The Virginia Peninsula Community College men’s basketball team split a pair of weekend home games.
On Saturday, Nov. 11, the Gators fell to the College of Southern Maryland 95-87, but bounced back with a 103-87 victory over Mid-Atlantic Christian University’s junior varsity team the next day.
Coach Chris Moore wasn’t pleased.
“We’re 3-1 and I’m not feeling good because I haven’t seen us play a complete game yet,” he said. “I don’t want us to get complacent.”
He said he’s tough on his players even after wins because he knows how they must play to win the big games.
On Sunday, Chris Hayes led the Gators with 18 points and five rebounds. Kenneth Page had 17 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, D’Camron Haynes added 16 points and seven rebounds, and John Lane had 16 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Against Southern Maryland, Haynes had 20 points and eight rebounds, Hayes had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Page added 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and Chauncey Gilliam contributed 10 rebounds and four blocks.
The men return to action Saturday, Nov. 18, at home (3 p.m.) against Emory Oxford College. They follow with a pair of road games — Tuesday, Nov. 21, at The Apprentice School (7 p.m.); and Wednesday, Nov. 29, at Bryant and Stratton College (7 p.m.) — before returning home Sunday, Dec. 3 (3 p.m.) against Washington Advent University’s JV team.
For the game at Apprentice, the two schools are organizing a community toy drive. Those who donate a toy will be admitted for free.
Women’s basketball
The women’s team earned its first victory Nov. 11 with a 77-72 home win over Southern Maryland. Zariia America scored 32 points and had 20 rebounds for the Gators. Da’Naiyah Darnell had 27 points and eight rebounds. The Gators took a 20-14 lead after the first quarter and led comfortably until the final few minutes, when the Hawks cut the lead to three. However, the Gators closed it out by making late free throws.
“The game was much better execution for us,” said Gators coach Mariah Parker, whose team lost its season-opener the week before. “Journey Robinson (7 rebounds) really stepped up to the plate and gave some very meaningful minutes. Z and Da’Naiyah were a dynamic duo feeding off each other and uplifting the team. Nia (Williamson) stepped in with some major rebounding (9).
“We burned out toward the end, but nonetheless, we finished strong.”
One of the keys to victory was the outside shooting by the Gators, who were 9 for 15 on 3-pointers, with America going 5 for 10, and Darnell 3 for 3.
“Our 3-point shooters are just as effective as our post players,” Parker said.
The Gators close out November with two road games — Sunday, Nov. 19, at Central Carolina, and Thursday, Nov. 30, at Virginia State against its junior varsity team. The women’s next home game is Sunday, Dec. 17 (3 p.m.) against Patrick & Henry.
For more information on VPCC and its athletics programs, visit www.vpcc.edu.