Flyers Post Sophomore Day Win Over Blue Lights - Host Region 10 Tournament Next

The Sandhills Community College basketball team wrapped up the regular season on Saturday afternoon with a 122-105 win over Blue Lights College. The Flyers finish the regular season with an overall record of 22-7 and in first place in Region 10. 

Saturday was the team's annual Sophomore Day where all the sophomores were honored before tipoff. This year's sophomores include Chad Kinch, Jamori McDougald, Zach Riddle, Isaiah Nelson, Ayden Gittens, and Jamal Williams. 

"They took me in halfway through the year last year, and it's really been a family ever since," said Riddle, "I can't appreciate the guys anymore for what they've done for me. We're all working hard trying to get back to where we were last year." 

"They're all immensely talented guys," said Coach Mike Apple, "We've won a lot of ball games with them, and we're proud that they chose to come to Sandhills to play basketball."

The Thoroughbreds got out to an 11-3 lead in the first few minutes of the game, but the Flyers answered with a 20-0 run to put themselves up by 12. However, Blue Lights cut into the lead with a run of its own right before halftime to make it 57-54 at the break. Sandhills extended the lead early in the second half and shut down any possibility of a comeback to hold on to the 17-point win. 

"That run set the tone for the rest of the game," said Riddle, "We got down a little bit, but we knew if we just played fast and played how we play it would come back." 

"We were getting stops, and we did a good job playing outside-in," said Apple of the team's big run. "After that run, we kind of let down defensively and let them back in the game, and it was a tough game from there on out."

McDougald led the way for the Flyers, scoring 31 points and connecting on nine of his 12 three-point attempts. Nelson finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Gittens scored 22 points and Kinch added 15 points off the bench.

The win was the Flyers' 12th in the last 13 games.  They host the Region 10 championship tournament next weekend with the winner moving on to the district tournament in Maryland. The Flyers earned a first round bye on Friday and will play in the second round at 1 pm on Saturday.

"Defense, defense, and more defense," said Apple of the team's preparations for the region tournament.

T. Ratcliff