Gaston College to honor its second class of sophomores - seven players who helped build the program

   When Gaston College decided to restart its basketball program after a 50-year absence in the summer of 2021, it leaned on a veteran coach who hired one of his former point guards as an assistant coach to help him build a program.

   On Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School gymnasium, the Rhinos will honor seven sophomores, some of whom who have helped lay the foundation of the program, - Kirk Scoggins, Dedrick Givens, Jordan Guthrie, Caleb McCarty, Joshua Johnson, Dee Merriweather and DaMarco Watson.

  Scoggins, Givens, Johnson, Merriweather and Watson have been a part of both teams. (Guthrie and McCarty transferred to Gaston College this sesaon from other junior college programs.)

   "We're lucky to have some guys who helped build our foundation and get this program off the ground," said Gaston College head coach Jamie Rosser, who was associate head coach to David "Dickey" Nutt before Nutt left last summer to be an assistant coach at Missouri.

   Nutt and Rosser built the Rhinos' first roster in the summer of 2021; the COVID-19 pandemic was raging and neither coach could recruit conventionally. Instead of watching individual workouts and making in-home visits, Nutt and Rosser recruited their roster through zoom calls and videotape. "Everything was virtual and we had to do home visits online," Rosser said. "It was very unique for sure."

   Of the initial roster, Rosser watched one open gymnasium in Atlanta. That's where he saw half of the 2022 sophomore class - Jaylen Bates and Damon Davis - and Johnson. (Kalil Camara and Zavion Jackson were the other 2022 sophomores who were honored in the finale of a 18-10 season last year.) Coach Rosser has also known Merriweather for many years since the two shared the same hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.

   "So it was certainly different but I'll say this: Whenever you have guys that take a chance on a program that hadn't been in existence for so long, you have to take off your hat to them," Rosser said of his first two recruiting classes. "All of them wanted to be a part of a program and make history. And we're moving in the right direction to set history because of them."

   Each of our 2023 sophomores has contributed to the success of the Gaston College program. Here is what they've done and what they think about what they've accomplished:

   Scoggins, a forward and 2020 North Gaston High School graduate from Dallas, has been a valuable reserve both years and this year had a career-high 10 points in a home victory over Gaddis Watts Prep Academy. "Me being from here, it was cool to see the community come together and support our sports team," Scoggins said. "Going into it, I really didn't know how we would be because we were a first-year team. But we really put it together in just a couple of months."

   Givens, a forward and 2020 Independence High School graduate from Charlotte, has been a starter in each season and had his career-highs in points (14) in the school's first home game against the Erskine JVs and a career-high 11 rebounds in Gaston College's first Region 10 conference game at Cape Fear Community College. "I'm not quite ready for it and I know I'm not ready to leave," Givens said ."Wherever I go, just know that Gaston College will always be with me."

   Guthrie, a guard and 2019 Berkner High School graduate from Richardson, Texas, came to Gaston College after averaging 13.8 points per game last season at USC Salkehatchie. For the Rhinos, he's been a top reserve who had career-highs of 22 points and six 3-pointers in a Region 10 victory over Cape Fear Community College. "It feels good to be a part of this program," Guthrie said. "We built quickly as a family on this team."

   McCarty, a forward and 2020 Biloxi, Mississippi, High School graduate, came to Gaston College after playing at Hinds Community College in Mississippi and Mississippi Gulf Coast during his first two seasons of college basketball. For the Rhinos, McCarty is a top scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker with career-highs of 20 points and three blocked shots against the Belmont Abbey JVs and 12 rebounds against Combine Academy. "The first day I moved here, I felt good about this season," McCarty said. "Just being around the team and having fun with the guys has made this special."

   Johnson, a forward and 2020 North Atlanta, Georgia, High School graduate, has been a starter in both seeasons with a career-best effort of 24 points on 10 of 14 shooting at the Belmont Abbey JVs earlier this season. "Throughout all the trials and tribulations, it's been something," Johnson said. "But it's been fun and it's happened so fast. Towards the end of each season, I've enjoyed seeing everybody buy in and become a family. I would say that's been the best part. It's going to be very hard to leave Gaston College. It's going to hit emotionally for all of us."

   Merriweather, a guard and 2020 East High School graduate in Memphis, Tennessee, has been a top long-ranger shooter and a starter in both seasons. Last season, Merriweather had 25 points and seven 3-pointers at eventual national champion Northwest Florida State and 34 points and a school record nine 3-pointers in a win over eventual Region 10 champion Caldwell Tech. And this season, he had 28 points and eight 3-pointers in a Region 10 win at Denmark Tech. "It has been different being in a startup program," Merriweather said. "Just trusting and putting faith in coach Nutt and coach Rosser has been good. I've enjoyed it."

   Watson, a guard and 2021 Vision Academy graduate in Brooklyn, New York, he was a starter in both seasons. Last season, Watson had 23 points in a Region 10 victory at Brunswick Community College and 13 assists during the "Sophomore Day" victory over Hosanna Bible College. This season, his unselfish play is best exhibited by a 9-assist, 7-rebound, 0-point game in a win over Cape Fear Community College and in a season-high 11 assists in a Region 10 win at Denmark Tech. "I'm definitely going to miss it," Watson said. "It's been a journey and it's definitely going to be emotional. But it'll be a good day."