OLNEY CENTRAL COLLEGE – OLNEY, IL

BLUE KNIGHTS SIGN FIVE (5) NEWCOMERS FOR NEXT YEAR

Olney Central Men's Basketball finished 2nd in Region 24 and 2nd in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference this past season. They had a regular season sweep over preseason #1 John A Logan College and Wabash Valley. The Blue Knights also beat #4 Vincennes. Olney Central finished ranked #24 in the final NJCAA DI Poll and were ranked as high as #20 in the country during the Week 6 NJCAA DI Poll.
The Blue Knights have signed five (5) newcomers for next year.

7'3 Center – Tayt Harbour (Bishop Miege, KS)
Tayt Harbour comes to Olney after playing at Bishop Miege High School in Shawnee, KS and won a Class 4A State Championship this past season. Bishop Miege finished the year 22-1. Harbour generated a ton of Division One interest last season from all different levels of Division One basketball. Two years ago, Harbour was 6'10 and weighed 400 lbs. He has now trimmed down to 285 lbs. and has grown 5 inches. Harbour's father played Division One Football at Kansas University back in the 1980's. His brother currently plays football at Division One Junior College Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas. Harbour is currently being trained by former professional basketball player Anthony Richardson. Coach Richardson was named Mr. Basketball in North Carolina in 2001. He was also a McDonald's All-American and four-year letter winner at Florida State.

Tayt Harbour on Olney Central: "I feel like Olney is a place where they want to help you grow and succeed."

Skills Trainer Anthony Richardson on Harbour: "Tayt is the hardest working big man I have ever been around. When he decided to become a better jump shooter he did. When he decided to lose 75 pounds, he did it. I have no doubt he will reach every goal he has set for himself."

Olney Central Coach Casey Wyllie on Harbour: "Tayt's best basketball is ahead of him and his work ethic is off the charts. He has lost over 100 lbs. the last two years and that does not just happen overnight. He wants it. He works at it. The more Tayt plays, the better he will get. He has been working out with Anthony Richardson who is one of the best individual workout guys I have ever seen. He has made huge strides with Coach Richardson. We are very excited to welcome Tayt to our basketball program."

6'6 Forward – Rickey Lovette (Montgomery County, KY)
Rickey Lovette comes to Olney after playing the last two years at Montgomery County High School in Mount Sterling, KY for Kentucky High School Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Steve Wright. Lovette was named 2nd team All Region 10 and is currently ranked as the 13th best player in the state of Kentucky according to Prep Hoops. Lovette helped Montgomery County to a 33-22 record overall in his two years playing for the Indians. Last year he averaged 17 PPG and 12 RPG. Lovette also shot 65% from the field including 50% from three. Prior to moving to Kentucky, Lovette played at Avon Park High School in Avon Park, Florida.

Rickey Lovette on Olney Central: "I chose Olney Central because I feel like it is the perfect fit. The coaches are great and want to help me grow on and off the court. They have a great basketball program, academic program, and a great town that supports them."

Montgomery County Head Coach Steve Wright on Lovette: "I am really excited about Rickey Lovette's decision to attend Olney Central College and play for Coach Casey Wyllie. His development as a student, person, and player will be exciting to watch at Olney. Olney is one of the top Junior Colleges for academic development, and a Top 20 basketball program in the country. This is an outstanding opportunity for Rickey to be successful on and off the court."

Olney Central Coach Casey Wyllie on Lovette: "We first saw Rickey at a basketball camp in Indianapolis, Indiana two years ago. I met Coach Wright at this basketball camp while evaluating Rickey. Two years later, Rickey Lovette finishes up playing for Coach Wright and is signing to play basketball at Olney Central. It is amazing how things come full circle like that. As far as basketball goes, Rickey has as much upside as anyone in our program right now. He wants to play Division One basketball. Rickey chose Olney Central because he believes that Olney is the best place to accomplish his dream of playing Division One and I am very thankful for him choosing us."

6'3 Guard – Eli Brown (Paducah Tilghman, KY)
Eli Brown comes to Olney after playing at Paducah Tilghman High School in Paducah, Kentucky. Paducah Tilghman is known for their rich tradition in athletics, but especially in basketball. Tilghman finished with an overall record of 18-6 this past season and lost in the Regional Semifinals. Brown finished the year averaging 16 PPG and 3.5 RPG. He shot 56% overall from the field including 45% from three. Brown is currently ranked as the 51st best player in the state of Kentucky according to Prep Hoops. He also played on the AAU Circuit for the Illinois Bears directed by Justin Barrington.

Eli Brown on Olney Central: "Olney Central seemed like a perfect fit for me and my future with the way they play. Coach Wyllie and I built a great relationship throughout the past year and I trust his plan for me and the team."

Paducah Tilghman Head Coach Greg Overstreet on Brown: "I have been very blessed to have coached Eli for the last two years. Every program has players willing to work, but Eli takes it a step farther and wants to work and improve daily. He has tremendous work ethic, is a solid leader, and makes great choices on and off the court."

Olney Central Head Coach Casey Wyllie on Brown: "Eli is a guy that we identified early as someone who really fit with our style.  He can really shoot the ball with NBA range. He is the type of basketball player that we believe can really stretch the defense for us and open things up for other guys to drive or open things up inside. Eli is very consistent with his shooting ability and he is someone we are really looking forward to working with daily."

6'1 Guard – Jordan Hardiek (Teutopolis, IL)
Jordan Hardiek comes to Olney after playing at Teutopolis High School in Teutopolis, IL. Teutopolis is one of the most historical basketball programs in the state of Illinois. Hardiek was a three-year varsity member that won 66 games over that span. Teutopolis lost in the IHSA Class 2A Super-Sectional his sophomore year. This past year Hardiek averaged 12.4 PPG and 3.2 RPG. He shot 38% (51/133) from three and 77% from the free throw line. He also played on the AAU Circuit for the Illinois Bears directed by Justin Barrington.

Jordan Hardiek on Olney Central: "I chose OCC because they have a very good basketball program and I think it's a perfect fit for me and my future."

Teutopolis Head Coach Chester Reeder on Hardiek: "Jordan has been a great player for our program the last three years. I am incredibly proud of him and all the work he has put into basketball. OCC is getting an awesome kid."

Olney Central Head Coach Casey Wyllie on Hardiek: "Jordan is a tough, hard-nosed, blue collar type of kid that we absolutely loved. He comes from a great basketball program where they win in everything that they do. They win on the floor, in the weight room, and in the classroom. Jordan can really shoot the ball and has a high IQ of how to play the game. We are really excited about Jordan joining our basketball program."

6'4 Forward – Chandler Moore (Evansville North, IN)
Chandler Moore comes to Olney after playing at Evansville North High School in Evansville, Indiana. Evansville North was the winner of the Forest Park Holiday Tournament this year over Harrison. Evansville North finished the season with an overall record of 14-9. Moore was First Team All-SIAC and Hoosier Basketball Coaches All-District 2 Senior Team. Moore finished his senior year averaging 17.6 PPG and 6.2 RPG. He also played on the AAU Circuit for the Indy Heat.

Chandler Moore on Olney Central: "I chose Olney simply because I love the atmosphere. The Olney coaching staff really got through to me that the end goal is to really get me better. I'm definitely ready to get to work."

Evansville North Head Coach Jason Roach: "Chandler is among one of the best players I have coached at North High School. His drive and determination to be the best he can be is outstanding. Olney has a great reputation and a great staff. I can't wait to see them take his game to another level."

Olney Central Head Coach Casey Wyllie on Moore: "Chandler was a kid that we were put on by a former Olney Central player who I have nothing but respect for. Chandler's willingness to put in the extra time and effort into his own personal development is something that we are really excited about. Chandler made a huge jump between his junior and senior year and is an entirely different basketball player and that is due to his hard work and dedication. We are really excited about Chandler and cannot wait for him to arrive in the fall."