Newcomer Mike Ford has wasted no time endearing himself to Ozark players, coaches and fans, as he tries to make the most of what will be a short-lived Tigers career.
Ford, a senior point guard, transferred to Ozark the last week of January and debuted for the Tigers in February. He moved from his native New Jersey by way of Hannibal.
“He had a really long Christmas break,” Tigers coach Mark Schweirtzer said.
Ford played for Hannibal in November and December of this season. A highlight for him during his short time with the Pirates was a 22-point effort against Illini West that earned him MVP honors at the John Wood Rumble On The River Shootout.
In Ozark’s loss last Friday at Nixa, Ford, at times, looked like Ozark’s MVP.
He scored 13 points. Most telling, the Tigers were prone to turnovers when Ford wasn’t on the floor handling their point guard duties.
“You get a talented new kid move in with a month left in the season, he deserves to play just like anyone else,” Schweitzer said. “We're trying to get him in the flow. The talent is definitely there, anyone can see that. We want to try to get him playing his best inside our framework. I think he's done a great job finding guys.”
