By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

Carl Junction High School graduate Steven Tackett believes he can be a quick contributor in men’s basketball at Ozark Christian College.

So does OCC coach Chris Lahm.

“There are several things to like about Steven (a 6-foot-2, 195-pound guard),” Lahm said. “We like the success in his background. He knows how to win.

“We believe Steven fits our style,” Lahm said. “He can run the floor and handle the ball. He’s a good athlete. We should have a pretty quick team and he’ll fit right in. His ability as a jump shooter will allow him to contribute to our perimeter game.

“We’re pleased, too, because he’s local talent,” Lahm said. “We’ve had a pretty good recruiting year — we’re trying to recruit another area player — and Steven certainly is a part of that success.”

Tackett averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists during the 2007-08 campaign. He shot 45.5 percent overall from the field and 64.8 from the foul line as Lance Robbins’ Bulldogs finished 20-6 overall and 7-0 in the Big 8 Conference.

Tackett also was a starter in 2006-07 for an 18-10, 5-2 edition. Tackett, a 42.1 percent marksman overall from the floor, averaged 13.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2 assists.

Both seasons the Bulldogs reached the Class 4 district championship game..

“My goal is to play right away. Hopefully, I can get playing time as a freshman,” Tackett said on Saturday. “But I want to fit into the framework of the team. I want to do whatever it takes to keep the program going in the right direction.”

Lahm’s Ambassadors finished 24-16 overall in 2007-08.

Tackett, who plans to teach and coach at the secondary level, ran cross country as a junior and senior for the Bulldogs and, mainly as a hurdler, competed in track three years.

Tackett is the fourth player from last season’s Carl Junction team to announce his intention to play college basketball.

Previously, Joseph Fauvergue selected Missouri Southern State University and Paden Bennett and Justin Garretson opted for William Penn University of Oskaloosa, Iowa.