Two Greyhounds Sign with Crowley’s Ridge College

Mid-South Community College Greyhounds John Braxton (pictured right) and Shaquille Culbreath have signed to continue their basketball careers and higher education at Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould.

"Both of these guys bring needed experience to our program after we graduated six seniors from last season's team that finished with a 23-9 record," said CRC Coach Chris Perkins.

"John will fill the void we have in our post players. I feel like he will be a solid addition on the defensive end of the floor. Shaquille is a very talented combo guard who can score. We look forward to his experience filling some needs on the perimeter for us."

Crowley's Ridge College is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association and competes in Division I of the Central Region.

Braxton, a 6-7 forward who started four games for the Greyhounds in 2014-15, grabbed 50 rebounds and blocked 10 shots while helping his team to an 18-10 record. A product of Collierville High School in Tennessee, Braxton also made five steals and contributed four assists.

"John has been the most improved player in our program over the last two years and has built himself into a marketable collegiate student-athlete," said Mid-South Coach Chris Parker. "He will be successful at CRC and in life because he continues to work and is a leader in character and the classroom."

Braxton said he enjoyed his recruiting visit to the Paragould college and is looking forward to playing for the Pioneers.

"I liked the campus and really had a great time with the coaching staff and some of the players," he said. "I'm also extremely interested in continuing the winning tradition they started last year.

"I feel like Mid-South has made me ready for this both athletically and academically. I had a great time during my two years at MSCC and grew as a person and a basketball player. I hope to represent Mid-South well next year at Crowley's Ridge."

Culbreath, a 6-0 guard, started 25 games for the Greyhounds and finished as the team's third-leading scorer with 10 points per contest. He hit almost 81 percent of his free throw attempts to lead the team, and he also corralled 4.3 rebounds a game. In addition, the Crossett (Arkansas) product averaged almost three assists while making 1.4 steals per contest. He finished third on the team in three-point field goal percentage.

"Shaq has been a great success story after playing as a true freshman, then redshirting a year before earning All-Region honors this season," Coach Parker said. "He will add toughness, shooting and lock-down defense, and he will be a great ambassador for CRC as he certainly was with us at MSCC."

Culbreath said he is excited about having the opportunity to continue to compete collegiately.
"I'm grateful that another institution was interested in me and willing to give me another opportunity to play the game I love while furthering my education," he said. "I'm truly blessed to have finished my career at Mid-South Community College.

"I have learned a lot from many of the instructors I sat in front of as well as the ones who just watched me play ball. I thank Coach Parker for taking the time and giving
me the opportunity to play for him and the school. Moments at MSCC made me a better person on and off the court."

All five of MSCC's 2014-15 sophomores have signed to continue their education and basketball careers at the next level. Justin Harris and Tony White have accepted scholarships at Central Baptist College, and Marquavious Smith will play at Tougaloo College.

Shaquille Culbreath (#2)