Members 2012 National Championship Team Watch Flyers Defeat Monarchs in Fayetteville

On Tuesday in Fayetteville, Sandhills Community College Head Coach Mike Apple and eight members of the 2012 National Championship basketball team held a "reunion".

As his former Flyer teammates looked on, one of those alums, T.J. Gill, coached the Methodist junior varsity squad that the Flyers defeated 107-46. Nasir Johnson led five Flyers in double-figures with 23 points.

Ranked No. 8 in this week's NJCAA Division III poll, the Flyers improved to 5-2 on the season.

"It was a mini reunion," Gill said by phone the next day, "but it wasn't a typical alumni game. Some of us were coaching."

The coaches included Flyer assistants Tramaine Pride and 2012 National Tournament MVP Daquain Towns. Seven other members of the title team played at high schools in the Fayetteville area, including reunion attendees, Gill, Louis Craft, Chris Vinson and T.J. Jones.

Also there from the squad that defeated Cedar Valley CC (TX) for the championship, in Apple's first season at Sandhills, were 2012 NJCAA All-American, Markell Lotharp and Raheem Washington. Michael Collins, who was unable to attend, is the fourth member of the team currently involved in coaching (Bunn Middle School).

"I think we've created an atmosphere here, especially in our community that the guys who played here always feel there is a place they can come to and be embraced and appreciated," Apple said. I think that's a big deal and I'm really proud of that aspect."

"I think I mentioned to them that when you guys are my age, you're going to be talking to each other. You could see it way back then they were going to be friends for life and that's pretty deep."

In his second season as an assistant coach at Methodist, Gill also played for two years for the Monarchs after Sandhills, leading his team in three-point baskets in both seasons. He said that he teaches the Flyers' motion offense along with the fast pace of play.

"One thing I definitely try to instill is that we're going to play hard for 40 minutes," he said. "We are going to be aggressive and we are going to attack.

"Those guys (Flyers) are playing in March when we're done and there is a lot of sacrifice in that."

Leading the Monarchs 49-35 at halftime, the Flyers broke the game wide open in the second half. Also scoring in double figures were Sam Stoltz with 16 points, Joey McMullin and Isaiah Nelson with 13, and Zac Sledge with 12.

Keegan Brayboy, Nelson and K.J. Perry each grabbed eight rebounds to lead in that department. Jordan Coleman was the assists leader with seven.

Gill collaborated with Towns and others in the effort to contact the 15 members of the title team. Meeting the Flyer alums was also special for sophomore forward Camron Zachary.

"It was really cool that they came to watch and to see what Sandhills has turned into and kind of what they helped create," he said. "After the game we talked with the guys and they were all pretty cool. It's cool seeing where Sandhills started."

Still ahead this week is a 3 p.m. contest on Saturday in South Prince George, VA against a Division I Richard Bland CC team that is off to a 3-1 start. They are back at The Hangar on November 23 against a Division I Spartanburg Methodist team that is 5-0.

"Those are two good Division I programs and Richard Bland has a national championship (2015)," Apple said. "Spartanburg Methodist is a traditional powerhouse in that league.

"We're going to have to play better than we have for the most part this year. We have to keep improving and be ready for them."

Sandhills – Coleman 1 1-2 3, McCaster 1 1-2 3, Stoltz 6 1-2 16, McMullin 5 2-2 13, Sledge 6 0-0 12, Wooldridge 2 1-1 5, Johnson 9 5-6 23, Perry 1 5-6 7, Hunter 0 1-4 1, Brayboy 2 3-4 7, Hanani 0 0-0 0, Nelson 5 2-2 13, Asante 1 2-2 4 Totals 39 24-33 107. Methodist JV – I. Rodriguez 1 6-7 9, L. Rodriguez 0 0-0 0, McClain 6 1-2 15, Fukuda 1 2-2 4, King 2 3-4 7, Trivolas 0 0-0 0, Rogers 0 0-0 0, Rogers 0 0-0 0, Reid 1 1-3 3, Rumph 0 0-0 0, Mavindidze 2 0-2 4, Bennett 2 0-1 4, Hart 0 0-0 0 Totals 15 13-21 46. Three-point goals: SCC 5 (Stoltz 3, McMullin, Nelson); MU 3 (McClain 2, I. Rodriguez).

C. Bergmann