Gaston College closes out first semester with 7-3 record after Saturday night victory

Gaston College closed out its first semester schedule with a 7-3 record after downing comeback-minded Moravian Prep 82-72 on Saturday night at the Ashbrook High School gymnasium.

The Rhinos led by a game-high 16 points late in the first half before the visitors closed within 59-55 with 10:13 to play.

Gaston College had a balanced attack led by Yarayah Evans (11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists), Chaundre Bratcher (11 points), Dee Merriweather (10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists), Jordan Guthrie (10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists), Michael Smith (9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), Caleb McCarty (9 points, 3 rebounds), Joshua Johnson (8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocked shots), Dedrick Givens (7 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists) and Ajaden Gray (7 points, 7 rebounds).

"We got the win, but the discipline and the structure are not where it should be at this point in the season," Rhinos head coach Jamie Rosser said. "Trusting each other to share the ball is the biggest challenge for us. We're trying to get our guys to understand that when you have teams that want to share the ball, you get so many opportunities at the basket, and it makes playing together so much easier and fun."

McCarty suffered an ankle injury during the game, and freshman Asil Hoyle played limited minutes due to a nagging ankle, while Bratcher and Gray were making their seasonal debuts due to earlier wrist and knee injuries respectively.

Rosser thought freshman reserve Smith brought a burst for his team off the bench. "I want to commend Michael," Rosser said. "What he does is bring it every day. Does he know everything? No he doesn't. Does he do everything right? Absolutely not. But he brings a good attitude and energy and intensity every day. He brings it every day.

Gaston College is off until the new year when they host Gaddis Watts Prep Academy of Charlotte on January 8 at 3 p.m. at Ashbrook.