Hobbs' Pannell commits to Cochise

  One of Hobbs’ top-10 all-time scorers has decided where he’ll go to school and play basketball next season as Dane Pannell committed Wednesday to attend Cochise College next season.

Brad Cox/News-Sun

Hobbs' Dane Pannell committed to

Cochise College on Wednesday.

  Cochise College is located in Douglas, Ariz., and Pannell said the location played a big part in his decision.

  “A lot of my family lives in Arizona and it’s where I’m originally from,” Pannell said. “It’s a good winning program and has a good background. I’m hoping to improve my game and go to a good school from there. ...

  “It’s a big load off my chest. I’m relieved and anxious to go there.”

  Pannell averaged 21.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.2 steals while helping the Eagles go 22-9 and advance to the Class 5A state semifinals this past season.

  The 6-foot-3 senior spent three years with the varsity, starting nearly the entirety of his prep career.

  Pannell finished his Hobbs career ninth on the all-time scoring list with 1,316 points.

  His 21.1 points per game this past season is the 25th highest in Hobbs history while his career scoring average of 16.2 is 21st on the Hobbs all-time list.

  Cochise plays in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, finished 25-6 this past season (receiving votes in the final NJCAA national poll) and took fourth in the ACCAC with an 18-4 mark.

NMJC's Lee commits to NC State

Clayton Jones/News-Sun

NMJC's Desmond Lee Goes up for a dunk earlier this

season. Lee committed to NC State on Monday.

  A long process came to a close for New Mexico Junior College's Desmond Lee as the 6-foot-4 guard committed to North Carolina State on Monday.

  The sophomore from Norfolk, Va., had numerous offers from top NCAA programs such as Miami (Fla.), Illinois, Baylor, Auburn, Arkansas, Georgia and Creighton just to name a few but decided on North Carolina State.

  Lee, a NJCAA Second-Team All-American in 2012-13, helped NMJC qualify for the NJCAA National Tournament for the first time in 17 years when he and the Thunderbirds won the Region 5 Tournament. Overall, NMJC went 26-7, including 12-4 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference play – good for a tie for second place.

  Lee was the second-leading scorer in the WJCAC at 20.2 points per game and was also in the top 20 in the conference in steals (2.0, second), rebounds (5.4, 16th), assists (2.2, 18th), 3-pointers made (69, fourth) and free throws made (198, first).