The Northern Oklahoma College Enid Jets open the 2019-20 season Friday traveling to Hobbs, New Mexico for the Thunderbird Classic.
The three game classic begins the second year for Jets' coach Aaron Butcher.
"We're excited to get the season underway," Butcher said. "We've had a good pre-season, now it's time get things going."
The Jets return three sophomore guards in Rance Kendrick (Racine, WI), Questyn Luckey (Converse, TX) and Shemar Walker (Tulsa) from last year's squad. The other sophomore on the Jets' squad is Josh Perkins (Ypsilanti, MI).
"The sophomores have really stepped up," Butcher said. "They have a better understanding of what we are doing on both ends of the floor and they are maturing as players and student athletes."
Redshirt freshman Zach McDermott and Josh Perkins are both transfers from Hutchinson Junior College and are poised to step in for the Jets. McDermott practiced with the Jets last spring.
"Again, Zach practiced with us last year, so he knows what we are doing," Butcher said. "We are looking for big things from him this year."
Butcher mentioned freshmen Damari Gatewood, Andrew O'Brien, and Ikenna Okeke as players who could see prominent roles for the Jets.
"We are so much deeper than last year," Butcher said. "I think we can go 10 deep with guys that can contribute."
"This year, I believe we'll shoot the ball better and we'll have more options," he said. "We won't be counting on just one or two guys every night. We are a lot more athletic than last year as well."
Freshman include Andrew O'Brien (Halstead, KS), Jay Campbell (Elaine, AR), Jalen Stamps (Indianapolis, IN), Zach McDermott (Lawrence, KS), Ikenna Okeke (Bolingbrook, IL), abrahama Rodriguez (Enid), Kolten Childers (Chisholm), Patrick Garrett (Oklahoma City), Josh Crutchfield (Norman), Da'Lin Wiggins (Oklahoma City), Damari Gatewood (McCordsville, IN), Julian Cockrell (Tulsa), Quentin Harvey (Tulsa), and D.J. Jones (Tulsa).
NOC Enid was 12-19 one year ago.
NOC Enid's first home game is Wednesday, Nov. 6 against Louisiana Christian at 7 p.m.