The long-awaited Division II tournament game for PHSC basketball team resulted in defeat on their home court, bringing a close to their season. This was the game every player had been working towards. They did make it over their first hurdle: to take the most wins against Florida Gateway in a four-game set up in order to have the opportunity to host the tournament. However, the tournament win proved to be elusive.
PHSC held their ground during the first half of the Division II tournament match which took place on Feb. 16, but the turnovers and fouls just pushed the guys back even further and Gateway overshadowed any attempt to recover.
“We fell short,” Head Coach Micheal Jones said. “They wanted it more than we did.”
Even though the basketball season is over, it doesn’t end for everyone. Freshmen still have workouts, practices, and training to prepare themselves for next season and sophomores still have educational priorities.
After two years competing on the court and playing over 40 plus games the one aspect of this experience the five sophomores (Marcus Wright, Daniel Jones, Andrew Krienes, Charles Grandison and Theaplais Williams) share is the incredible opportunity they were given.
“It was an amazing feeling when you know you will be getting your education paid for and get to do something you love to do, you can’t ask for anything else,” said Marcus Wright, a Chamblee Charter graduate from Clarkston GA.
“I definitely stress that you keep your grades up. It’s an honor to even be in college, and to get that paid for to play basketball,” Central High graduate Andrew Krienes said. “So with anybody that comes in and gets to play on this floor, they have a good GPA so they can be eligible and get the most they can from this experience.”
Many different lessons are a part of a collegiate environment and what you did in high school, may matter little when you’re in this division.
Daniel Jones explained you might be the top scorer, the best rebounder, the best 3 point shooter for your team but once you get to this level of talent, you’re playing with and against that same level or even better.
“Always remember to keep working hard, work together as a team and next year they can do big things,” Brandon High graduate Daniel Jones said. “Discipline, you can use that in all aspect in life, not just basketball.”
