Gaston College returns to action as 16 of final 18 regular season games are league matchups
After facing three nationally-ranked teams in a challenging first semester schedule, Gaston College is back at practice readying itself for its final 18 regular season games that will be highlighted by 16 Region 10 contests.
"It's go time," Rhinos interim head coach Jermaine Williams said. "What I've learned is understanding how we've got to be prepared and we've got to be tougher, we've got to listen better and do the little things if we want to be more successful."
Gaston College is off to a 5-7 start that has included a balanced attack in all key statistical categories.
Sophomore Asil Hoyle (12.3 points per game) is the top scorer followed by freshmen Kush Carter (11.8) and Tyheim Love (11.8), sophomore Jamal Ukaegbu (10.6), freshman Judah Ravenell (10.2), sophomore Michael Smith (9.1) and freshman Jalante Edwards (6.3).
Ukaegbu (7.5) is the top rebounder followed by Smith (6.5), Ravenell (5.7), Edwards (4.4), sophomore Ajaden Gray (3.3) and Carter (2.9).
And Hoyle (2.8) leads in assists followed by Ukaegbu (2.5), Love (2.3) and Edwards (1.8).
Five of the nine members of Gaston College's Region 10 have already played league contests in the first semester while the Rhinos, Caldwell Tech (12-1), Spartanburg Methodist (9-4) and Brunswick Community College (7-6) will be making their league debuts in the next week.
Cape Fear Community College (8-3, 2-0) is the only unbeaten team that has played contests with Wake Tech (8-8, 2-1) and Richard Bland (6-8, 2-10) close behind and USC Salkehatchie (8-5, 0-2) and Denmark Tech (5-4, 0-2) trailing them in the early season standings.
The Rhinos will receive a roster boost with the addition of 6-foot-7, 225-pound sophomore Yarayah Evans, who averaged 6.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 25 games (14 starts) for Gaston College last season. Evans missed the first semester enrollment deadline to play but has been cleared for second semester action.
"We've been in every game," Williams said. "The only two games we haven't taken a lead in were against the nationally-ranked teams in Division II (Davidson-Davie Community College, Henry Ford College).
"I don't believe in moral victories because you always have to have the mindset of competing to win minus any excuses. But that shows you how close we are."
After travelling to play the Lees-McRae Developmental team on Monday at 7 p.m., the Rhinos open Region 10 play on Jan. 11 at Spartanburg Methodist.
Gaston College's next home game follows on Jan. 14 against Brunswick Community College at 3 p.m. at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School.