There’s a sports axiom that says it’s difficult to beat a rival three times in one season. Winning all three on the road is infinitely more so. Virginia Peninsula Community College men’s basketball coaches and players didn’t listen.
The top-seeded Gators rolled over host No.3 Sandhills Community College 100-71 on Sunday, Feb. 22, in the NJCAA Division III Region 10 final. VPCC, ranked 11th in the country in the NJCAA Division III poll, had beaten the Flyers by one in January and four earlier this month, both games also at Sandhills in Pinehurst, N.C. The Gators advanced to the district tournament in Pennsylvania next weekend.
“We put our foot on the gas today,” said Gators coach Chris Moore.
VPCC, 21-6 overall and on an 11-game winning streak, went 8-1 to earn its first regular-season region championship as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The Gators beat Patrick & Henry Community College 97-67 in the Region 10 semifinals Feb. 21.
Also at the tournament, numerous Gators were honored for their regular-season play. Jordan Watlington (Menchville High School) was voted the Region 10 player of the year. Jakobe Reed (Woodside) made first-team all-region, Jayden Sepulveda (Landstown High School) and Chris Cyrus (Hampton Christian Academy) second team, and Ky’Saan Bevier (Weldon, N.C.) the all-freshmen team. Moore was the coach of the year.
The Gators basketball program joined the NJCAA for the 2023-24 season. They won the New South Athletic Conference postseason tournament in 2022 and have won 13 VCCS titles.
Baseball
The Gators (3-7 overall) got off to a slow start last week but finished strong thanks to an outstanding pitching performance by freshman right-hander Conner Lamb (Bethel High School).
After losing the first two games of a three-game series, including the opener of a doubleheader, Lamb helped the Gators snap a five-game losing streak. He pitched the first six innings and gave up seven hits and two runs in a 7-2 victory over Monroe University on Saturday, Feb. 21, at War Memorial Stadium.
Coach Shane Harrison said Lamb pitched his heart out for his first college win.
“Lamb went to work attacking the zone, commanding his spots and keeping Monroe hitters off balance all game long,” he said. “He faced 30 batters, struck out six, and issued just two walks — a testament to his control and poise on the mound. His only blemish was a single earned run, as he consistently worked ahead in counts and trusted his stuff.”
Landon Morris (Gloucester High School) gave up one hit in one inning of relief.
The Gators scored five runs in the third and two more in the fifth. Andy Lemaster (Saint Augustine, Fla.) had two hits and two RBIs, and Joshua Flicek (Bethel) and Ryan Bevins (Celina, Texas) also drove in two runs. Lamb pitched the first six innings and gave up seven hits and two runs.
In the opener of the doubleheader, the Mustangs won 5-3. The Gators gave up two runs in the eighth to suffer the loss. Hayden Felker (Manchester High School) pitched the final 6 1/3 innings and gave up four hits and two earned runs. Cole Draper (York High School) led the offense with a pair of hits and two stolen bases.
The three-game series began the previous night, with the Mustangs overcoming an early deficit to win 17-7. The Gators led 3-1 after four innings but gave up 16 runs in the final five for the loss. Jake Wells (Isle of Wight Academy) had a solid start on the mound, going five innings and giving up three hits and four runs. Offensively, Draper had two hits, drove in three runs and stole two bases. Hayden Koontz (Hermitage) scored three times.
The week began with a 17-4 loss at Bryant & Stratton on Feb. 18. Aiden Cox (Grassfield High School) had two hits, including a two-run home run, and Bevins added a two-run homer. The Bobcats scored all their runs in the first three innings before William Nena (Spring Lake, N.C.), Coles Williams (Hermitage High School) and Lamb held them scoreless the final 3 1/3 innings. Nena threw 1 1/3 innings, and Williams and Lamb one each.
VPCC returns to action Feb. 25 with a nine-inning game at Bryant & Stratton at 3 p.m. The Gators are home again Feb. 28 for two games against Caldwell Community College starting at 1 p.m. at War Memorial.
For more information on VPCC athletics, visit www.vpccgators.com.