By Scott A. Kolb

Post-Bulletin, Austin MN 

A trio of sophomore shooters return for the Riverland Blue Devils men's basketball team this season.

AJ Kortz and Derek Hahn can light it up from beyond the 3-point line. Brian Voigt can score from the outside and also do damage in the transition game.

The three returning sophomores all saw extensive playing time last season. In addition, there are a trio of transfer students, who should make an impact this season as the Blue Devils look to be competitive in the rugged Minnesota College Athletic Conference, South Division.

"Brian, AJ, and Derek all will have a large impact on our program this season," Riverland coach Dan Swift said. "All three guys have a high basketball I.Q. They are very good shooters and have great work ethics on the court."

The three sophomore transfers will also be a great help to the Blue Devils offensive scheme this season. Khirey Floyd and Elimane Diallo are both transfers from Orange Coast College Cal. Charles Watson is a transfer from Blackburn College.

"Khirey is a 6-3 combination guard that is very athletic and physical," Swift said. "Elimane is a 6-6 shooting guard/small forward that is very quick and long with a good shooting touch. Charles is very long and athletic, so that will cause a lot of problems on both ends of the floor."

The incoming freshman class will add some height and athleticism to the low post game. Taylor Oetken, Josh Davis, Donte Cotton, and Richard Burch are all 6-foot-5 forwards who can shoot the ball.

"Our freshmen forwards will be able to provide some mismatches with their length and ability to work," the coach said. "Jared Matson is another player that will help out with his 6-7 frame. He is a tireless worker and a scrapper."

Matson played high school ball in Albert Lea. Another former Big Nine Conference player on the roster is freshman Chris Jahr from Austin. Jahr will look to extend his offense repertoire this season in the more wide-open college game.

Incoming freshman guards also include Taylor Morgan and Shakir Gregg. Morgan is a 6-3 former All-State player from Colorado. Gregg was an all-conference guard last year at Minneapolis Edison.

"Jahr is also a great surprise, we worked with his shot and now he is able to knock down his shots from behind the arc with consistency," Swift said. "Morgan is very athletic and has a nice touch from behind the 3-point arc. Gregg is another guard who will have a chance to be explosive offensively.

"Overall we will be more athletic, taller, and longer. This is a great group of guys that should be fun to watch and we should be pretty competitive this season. We have been at it (practice) for some time now and the guys are ready to get after the season."

Riverland opens the season today at 4 p.m. in the Minnesota West Tournament at Worthington. After the game today against Hibbing, the Blue Devils play Madison Tech. from Wisconsin on Saturday at 2 p.m.

RIVERLAND MEN'S BASKETBALL

ROSTER

Sophomores -- Brian Voigt (forward), AJ Kortz (guard), Derek Hahn (guard), Charles Watson (forward), Elimane Diallo (center), Khirey Floyd (guard). Freshmen -- Eric Brown (guard), Shakir Gregg (guard), Josh Davis (forward), Chris Jahr (forward), Taylor Morgan (guard), Donte Cotton (forward), Taylor Oetken (forward), Richard Burch (forward), Jared Matson center).

SCHEDULE

Nov. 6 -- at Minnesota West, 4 p.m.

Nov. 7 -- at Minnesota West, 4 p.m.

Nov. 10 -- at North Iowa Area CC, 8 p.m.

Nov. 14 -- Hall of Fame Alumni game, 5 p.m.

Nov. 16 -- Luther College junior varsity, 8 p.m.

Nov. 24 -- North Iowa Area CC, 8 p.m.

Nov. 30 -- at Crossroads College, 8 p.m.

Dec. 4 -- Central Lakes, 8 p.m.

Dec. 5 -- Fond du Lac, 3 p.m.

Dec. 8 -- Western Wis. Technical, 8 p.m.

Dec. 11 -- at Vermillion, 8 p.m.

Dec. 12 -- at Mesabi Range, 3 p.m.

Dec. 14 -- Crossroads College, 8 p.m.

Jan. 4 -- Gustavus Adolphus JV, 8 p.m.

Jan. 6 -- at Western Wis. Technical, 8 p.m.

Jan. 9 -- Minnesota West, 3 p.m.

Jan. 13 -- at Anoka-Ramsey, 8 p.m.

Jan. 16 -- Minneapolis CTC, 3 p.m.

Jan. 20 -- Rochester CTC, 8 p.m.

Jan. 23 -- Ridgewater, 3 p.m.

Jan. 27 -- at Fergus Falls, 8 p.m.

Feb. 3 -- at Minnesota West, 8 p.m.

Feb. 6 -- Anoka-Ramsey, 3 p.m.

Feb. 10 -- at Minneapolis CTC, 3 p.m.

Feb. 17 -- at Ridgewater, 8 p.m.

Feb. 20 -- Fergus Falls, 3 p.m.

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