Check out the Archers’ final home games of the season this Saturday!
By: CHRISTIAN HARGAS
Sports Editor
The season did not start well for the Archers basketball program.
The men’s team began the year losing eight of their first nine games and the women lost eight of their first ten. Inconsistency and a high quantity of mistakes from both sides contributed to their slow starts.
As the fall 2015 semester came closer to an end, and an intervention took place for both programs. They have not only gotten back on the winning track but have been playing exceptional basketball over the last month.
The Archers currently have a record of 10-13, but that record is misleading considering how well they have played as of late.
Despite losing their last two contests to Missouri State-West Plains and North Central Missouri, they have amassed a 9-5 record since starting off 1-8. These men have averaged 75.6 points over their last 11 games, they were averaging 62.6 points over their first 12.
The Lady Archers surpassed the .500 mark for the first time since Nov. 6 after defeating North Central Missouri by 22 on Feb. 6.
Their recent conference loss to the Mineral Area Cardinals brought them back to .500 at 12-12. They have also played very well over the last month winning 10 of their last 14 games.
Through the first 10 contests this year, the Lady Archers were averaging 59.6 points per game which contributed to their 2-8 start. They are averaging 78.6 points per game over their recent 10-4 stretch.
Head Coach Shelly Ethridge said she believed her team would find more consistency during the second half of the season. Based on their recent performances, she was not lying about that.
10-13 and 12-12 do not scream excellence in most fans’ eyes. It would appear to be more mediocrity than anything, but look deeper into those records and there is a clear difference on the surface.
Both Ethridge and men’s coach Terry Collins have these athletes believing in themselves and their recent performances are indicating very positive signs for the near future.
While the players control their own destiny from this point forward, the fans can become a part of the ride by going to support these athletes.
Both squads host their final home games of the season on Feb. 13 against Wentworth Military Academy.
The Lady Archers tip-off at 2:00 PM EST in their annual Cancer Awareness Game and the Archers follow at 4:00 PM.
