Row 1: M. Gullotta, B. McNair, W. Jameson, Z. Kirby, D. Brown, B. Spencer, M. Walters, N. Nelson, T. Cochran, A. Sterrenberg.Row 2: D. Morgan, J. Morgan (coach), B. Brantley, J. Hudson, H. Johnson, L. Cannon, A. Kavas, Z. Roddenberry, J. Gibson, D. Palmer (grad asst.), E. Holloway (manager), R. Woods (asst. coach). The Bison basketball team saw a season unparalleled in leadership and unity. The team was a powerhouse of community, which was the foundation of the team's success. The leadership of the upperclassmen influenced the solidity of the team in both skill and Christian attitude. According to junior Weston Jameson, the leadership of men such as seniors Bradley Spencer and Matt Walters was the most memorable part of his experience on the basketball team. "Bradley Spencer and Matt Walters are the two biggest leaders," Jameson said. "They are really good about saying the right thing when we need to hear it." Senior Zach Roddenberry, named the Great American Conference Player of the Week four times, was another significant leader. Head men's basketball coach Jeff Morgan said the first word that came to his mind when he thought of Roddenberry was the word kind. Junior forward Hayden Johnson said that in his three years on the team, the relationships he had formed had carried him through difficult seasons. "Just going through the highs and lows in life with these guys for the last 3 years has really brought us together," Johnson said. "My favorite part about this is the friendships I've made and the true chemistry we have been able to form on the court because of our relationships off the court." Johnson's experience bespoke the quality of men on the basketball team. The players were family, enjoying each other's company on and off the court. "What is so special about this team is the chemistry," 296 1 Athletics Reaching New Heights Senior leadership puts team above the competition Jameson said. "We enjoy being around each other and spend time with each other off the court. When I look back on my experience with basketball, I will remember more than anything the relationships with my teammates." The Christian attitude of the players was evident everywhere. In January, the team spoke at the College Church. Several of the players used basketball analogies to describe patience and endurance in life's trials. "I started off letting the church know that I was thankful for being where I am today," Spencer said. "I specifically spoke about how making a turnover in basketball is like messing up in life, and how we can do one of two things: continue to do wrong or change it. Just like in basketball, we can hold our heads down and be upset because of the turnover or hustle back on defense." The Bisons' desire to demonstrate Christian attitudes in all aspects of their sport and lives was influenced not only by their disciplined backgrounds, but by their coaches as well. "Everyone on the team knows that the expectations are very high for us because of the foundation set by our coaches and the players that have come through the program before us," Johnson said. "We are expected to set examples in the classroom, on the court and, most importantly, as Christian leaders." For the basketball players, their time spent on the court added up to much more than points. They came away with honed athletic abilities and refined character, sharpened by their community of Christian brothers. Mallory Pratt
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