men’s basketball 301 a new look As the 2008-09 season began, the Harding Bisons men’s basketball team had a lot of unanswered questions when it came to team dynamics. Losing their number one scorer along with four other seniors the previous season, the minds of coaches, players and fans were clouded with thoughts of what was to come. Despite the loss of these key components from last years Gulf South Conference West Championship team, Coach Jeff Morgan remained optimistic about the team’s desire to succeed. “Going into the season, the team had a chance to be better defensively and play quicker and more athletically,” Morgan said. “Coming into the year we wanted to see how well the players developed and progressed throughout the year.” The 2008-09 team came into the season with three seniors and only two returning starters, joined with three freshmen, three transfer students and only one player that had any significant amount of playing time. The team looked to some fresh faces to provide momentum. The Bisons relied on solid play from sophomore transfers Sam Brown and Steven Blake, with sophomore Matt Garner also receiving a boost in playing time. “The transfers have played an important part to the team’s success,” Morgan said. “They have come in and played really hard both offensively and defensively.” As one of the three seniors on the team and the only one with starting experience, senior guard Steven Barnett became a foundation for the team’s success. “Steven Barnett has become a better decision maker throughout his four years here,” Morgan said. “[He] has become more of an offensive threat and is able to get his teammates open with his penetration and passing skills.” Barnett started a few games during his freshman year and started the past three years full-time. “Knowing that I have a heads-up on [the] style and speed of play in the GSC really makes a difference in my game,” he said. “Learning that we are all in this together as a team and that there is a good group of coaches here willing to help you has had a real impact on my time here at Harding.” Alongside Barnett, getting his first real taste of GSC play was senior forward Brian Howard. Howard had been with the team since the 2005-06 season, but really only began seeing an increase in the amount of his playing time in the 2008-09 season. “It has been a different experience being able to start this year,” Howard said. “I feel like I have taken on more of a leadership role.” With all the adjustments, the goal remained unchanged for the Bisons. “Our goals for each year are the same; win championships and make it to the national tournament,” Morgan said. “With the group of guys we have this year, we feel like we have a good chance to accomplish those goals and to build for future success.” Even though the team had a different look and style of play about them, each player was determined to achieve the goals set out before them at the beginning of the year by the team and the coaches. Nathan Ramirez Bisons rely on transfers, young players to compete Sophomore forward Matt Ragsdale looks to drive around an Arkansas Monticello defender in a game played Jan. 24 in the Rhodes Field House. Ragsdale finished the season averaging 5.4 points and played almost 15 minutes per game. Craig Rainbolt Sophomore forward Kevin Brown soars high above the Texas College defenders for two points in a game played on Jan. 5. Brown led the Bisons in free throw attempts and finished second in rebounds per game. Craig Rainbolt
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