Headrick hoping to reload

In the two weeks since being named Greg Heiar’s successor as Chipola men’s basketball coach, Jake Headrick has spent most of his days on the recruiting trail.

The 26-year-old coach is tasked with replenishing a roster that loses nine players from last year’s team, including all five starters.

That team won 34 of 36 games, including a school record 32 in a row, and went a perfect 12-0 in Panhandle Conference play.

Putting together a team that could replicate that kind of success next season is the top priority for Headrick.

“It’s been non-stop (since taking the job),” the coach said. “It’s just one of those things. I have people calling about wanting to schedule games and stuff, but before you put together a schedule you have to put together a team. It doesn’t do you any good to have a schedule and no players.”

The Indians have signed six new players for next season. Headrick said he expected to sign four more to round out the class.

Perhaps the gem of the Indians’ current crop of signees is LSU transfer Delwan Graham, a powerful and athletic 6 foot, 6 inch, 220 pound forward who was
rated a four-star prospect on Scout.com out of high school.

“He’s kind of a combo forward. He’s a really athletic kid,” Headrick said. “A lot like a Torye Pelham except with a higher skill level, and he’s played a lot more basketball. He has played on a state championship team and played for a really good AAU program in the Atlanta Celtics.

“Getting Delwan was a huge get for the program. He’ll bring some toughness and experience at the highest level.”

Headrick replaced the departed lefty point guard Malcolm Armstead with another lefty in Chicago’s John Taylor.

“He can really score it,” the coach said of the 5 foot, 11 inch Taylor. “He’s really fast and he can really create. His speed ... he’s just got a different gear than most guys.”

Headrick added another point guard in Goldsboro, N.C. native Sam Grooms, a sturdy, 6 foot, 180 pound point guard who can also push the ball up the court at a rapid pace.

“He’s just really fast, like a (North Carolina star) Ty Lawson,” Headrick said. “He’s got a great body, and he’s really athletic for a point guard.”

The Indians have also signed 6 foot, 7 inch Kevin Powell from Fayetteville, N.C., who Headrick compared to former Chipola star Jamarcus Ellis.

“I won’t say that he’s Jamarcus, but he’s a guy like that who can do a lot of things with his size,” the coach said. “He handles the ball, he can make shots, he’s really athletic and he can pass the ball. He could be a triple-double guy.”

Chipola added a defensive specialist in 6 foot, 4 inch Dion Waiters from New York.

“He’s a guy that really defends,” Headrick said. “I’ve had some people tell me that he’s the best defender in the state of New York.

“He has a high basketball IQ. He creates for others and he’s really just a big-time glue guy. He does a lot of things. When he leaves here, he could be a point guard, because he’s got that kind of IQ and natural leadership skills.”

Chipola is currently hosting recruits on visits to the campus. While Headrick is not allowed to comment on specific recruits who are still unsigned, the coach confirmed that the top priority for the remainder of the class is size.

However, adding more experience would be nice as well, according to the coach.

“I feel really good about the freshmen we’ve got signed,” Headrick said. “I couldn’t be happier about the ones we’ve got coming in.

“Now it’s about getting some experience, whether it’s with transfers or prep school kids, to blend in with the guys we have coming in and the talented guys coming back.”