Gittens Paces Flyers in Victory Over S4G

Ayden Gittens scored 19 of his team-high 29 points in the first half and the Sandhills Community College basketball team went on to defeat Shooting for Greatness Academy 94-86 on Wednesday evening at The Hangar.

The 6-foot-6 sophomore connected on nine of his 11 shots from the field in the opening half, helping the Flyers take a 44-34 lead into the intermission. Coach Mike Apple's squad expanded the margin to as many as 20 points in the second half.

The Flyers, now 5-4 on the season and ranked No. 8 in this week's NJCAA Division III rankings, play at home again on Saturday, entertaining Flight 22 Prep with a 3 p.m. tipoff.  During the halftime intermission, Coach Gus Ulrich and members of the 2023 Flyers NJCAA Division III National Championship men's golf team will be presented with their championship rings.

Gittens accounted for 10 of his team's first 12 points in the game with teammates Isaiah Nelson, Damien Robinson, Jamori McDougald, Mike Fee and Chad Kinch, assisting on the five baskets.  The product of Overhills High School made the first two baskets of the second half on the way to building an 89-69 lead with about three minutes, remaining in the game.

Gittens made 14 of his 20 shots from the field overall and also grabbed nine rebounds.  Robinson finished with 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, recording his eighth double-double of the season. His field goal percentage of 70.2 is the third highest in DIII.

Zach Riddle was also in double figures with 11 points.  McDougald contributed a game-high eight assists.

The Flyers are fourth in the nation in scoring this week, averaging 91.8 points per game. Region 10 member Mountain Gateway CC of Clifton Forge, VA leads DIII with a 95.0 per game average.

C. Bergmann