One goal down, another ahead for Gaston College basketball team as it enters Region 10 championship tournament
From the first day of Gaston College's preseason basketball drills last fall, the Rhinos have talked of winning a conference title and advancing to the historic National Junior College Athletic Association championship tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.
This week, after Gaston College clinched its first Region 10 regular season title in history, it is two wins from taking the tournament championship that includes an automatic berth in one of the oldest tournaments in the country.
The NJCAA first began recognizing champions in 1945 before officially making Hutchinson, Kansas, the home of its national tournament in 1949.
Other than in 2020 when canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has been held every year since. And the Hutchinson Sports Arena, nicknamed "The Old Barn," has hosted the tournament since it opened in 1952.
"We definitely are pleased and happy that we won the regular season," said sophomore Kaleb Siler, who was just named Region 10 player of the year. "But the job is definitely not finished. We've got two more games before that goal will be finished."
By virtue of their regular season title, the Rhinos receive a bye in the Region 10 tournament at South Prince George, Va., on the campus of Richard Bland College later this week. Gaston College opens play in Friday's 2 p.m. semifinal against the winner of Thursday's Caldwell Tech-Richard Bland 1 p.m. quarterfinal.
Should the Rhinos win their semifinal, they play in Saturday's 1 p.m. Region 10 championship game that sends its winner to the National Junior College Athletic Association championship tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, from March 21 to 28.
Said sophomore second team all-region pick Ryan Evans: "We're confident and ready. We've been waiting for this opportunity. We want to show everybody that this is our conference."
Freshman Tony Goodman admits he didn't know anything about "Hutch" as the national tournament site is frequently called by junior college administrators, coaches and players.
"I had never heard of 'Hutch,'" Goodman said. "But once I got here, I heard about it on the first day that it was what we're preparing and planning for. So we've just been stacking games together and getting better. Now we're just two games away."
Sophomore E.J. Joyner, a second team all-region pick, says the team's mindset is one of determination even as they enter the Region 10 tournament as regular season champion and the top seed.
"To me, we haven't done anything yet," Joyner said. "Yes, we did win the regular season championship but that's over now.
"We have to keep the motivation and finish the mission."