Additional confirmation from Rivals, giving credit to Coach Walker for the recruiting effort:

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=rivals-1129917

Mitchell was the freshman of the year in the Jayhawk Conference last year, and was the leading scorer and go-to player for a Hutchinson squad that was ranked as high as 8th in the country. 

http://www.hutchnews.com/Sports/mitchell2010-03-03T23-36-47

Rivals said he averaged 16 PPG, 5 RPG, and 2.5 APG last year.  Welcome Joe!

Just saw this on my Twitter feed and had to do a double take...what what!

more on Joe from his original signing with hutchinson...

Hutchinson Community College men's basketball coach Steve Eck announced his fifth signing for the 2009-10 season.

The Blue Dragons have signed Wichita Southeast All-State guard Joe Mitchell to a letter-of-intent.

Mitchell is a 6-foot-1 combo guard who played on Southeast's 2009 Class 6A state runner-up team and 2009 Class 6A state championship team.

"He's scorer and a good defender," Eck said. "He is a nice shooter who knows how to play the game. Some considered him to be the best guard in the state."

Mitchell averaged 22 points per game in his senior season with the Buffaloes. He was a consensus all-state player by the Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital-Journal.

Mitchell is the fifth player Eck has signed for the 2009-10 season. He is the third in-state player.

A combo guard with ability to score.  Not a bad pickup. I believe Mike Allen was also from Hutchinson so this route has worked for us.  As with Juco's its hit and miss.  For every Mychal Green and Mike Allen's there have been the BW4, Ken Ottrix, Allen Hesters. Sounds like Mitchell has game and will be a big help atleast as instant offense off the bench.  16 ppg as a freshman on any college level is impressive.  With Groce you figure he liked what he saw and locked him up before he signed with another mid major from the MAC, Horizon or MVC . 

You can never have too many shooters. Now we should just round out this recruiting class with a nice 6'8+ big man and I'll be happy. 

Not sure I understand the need to go the JUCO route.

Having a couple of JUCOs on a roster makes sense for a midmajor program because of the increase in attrition and turnover primarily through people transferring out.  It's a way to plug the gaps.  Kent State is really emphasizing it right now. 

I just don't agree with what some programs do...e.g., mcbin's favorite program, Lamar, recruits 80% JUCOs. 

Recruiting from the better JUCO programs in Kansas and Texas is a pretty good bet. 

Kudos to you for correctly remembering that Micheal was a Michigan kid out of Cloud Community who had groundwork laid by Townsend.

I was fortunate to be in the Convocation Centre with some of the HS coaches I am familiar with this last open period hosted by Coach Groce and staff. What I gleaned from Open gym and sessions is that the incoming frosh are very versatile. Hall can play the PF spot as thick as he is and will give the Cats and good look with Ethan Jacobs , Ivo Baltic or Devaughn  Washington moved over to the 5 for a spell. Very much doubt that Hall will move a mature , seasoned Mr Freeman off the SF spot unless Coach moves his shooter out to the SG spot as he did in several rotations. Nick is also as versatile with really advanced shooting and ball handling abillities. he will be at the 1 and 2 spot with ample playing time. D-mac also played some point in the Bahamas but like last year will probably play early then have to find time as the season progresses.

Ricardo is really nice defensively, trailing shooters through screens and has no qualms about taking a shot, really, taking any shot. I have a feeling the staff is going to try to dial him in as to what shot he should be taking and what they are specifically looking for out of a 3-4 type of player. Nice first step and adequate ball handling abilitites.  

This is a pretty versatile bunch of guys who can mix up Groce's multi screen and roll offense and really not be out of sorts in most any position on the floor. If they are as unselfish as they are talented they should be in very good shape . Just my observations over 3 practices. I like this bunch. If the fire inside Msrs Washington, Freeman and Cooper to get back is strong they will influence the young guys who are already hungry in a very good way.  

my guess is someone will leave program within the next year.  don't know who or why, just seems to happen more often than not...so you can never have to many players...

As much as Armon did for OUr Bobcats. I truely have respect that Coach Groce has the capability to help some of these young men and change their lifestyles. Help them realize  that they can be able to reach their goals. As stundent athletes. As well as represent Our communitty.

http://cms.hutchcc.edu/athletics-ftp/basketballmen/2010-11%20stats/Game%204%20-%20Allen%20County.htm


Box from Hutchinson game.

http://cms.hutchcc.edu/hcc/Dragonshome.aspx?menu_id=598&head_id=8554&id=15354

More from an earlier game.

joe had 23 pts and 4 assists last saturday as hcc defeated hesston and moved to 6-0 on the season.