After four years at Cowley County Community College, Randy Smithson makes his return to Butler County where he coached for 11 seasons. Greeting Smithson is a frontcourt duo that should have the Grizzlies positioned to be a factor in the Region VI race once again.

Jordan Clements originally signed with Cowley and Smithson out of high school in Thibodaux, LA. After leaving school and bouncing around, Clements is back for another shot at Butler.

"I got a call about two weeks before summer and he said he wants to get another crack at it," Smithson said. "He took 12 hours in the summer, had a 3.5. He was the runner-up for player of the year in Louisiana in high school. He's got good credentials, he's a workmanlike player. Jordan has matured a lot mentally, done a lot better in the classroom. Now for the first time, he knows what he wants."

What he wants is to earn a Division One ride next year, something that seems very likely to happen.

"Jordan has got a lot of that (mid-major) level," Smithson reported. "Butler, Creighton, Loyola, those kind of schools."

"I tell you what, it didn't matter where it was, he goes out there and scores and rebounds. It's just like punching a clock."

Joining Clements in the Butler front court is Corey Bailey.

"I played against Corey Bailey last year, in two games, I know what he can do," said Smithson. "To get him to go out there every night and do it, that's the thing."

Bailey has some high major schools paying attention prior to his sophomore season.

"Texas A&M, Minnesota, Iowa, a lot of those teams have expressed interest along with a lot of mid majors," said the coach. "Those three, Kansas State is another one, those four have shown interest already."

With Bailey and Clements leading the way, Smithson likes what he has this season.

"I think at first you get a job four weeks after signing date, kind of scratch your head see what we can put together. But as the recruiting season went on and we get Bailey, get Jordan to come back, now all of a sudden, it looks a lot better when those two come on."

"Can we jump right back in on this thing and get to Hutch?" Smithson wondered aloud. "We've got enough talent to do it if they gel."

The race for the NJCAA Region VI will be one of the most hotly contested races in the NJCAA.  Butler County will be one of the favorites for that crown and a spot in the 2006 NJCAA National Tournament.  JucoJunction will be there to follow the Grizzlies along the way.

JucoJunction will continue to follow junior college recruiting across the land. To talk about this story with other juco hoops fans, check out the JucoJunction Board or our premium forum.