Colonels basketball signs four newcomers

It took Nicholls’ head basketball coach J.P. Piper five years, but the Colonels finally turned the corner last season.

Four seasons of mediocrity taught his team valuable lessons, and what followed was a second-place regular season finish in the Southland Conference.

They reached the semifinals of the Southland Conference Tournament – their first appearance in the tournament since 2001.

After such a phenomenal season, Piper is left replacing his two biggest team leaders, Ryan Bathie and Justin Payne. While Piper believes he has the talent to step up, he knows it’s also important to develop new players to fit into the roles needed.

The key: recruiting. It often takes a coach four years to get his team on the court. It may have taken Piper a little longer than he hoped, but nonetheless, he finally saw the results he wanted.

In an effort to build on that success, it’s important to recruit well, and get quality athletes to keep the program strong.

Last week Piper welcomed four new recruits who will suit up for the Colonels and look to bring them a return trip to the Southland Conference Tournament.

Three of the signees – Justin Ayers, Maurice Foster and Kenny Franklin – are junior college transfers, while Bryan Hammond is the only true freshman to sign for the 2009-10 season.

Piper admitted he is excited to see what all four athletes bring to the table.

“I am very excited about this signing class,” said Piper. “Each one of these young men addresses a need within our team and will make us better for next season.”

Ayers, a 6-foot, 3-inch guard, played in the junior college ranks at Reedley College in Reedley, Calif. There, the Fresno native helped lead the squad to a 25-7 record and an appearance in the Elite 8 among California Junior Colleges. He also averaged 16.1 points per game his sophomore campaign.

Foster, a 6-foot, 4-inch versatile guard, comes to Nicholls from North Dakota State College of Science where he helped lead last year’s squad to the Mon-Dak Conference and Regional Championships. The New Orleans native averaged 15.9 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore for the No. 8 team in the junior college ranks. The squad finished the 2008-09 season 31-4.

Franklin is a 6-foot point guard that comes to Nicholls by way of Jacksonville College where he led the team to a regular season runner-up finish in Region XIV. The Shreveport, La. native averaged 10.1 points per game during his sophomore campaign, and shot just under 40 percent from three-point range for the season.

Hammond prepped at St. Augustine in New Orleans and led the Purple Knights to the state playoffs his senior season. Hammond was voted All-Metro as selected by the New Orleans Times Picayune, averaging 16.1 points per game and converting 36.1 percent of his three-point field goals. The 6-foot, 1-inch point guard guided St. Augustine to a 27-11 finish during the 2008-09 season.

“I fully expect all of these guys to make an impact, and I believe that they give our program a chance to take another step forward,” added Piper.

Cutline: Staff photo by KYLE CARRIER / Tri-Parish Times

Nicholls’ head basketball coach J.P. Piper (above) announced last week that four new Colonels have signed to join the team next season. The class consists of one high school player – Bryan Hammond – and three JUCO transfers – Justin Ayers, Maurice Foster and Kenny Franklin. Hammond is a graduate of St. Augustine High in New Orleans, while Ayers played at Reedley College, Foster at North Dakota State College of Science and Franklin at Jacksonville College.

Nicholls’ head basketball coach J.P. Piper (above) announced last week that four new Colonels have signed to join the team next season. The class consists of one high school player – Bryan Hammond – and three JUCO transfers – Justin Ayers, Maurice Foster and Kenny Franklin. Hammond is a graduate of St. Augustine High in New Orleans, while Ayers played at Reedley College, Foster at North Dakota State College of Science and Franklin at Jacksonville College.