The men’s basketball team dropped two games on the weekend to fall to 4-6, but coach Chris Moore isn’t about to panic.
“The one thing I told these guys is we just have to keep getting better,” Moore said after a 76-63 loss to Patrick & Henry Community College on Sunday, Dec. 17. “And we’ve shown progress.”
Moore purposely put together a tough schedule at the beginning of the season.
“This first half of the year was designed for us to get better,” he said. “The second half, you have to win games to get seeding for conference play.”
He did see some good things from his team in the two losses.
“I think we’re building some chemistry,” he said. “They have to make some quicker decisions. I think we’re in the right spots. We were just a little late. But I would say the biggest thing is they’re learning to execute the offense.”
He also was pleased with his team’s effort. In both games, the Gators trailed for much of the time, but rallied to get in position to win. They just couldn’t take advantage of those chances.
In Sunday’s loss, Chris Hayes scored 19 points, with Leon Rogers adding 14, and Kenny Page 12.
The Gators trailed 40-30 at halftime and 61-48 with a little more than six minutes to go in the game. However, a 15-6 run cut it to 67-63 on two free throws from Rogers with 1:15 remaining. The visiting Patriots answered with a 3-pointer, forced a turnover, and then closed out the game by going 4 for 4 from the free throw line in the final minute.
Saturday’s game against Monroe College of the Bronx (8-7) was a back-and-forth affair, which featured four ties and 10 lead changes. Rogers had 21 points for the Gators, with Jerome Mitchell adding 13 points and nine rebounds. Hayes had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Chauncy Gilliam had a team-high 12 rebounds.
The Gators trailed 35-30 at the half, and their deficit was 53-44 with 7:47 left before a late run. The Gators took a 62-61 lead with 1:12 left on a steal and layup by Rogers. However, the Gators didn’t score again, and Monroe hit 5 of 6 free throws for the 66-62 win.
Their last game before the holiday break is Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Chesapeake College.
Women’s basketball
The women’s team, which hasn’t played since Dec. 10, closes out the first-semester schedule at Chesapeake College on Tuesday, Dec. 19, as part of a doubleheader with the men’s programs.
For more information on VPCC and its athletics programs, visit www.vpcc.edu.