The Des Moines Area Community College mens’ basketball team begins play today in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division Two national tournament in Danville, Illinois. Coach Orv Salmon’s team, which plays in Boone, enters the tournament at 30-3. Salmon says it’s good to get back.
Salmon says they haven’t been back since taking fourth place in the 2001-02 season. He says they did a good job in beating Kirkwood by 22 in the regional to advance to the tournament. Salmon has some key Iowa natives leading the team.
Salmon says they’re led by freshman point guard Grant Burns of Prairie City Monroe, who wasnamed most valuable player in the regional tournament. Ashtaun Sauls of Des Moines East started every game and was first-team all region, and J’Sean Gaddy of Des Moines Hoover was named honorable mention all-region.
DMACC opens the tournament against Mott Community College of Flint, Michigan. He says Mott is a talented team with lots of Michigan players. Salmon says his team is playing good and has led the nation in team defense. Salmon says it’s a 12-team tournament with a grueling schedule to get to the championship. Salmon says the schedule is pre-set and they don’t have a bye, so they would have to play four games in four days to win the championship. Gametime is 6 p.m.