The Virginia Peninsula Community College men’s basketball team will utilize a different playing style this year from last year. The goals, however, are the same as every year.
“Definitely going all the way in the conference, a regional championship, not the runner-up like last year,” sophomore guard Jayden Sepulveda (Landstown High School) said.
Fellow sophomore guard Jakobe Reed (Woodside) agreed: “Last year wasn’t good enough. This year, we come in expecting better, expecting greater.”
The Gators open the season Saturday, Nov. 1, at Louisburg College (N.C.), with the home-opener the following day against Johnston Community College (N.C.) at SafeHaven Empowerment Center at 6 p.m.
A season ago, the Gators posted a 14-10 overall record and went 4-4 in Region 10 to earn the third seed in the postseason tournament, where they lost in overtime to rival Sandhills Community College (N.C.). They reached the Mid-Atlantic District tournament semifinals, coming up two wins short of advancing to the NJCAA Division III national tournament.
They were led by Sincere Moore (an all-region selection) and Keshaun Johnson, both of whom are playing at the next level. Moore, a lanky guard, was the team’s leading scorer, and Johnson provided a strong inside presence on both ends of the floor.
Reed said Moore and Johnson can’t be replaced.
Jakobe Reed (30) is introduced onto the court last season at SafeHaven.
“But what we can do is we can change up some things,” he said. “This year, we are going to be faster, we’re going to be smaller. We have to play more in transition, and we just have to outhustle people.”
With smaller, faster guards dominating the roster, the Gators will play all 94 feet using an up-tempo style.
“We’re definitely built this year way more than last year as far as playing faster, playing the full-court game instead of the half-court,” Reed said. “This year, we have to play a full-court game.”
Sepulveda added the Gators will have multiple options on offense this year.
“I feel like we’re going to have a more balanced team,” he said.
Both said depth will be one of the team’s strengths, with Reed mentioning Dominique Fields Jr. (Indian River High School), Monte Gatlin (Churchland), Emmanuel Angila (Kempsville) and Sepulveda.
Jayden Sepulveda drives the ball up the court last season.
“We have way more depth than last year,” Reed said. “And last year, mind you, we played a lot of rookies.”
Those rookies are now veterans, providing the newcomers with leadership. Guard play, shooting and defense also are expected to be strong points.
One area of concern is the lack of a strong defensive presence in the paint.
“We don’t have a lot of rim protection like last year,” Sepulveda said. “It’s definitely developing right now, but we still need more work.”
Added Reed: “Right now, I can see the development.”
If that development occurs and complements the other aspects of the team, the Gators might very well improve on last year’s results.
“Stay tuned. We have a championship coming,” Sepulveda said.
For more information on athletics, go to www.vpccgators.com.