SHREVEPORT, La. - Centenary and first-year head coach Chris Dorsey is pleased to announce the addition of four student-athletes for the 2017-18 season. This includes Airline High School graduate KJ Bilbo and Brian Barker (Houston), James Helzer (Denton), and Jayman Reed (Dallas) from Texas.
"We are very excited to welcome these four young men into the Centenary and Gents basketball athletic family," said head coach Chris Dorsey. "Gents basketball has had recent success recruiting the Houston area, so I look forward to see what Brian Barker brings to the program. It's nice to bring in a pair of student-athletes from a great basketball area in and around Dallas in Jayman Reed and James Holzer. Finally, it is great to have a local basketball talent, so welcome to Airline High School's KJ Bilbo."
Here is a closer look at all four student-athletes:
Brian Barker
Forward
6-3 / 195
Houston Texas / Kingwood HS
Barker played forward for head coach Royce Huseman and the Kingwood Mustangs.
Barker is the son of Brian and Sakina Barker and has a sister, BreAnnah. At Centenary, he intends to major in business.
KJ Bilbo
Forward
6-4 / 200
Bossier City, La. / Airline HS
Bilbo played power forward and center at Airline High School. Accomplishments for him with the Vikings include being named First Team All-City, All-State Honorable Mention and All-District MVP while also being named All-Parish MVP.
Bilbo is the son of Keith and Amanda Bilbo and has a brother, Devin. He intends to major in pharmacy at Centenary.
James Helzer
Forward
6-6 / 215
Denton, Texas / Denton Calvary Academy
Helzer played forward for head coach Jay Helzer at Denton Calvary Academy. With the Lions, he received All-District, All-State, and All-Area. For his senior year, he was named Academic All-State.
Helzer is the son of Jay and Liz Helzer and has one brother, Jacob, and one sister, Katelyn. At Centenary, he intends to major in business.
Jay Reed
Forward
6-4 / 170
Dallas, Texas / School of Business and Management at Yvonne. A. Ewell Magnet Center
Reed played forward for head coach Nick Smith at the Yvonne A. Ewell Magnet Center. With the Business Men, he made the First Team both All-City and All-District. Academically, he made the "A" Honor Roll and was inducted into the National Honor Society.
The son of Amy Reed, he has two sisters, Samantha and Isabella, and one brother, Joshua. At Centenary, he intends to major in business.