NMMI Sports Press
For local basketball fans that enjoy an ultra-athletic, above-the-rim style of play, the comfortable and aesthetically pleasing Cahoon Armory is the place to be.
“The basketball fans in Roswell know about this league. They’ve been coming out for 30 years and seeing great athletic basketball,” said NMMI head coach Sean Schooley. “The people that haven’t been out, if they enjoy fast-paced D1 college basketball, we’d love to have you come out to our remodeled gym and see a level of play you can’t really see anywhere else in our area.”
The Broncos are coming off a 18-13 season that saw them finish 9-7 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference and earn a postseason berth for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign. NMMI defeated McLennan CC in the first round before falling to perennial national contender South Plains College.
The Broncos return no players from that team, which featured cadets that had played together for multiple years, including some with extra eligibility due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We would’ve liked to have a couple back, they could’ve helped us, especially at the point guard spot,” Schooley said. “But we didn’t bring in a group of just true freshmen. We brought in some prep school guys and transfers. It’s going to be an adventure, especially in the beginning.”
The probable starting five consists of 6-3 freshman Aaron Williams Jr., 6-5 sophomore Chandler Alexander, 6-foot freshman Lucas Henderson, 6-8 freshman Yanis Ndjonga and 6-6 freshman Quentin Bolton.
“They’re talented, but it’s an inexperienced group,” said Schooley. “I think those five give us the best opportunity right now, but we’ll probably play quite a few different combinations during the first part of the season.
Schooley expects a tough challenge from Garden City, a school with a lot of buzz heading into the season.
“From what we understand from watching film and talking to other coaches, they’re gonna be one of the best in the country,” he said. “They have a talented guard and some skilled bigs. It’ll be a good test for us. I need our guys to compete and learn. I have confidence in their abilities, but they have to learn to trust each other, the coaches and the system.”
The cost to attend an NMMI basketball game is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. To enter the NMMI campus, use the “Honor Gate” located at Kentucky Ave. and West 17th Street.