Hall and Beverly are standouts for VGCC Vanguards

Vance-Granville Community College sophomores Raekwon Hall of Raleigh (above, left) and Tyrek Beverly of Oxford (above, right) have been consistently putting up big stats for the Vanguards men’s basketball team recently as their team faced challenges in five straight conference games this month.

Playing at home on Feb. 3, VGCC fell to the reigning national champion, Richard Bland College, 91-84. VGCC actually outscored the visiting Statesmen in the second half 49-46, but it was not enough to overcome the Vanguards’ ten-point deficit at the half. Ty'Quon Reid of Durham led in scoring with 23 points (along with three assists and three steals), just ahead of Hall’s 21 points. Beverly had 17 points. Hall and Donal Gooch of Raleigh had six rebounds apiece to lead in that category. Hall also contributed seven assists.

The Vanguards lost to Wake Tech Community College on Feb. 8, by a score of 98-84. Beverly scored 27 points and Hall, 22 points. Beverly also posted 11 rebounds, while Hall contributed five assists.

On Feb. 11, VGCC suffered a 92-84 loss at home to Pitt Community College. Hall led this time, with 28 points plus five assists. Beverly put up 20 points of his own along with five rebounds. Gooch, Alcyone Moore of Charlotte and Anthony Mims of Henderson also contributed five rebounds each. Six blocks were recorded by Gooch.

VGCC traveled to Maury High School in Norfolk, Va., to take on Bryant & Stratton College on Feb. 13. The home team dominated, 88-56. With 15 points, Hall again led the Vanguards in scoring. Beverly was close behind, with 14 points. Beverly, Gooch and Mims had six rebounds apiece, while Hall was the leader in assists (four).

Catawba Valley Community College Red Hawks defeated the Vanguards, 93-70, on Feb. 16 in Hickory. Chris Pernell of Raleigh was VGCC’s top scorer this time, with 20 points. Hall and Beverly put up 12 and 10 points, respectively. Beverly had eight rebounds.

The Vanguards will close out the season at home (Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson) on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m., versus Guilford Tech. This game will include a “Sophomore Night” recognition for players who are completing their second and final season at VGCC or planning to transfer to a four-year university. Admission is free.