The Archers place eighth at nationals
By: DAVID KLOECKENER
Asst. Sports Editor
For the first time in the STLCC men’s basketball infant history, the Archers made it to the NJCAA Tournament and placed eighth in the country. After coming up just shy of making the NJCAA tournament in 2011 and 2012, their third time around gave them a ticket to nationals.
The tournament, which began on March 18, saw the Archers fall to Des Moines Area Community College, 75-64, placing them in the consolation bracket. Following a first game loss, the Archers bounced back winning two games to place them in the Consolation Championship Game.
Although STLCC lost, 70-61, to South Suburban College, in their championship game, they still came away with a top-ten finish in the country.
Freshman guard Cory Tesson mentioned how the team had to turn things around in order to make it as far as they did.
“We had to win three games to even get to the finals,” Tesson said. “Before that we weren’t doing so hot. We lost three in a row but after that we started kicking into gear.”
Players such as sophomores Randy Reed II and Cortez Conners guided the Archers through the NJCAA Tournament.
Throughout the 2013-14 season, Reed II led the team with 21.2 points per game and Conners averaged the second most points with 16.5 per game.
Reed II’s father, Randy Reed, coached the team. It was Reed’s first year at the helm of the STLCC Archers.
Tesson said the team did well with first year Head Coach Reed. According to Tesson, players adapted to him and his way of coaching.
“Coach Reed is a great coach,” Tesson said. “I didn’t play all that much, but he’s a good coach for me so I can come out stronger and do better.”
The 2013-14 Archers had 15 names on their roster, with ten freshman. With possibly ten players returning next season, Tesson said he and the Archers hope to repeat as Region XVI Champions and move further on in the NJCAA Tournament.
“For all the players, we are real proud of ourselves for making it there,” Tesson said. “There are 16 teams that get to do that. It was a good experience.”
