By Mickey Smith | ETX Belll
OTTAWA, KS. – They say good things come to those who wait.
Recruiting in the new world of the college transfer portals, there have been a lot of graduated seniors still weighing their next-level options way longer than maybe they had hoped.
Ever since the college transfer portal began, seniors have had to wait for the traitors to make their next move before they know what spots are available.
That said… Bullard Panthers designated ‘3-point Bomber’ Layne Alexander is officially signed to play hoops at Ottawa University (OU) of Kansas Braves.
After a four-year varsity stint for the Bullard Panthers, receiving All District accolades and Superlatives awards three of four years for the sharp-shooter, Layne did have other options to carry on in college, yet it was an easy pick in the end.
It was the special check-ins from the Ottawa coaches and the personal concern that came from the Braves staff that was the difference maker.
“I really liked the school and what if offers academically, and what impressed me the most was how they stayed in touch at least weekly, always seeing how I was playing, how the team was doing,” said Layne when asked about his final pick.
Other schools to select from included Midland University -Nebraska, William Penn, and Oklahoma Wesleyan.
It takes a lot to play, and you need a lot of support at the next level.
Through all his Little Dribblers awards, Alexander, in his early high school days, jumped on board to play AAU Select hoops for TEOne and Head Coach, Michael Hogg.
Another big help was Layne’s one-on-one help with Kevin Murray, the current Bishop Gorman head basketball coach.
All the while, in the background, and always there for all the early morning practices, out of town weekend tournament arrangements, washing uniforms at 2 a..m., fixing boo-boos, and who knows what else, his Mom, Amber.
“My Mom (Amber) has done every single thing you could think of since I’ve been alive,” the future Brave added about Mom, “I couldn’t go through life without her, and she means everything to me. Best Team Mom ever…. no doubt.”
The other half of the main support cast (aside from grandparents and siblings), is his Dad, Andy, a former two-sport All District player for Whitehouse High School, graduating in 1998.
“My Dad (Andy), definitely had the biggest impact on me as an athlete,” Layne added to his family praises, “from the day I could walk, he had a ball in my hand.”
Layne added, “No matter what I wanted to do, he always pushed me to be the best I could be. He coached me in every sport, and anytime I would ask him to come help me in any way, he would do it happily.”
While at Bullard, Layne helped accumulate a record of 97-36, three first-place titles (2021-22, ’22-’23; ’24-25), and annual playoff berths.
Payne left his mark in the BHS record book with nine 3-pointers in one game.
Add in 1,595 career points with 339 treys. He shot 36% dropping bombs, and was a 74% free-throw shooter.
Alexander’s favorite Panthers memory?
“My freshman year, we were playing Chapel Hill, at their place for the district title,” Lane further played out his highlight. “The place was packed, and we had two of our top scorers fouled out. But I got open and made a 3 at the buzzer to win the district.
Wrapping it up, Layne said about his parents.
“I know this, I would not be where I am today or have the opportunity to play college basketball without either of them, and I am so very thankful for them.”
•OU is a part of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, an NAIA school finishing with an 18-11 overall mark, 14-8 in conference play.
The Braves are deep in history, having won 136 conference titles, made 53 NAIA Tournament appearances, 202 Scholar teams, and churning out 292 NAIA All-American basketball players.
This will be the first official year as head coach for Jamie Batish.
A seven-year stint as an assistant and grad assistant.
Batish took over with ten games left due to health reasons for the former top man.
