Fighting Scots lose perfect record to Triton
Elizabeth Weber
Issue date: 12/14/05 Section: Sports
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Already five games into the season, the McHenry County College Fighting Basketball team almost had a perfect record (5-1), until they lost to Triton College on November 29. Depsite the loss, MCC has garnered the No.1 ranking in Division 4 and No. 10 ranking in the NJCAA national poll. Going into December, the team only hopes to keep moving on up.
With only three returning players from last season, Melvin Beasley, David Headley, and Rashim Lettsome, the host of new talent has definitely made its contributions be known. Coming up for the team this season are Donsheno Saunders (Fern Creek, KY), Quenton Mullins (Iroquois, KY), George White (Iroquois, KY), Ryan Rand (Genoa), Collin Kalamatas (Huntley), Dan Peterson (Crystal Lake South), Jon Evanson (Johnsburg), and Mike Shaefer (Crystal Lake South). Under coach Steve Ryan, MCC is bound to make a big impact this season.
"We have Jon Evanson, Ryan Rand, and Quenton Mullins as the partilar three that will make an impact" Assistant coach Mark Daniels says when asked to comment on the freshmen, "but we rely on everybody."
MCC, a strong offensive team, has flexed its muscles against opponents, outscoring them overall 359-254.
It is no secret that the team has always been an offensive powerhouse with the likes of newcomer White and vet Beasley who have averaged 19.5 and 18 points a game respectively.
Some of the opponents the Scots have pulled wins off of include Wright College, Rock Valley, UW-Rock County, and Milwaukee Area Technical College.
In their biggest game to date, MCC crushed Milwaukee with a final score of 106-70 at home on November 22.
Three players hit numbers into the twenties including White with 22, while Beasley and Headley scored 21 each. Rand and Saunders also contributed with another ten points on the scoreboard.
The biggest contribution to the team had been the 15-day rest they received prior to the beating on Milwaukee.
Even with all the talent and credentials to their name, the Scots eventually lost their perfect record the No. 7 nationally ranked Triton College.
Beasley and White gave their best efforts, scoring 26 and 23 points a piece.
When asked what could be learned from the loss, Daniels adds, "Controlling our turnovers was one of the biggest factors. On our part, we had snuck in there and the boys had poise throughout the game."
As it is early December now the team is aware that the season really begins.
The games get longer as the opponents get tougher and the pressure really begins to mount. Getting off to a fresh start is key for MCC as they face a long road ahead of them.