~:e ~:~si~: basketball team set out last year to get to the National Playoffs at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, MO. The Bisons advanced to this heated contest by first beating the University of Central Arkansas. UCA was led by All-American player Scottie Pippen. The team then traveled to Magnolia, where they defeated the University of Southern Arkansas. They were then en route to their final destination in Kansas City. Corey Camper, a sophomore from Brinkley, AR, proclaimed, "When we beat UCA, I knew we were on our way." As the rest of the student body got ready for Spring Break, · the Bisons were preparing to take on West Virginia State University in the NAJA national tournament. The team arrived in Kansas City about three days early to try to get accustomed to the enormous gymnasium. Barry Thames, a junior from St. Louis, MO, jokingly said , "This arena is huge, but it is not the Ganus Athletic Center! " Jess Bucy, head coach for the Bisons, speculated that his squad was ready for the best. West Virginia University as ranked second in polls taken of the teams in the tournament. Their star player was the 7-ft. All-American Ron Moore. The Bisons struggled to win, but were overcome 88 to 98. Coach Bucy reflected, "I still believe that we could have beaten those guys. They overpowered us at the big man position, but that wasn't the deciding factor in the game." Tim Smallwood, a senior from Tulsa, OK, stated that he felt they could have beaten WVU if they would not have met them first in the tournament. This was the first time in Harding's history that any Bison basketball team has won a District Championship. The team felt that this was one of the toughest conferences in the nation. Sophomore Curtis Washington, also from Brinkley, said, "I only hope that we can keep up the winning tradition we have started. Getting to Kansas City took a lot of practice, hustle, and a few prayers." Hopefully our team will have another exciting year which will bring about another District 17 championship and possibly an even more successful NAIA national championship. - Kenneth Hightower OK, let's win! Before he sends his team out on the court, Coach Jess Bucy encourages his team to play their best and have a good attitude. Group huddles were very important in critiquing execution and finalizing the game plan. - photo by Leslie Downs. 12 6 Athletics Mens Basketball Kansas City
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==