Firebirds reload for upcoming hoops season

ROSCOMMON – The Kirtland Community College mens basketball team is quickly reloading for what would be a historic run at a third consecutive bid in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s basketball tournament.

Led by head coach Ty McGregor, the Firebirds finished the 2008-09 season at 10-19 overall and 6-12 in the MCCAA Eastern Division. Despite the sub-.500 record, Kirtland was sixth in the conference standings and earned a return trip to the conference’s post-season tournament.

This followed McGregor’s inaugural season at the helm in 2007-08, during which Kirtland battled its way to second-place finish in the Eastern conference with a 14-4 mark in league play and 18-11 overall. The team’s performance earned the Firebirds a chance to host their first-ever MCCAA tournament game at the McGregor Athletic Complex in Mio.

“Coach McGregor has done a great job of leading this program over the last two years,” said Kirtland athletic director Doug Ryckman. “Now, we’re looking forward to the 2009-10 season by adding quality student-athletes to our program who will continue the tradition of hard work, both on and off the court, that’s been established by previous so players.”

The Firebirds will need the fresh blood, with the team’s core – sophomores Torey Throop (Vestaburg), Nick Simpson (Bay City All Saints), Pierson Szubelak (Fairview) and Marc Wallace (Kalkaska) – having moved on as of the end of the winter semester this May.

And, McGregor has been successful in recruiting for the upcoming hoops campaign. So far, 10 new players have signed to wear the teal and gold this fall. They include:

• The first two to sign with Kirtland were forward Ervin Burton of Bridgeport and guard Mario Williams of Saginaw, both of whom helped lead Bridgeport High School to the Class B semi-finals;
• According to McGregor, newcomer Evan Blackwell of Eastpointe and East Detroit High School will add “tremendous physical strength, along with explosiveness” to Kirtland’s backcourt;
• The international duo of 6-7 Dmitry Martynenko and 6-9 Stanislav Unsa, both from Moscow, Russia, should bring needed experience and size to the Firebirds’ front line;
• Closer to home, former Cedarville High School (Class D state runner-up) Taylor Smith brings his shooting touch to Kirtland’s home floor in Mio to help replace Throop’s outside scoring;
• Former Fairview Eagle standout Jeremy Taylor, a guard/forward, is expected to bring his versatility, court smarts and leadership to what will be a young Firebirds team;
• Heading north, James Hodge, a three-year member of the Class A Clio High School Mustangs, is another guard expected to bring outside scoring and leadership to the point guard position;
• Speaking of leadership, the Firebirds have also added Zach Kaul of San Diego, Calif., captain of the Class A District Champion Hartland Eagles, who will bring exceptional speed, quickness and solid ball-handling skills to the Kirtland backcourt; and
• Multi-sport standout Wade Luxford moves up from Frankfort High School, adding yet another outside threat to the Firebirds’ offensive attack.

Ryckman and McGregor expect to add even more talent to what should be a very competitive squad.

“We’re not done yet,” Ryckman said. “I know coach McGregor is hard at work, looking for players who are quality students and quality teammates, and who will represent Kirtland in a positive light.”

McGregor added the Firebirds will again feature an aggressive style of play at both ends of the court.

“We will play 94 feet – offensively and defensively,” he said. “Our goal is to make sure that no opponent out-hustles or out-works us.

“When a team comes to play us, they’ll be in a dogfight. We might not win, but they’ll know we’re there.”

Kirtland will kick off its 2009-10 season at home on Nov. 2, when they host the JV squad from Rochester College.

More information on KCC’s mens basketball program may be found online at firebirds.kirtland.edu and at www.mcgregorathleticcomplex.com, or by calling 989-275-5000, extension 385.