Practice makes perfect? Maybe not, but it did lead to Region 10 victory for Rhinos

After losing a 12-point first half lead in its Region 10 opener, Gaston College's basketball program did some self-evaluation last week by way of what players called "intense" practice sessions.

Rhinos head coach Jamie Rosser used a different word.

"Did we play great? No. We've got some things to work on, but I must take my hat off to my guys because I've put them through a grueling three days of practice," Rosser said on Saturday afternoon after Gaston College evened its Region 10 record at 1-1 with an 85-60 win over visiting Cape Fear Community College. "I'm talking very grueling! And all they said was, 'Yes sir!' and 'We're going to get it right.'"

Sophomore sharpshooters Jordan Guthrie and Dee Merriweather led the school to a record-setting effort of 15 made 3-pointers; Guthrie hit all six of his 3-pointers in the first half, Merriweather hit five of his six 3-pointers in the second half and freshman Asil Hoyle hit two of his three 3-pointers in the second half.

"Sometimes you don't always hit shots, but my teammates are always encouraging me," said Guthrie, who finished with a team-high 22 points. "It's an encouraging team."

Added Merriweather: "It's been a long time coming. We put in countless hours in the gym. Jordan and I do a lot of shooting together; I was so proud."

The long-range success broke the single game 3-point record (14) set in last season's finale against Hosanna Bible College and Rosser was emphatic about what created so many open looks.

"We shared the ball," said Rosser, whose team had 24 assists on its 30 made field goals. "And that's hard at the junior college level because all of these guys are trying to get recruited. They all chase points. But whether they know it or not, coaches at the next level want winners. When we all totally understand that, we're better. If you win, everyone's successful. It was total unselfishness today and it showed."

The long-range success also was reminiscent of a year ago when the Rhinos had seven games with 10 or more made 3-pointers.

In the sixth of those games - an 89-87 win over eventual Region 10 champion Caldwell Tech - Merriweather set the school's individual school record with nine made 3-pointers.

"When the ball goes into the hole from long range, it's hard for the defense to guard," Rosser said. "But we have to be mindful of how those open shots are being created."

Saturday's school record 15 3-pointers marks the third game of this season with 10 or more 3-pointers. It also came in a game in which eight of the nine players who participated had at least one assist led by DaMarco Watson's nine and Hoyle's four.

On Wednesday, the Rhinos return to action with an 8 p.m. game against Moravian Prep at the Ashbrook High gymnasium before four straight Region 10 road games - Saturday at Denmark Tech (3 p.m.), February 1 at Spartanburg Methodist (7 p.m.), February 4 at Caldwell Tech (3 p.m.) and February 8 at Cape Fear Community College (7 p.m.).