Gaston College basketball returns to action after impressive first semester start

Gaston College's basketball program last played on Dec. 19 when the Rhinos increased their winning streak to 12 games while finishing their first semester slate with an impressive 12-1 record that is the school's second-best start to a season in history.

Back at practice since last Thursday, Gaston College coach Benny Moss is seeking to get his team ready for its upcoming 14-game Region 10 Division I schedule with two upcoming nonconference matchups - Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Converse junior varsity and Saturday at 3 p.m. at Gastonia's Ashbrook High School against Pitt Community College.

"Starting with the January schedule, we'll be game-planning opponents about two games per week and obviously Region 10 play begins," Moss said. "Obviously, that's the most important part of our season since it can position us for conference tournament."

That March 13 through 15 tournament held at Hickory's Catawba Valley Community College will send its winner to the March 22 through 29 National Junior College Athletic Association championship tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Moss and his team have talked about pursuing that goal since they began 2024-25 preseason drills in October.

Following a strong start, that goal seems a lot more realistic than perhaps it might have last fall when Moss began drills with a first-year team with only three returning players.

But after losing 89-83 at No. 1-ranked Davidson-Davie Community College, the Rhinos has won 12 straight game for the third-longest winning streak in school history.

"I feel very good for these kids," said Moss, who has only three active returnees from a year ago in sophomores Jaylon Craig, Tyheim Love and Judah Ravenell. "The returners have really bought him and done everything I've asked them to do. And then you throw in the newcomers like (sophomore) Jordan Brown and all of the freshman and they're all growing and getting better and better.
'We've just to got to stay the course."

Brown, a sophomore transfer from Shelton State, leads a balanced offense with a 13.4 scoring average. Other top scorers have been Love (11.7), freshman E.J. Joyner (11.7), Ravenell (11.0), freshman Jozohn Price (9.4), freshman Ryan Evans (7.9) and freshman Spencer Breeden (6.5).

Ravenell (8.2 average), Price (4.8), Brown (4.5), Evans (4.2), freshman Kayleb Coles (4.1) and freshman E.J. Joyner (3.9) lead the team in rebounding. And Brown (4.0) and Joyner (3.9) leads in assists.

"The players have worked their tails off and bought into the system," Moss said. "As long as we can keep doing that, hopefully we can keep this thing going in the right direction."