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Judah Ravenell had a team-high 21 points in last week's regular season opener for Gaston College.
Judah Ravenell had a team-high 21 points in last week's regular season opener for Gaston College.
Posted: Nov 06, 2023

Early game adversity helped Gaston College to opening win and into Wednesday's matchup with nationally-ranked Davidson-Davie

When Gaston College interim head coach Jermaine Williams envisioned his debut, he hoped his Rhinos would take an early lead, build upon it and eventually knock off Cleveland Community College.

Instead, in last Thursday's 2023-24 regular season opener, the visiting Yetis hit three of their first four 3-point attempts and roared ahead 9-2 just 2 1/2 minutes into the contest.

"You're down 9-2 in a blink and I'm thinking, 'Is this how it's going to be?'" Williams said. "But you make adjustments and weather the storm. And then we just made plays."

After Williams called for an early game timeout, the Rhinos responded by rallying to take the lead later in the first half before a strong closing run led them to an 85-74 victory at the Ashbrook High gymnasium.

On Wednesday, the task will be much tougher as Gaston College will host nationally-ranked Davidson-Davie Community College.

The Storm are No. 4 in the National Junior College Athletic Association preseason Division II poll and are coming off a 33-1 season in which they were ranked No. 1 much of the season, advanced to the second round of the national championship tournament and beat visiting Gaston College 91-64 late in the regular season.

"I got a chance to see them in the second jamboree," Williams said Davidson-Davie's appearance in the Oct. 7 Battle of the South Jamboree in Marietta, Ga. "They have good players and are well-coached."

Gaston College will combat the Storm with a team coming off a balanced effort in the season-opening victory.

Starters Judah Ravenell (21 points, 6 rebounds), Jamal Ukaegbu (14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists), Michael Smith (10 points), Asil Hoyle (6 points, 3 assists) and Ajaden Gray (3 rebounds) were supported by reserves Tyheim Love (20 points), Kush Carter (11 points) and Jalante Edwards (3 points, 4 rebounds) as Williams used an eight-man rotation.

"We still have a long way to go," Williams said. "But I was pleased with a lot of what I saw out there. We just need to keep working and keep improving."