Jackson’s culture takes hold in Year 2 with SFCC men’s basketball

Published 2:49 am Thursday, October 29, 2026

Jeremy Jackson’s vision for State Fair Community College men’s basketball is in full effect.

Entering his second season at the helm, Jackson leads a 2026-27 Roadrunners squad composed entirely of players he and his staff recruited to Sedalia.

“[We] wanted to get a full recruiting class in here of our guys that want to come in and work hard and do the things we’re asking them to do,” Jackson said. “[Guys that] fit our system, fit our philosophy of being good people, being good basketball players and keeping our priorities straight.”

The Roadrunners went 16-15 last season, ending the year with a Region 16 Tournament semifinals loss to Three Rivers Community College.

Jackson said the next step for the program is to breach the 20-win mark, while remaining locked into a game-by-game mindset.

“We want to make sure that we are ready for every opponent and don’t take anybody for granted,” Jackson said. “That’s the biggest thing. Our philosophy is that the game you’re in is the biggest game of your career because you don’t know what’s coming next.”

Five sophomores return from last season, including Chanler Joseph, Nate Wilder, Andin Ashford, Damian Dirden and Da’Ron Hall.

“They know what the expectations are,” Jackson said of the returning group. “They’re all helping the freshmen and transfers to follow right along and do what’s expected. They’re setting the standard and setting the tone, so it’s been really good having five returners.”

Ashford anchors the returning core, coming off an All-Region 16 First-Team freshman campaign where he averaged 9.5 points per game on 43.5% shooting and 30.6% 3-point shooting. He also averaged 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Jackson said Ashford’s biggest area of growth heading into his sophomore year has been consistency.

“Last year, he was a great player, but last year he had some inconsistencies,” Jackson said. “This year, he’s a day-to-day guy. He doesn’t have too many days where he misses or has an off day. He’s always ready. His mentality is right. He wants to win first and foremost, and that’s a great thing. He’s doing a lot better in the leading aspect too verbally. Last year, he led with his example, working hard and all that stuff. This year, he’s taken on a better role with vocal leadership.”

Among the freshmen class, Jackson said forward Stephano Farrington has immediately stood out.

“He’s a walking highlight reel,” Jackson said. “He just jumps out of the gym. He works hard. He comes in every day with a good attitude, and he wants to be good.”

State Fair also adds five transfers — redshirt freshman Marvin Cox Jr., redshirt freshman Jamil Aleem Jr., sophomore Alex Pissis, sophomore Deng Kuek and sophomore Kaylan Graham.

Cox transfers in from NCAA Division I New Mexico State, while Aleem comes from NCAA DII Clayton State.

Pissis, a native of France, transfers in from Gulf Coast State College, which made the NJCAA Division I Final Four last season.

Kuek averaged 16 points per game on 49% 3-point shooting at Northland Community & Technical College, while Graham averaged nine points at Otero Junior College.

Jackson said Graham has quickly emerged as a steadying presence in the backcourt.

“He’s really taken off with how he’s grasped our system and what he wants to do,” Jackson said. “It’s been really good to see him.”

The Roadrunners open their season at home against Central Methodist University’s reserve team at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.

State Fair will celebrate its inaugural Toilet Paper Game, where spectators throw rolls of toilet paper onto the court after SFCC scores its first basket of the season.

“We did it at the school I came from,” Jackson said. “I think we started it 10 years ago. It’s always a great tradition, and it got better every year. The community really looks forward to it. The staff, faculty, everybody comes out and it’s a fun time. It’s a really good environment, and you always want to make sure that your guys are living that college experience. That’s one thing that this will do is it’ll give them some lasting memories of their experience here at State Fair.”

State Fair also hosts Southeast Community College at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

Watch the full interview with Jackson and women’s basketball head coach Nicole Collier here. Sports editor Jack Denebeim can be reached at 660-530-0142.