In the always competitive ODAC conference ( 4 teams ranked in the Top 12 NCAA) we are sitting on a 5–5 conference record. Yesterday, I found out from our student-assistant coach (Matt Ross) that our game schedule is currently ranked the 10th toughest schedule in all of Division III. With us losing our two games from the San Juan Classic, because of the DC Blizzard, it set us back somewhat as a team. Not playing those two games over the December break cost us the opportunity for our players to get valuable experience as a team in game situations. We played Dec.17 and then did not play a contest again until Jan. 2. As a former student-athlete in a team sport, that long of a break without having a competition allows your team to take a step backward instead of forward because of the little things, especially the intangibles (speed, timing, and competing) of the game.
I would like to thank all of you who have been supporting this team throughout the season. We had two good home wins over the Christmas break (Roanoke and H-Sydney). Then we went on the road to Guilford (#2 in NCAA) and battled hard vs. a very good team. We came up short and lost by 12 points in a very strong effort by our team. Then we returned home for a game at home vs EMU (#7 in NCAA) – what a GREAT college basketball atmosphere. Our guys played together and played hard throughout the game. It was good to see so,many fans cheering for their teams as well as several fans in attendance just to experience the excitement of the “Poultry Road Rivalry”. We then headed down to Emory and Henry (Wed. night) and battled a very tough team that has a record that is no indication of the talent which they have. They made 14 three-pointers against us and have multiple scorers on the floor at all times. We were able to get a very good and needed “road win”. We will be back in action at Averett University on Saturday at 3 pm. Then we return home to play Va. Wesleyan on Feb.3 (next Wednesday). Please come out and be our “6th MAN” at Nininger Hall.
Above is a photo of the canned goods which were received at the Don Glick Classic. We received over 600 items which were donated to the Inner Church Food Pantry for the holidays. From L to R: Matt Ross, Segar Jordan, Roscoe Burgess (Inner Church Food Pantry representative), Don Burgess, Russell White, Cody Griffith, and Alvin Green) Thank you for your support and enabling us to help local families.
