VGCC Vanguards win Sophomore Night game over GTCC
On Feb. 23, the Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team honored their departing sophomores, who went out on a high note, leading their team to victory at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson. The 90-82 conference win over the Titans of Guilford Tech Community College marked the last home game of the regular season for the Vanguards.
Before tip-off, VGCC interim head coach DeMarcus Oliver recognized three players completing their second and final season on the team — forward Tyrek Beverly of Oxford, point guard Raekwon Hall of Raleigh and shooting guard Alcyone Moore of Charlotte — along with two others planning to transfer to a four-year university in the fall, forward Hunter Carter of Youngsville and guard Dy'Quan Marrow of Henderson. All five were named starters for the “Sophomore Night” game.
VGCC jumped out to an early 5-0 lead over the visiting team and maintained the momentum until GTCC took their first lead, 24-23, with 6:10 left in the first half. But the Vanguards regained control as the half drew to a close. Hall made a 2-point jumper as the buzzer sounded, giving his Vanguards a 36-31 lead at halftime.
Beverly scored three 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to start the second half, catching the Titans off-guard. After the Vanguards scored 11 unanswered points, GTCC came back to make it a competitive game but never regained the lead. VGCC had a healthy 12-point lead with five minutes left in the game, but the Titans responded quickly and cut the home team’s lead to six points, 77-71, with 2:19 remaining. That was as close as it got, as the Vanguards held on for the eight-point victory.
Hall finished the game with 30 points, five assists and two rebounds. Beverly put up 21 points of his own, while he and Donal Gooch of Raleigh led in rebounds, with 10 apiece. Moore recorded 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals in his final home game. Ty'Quon Reid of Durham scored eight points while also making three assists, two rebounds and two blocks.
In another late-season game, the Vanguards lost on the road to Sandhills Community College, 94-60, on Feb. 17. Hall led VGCC in both points (22) and rebounds (six) in that game. Beverly added 17 points. Gooch had five rebounds and four blocks.
VGCC will compete in the NJCAA Division II Region X conference tournament, which starts Feb. 27 at Richard Bland College in Petersburg, Virginia.
Above: Several VGCC Vanguards student-athletes were recognized with certificates just before the “Sophomore Night” game versus Guilford Tech began at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson. From left are student assistant coach Keyante Lindsey, interim head coach DeMarcus Oliver, and players Raekwon Hall of Raleigh, Tyrek Beverly of Oxford, Alcyone Moore of Charlotte, Hunter Carter of Youngsville and Dy'Quan Marrow of Henderson. (VGCC photo)
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