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The chilly weather is rolling in and that means one thing, basketball season is right around the corner. It's time to get up to date with all that's happening within The Apprentice School basketball programs! Practice has begun for both the men's and women's team and both teams are looking to build on last year and earn a berth to the USCAA National Tournament. It is year two of the newly formed Eastern Metro Athletic Conference and both teams will be competing regionally against conference opponents. Both teams feature a number of All-American's that are returning to the court and looking to build on last year's success.
Men's Basketball:
Tim Spark's enters his first year as Apprentice Head Basketball coach. Sparks spent two season's under former Head Coach, Evan Kee. Evan Kee was recently promoted to Associate Athletic Director but he hands Sparks a roster full of experienced returners and talented Freshmen. Last year's team finished with a record of 13-14, barely missing an opportunity to compete in the USCAA National Tournament.
Newcomer's Tory Robertson (Smithfield, Va), Tyrese Tingle (Chester, Va), and Avin Hawkins (Hampton, Va) join a roster composed of 9 returners that feature all 5 starters from last season and 3 USCAA All-American's. USCAA Honorable Mention Corey Joyner (Junior) averaged 11.1 PPG and 6.2 APG last season. USCAA 2nd Team All-American Marion Moore returns for the Builders. Moore is coming off of a phenomenal freshman season in which he averaged 18.1 PPG and 7.7 RPG. USCAA 1st Team All-American Drew Walton also returns for his senior season and is coming off of a season in which he averaged 17.8 PPG and 12.4 RPG.
Key Dates:
Friday November 8th, Season Opener against Blue Lights College of Apex at Mid-Atlanic Christian University
Sunday December 1st, Home Opener against Blue Lights College of Apex
Saturday January 25th, EMAC Home Opener against Warren Wilson College
Sunday February 16th, Host's 2019 EMAC Tournament Champion Clinton College
Postseason Information:
This year's EMAC Conference Tournament begins on Tuesday February 25th with the 1st round game's hosted by the Higher Seed. The Builder's are coming off of a heartbreaking Semi-Final loss to last year's EMAC top seed and USCAA Division 2 National Championship Runner-Up Johnson and Wales. Corey Joyner had his last second half court heave roll in and out and the Builder's lost last year's Semi-Final by a score of 77 to 75.
This year's USCAA National Tournament begins on Wednesday, March 11th in Fayette, Pennsylvania. The Builders must have a record above .500 or win the EMAC Conference Tournament to be eligible for a National Tournament bid.
Stay up to date with all things Apprentice Basketball by following @GoBuilderSports on Twitter!
Women's Basketball:
Nicole Jackson enters her second season at the helm of the Lady Builders. Her team is coming off a season where they went 10-16 overall and 6-3 in the EMAC. The 6-3 record was good enough for the EMAC regular season championship and the top seed in the EMAC Tournament.
The 2019-20 Lady Builders will be composed of two freshman, Alena Puaauli-Pelham and Hannah Woodward and 7 returners. Among the 7 returners are USCAA 2nd Team All-American's Alexis Wethington and Aquazia Jones. Wethington averaged 12.7 PPG and 9.3 RPG last season. Jones average 17.1 PPG last season. Last season was one bogged down by injuries. Wethington and Jones were anchors for the Lady Builders as they played and started in all 26 games. Returning from injury is Jordan Wilson, Wilson appeared in 13 games last season before going down with an injury. In those 13 games, Wilson averaged 18 PPG and 8.5 RPG, she looks to be a force for the Lady Builders this season.
Key Dates:
Saturday January 25th, EMAC Home Opener against Warren Wilson
Saturday February 1st, at 2018 EMAC Tournament Champion Johnson and Wales
Postseason Information:
This year's EMAC Conference Tournament begins on Tuesday February 25th with the 1st round game's hosted by the Higher Seed. The Lady Builders are coming off a Runner-Up finish in the 2018 Tournament. After defeating Mid Atlantic Christian University in the Semi-Final, the Lady Builders lost to Johnson and Wales in the Championship game. With key returners back in the lineup and a year of experience under their belt, the Lady Builders will look to once again compete for the EMAC crown.
This year's USCAA National Tournament begins on Wednesday, March 11th in Fayette, Pennsylvania. The Lady Builders must have a record above .500 or win the EMAC Conference Tournament to be eligible for a National Tournament bid.
Stay up to date with all things Apprentice Basketball by following @GoBuilderSports on Twitter!