Gaston College heads into holiday break with 9-5 record and high hopes entering the new year

When Gaston College made the decision to play basketball for the first time in 50 years last summer, new Rhinos head coach David "Dickey" Nutt wasn't sure what kind of team he would have.

Nutt and associate head coach Jamie Rosser had to scramble to fill a roster and a schedule in the challenging Region 10 of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Halfway through the season, Nutt is pleased with the team's 9-5 overall record and 1-1 mark in Region 10 play.

"As far as expectations, I really had no idea," said Nutt, who won his 300th game as a head coach during the Rhinos' fast start. "We knew that we had some talent and had somewhat of a nice team that might be stronger in some areas than others. But I've been most pleased with the attitude and efforts of this team. They have bought in and they love to compete. They hang on to every word you preach to them and aim to please. Coach Rosser and I couldn't more pleased with their efforts on and off the floor. As far as records are concerned, we are pleased so far and think we can compete on a given night."

Nutt's team has survived injuries to starters Jaylen Bates, Kalil Camara and Damon Davis and reserve Naysean Baisy - and welcomes the time off until resuming their schedule on Jan. 8.

"This break is coming at a good time for us," Nutt said. "We can get some guys healthy hopefully. I want them to finish up their studies and finish strong in the classroom which at the end of the day, is the most important thing they can accomplish."

Nutt credits Rosser for helping Gaston College field a talented roster on short notice.

"I knew how difficult a road it was going to be because we started so late," Nutt said. "We were fortunate to get in on some good players. My associate head coach Jamie Rosser did an super job of locating some available guys within the short time frame we had."

Sophomores Davis (15.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.5 steals), Bates (11.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 blocks), Camara (10.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.1 blocks) and Zavion Jackson (6.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks) and freshmen Da'marco Watson (11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.9 steals), Dee Merriweather (11.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals), Naysean Baisy (9.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists), Dedrick Givens (6.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 blocks), Jared Funderburk (6.4 points) and Joshua Johnson (5.7 points, 2.4 rebounds) have led the team so far this season.

The Rhinos have played four teams that have drawn national junior college attention so far this season, including the current No. 4-ranked team in NJCAA in Northwest Florida. Gaston College also played three teams that have received votes for the national poll this season - Tallahassee Community College, Cape Fear Community College and Spartanburg Methodist.

"We had our chances to win games against some of the best teams in the country such as Northwest Florida, Tallahassee and Spartanburg and were able to beat Cape Fear," Nutt said.

The schedule will be just as challenging in the second half as defending Region 10 champion Brunswick Community College is currently ranked No. 22 and league rival Caldwell Tech was previously ranked nationally.

The Rhinos host four straight games to open the new year, starting Jan. 8 with GaddisWatts Prep Academy at North Gaston High School at 7 p.m. After that contest, Gaston College plays more home games and ends its regular season with 12 of its last 15 games against Region 10 competition. That includes home-and-home matchups with Brunswick and Caldwell.

"It is getting ready to get real," Nutt said. "We are 1-1 in the conference, so we know that we can compete but we do understand that it will not come easy. We will have to continue to improve."

With four straight home games - Jan. 11 against USC Salkehatchie, Jan. 15 against Cape Fear and Jan. 16 against Louisburg following the Jan. 8 second semester opener all at North Gaston High School - Nutt is hopeful of a strong start to the second half of the season.

"I think it's critical to take care of our home games," Nutt said. "If we can get some wins under our belt at home it will certainly give us some momentum going on the road."