Always outsiders looking in at these much different schools, the Falcons (that nickname fits like a glove) have had a hard time competing especially in basketball. Last year was no different as Air Force struggled through another last place finish in the tougher than given credit Western Athletic Conference.  The Military Academies just do not have the kind of athletes that are needed in this level of competition with their high expectations of enrollment. At least the other two are on the East Coast, but trying selling a good athlete on coming to Colorado Springs for the winter. Not only was size a factor but speed, quickness and leaping ability were not on par with the teams in this conference. Coach Bob Spear is an old school disciplinarian and knows that basketball is not the future for these kids.  Flying jets is but he does his best to keep them grounded.   Still, there were a few moments of glory for these kids and believe it or not a few players who might have a chance of bringing some kind of competitive edge to this program.  But that might be a few years away!  Don’t worry there is time here as this program does not recruit two-year kids.  You are committed for the four full years (and much longer) when you come to one of these academies.

The man that built Clune as they say was none other than senior Bob Beckel.  The Wing Commander flew into Colorado Springs from Walla Walla with a trigger finger.  And we are not talking about his piloting of a plane.  Beckel is a scorer first and foremost.  He never met a shot he didn’t ‘just ask my teammates.’  Then again Bob is the best offensive player this program has ever had.  How good?  He was averaging almost 15 points a game, by far the most on the team, when a mid-season injury put him on the bench for a few games ironically after hitting (he actually twisted his knee during the game but kept playing) a game winning three to beat Eastern Washington.  Those five games happen to be not coincidentally when the Falcons offense flew south for the winter. Spear realizing the season was basically over started to give the young guys more time and cut the PT of the team’s fearless leader.  Beckel, forever a team player and leader, took his reduction in minutes in stride but was still was able to lead the team in scoring average for the 3rd consecutive season.  He is back and whether or not he starts or comes off the bench as a score first sixth man, Beckel will continue to fly high for the Falcons.   

Fellow Senior Cliff Parsons might have been even more important than Beckel to this program as he is the only Falcon that even comes close to being an old school back to the basket post player.  He is for sure the only one that has that kind of size to match up with the beasts of the WAC.  Parsons was a huge get and without question the biggest recruit EVER for the Air Force as he was a high school All-American in Monroeville Pennsylvania and somehow matriculated west to Colorado Springs.  Though his high school counselor pushed him this way he still had to meet the height limitations of an academy to get in.  Somehow Parsons developed a slouch and was measured at only six eight (he is all of six ten) and got into the Academy.  You cannot even imagine how this program without this physical big man in the middle for the last three years.  Heck, they might not even been a realistic D-1 program and might have thad o drop to D-2.  He was that important.  Parsons uses his size and knowledge to post up against some of the best big men in the country and even at his embellished height was still giving up many inches and/or bulk to the likes of the great Cougar Kresmir Cosic and the Lobos Mel Daniels and what about the Cowboys Erick Leckner.  Most of the first three seasons he was battling these monsters alone with no one else on the roster coming in at over six eight and no one even close to his capabilities.  Parsons knows what his future is and he might be the only guy on this roster who would have a shot at playing at the next level but he is committed to serving his country and knows this is his last year of glory on the basketball court.  He will make it count. 

Three other seniors slowly were faded out last for Air Force.  Journeymen Jim Ulm, Greg Popovich and Don Wolfswinkel were part of the building blocks for this program but were not really the talent level of the WAC and willfully bowed out though not before they made their presences felt.  Popovich in particular was a huge mentor to the young guys and after he had the game of his life in San Antonio but hurt his knee and became a quasi-assistant to Spear.  Heck, as good as he was one would not be surprised if the Falcons went his direction for their new coach as Spears cannot coach forever.  Pop has tremendous leadership (and communication) skills and is going to be a huge success.  Now for the guys coming back with hopes of turning this plane around! 

Five wins does not make for much hope for next season but two players showed considerable talent to excite some of the fans of Colorado Springs.  Sophomore guard Raymond Dudley is the guy to help move this team forward. Dudley is an incredible shooter who has range up to 25 feet and is not afraid to use it.  He loves competition and though he is not your typical shooting guard can hang with the boys he is playing against in the WAC.  Dudley is not your typical Air Force type talent as he turned a scholarship offer from Missouri of the Big 8 to come to the Academy and has not looked back since.  Dudley is not just a one trick pony though when you average half your points hoisting threes you know where your bread is buttered.  Dudley can also get to the rim and he does love to finish especially over bigger cats.  He can also distribute as Spear had no choice but to play him and Beckel together in a double two guard set.  Both would rather score but both can get the ball to the right guy if his shot is taken away from him though it would be better to have a true point guard with them. Dudley is the odds on favorite to lead the Falcons in scoring (he finished an eye lash behind Beckel last year) but can he lead this team back from obscurity and possibly even go dancing.  That may be a dream but this is Dudley’s team now and chance to do right in Colorado Springs. 

Those three guys are set but the other positions are up for grabs in the thin air of Colorado.  Spear definitely gave everyone their shot to prove they could contribute as he rotated what seemed to be half the student body trying to find somebody who could play at this level.  Junior Tom Schneeberger is another player this program is glad to have coming back for more. He may be the best leader on the team and that is saying something on a team full of boys being trained to become just that. He should get more PT on the post even though he is a bit limited height wise (6’7) he is one heck of a board guy.  Fellow junior Randy Gricius really showed some upside down low and should get first chance to start but Schneeberger will push him.  Gricius is inconsistent but a much better offensive player than Schneeburger.  Sophomores Tim Harris and Reggie Jones showed some ability down low and will be counted on to produce heavy next season.  Not a great scorer, Jones will bring it on the boards.  Harris is the more complete of the two (he has an offensive game) and could start at the three. The last half of the year Harris got moved up from JV and shined.  Harris averaged over 20 minutes a game once he came up and can really score inside and out. Jones is extremely physical on the boards and though as he is only 6’7 is more of a center then anyone else as he will swat a shot into the cheap seats of Clune often. He is better suited coming off the bench as he does not have any offensive game but the need for his physicality is real  He will continue to fulfill his duties ‘on the post.’  Another pair of sophomore forwards Rick Simmons and Maurice McDonald did not get any time on the varsity but both can play and gives the Falcons some options up front.  These two Space Cowboys will push Harris for minutes and all three can score.  Senior Butch Viccelio and the master of ceremonies himself Ed Sullivan are in the mix for minutes up front but neither is big enough play more than mop up minutes. 

Junior guard Bob Djokovich will get more minutes especially in three guard sets which the Falcons do often.  That was the plan this year but with the elevation of Dudley, Djokovich was pushed to the scrap heap.  Too bad because this kid has game!  He did regain his starting job when Beckel went down and never gave it back up.  Djokovich is solid all-around player who is a terrific passer and fills up the stat sheet. This is not rotisserie basketball however so Djokovich has to bring more to the table to keep his gig. He gelled well with Dudley and Beckel as he is big enough to guard wings which allowed Spear to get his two best scorers on the court at the same time. This trio could be a strength of the team if the coaching staff doesn’t go full youth movement and kick Djokovich to the curb again.  He may not be the most talented defensive player and Spear wants to go with others to bring more speed on the court.  The Falcons do have a few options if they want to go to a pure point guard.  Sophomore Jeff Bowling is the most adept at getting the ball to the right guy and seems to have a great bond with Dudley. By far the best passer on the team Bowling got some solid minutes early on but had to sit down due an injury but showed he can play at both ends.  Not much of a scorer, Bowling has shown he is a gifted floor general and will play next year.  How much depends on the new kids coming to Colorado Springs.  

The Air Force Falcons did not sneak up on anyone this year.  Recruiting basketball players is not the easiest thing in the world when you are a military academy.  Not everyone had the luck of the Naval Academy and has a recruit grow five inches after he enters your institution.  Of course, you can always fib on the height if you need to right Cliff?  Oh well, these guys might not be the best basketball players on the planet but by the way they play hard and never gave up I am glad they are on our side where it counts.