Cortez Conners talks about his passion for basketball
By: AARON MCCALL
Staff Writer
STLCC Archers’ guard Cortez Conners has taken the road less traveled when it comes to playing basketball wearing the navy blue and silver. Coming from Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Mo., Conners said he wants to take the most of an opportunity.
Changing schools can be a transition. Not only did Conners change schools and begin to play for a new basketball program, but he also had a child when he was 21.
“It’s been pretty good. I’ve been through a lot since [Moberly]. I had a daughter and matured a lot,” Conners said.
Having a child at such a young age involves some maturation. Coming from a successful basketball program at Moberly Area Community College, Conners said he still has some things to prove this season.
“I want to prove that I’m a Division I athlete,” Conners said.
As far as sports go, Conners said basketball was his first love and that this upcoming season is a great opportunity.
“It’s just what I do. Some people draw and become artists. Some people write and become writers. I play basketball. It’s just what I do,” Conners said.
Personal goals for Conners include raising his GPA to a 3.0 and improving his character on and off the court. Conners said he hopes to lead the nation in free throw percentage and help post one of the best overall records the STLCC basketball program has ever seen. Conners said he has high hopes for the program this season.
“We should contend for a national championship. We have the talent; we just have to work on team work. We just have to gel it together,” Conners said. “Chemistry is everything. If you don’t have chemistry, you can’t win. You have to learn to trust your teammates.”
Last season the Archers carried 13 players on the roster. This season they have more than 20 players.
“The depth will play a huge factor. It’s important that we have that seven to 10 man rotation,” Conners said. “It’s a long season.”
Conners said like other STLCC Archer basketball teams in the past, this is an undersized team, but it is very athletic.
Conners said that size should not be a problem and that head coach Randy Reed’s system should benefit some of the strengths of the players on this roster.
“Coach Reed has a great system. We should run teams out of the gym,” Conners said.
Conners cited athleticism as a key factor in overcoming size this season. Running the floor can help a team overcome lack of size. If a team cannot run, it is tough for them to set up defensively.
“You guys are going to love watching us. You’re going to see a lot of dunks. It’s going to be really fun. It’s going to be like watching the LA Clippers almost,” Conners said.
