by Ericka Simpson
Triangle Staff Writer
Walking into the gym, students can sense a noticeable difference. The volleyball net has disappeared, and the piercing squeak of basketball shoes against the lacquered floor can be heard as the Bryan College basketball team practices for its upcoming game.
The Lions are ranked fifth in the Appalachian Athletic Conference preseason polls, which do not count for much at this point in the season, according to Head Coach Don Rokoske.
“No one truly knows how good any team is,” Reskoske said.
Bluefield (Va.) College is predicted to be the top team, but has lost some of its starters this year. The AAC title is “up for grabs” because each team has lost some key players, according to Rekoske.
One of the Lions’ key players on the court is junior forward Scott Newton, who has average 19 points per game this preseason. Rekoske said that he thinks Newton is one of the top players in the AAC. Other key players are junior guard Xavierian McCall and transfers junior forward Keith Bauer and sophomore point forward Astral Guerrier.
“We have really good team chemistry,” Rekoske said.
The team has transitioned well because it is running the same offense and defense. The Lions have returned a strong core of players from last year and added in talented transfer students, which has strengthened the team’s defense and improved its rebounding abilities, according to Rekoske.
Junior post Justin MacKay said that the team is focusing on playing “up-tempo” by trying to push the ball and create more fast breaks. The team’s goal is to win the AAC championship this year.
“The key to our winning is continuing our trend of a strong defense,” Mackay said.
The Lions opened their season at home, defeating the Tennessee Temple (Chattanooga, Tenn.) Crusaders on Oct. 29. The scoreboard buzzed sounding the end of the game, and the final score flashed 73-55.
Temple has a talented team, according to Rekoske, and the Lions were excited by the win.
“We got them to play our game,” Rekoske said.
Junior swing guard Josh Decker said that the defense played weaker the first part of the second half, letting some points go, but in the end, they tightened the defense up.
“Our biggest mindset is defense and letting the other team score as few points as possible,” Decker said.
Traveling to Johnson Bible College (Knoxville, Tenn.), the Lions crushed Johnson Bible 101-63 on Oct. 31. All 16 players had the opportunity to leave the bench, and score on the court, racking up another win, Rekoske said.
This past week the team focused on its upcoming game against Fisk University (Nashville, Tenn.). Rekoske watched film on the opposing team, and had the Lions practice how to defeat the other team’s tactics, according to Decker.
“We know what they are going to do before they do it,” Decker said. “It makes it harder on them to score and easier on us.”
Rekoske said that Fisk would be a tough game because the environment would be hostile, and the team would have to show composure and focus on playing its game style. The game was held at Fisk on Nov. 7, and the Lions won 77-53 without the support of their fans.
The fans help the basketball team play with better intensity, according to MacKay and Decker. Rekoske said that the Lions appreciate the support, and he would love to see Bryan have a cheering student section.
“We want our fans to be proud of what they see on the floor,” Rekoske said. “And we are excited to get the ball rolling.”