Tigers Prepare for ODAC Championships
by: Jarrod Ficklin ‘11In final stretch of their season, basketball squad looks for wins before tournament
The Tigers have competed with nearly every team they have played this year. Unfortunately, the Tigers have lost a number of close games, the majority of which to teams ranked in the top 20 nationally. Being able to play with those high caliber teams has not been a doubt for the Tigers, but overcoming the adversity and winning those close games has been. The Tigers will need to leave their doubts in the past if they wish to make a run for the school’s 11th ODAC Championship.
After a heartbreaking loss at #1 Guilford 76-74, the Tigers were upset at Emory & Henry 71-69 – the team’s 5th loss by one possession or less. However, the Tigers bounced back with a 77-63 win at Roanoke – the 2nd road win of the year. Because of the inclement weather, the game was moved to Hollins University. The change of location did not affect Harrison George and the rest of the Tigers. After a shaky start – down 10 in the first 10 minutes of the half – the Tigers went on a run propelled by Turner King, Harrison George, and Hakeem Croom. That 26-6 run over the last 10 minutes of the half gave the Tigers a 38-28 halftime lead. The Tigers used that cushion – extending the lead to 19 at one point – and eventually ended up with a 14 point win. Harrison George racked up another double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds while captain Turner King chipped in with 22. Jonathan Mudd and Randall Ward both finished with 8 points.
That kind of play is exactly what the Tigers will need in the last two games of the regular season. The Tigers took on #16 Randolph-Macon on Wednesday February 17th (this article was written prior to that contest), and the Tigers will host #10 Virginia Wesleyan on February 20th – the last home game of the season. On Saturday, the Tigers will need to slow down the ODAC’s 2nd leading scorer, Stephen Fields – 20.6 ppg. Despite having the second leading scorer in the conference, the Marlins’ real key to success this year has been on the defensive side of the ball; in 24 games this year Virginia Wesleyan has only let 3 teams score more than 75 points, and in the month of February, the Marlins are giving up a mere 62.8 points per game. Fortunately for the Tigers, their go-to senior has been heating up in the month of February. Turner King has been averaging 21 ppg, shooting over 57% from the field – 43% from 3-point range -, and hitting 94% of his free throws. I think it is safe to say that King wishes February was a longer month.
King and the Tigers hope to play for the full month of February considering the Championship Game of the ODAC Tournament is on February 28th. The top 5 seeds in the ODAC Tournament get byes to the quarterfinals, which start on the 26th in Salem, VA. On the 25th, the bottom 6 seeds will play the first round of the tournament at the higher seed’s home court. The winner of the 8 v. 9 game will play the 1 seed; the winner of the 7 v. 10 game will play the 2 seed; the winner of the 6 v. 11 game will play the 3 seed; and the 4 and 5 seeds will play each other in the quarterfinals. As of now, Hampden-Sydney is 7-7 and tied for 5th place in the conference with Washington & Lee; however, if the two teams finish with the same record, the Tigers would receive the 5 seed and the first round bye because of their head-to-head victory over the Generals.
The Tigers certainly have a chance to make a run for the ODAC title in Salem, VA, but in order to so, they will need to start winning the close games that have plagued them throughout the season. Out of the Tigers’ 11 losses this year, 8 have been by 6 points or less; 5 have been by 2 points or less. The Tigers have the opportunity to end that trend, starting with a road victory at Randolph-Macon. Hopefully that momentum will continue against Virginia Wesleyan at home, and continue at the ODAC Championships on the last weekend of February. Be sure to make it out for the game vs. Virginia Wesleyan on the 20th. It is Senior Day, and the Tigers will recognize 6 seniors – Jonathan Mudd, Hakeem Croom, Larry Henshaw, Karlis Trops, Lane Medlin, and Turner King. Tip-off is at 2:00.
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