Pearl River men looking to get back to championship-level basketball

Dylan Dunaway - PRCC Sports Information Director

POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Pearl River men's basketball team was cruising along last season before injuries hit, and the lack of depth started to show. With the 2024-25 season rapidly approaching, the Wildcats have a revamped roster and are looking to return to championship-level basketball.

"Last year, we were 18-2 and 4-0 in conference, and the injury bug bit us. We just didn't have the depth or enough firepower to overcome that," head coach Chris Oney said. "Those things happen, though, and I'm sure the other teams in the league didn't mind it."

As always, Oney's expectations are always sky-high. After all, the Wildcats have won four conference titles and three Region 23 crowns in his tenure.

"Expectations are to win a championship. I think and will always think that everything is set here from an administration, support and facilities standpoint," he said. "I'll never think it's unrealistic. It's going to be tough with Northeast and Jones returning most of their teams, but when we get our guys back healthy and can build some continuity, we will be right there."

Oney and his assistants had a few key areas to consider when bringing in the new team. 

"We looked for guys who fit our culture and what we are trying to do here," he said. "We tried to get more depth than we've had. I think we are better in some areas, but maybe we slipped a little in some areas that had been really good."

ABOUT THE TEAM

Two players that Oney expects to be impact pieces guard Krystian Lewis (Monroe, La.; Wossman) and Joah Chappelle (Atlanta, Ga.; Dutchtown). 

Lewis averaged 18 points and eight rebounds per game last season at Wossman, leading the team to an LHSAA State Championship. The 6-foot-9 Chappelle was named Georgia's R2-5A Player of the Year as a senior, averaging 25 points.

"Krystian and Joah will be two of our go-to guys," Oney said. "Krystian is a 6-foot-3 guard transitioning to play point. He can really shoot it and has the ability to go get his own shot. He's a true floor general. He can score the way (former Wildcat) Tae Hardy did.

"Joah has tremendous upside. He's versatile, so you'll see him at all five positions. He's really quick for his size and already has a lot of Division I interest. We think he can dominate inside like (former Wildcat) Austin Green did last season. He will be a really important player for us."

PRCC brought in a pair of JUCO transfers with former Odessa players Kedrick Osby (Moss Point) and Dylan Sanders (Aurora, Colo.; Astravo Online Academy). Osby averaged 2.2 points and 0.7 rebounds, and Sanders averaged five points and 2.2 rebounds for the Wranglers.

"The last Odessa connection (Austin Green) was pretty good for us," Oney said. "These two played in Hutch last year, so they have the most experience on our roster. We will lean on them heavily to get us over the hump in those big games.

"Dylan has worked extremely hard and embraced the leadership role. Kedrick was a dandy dozen before he left the state. He's gotten back comfortable to where he was in high school."

Pearl River will be without guard Mason Lewis (Stockbridge, Ga.; Woodland) to start the season due to an injury, but the freshman will factor in heavily once he returns.

"Mason is our best all-around scorer, so we need him to get healthy," Oney said. "We brought him in to be the guy that can score in multiple ways. He was showing that before the injury."

A 6-foot guard, Stevent Watkins (Ridgeland), has been a pleasant surprise for Pearl River during the preseason. 

"Stevent has been the biggest surprise to us all," Oney said. "He plays extremely hard, which I love. He's always in the gym getting in extra work."

Oney believes that Zahir Gutierrez (Olive Branch) will be a fan favorite this season. He helped lead Olive Branch to a state championship as a senior. Gutierrez played for Mexico's U17 team at the FIBA basketball tournament.

"He plays with a lot of energy and passion," Oney said. "His attitude for the game of basketball is incredible. He's our second strongest player, which you wouldn't think with his stature."

A 6-foot-6 forward, Jayden Sampson (Cleveland; Cleveland Central) has improved since arriving on campus.

"Jayden has made leaps and bounds since he got here," Oney said. "He tries as hard as any player that I've coached. By the end of the year, he could be in our regular rotation. He's trying to learn every day, and that's all you ask for as a coach."

Issace Grady Jr. (Columbus; New Hope) comes to PRCC after being a three-time 5A All-State selection at New Hope. He's a 6-foot-4 forward. 

"Issace is exactly who we thought he was when we signed him," Oney said. "He's our hardest playing kid on the team. He has expanded his game in ways we need him to for us to be successful."

Reggie Conner (Biloxi) and Cooper Kennedy (Laurel; West Jones) will round out the guard positions. Jamarion Smith (Magnolia; South Pike) will see time as a forward, while Trace Joseph (Moss Point; Pascagoula) can feature as a forward or a center.

GETTING STARTED

Pearl River gets its season underway on Friday as it hosts its first-ever Kids Day game against Baton Rouge Prep. Tipoff inside Marvin R. White Coliseum is set for 11 a.m.

TICKETSBasketball season tickets are available now for $86, granting access to all home regular-season games. Single-game tickets are $8 in advance and $10 on the day of the game. Tickets can be purchased at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets.

TUNE IN

All home Pearl River basketball games are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.

Games will also be available over the air in Pearl River County by tuning into 1320-AM and 106.9 FM. The radio broadcast is also available at WRJWRadio.com and by downloading the WRJW app.

For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).