Jordan hoping to strike a cord with coaches

Kierre Jordan's name isn't a name that gets a lot of run in recruiting circles. It's not like he hasn't tried. He played well at the Pangos All-American camp last summer. He was one of the anchors for his Dunwoody (Ga.) High School team's run to the AND1 National Championship. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound point guard was the team's most consistent guard at the City of Palms and the Beach Ball Classic this season. Now the junior floor general is trying to get a state championship ring.

Jordan and his Dunwoody teammates are chasing a state championship. They are in the Final Four of the Georgia state playoffs. After going 29-1 last season, the Wildcats were stopped in the Final Four. That was last year.

Playing with an understanding for what it takes to win the big prize, Jordan is relying on his experiences over the last year to help get the ring.

"We just have to keep playing hard to win it all. We're better this year than what we were last year even though we have more losses," Jordan said.

"Playing at all of those events helped us. We came together. We all depend on each other. No one really sticks out. We can all be the man on any given night and that is what makes us so tight. We have a great friendship and no one gets mad if someone shoots more than the other guy. We just want to win."

Jordan, even as one of the smallest point guards in Georgia, is one of the top floor generals in the Peach State. He knows how to run a team. But he'll score, too.

"I'm not selfish with the ball. I'll run and push the offense but I'm always thinking about getting down the floor and playing defense," Jordan said. "I'm trying to play like I'm already in college."

Jordan said his recruitment is picking up since the summer. Penn State, Purdue, Temple and Western Carolina are the most serious schools recruiting him right now, the junior said. With a summer with the Atlanta Celtics, Jordan is hoping to open even more eyes.

"This is a big summer coming up. It's my last one to really establish myself with colleges," he said. "I want to take my time in deciding because I don't want to be stuck in a decision I'm not happy with. I'm just worried about winning and being successful."

Perhaps a state championship would help solidify his name, too.