Ba/anc//Jgt/Je boards 'We weren't ranked very well in the AIC, but in-the end, it's how you do in the tournament,' said Thames With four starters and the number six through eight men returning, the basketball team's goals were high; however, it was a tough season in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference. Conference and district championships were the goals for the team but the conference was full of surprises. "The conference has a large number of high quality teams including Henderson, Southern Arkansas, University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas Tech ," said Coach Jess Bucy. "This season's strength had no overall favorite," he added. "We have as good a team as any I've seen on these past four years," said senior forward Barry Thames. Thames pointed to the team's ability to play a balanced game as its strongest attribute. "Al though one or two people may lead in scoring, we often have several other players close behind in points and assists." This helps us by spreading the defense, giving 30 Playing for keeps them more targets in contrast to a one or two-man ball game." Another factor which greatly helped the team's play was its "fast pace running game." We concentrated on an "up tempo" game, pressing the ball on defense as well as offense, said Thames. The teams nucleus and returning members were called upon to successfully accomplish this during the season. One of the more "devastating" blows to the team was the injury of three-year veteran, Rolando Garcia. Garcia, a pre-season choice for the All-AIC, fell to a knee injury early in the fall and then again in January. "Because of his experience on the team, Rolando was a valuable part of its nucleus," said Bucy. "We weren 't ranked very well in the AIC, but in the end, it's how you do in the tournament that says how well you did," said Thames. -Don Strader OUT OF BOUNDS. Corey Camper, junior, loses the ball in the game against University of the Ozarks. The Bisons lost to the Eagles in overtime at the only game of the season held at the Rhodes Memorial Field House. -Photo by Sharon Bowles
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