The Pratt Community College men's basketball team is set to open 2024 on the road against the No. 1 ranked South Plains College on January 3rd. The game will be played in Levelland, Tex. at the Texan Dome with a tip set for 6:00 PM. The Beavers enter the new year with a 5-6 overall record and 3-4 in conference play. While the Texans are 13-0 overall and have yet to play a conference game.  

Beavers End 2023 With Three Wins in Four Games 

The Beavers picked up their first conference win of the season 79-67 against Dodge City back on November 29 in the Beaver Dome. To finish the fall season, they went 2-1 in December with wins over Colby and Independence with the only loss in four games coming against Hutchinson on December 2. Pratt currently sits tied for eighth in the conference.  

It Is Zion Time 

Sophomore Zion Cruz is ready for his Beaver debut in 2024 after sitting out in the fall due to his transfer from DePaul University. As a true freshman, Zion played in 27 games including one start for the Blue Demons. Cruz ended the season with 64 points and 29 rebounds.  

Kay Leads the Way 

Kayvontay Williams currently leads the team with an average of 17.5 points per game shooting 58.4 percent from the field and 72.9 percent from the free throw line. Williams has played in all 11 games with nine starts. He also leads the team with assists with an average of 4.5 a game.  

Pratt Dominates the Boards 

The Beavers currently average 36.4 rebounds per game compared to an average of 34 rebounds per game from their opponents. Both Davonte "Bubba" Russ and Caleb Smith average seven rebounds a game. As a team, Pratt has had two games with more than 50 rebounds and an additional two games with over 40 rebounds.  

Scouting The Texans 

The No. 1 ranked Texans have started their season with 13 straight wins and currently average 87.8 points per game with 41.8 rebounds per game. The team is comprised of 11 sophomores with only three freshmen. Projected starters for South Plains include Jabori Mcghee, Bryson Ogletree, Jermahri Hill, Jalen Hampton, and Malique Ewin.  

Sophomore Jabori Mcghee leads the team with an average of 19.7 points per game. Mcghee has started in all 13 games and leads the team with 3.8 assists per game. Jalen Hampton who currently averages a double-double with 10.3 rebounds and 14.8 points per game in 12 appearances.  

Up Next 

Up next for the Beavers is a home conference game against Cloud County on Saturday, January 6. Tip is set in the Beaver Dome at 4:00 PM.