Cozart shines in tough season for VGCC basketball squad

The Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team has struggled in the 2010-2011 season, starting with some close losses and a tough schedule that includes nationally-ranked powerhouses such as Davidson County Community College, Guilford Technical Community College and Louisburg College. A recent loss to Lenoir Community College brought VGCC’s season record to 2-16. But VGCC head coach Avery Wilson said that in the midst of a tough year for the Vanguards, sophomore guard Trentin Cozart of Oxford (pictured above) was having an all-star season. As of Feb. 17, he was ranked third in the Region X conference in scoring, averaging about 20 points per game. He was leading the conference in steals and was ranked in the top five in assists.

 

On Jan. 29, when the Vanguards hosted Davidson County Community College Storm, Cozart led VGCC in scoring with 23 points, while also contributing six rebounds and three assists. VGCC lost to the Storm, 100-77.

 

The next day, Jan. 30, the Vanguards defeated the Buccaneers of Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory by a score of 76-71. Cozart was again the high scorer with 22 points, four rebounds and two assists. For VGCC, the win brought an end to a losing streak that had begun in November. The Vanguards are 3-0 versus the Buccaneers all-time.

 

VGCC traveled to nearby rival Louisburg College on Feb. 5, and lost to the Hurricanes, 101-64. The Vanguards were again led by Cozart’s 15 points and five rebounds.

 

VGCC’s road series continued with a trip to Patrick Henry Community College in Virginia on Feb. 9. The result was a 101-66 VGCC loss to the Patriots. With 20 points, sophomore forward Ryan Belton of Columbia, S.C. was the team’s top scorer in this game, while also making eight rebounds.

 

On Feb. 11, VGCC lost 79-62 to the Eagles of Wake Tech Community College at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. Sophomore guard Derrick Knight of Bunn led the Vanguards with 19 points and six assists.

 

The Vanguards lost to the Lancers of Lenoir CC on Feb. 14 by a score of 101-71. Cozart put 18 points on the board and contributed five assists.