WSCC athletics roundup: Men’s basketball travels to Dominican Republic; Men’s golf finishes 5th in final fall poll
HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State’s men’s basketball team flew to the Dominican Republic this morning for a historic trip.
According to coach John Meeks, the Lions are set to become the first National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) team in any sport to compete on foreign soil. Wallace State, which is off to an impressive 4-1 start on the young season, has a pair of games scheduled in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Wallace State plays Invivienda Club on Saturday night and San Lazaro Club on Monday night.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for us and a unique experience. I want the team to be challenged from an athletics standpoint, but I also want our guys to make an impact on another community and culture,” Meeks said.
Off the court, the team plans to distribute items like soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, uniforms, tennis shoes, T-shirts and candy to orphanages during their Dominican Republic visit.
Certain Wallace State team members plan to document the trip through video or by contributing to a blog.
“This should be a groundbreaking trip. Our guys were shocked when they first learned about it earlier this year. It’s a big deal for us, and I hope we take every advantage of it,” Meeks said. “All in all, the wins and losses will fade one day, but this should be something the team will thoroughly enjoy and carry with them throughout life.”
Wallace State has three players averaging double figures thus far in 2015-16. Marcus Barham leads the team with 14.8 points per game, sophomore Immanuel King is averaging 11 points and 7.2 rebounds and Derylton Hill pours in 10.4 points per game.
Wallace State men’s golf
Wallace State’s men’s golf team was ranked 5th in the final fall Bushnell/GolfWeek Coaches Poll released Friday.
Wallace State wrapped up the fall season earlier this week, finishing runner-up at the Central Alabama Community College-Willow Point Country Club Invitational.
Wallace State finished with a 599 (309-290), three strokes behind Eastern Florida State College.
Sophomore Sylas Elliott put together another impressive showing for the Lions, finishing runner-up individually with an even-par 144. He shot a 76 in the opening round and a tournament-best 68 during the second round.
Elliott was named to the CACC-WPCC Invitational All-Tournament team after beginning the fall as the low medalist at Wallace State’s Fall Invitational.
Among its five fall tournaments, Wallace State collected one championship and a pair of runner-up finishes. The Lions were also fifth at the NJCAA National Fall Preview Tournament in Viera, Fla.
“By and large, we had a strong fall season. We have an outstanding chance of having a great spring. If we have a good offseason and the players work hard, we have the talent to compete with any team,” said Wallace State coach Dan York. “I’m looking forward to the spring. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens. I know this team is very driven and not intimidated.”
Darton State College’s Josh Robertson was the tournament low medalist, edging Elliott by three strokes with a 3-under 141.
Wallace State freshman Chip Willoughby finished tied for ninth with a 7-over 151 (76-75).
Walker Gordon carded a 153 (80-73) for the Lions, while Eli Marty shot a 154 (77-77).
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit athletics.wallacestate.edu.
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Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722 256-352-8443 direct
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu