Campus Chronicle #2
Posted by raisingthebar on December 25, 2007
Here is an article that appeared in the last issue of the Campus Chronicle. Rather dated, but still some interesting stats from earlier in the season: The men’s basketball team had a 2-2 record through the Thanksgiving holiday.The four early games have seen a mixture of lineups with foul trouble and preseason injury. “We are learning a lot about our team and roles are beginning to be defined. We are still trying to develop more depth in the post to compensate for the loss of Jerald Minnis.” Coach Bart Lundy says about the young season.On Nov. 19, the Panthers took advantage of undermanned Warren Wilson College. Leading as by many as 73, HPU won 93-23 behind 15 points from senior guard Mike Jefferson. WWC never lead and had only 10 points through the first half. Senior center Cruz Daniels blocked three shots.The trip to Seattle for the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off ended with a 76-53 victory over New Jersey Institute of Technology on Nov. 15. The Panthers, lead by an 11-rebound performance from Daniels, never trailed in the game. It was the consolation game because HPU was defeated by Utah in the opener the day before.HPU lost 77-64, despite four three-pointers from Jefferson. The Panthers were undersized compared to Utah’s 7’1” center, Luke Nevill. Leading High Point in scoring was Arizona Reid with 19 points along with 10 rebounds. Nevill lead Utah with 18 points and 10 rebounds.The season opener at UNCC on Nov. 10 was disappointing for the veteran HPU squad. Leading at half time by 1, HPU lost 61-55. Leading all scorers was Reid with 26. The Panthers topped their opponents in three-pointers, but they were outrebounded.Preseason Big South MVP Reid has led the team in scoring for three contests, scoring 29 against NJIT. Reid also has led the team in rebounding three games with a high of 11 against UNCC.Not a surprise to many Panther fans is an increased role for sophomore guard Gene Harris. Harris is second on the team in minutes played and first in three pointers made. Last year Harris was a Big South Conference all freshman team selection.The team lost one player to graduation and one to injury allowing increase rolls from incoming first years. Guard David Campbell shined in the season opener against UNCC with 29 minutes played, seven points and nine rebounds. Lundy was impressed with the guard’s play saying, “He has played his way into a lot of important minutes.” Lundy started Campbell two of the first four games. Campbell’s four points per game is fifth on the team behind Reid, Jefferson, Harris, and fellow first-year Ibrahim Appiah.The Panthers’ upcoming games include a matinee at Longwood on Dec. 1 and a nightcap at Dayton on Dec. 5 before returning home. A three-game home stretch welcomes Johnson and Wales, Anderson and Savannah State to the Millis Center. To close out the semester break, HPU travels to Savannah State before ringing in the New Year at two-time, defending NCAA champion Florida. When classes resume, HPU hosts Florida Christian before starting conference play against rival Winthrop.
