Three More Sophomores Move On...

Following an incredible season that finished with 30 wins, a Region IX Championship, and an appearance in the Elite 8 of the NJCAA Tournament, Otero Mens' Basketball is proud to announce that all 8 sophomores have signed to further their careers at 4-year institutions.

Dylan Fritsch, the 6'6 sniper from Albuquerque, will attend Jacksonville University. He will leave Otero 13th on the all-time scoring list (1 pt ahead of Coach Houston Reed).  Dylan finished his career with 164 made 3 pt field goals. He made countless clutch shots for Otero during his two-year span as a player. If there was a big shot to be made, Dylan always stepped up and buried it. Coach Reed had this to say about Dylan, "We are going to miss watching Dylan shoot the basketball. He has one of the purest strokes I have ever seen. He grew up a lot here at Otero both on and off the floor and we will miss his enthusiasm and upbeat personality." Jacksonville University is a Division I institution which competes in the Atlantic Sun conference. Dylan will face off against former Otero teammate Oscar Garcia when Jacksonville plays Lipscomb University twice next season. Fritsch chose Jacksonville over a number of other Division I and Division II programs. 

Taylor Shaffer, the 6'4 shooting guard, will be attending Colorado Mesa University on a full football scholarship. The Pagosa Springs, CO native was a standout football and basketball player in high school and chose to play basketball for the Rattlers the past two seasons. Taylor's toughness and leadership have been critical to the success of Otero basketball the last two years. He was elected as a team captain and his work ethic and team attitude are second to none.  Taylor will take those attributes into being a terrific college quarterback. Coach Reed commented on Taylor, "Nobody worked harder or invested more than Taylor. His servant-leadership and unselfishness will help him be a great quarterback. Taylor will be a highly successful person after his athletic career is over, and we will miss him greatly in our program." 

Anthony Johnson has decided to continue his basketball career at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. Johnson, the 6'10 sophomore from Houston, had interest from several Division I and II programs after his stellar play at the Region IX and NJCAA National Tournaments. AJ aka "Big Boy" battled immense personal adversity while at Otero and he made himself into the player he is today. He fulfilled his role of rebounding, screening, protecting the rim, and was a great presence in the post. He will be remembered for contributing huge minutes in the Rattlers title run, especially his tip-in at the end of the first half vs. Miles City in the Region IX Semifinal as well as grabbing 6 tough rebounds in the National Quarterfinal game vs. NW Florida State. Coach Reed had this to say about AJ, "Anthony is like a son to me. What he went through in his personal life would have caused many people to quit. AJ didn't. He simply worked harder and invested more into himself and our program. He is one of the best people I have ever known and we were truly blessed to have him for two years."