As the Eckerd College Men's Basketball Team (4-0) continues through the beginning stages its season, it has four victories in a row. After defeating the University of Puerto Rico Bayamon Vaqueros with a score of 111-70, and Edward Waters Tigers with a score of 88-63 at the Thanksgiving Classic, the Tritons are ready to move forward as they head to Alabama for the Coca-Cola Classic this weekend.
Looking back at the two victories Eckerd obtained at the Thanksgiving Classic, Coach
Tom Ryan was very pleased with the outcome of both games even though the Bayamon Vaqueros and the Edward Water Tigers are two completely different teams. The Tigers had a much larger team, enabling them to out-rebound Eckerd 42-37. However, that was not enough to hold the Tritons back as they held a lead in both the first and second half. The Vaqueros differed in style, as they hold a smaller team, but are a lot quicker and hold a better shooting percentage than the Tigers.
“It was a good difference, and we got to see two different styles, but now when we go away this weekend we are going to see teams with both the shooters and the big size,“ Ryan stated after the Classic.
With the Tritons heading off to Alabama this weekend, they are faced with a more competitive challenge against West Alabama (4-2) and Montevallo (4-0). Hopefully, with the help of
John Harper, who currently averages 18.8 points a game, the Tritons will be able to be victorious in both games. Harper has been a main asset to the team, as he currently is shooting 60 percent from the field, which is astonishing for a guard. Ryan is excited to see what the rest of the season will bring for him.
“I hope he will continue to work hard because he is a talented offensive player, he can shoot the ball, and he has a feel for the offensive side. You want your guard to be shooting somewhere between 47 and 50 percent, but he is shooting great, and he's shooting from the perimeter.”
The Tritons are expected to face tough battles this weekend. Montevallo, which is in its first year in the Peach Belt Conference after competing in the Gulf South, and West Alabama are no longer in the same league, yet they both are tough competitors. According to Ryan, the team has not seen enough about West Alabama to make any judgments, yet they have seen Montevallo play, watched a few tapes, and can assume that, “it will be a good test for us.”
Ryan also stated, “if we play like we have been playing in the last four games, whether the shots go in or shots don't go in, we will have a chance to win. We need that kind of defensive energy and we can't get out-rebounded like we did the other night because playing at their level it will hurt us bad.”
The Tritons have already created a lot of positive energy from the recent games they have won. Hopefully they can carry their confidence, team chemistry, and victories over as they travel to Alabama this weekend. With four wins under their belts, they certainly have the strength and talent to come back to Eckerd with an undefeated record.
