Chasing Region 10 tournament: Gaston College enters end of its schedule chasing a berth

Gaston College interim head coach Jermaine Williams has frequently talked about how his team has been "close" all year long.

Williams has a point as 15 of the team's 17 losses have come in games in which the Rhinos held a lead. That included nine defeats after the team held a second half lead.

But with a 9-17 overall record and 2-11 ninth-place record in Region 10, the Rhinos enters the final four games of the regular season.

"I'm determined to find the positives, highlight the good elements and drive that in because the wins are needed to help us make the postseason tournament," Williams said.

The season-ending stretch starts with Wednesday's 7 p.m. game at USC Salkehatchie and continues with three home games at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School to end the regular season - March 2 at 3 p.m. against Spartanburg Methodist, March 3 at 4:30 p.m. against Hosanna Bible College and March 6 at 7 p.m. against Richard Bland.

The Hosanna Bible College game is the non-region contest as it will be Gaston College's annual "Sophomore Day" celebration.

Gaston College has previously lost the first games against their three remaining Region 10 opponents. That includes losing leads to USC Salkehatchie and Richard Bland.

"I'm looking at the Salkehatchie game as a 'must win,'" Williams said. "When we played them the first time, they knew it was an opportunity to get their first Region 10 win and they came with energy, effort and the right mindset.
"That's what we have to do when we go there."

The Rhinos all season have had a balanced attack.

Through 26 games, Gaston College has been led by Tyheim Love (12.8 points, 2.1 assists), Yarayah Evans (12.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks), Asil Hoyle (12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists), Kush Carter (9.1 points, 3.0 rebounds), Jamal Ukaegbu (8.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks), Judah Ravenell (8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds), Michael Smith (6.3 points, 4.9 rebounds), Jalante Edwards (4.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists) and Ajaden Gray (3.8 points, 3.0 rebounds).

"I want to get there," Williams said of the Region 10 tournament. "I don't want to be in last and not have a chance to play in the conference tournament. We just have to keep working to get better."