Manhattan Christian College Men’s Basketball program has signed a total of nine newcomers that include five transfers and four high school seniors for the 2024-25 season. The newest members of the Thunder are:

TRANSFERS

Fred Criqui – 6’8, Forward – Doane University

Played in 29 games and started in 4 games in two years for the Tigers. In his two seasons, Criqui averaged 10.2 minutes per game and 3.1 points on 42.6% shooting from the field to go along with 2.0 rebounds. He also shot 81.8% from the free throw line. Prepped at St. Marys High School in St. Marys, KS.

Hayes Woodard – 6’2, Guard – Southwestern College

Part of the Moundbuilders program for two years. Prepped at Maize South High School in Wichita, KS.

Jordan Carter – 6’2, Guard – Southwestern College

Part of the Moundbuilders program for two years. Prepped at Bartlesville High School in Bartlesville, OK.

Andrew Owens – 6’6, Forward – Judson University/Mesa Community College

Played in 4 games for the Eagles in 2022-23. Played in 18 games and started 6 for the Thunderbirds in 2023-24. Averaged 13.7 minutes per game and 2.7 points on 40.4% shooting from the field and 37.5% from 3 to go along with 1.9 rebounds. Prepped at Mesquite High School in Gilbert, AZ.

Xavier Lucas – 6’3, Guard – Western Oklahoma State College/Eastern Oklahoma State College

Part of the Pioneers program in 2022-23. Played in 30 games for the Mountaineers in 2023-24. Averaged 6.2 points per game on 44.9% shooting from the field and 32.1% from 3 to go along with 3.5 rebounds. He also shot 75.0% from the free throw line. Prepped at East Central High School in Tulsa, OK.

FRESHMAN

Marcus Bauman – 6’0, Guard – Sabetha High School (KS)

Led the Bluejays to a 19-4 record as a senior. Bauman averaged 14.0 points per game on 49.0% shooting from the field and 40.0% from 3 to go along with 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. He also shot 81.0% from the free throw line. Named Big Seven All-League, 2^nd Team 3A All-State, and Burlington Invite All-Tournament team. As a junior, Bauman was named Big Seven All-League and Honorable Mention 3A All-State.

Dylan Gansel – 6’2, Guard – Hill City High School (KS)

Led the Ringnecks to a 17-5 record and to a Mid-Continent League Regular Season title as a senior. Gansel averaged 16.1 points per game on 47.8% shooting from the field and 42.4% from 3 to go along with 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. He also shot 82.0% from the free throw line. Named Honorable Mention 2A All-State.

Tatum Pierce – 6’3, Guard – Greenwood High School (TX)

Led the Rangers to a 22-12 record and to a 4A District 3 Championship. Pierce averaged 25.7 points per game, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. Named 4A District 3 Most Valuable Player, 1^st Team All-District, and 4A Region 1 All-Region. Along with these accolades he was also named to the THSCA 4A Super Elite Team. As a junior, Pierce was named 4A District 3 Newcomer of the Year.

Jonathan Beukelman – 6’7, Forward – Moriarty High School (NM)

Led the Pintos to 7 wins as a senior. Beukelman averaged 3.9 points per game on 51.9% shooting from the field to go along with 3.4 rebounds. He also shot 60.0% from the free throw line.

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The men's basketball team wrapped up their season in a 66-81 loss in the NCCAA Central Region Semifinals against the #2 seeded Kansas Christian College Falcons on Thursday evening. For the year the Thunder finished 17-13 and 12-0 in conference play. MCC won the conference title for the 5th consecutive season while also finishing runners-up at the conference tournament. 

"I'm proud of this group for the things they had to overcome in order to come together to win some games. Each of these young men brought something to the table that is worthy of being proud of and I can't wait to see what's next," commented Head Coach Jordan Strom. 

For seniors Alex Sturtz, Caden Hurla, Desmond Lindsey, Dyelan Reed, Jamie Juncal and Mason Ellis this will be the last time that they don the Thunder uniform. Seniors Hurla and Lindsey joined the program during the COVID season in 2020 and are four year members. They experienced four conference titles, two three tournament titles, three trips to the NCCAA national tournament and two final four berths. Alex Sturtz joined the program in 2021-22, playing for three years and amassing almost 50 career blocks. Mason Ellis joined the team this season with one year left of eligibility and his impact was felt immediately as a defensive force. Jamie Juncal earned honorable mention all-conference honors this season while scoring more than 500 points in his two seasons in Manhattan and Dyelan Reed leaves the program as a 1,000 point scorer, 1st team All-Conference and 1st team All-Region performer. 

"This senior class filled many roles for our program over the years. Great teammates, defensive stoppers, lights out scorers... you name it and they had to do it for us to have success," stated Strom. "I'm so grateful for the time that we all had together and while I'm sad that their time with us is over I know they each have something greater in their lives." 

This version of Thunder basketball is over, but a young nucleus looks to lead next season. For more information about the MCC Basketball season or MCC Athletics check us out on social media @mccmbb or @mccathletics on "X" (formerly twitter), @mccmb_ or @mccathletics on Instagram.