May 17, 2004

Cowley signs big-time scorer from Bennington

Brandon Kierscht, a 6-0 guard from Bennington High School, recently signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Cowley County Community College.

Kierscht led the Salina area in scoring as a senior at Bennington as he averaged 23 points per game. He also averaged 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game. His performance earned him Honorable Mention All-State accolades from The Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital-Journal.

The two-time First-Team All-Eisenhower League selection also was recruited by Hutchinson Community College and several Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference schools.

“I chose Cowley because I really liked the campus, and the coaches and students were real friendly,” Kierscht said. “Also, I really liked the family atmosphere the school seems to have.”

Kierscht, who plans to get married over the summer, will be a welcome addition to the Tiger program.

“Brandon is a solid young man,” Cowley assistant coach Brian Jackson said. “He’s another one of those guys that wants to be here and wants the demands that we are going to place on him. He shoots the ball real well and has a chance to be a good college basketball player.”

Kierscht is constantly working on his game and has the strength to adjust quickly to play in the Jayhawk Conference.

“This is a kid that is put together well, so the physical play of the college game will not affect him,” Jackson said. “He should be able to step right in and contribute.”

With Cowley finishing 23-9 last season, Kierscht is eager to help the Tigers in their quest for a conference championship and a national tournament appearance.

“My ultimate goal is to play at a (NCAA) Division I school, but for right now, all I want to do is help Cowley improve,” Kierscht said. “Playing college basketball has been a goal of mine since I was a little kid, so I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.”