The Hangar Rocks as the Flyers Tame the Cougars

The Sandhills Community College basketball team went into Wednesday evening's Region 10 contest against Central Carolina CC as the No.1 ranked NJCAA Division III team in the nation.

Fired up by the support of a newly created student section at The Hangar, the Flyers held the Cougars scoreless for 10 minutes while extending an early 10-9 lead to 36-9 via a blistering 26-0 run. They breezed from there to a 110-55 victory, improving to 2-0 in the conference and 19-3 overall while the Cougars dropped to 5-17 and 1-2.

Region 10 play continues at home at 7 p.m. on Friday with Mountain Gateway Community College from Clifton Forge, VA, coming in with a record of 4-12 and 1-0.

Bryan Quiller scored 14 of his team-high 26 points, LeNijel Robinson poured in 11 of his 21, and 10 different players got into the scoring column as the Flyers all but wrapped things up by taking a 58-19 lead into the intermission.

The visitors were limited to eight field goals in 31 attempts.

"We were really playing defense as a team in the first half," sophomore Alon Hinani said afterward. "The rotations, the way we reacted, was amazing."

Early in the second half, Robinson began a personal 11-0 run with a basket assisted by Jamori McDougald, and then drained three treys in a row. Later, McDougald, who scored all 15 of his points on shots from beyond the arc, accounted for nine quick points as the Flyers extended their lead to 102-49 with six minutes remaining in the game.

Overall the Flyers made 55.6 per cent of their shots while holding the visitors to a shooting percentage of 31.3. Quiller made 11 of his 13 shots from the field.  Jaquan Thurman led the winners in rebounds with 12.  Quiller, Thurman and Jordan Coleman were each credited with five assists to lead in that department.

"Honestly, the defense was what I liked best," Robinson said, echoing his teammate's comments. "Everybody was talking, there were a couple possessions when we were switching positions, the whole team was moving. I loved that.

"If we can do that every night we'll really be dangerous. I really think the student section helped a lot."

Organized by freshman Andrew Jimenez, the students attired in white t-shirts, made their presence felt right from the start. The Lady Flyers volleyball team was also well-represented.

"Having a student section for the first time I can remember was exciting and my team loved it," Coach Mike Apple said afterward. "It's getting to be an event now playing at home and that's exactly what you want to happen because the guys get charged up. I'm proud of it. I hope it continues."

According to Jimenez, the students will be back on Friday for a blackout (black t-shirts).

"I came to the previous two games and thought the energy was real low," he said. "So I thought, I'm going to organize a student section. I contacted everyone I knew and told them we're going out tonight. We decorated some posters, people showed up and it was a great time."

Prior to the game, Joshua Ward, Associate Director of Foundation Outreach and Foundation Athletic Coordinator, paid tribute to Bonnie McGowan, assistant coach of the Lady Flyers women's golf team, who passed away on January 12.

C. Bergmann