The Bucks will find out early just how well they can compete against the top talent in the nation when they face the Chipola Indians on Nov. 3 at Marianna, Chipola's home campus. The Indians are the consensus preseason No. 1 team in the nation by both The Sporting News and the National Junior College Athletic Association.

"I really like our group, not only as athletes, but as young men," said Motlow head coach Bobby Steinburg. "We will be tested early, which will give us an idea of what we need to improve on to compete in March."

After Steinburg's rookie season showed marked improvement in Motlow basketball with a 10-6 TJCCAA record and a share of the Eastern Division regular season crown, little time was wasted on the recruiting trail in preparation for his sophomore campaign.

The 2007-2008 Motlow roster boasts one of the highest-regarded recruiting classes in Motlow's near 40-year history. The talent pool has caught the national attention of publications such as The Sporting News, whose preseason rankings have the Bucks #12 in the nation.

"Recruiting is the lifeblood of every college basketball program," says Steinburg. "I feel as though we addressed our needs with this year's group of incoming student athletes."

The Bucks return two lettermen and two redshirts from last season's roster. Demarco Stepter, a 6-foot-7 agile post, will help man the middle after averaging close to 11 points and over 8 rebounds as a freshman. Stepter has been tabbed as a preseason second-team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Bijon Jones is back after putting up 11 points and dishing out a team leading 4.4 assists per contest during his first year. Tim Parker, a 6-foot-5 combo-forward, will provide an inside-out threat and Jamal Morris will add depth at the guard position.

A surplus of talented newcomers will be counted on heavily in the Bucks' quest for a first-ever national tournament appearance. Tyree Evans, a 6-foot-3 scoring guard, headlines the group of new faces after transferring from Butler County CC, where he averaged 20 points per game. The former University of Cincinnati signee and high school All-American from Richmond, Va., will join fellow Richmond native and Tallahassee CC transfer Anthony Sally to help form one of the nation's most talented backcourts. As if the guard positions weren't deep enough, all-state point guard Russell McNeill, from Soddy Daisy, will push for minutes as a true freshman.

While experience is not always a luxury at the two-year level, the Bucks welcome two NCAA Division I transfers to the roster, both of whom have red-shirted and lettered at their previous schools. Frank Henry-Ala comes to Motlow by way of the University of California-Davis. The 6-foot-5 athletic wing from Pasadena, Calif., boasts a 7-foot wingspan, a smooth shooting stroke, and an extremely high basketball IQ.

Israel Kirk has landed in Lynchburg after spending the previous two seasons at Lipscomb University. Standing 6 feet, 7 ½ inches, with a physical 230-pound frame, Kirk will be an integral cog in the Buck's post game.
There is no shortage of size when speaking of the three freshman posts. Cliff Dixon is a 6-foot-10 athletic combo-forward from Suitland, Md., who plays above the rim and can change games with his ability to alter opponents' shots.

Bradley Central High School product 6-foot-9 Keith Dodd possesses an arsenal of moves under the basket and a nice touch from the perimeter. Josh Clemons is a skilled 6-foot-10 post from Beaver Dam, Ken., has guard-like shooting touch and has proven to be a physical presence in the post.

With depth at every position, Motlow has an opportunity to compete at the top of the TJCCAA this season.