlers Shine in Showcases

Four members of the Otero Junior College Men's Basketball program competed in high level showcases this summer. Point guard Perryonte Smith (Milwaukee, Wis), forward Kentwan Smith (Freeport, Bahamas), and post-player Daniel Hield(Freeport, Bahamas) all participated in the 2012  Jerry Mullens Junior College Showcase in St. Louis Missouri on July 14th. All three players will be sophomores for the Rattlers next season and were invited to play in this prestigious JUCO event. Hundreds of 4-year college coaches were on hand to check out some of the best junior college prospects in America.

Also, returning strong-forward Chris Strong (Albuquerque, NM) played in the All-American JUCO Showcase located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event took place during the last weekend in July and was well attended by 4-year college coaches from the highest levels.

The Rattlers will be depending on big contributions from all four of these sophomores as they begin the challenge of defending their 2012 Region IX Championship.