The Virginia Peninsula Community College men’s basketball team fell into a big hole at halftime Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the Apprentice School and eventually lost 84-51.
Chris Hayes (14 points) and D’Cameron Haynes (10) were the only players for the Gators (4-2) in double figures. The Gators, who had been on a two-game winning streak, trailed 44-21 after the first 20 minutes. The Gators shot just 34.4 percent from the field (21 of 61), making just one of nine 3-point attempts. They also struggled at the line, going 8 for 16 (50 percent). They did outrebound the hosts 41-37.
“One of the statements I made early on about this team is that we have to grow up early. This team is extremely young, but we are talented and we have good size at every position,” said VPCC coach Chris Moore. “We were able to take the loss as a lesson and utilize this film to continue growing. Our goal is to peak at the right time so that we can make a good run in conference play. We will look back at this loss and remember how far we’ve come when it’s all said and done.”
VPCC, Apprentice and Virginia Union University, which played Apprentice in a women’s game Tuesday, held a toy drive in conjunction with the games, and more than 250 toys were donated to the GiveBack Foundation. The toys will be handed out at GVBK’s “Breakfast with Santa” on Dec. 2 at Y.H. Thomas Gym in Hampton.
The Gators’ next game is at Bryant and Stratton College at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, before returning home Sunday, Dec. 3, for a 3 p.m. start against Washington Advent University’s JV team.
Women’s basketball
The Gators’ 68-53 win at Central Carolina Community College on Nov. 19 was the first of five consecutive road games for program. The Gators play Virginia State University’s junior varsity team Thursday, Nov. 30, and Friday, Dec. 8, in Petersburg, are at Frederick Community College (Md.) on Sunday, Dec. 10, and at Bryant and Stratton in Virginia Beach on Thursday, Dec. 14. They don’t play at home again until Sunday, Dec. 17 (3 p.m.) against Patrick & Henry. It’s part of a doubleheader with the men’s programs.
For more information on VPCC and its athletics programs, visit www.vpcc.edu.