Rhinos celebrate "Sophomore Day" with 40-point victory

Gaston College celebrated "Sophomore Day 2024" with a 40-point victory on Sunday afternoon at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School.

The Rhinos' 117-77 victory over Hosanna Bible College snapped a seven-game losing streak and improved the team's record to 10-19 overall with one regular season game left to play.

"It's always good to get a win," Gaston College interim head coach Jermaine Williams said. "'Sophomore Day' is supposed to be a celebration and it was good to see so many families come and watch the game."

Freshmen Tyheim Love (19 points), Brandon Burnell (15 points, 8 rebounds) had big games but sophomores Ajaden Gray (15 points, 12 rebounds), Yarayah Evans (14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals), Michael Smith (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks), Asil Hoyle (13 points, 5 assists, 4 steals) and Jamal Ukaegbu (8 points, 3 rebounds) made up the starting lineup and led Gaston College to a wire-to-wire victory.

With all five sophomore starters scoring points in the first seven minutes, the Rhinos roared ahead 18-3 and cruised to the victory.

The 117-point total was the school's highest of the season and highest since November 2022.

Gaston College now sets its sights on claiming the eighth and final Region 10 postseason tournament berth.

The Rhinos (2-13) currently trail Denmark Tech (3-12) for eighth place in Region 10.

But if Gaston College can defeat Richard Bland (12-16, 7-8) in its Wednesday 7 p.m. finale at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School gymnasium and Denmark Tech loses at USC Salkehatchie (16-13, 5-10) on Wednesday at 7, the Rhinos are in good position to win a tiebreaker based on the strength of opponents they have beaten as compared to Denmark Tech.

"We've been playing better," Williams said. "Lapses keep hurting us. After getting the win today, we want to beat Richard Bland and be ready for whomever we could play in the conference tournament."

The Region 10 Division I tournament is March 14 through 16 at Hickory's Catawba Valley Community College with a berth in the National Junior College Athletic Association going to the winner.