Newcomers in the Spotlight as Flyers Basketball Team Scrimmages at Louisburg on Saturday
The 2023-24 edition of the Sandhills Community College basketball team travels to Louisburg College on Saturday eager to test itself against actual opponents, following several weeks of practices.
With a preseason roster of 21 players, Coach Mike Apple will split his squad up for scrimmages against Mid-Atlantic Christian at 1 p.m. and Louisburg at 3 p.m. Live-streaming will not be available.
The Flyers make their home debut on October 17 with a 7 p.m. scrimmage against Fayetteville Tech. They open the regular season on the road at the Statesmen Classic in Glen Allen, VA against Winston Salem Christian on November 3.
The Flyers have four returnees from the team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation before falling to Brookdale CC in the NJCAA Division III Championship game in Herkimer, NY last March.
"When you have a lead going into the second half and get as close to a national championship as we did and not win the ballgame it was letdown," Apple said on Wednesday. "We lost a lot of good players from a really good team. The exciting part is to build a team this year.
"There is a lot to do and there are always going to be growing pains, but I can't wait for it to start."
Point guard Jamori McDougald capped his freshman season with a performance in the title game that produced 14 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and four steals. The product of Overhills High School was named to the all-tournament team. In July he participated in the NJCAA Class of 2024 Rising Stars games held at Iowa Western College.
Chad Kinch, a 6-foot-1 guard, 6-6 forward Ayden Gittens and 6-7 forward Jamal Williams are the others who contibuted to last season's 30-4 overall record. Also bringing experience to this year's squad is sophomore Isaiah Nelson, a 6-4 forward, who red-shirted last season after being an important contributor the year before.
Guards Mike Fee, Tre' Williams, Zach Riddle and Patrick Reaves gained experience from practicing with the team as redshirts last season. The newcomers include guards Jashaun Torrence (Mount Tabor), Jacob Hammonds (Lumberton), Jacob Grantham (Providence Grove), Demyron Williams (Walnut Grove, GA), Nylikk Troutman (Mooresville) and Kendall Smith (J.L. Chambers). Also, forwards, Titus Cunningham (Mallard Creek), Xavion White (Mooresville), Chris Rhodes (Madison County, GA), Randy Freeman (Word of God), Damien Robinson (Overhills) and Amarie Liburd (Jack Britt).
McDougald averaged 10.6 points per game last season, was seventh in Division III in assists and 15th in three-point baskets made. Apple thinks he's ready to hit the ground running and raise his game as both a facilitator and scorer.
"I'm focused on being a leader for the new players this year," McDougald says. "As of right now, everything looks good. We fell short last year so all we can do is get back to the championship game and finish it this year."
In the front court, the Flyers graduated two players who earned All-American Recognition in Bryan Quiller and Joey McMullen. Guard LeNijel Robinson also earned All-American honors.
One of the newcomers expected to have an impact in the paint is 6-6 Damien Robinson who originally enrolled at Fayetteville State to play both football and basketball. He is already known to Flyers fans at The Hangar as one of a group of basketball players cheering for the Lady Flyers at volleyball matches.
"I just try to be a leader," he says, "first of all with my energy and being a leader on and off the court.
"I just like that we all have the same mindset when we're on the court with each other. There's really no selfishness. The biggest thing is that there is a lot of skill in this group. Everyone just wants to win here."
National champions in 2020, the Flyers will be seeking their sixth trip to the national tournament in a row. In addition to the Flyers, this season's Region 10 conference includes five colleges from Virginia, Mountain Gateway CC, Patrick and Henry CC, Virginia Peninsula, Camp CC and Southside Virginia. Apple is again being assisted by Tramaine Pride, Daquain Towns and Markell Lotharp, who were member of the 2012 Flyers national championship team.
"We have some players we really think will be able to contribute right away, Apple says. "From what we've seen with their exuberance, supporting the volleyball team, you can tell they like each other. They really are about pulling for all things Sandhills."
Hammonds, a 6-foot guard and a product of Lumberton High School, was attracted to play basketball at Sandhills by its winning tradition.
"So far I think we're bonding together and have a great chemistry," he says. "Coach Apple does a great job of building things. This is a great place to be."
C. Bergmann