The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Sebastian Gray's scoring has helped the Northern Oklahoma-Enid Jets to a win streak in a battle atop the conference standings headed toward the postseason.

Gray has scored in double figures the last three games, a three-game winning streak for the Jets, as they continue to recover from a losing streak between November 20 and December 6.

The sophomore wing finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and five steals in a 97-59 win over Rhema Bible College. He followed with 12 points and nine rebounds in an 88-83 win over Redlands Community College and most recently tallied 10 points and eight rebounds in Monday's 116-101 win over Eastern Oklahoma State College.

The Jets improved to 9-5 on the season and evened their record at 2-2 in the conference.

Through 14 games, Gray is averaging 10.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game on 43 per cent shooting from the field.

He took on a greater leadership role with the Jets this season as one of five sophomores and is the second leading scorer of all returning players on this year's squad.

"My approach this year is way different than last year. This year I am more aggressive with scoring, rebounding and defending at a high level. I am one of the leaders of the team so I will have to lead this young group of individuals onto the right path for us to be successful," he said in the offseason.

He was one of the driving forces leading the Jets to the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament, where they advanced to the second round.

"One of my expectations this year is to make it back to nationals. This is a young talented group of freshmen that came in so we have a strong possibility of winning our conference so I expect big things coming from my team and me," Gray said.

He appeared in 25 games as a freshman last season and averaged 11.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He shot 43 per cent from the field, 75 per cent from the free throw line and 33 per cent from three.

Looking to build on those numbers, Gray expects to transition to the NCAA Division I level after a successful sophomore season.

"My recruitment has stepped up recently over the last two months. I received calls from Loyola Chicago, Mercer University, and Southeastern New Mexico. But I have two schools right now that have been more aggressive with recruiting me - Southeastern Louisiana University and Arkansas-Little Rock.

Gray and fellow Bahamian Robert Joseph helped the Jets to a No.23 ranking in last year's tournament.

The Jets scored a 95-90 win over No.10 Southern Idaho Golden Eagles in an upset win. Gray finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocked shots while Joseph added two points off the bench.

In the second round, they were eliminated 82-76 at the hands of the Vincennes Trailblazers, ranked No.7 in the bracket.

Gray finished with seven points and 11 rebounds.