SPORTS
Maintaining
morale
BOY’S BASKETBALL FIGHTS
THROUGH ADVERSITY
Eli McAlister
F
Reporter
rom defending the
court of Reddin
Fieldhouse to taking to
conference rivals on the road,
the Mustangs have built a
respectable season since their
first game in late October.
Watching one of their
games, the season’s victories
and adversities are evident in
the camaraderie and teamwork
the team displays on the court.
Senior Tyrone Alston, who
plays guard, described the
season as a journey.
“It’s not a sprint, it’s
a marathon,” Alston said.
“Although we make mistakes,
we just try to correct those
things and practice and keep
moving forward.”
This season certainly
has had its share of pitfalls
for the team, too. While
facing their opponents on the
basketball court each week is
one obstacle in a season, the
players must also endeavor
Senior Tyrone Alston communicates on the court. The team went up against
Missouri Baptist University on Nov. 21 and won with 77 points.
to maintain both academic
excellence and physical health.
In spite of that, Alston looks
back fondly on what the
Mustangs have achieved.
“It’s been a lot of fun,”
Alston said, “Every team is
going to go through adversity,
but I feel like no team has
been through what we’ve been
through. We may argue and get
into it a lot, but I feel like that
brings us closer together in the
long-run.”
Clint Galyean, head men’s
basketball coach, described
the team at the beginning of
the season as one that simply
lacked chemistry.
“We only had 3 returners,”
Galyean said, “So we brought
in 12 new guys, so obviously
the chemistry wasn’t there
early.”
Despite any early
turbulence the season had,
Glayean noted the growth
since October. “We’re still a
work in progress, but it’s come
along a long way.”
Photographer Marcela Bueno
The Tower | Sports | Page 8 |February 14, 2020
ONE FOR ALL
LADY MUSTANGS OBTAIN STRENGTH
THROUGH UNITY WITHIN THE TEAM
Faith Birmingham
T
Reporter
he Lady Mustangs basketball team has maintained
a record of 14-8 in their season. Lyle Middleton has
been head women’s basketball coach for 16 years, and
says that their winning season is largely because of the team’s
diversity.
“We are a more well-balanced team than we have been in
the past,” says Middleton. “[We have] a little bit of size and
strength. We have shooters, too.”
Middleton has worked with several players over the
years. This season, he says, there are four freshmen on the
team.
“The transition [from high school to college basketball]
for me was pretty easy,” says freshman Alaina Ellis. “[It is]
just faster-paced, and the shot clock is something I had to
pay attention to.”
Ellis says one of her favorite things about playing basketball
is getting to be a part of the team.
“I enjoy getting to play with a group of girls that I have
a bond with,” Ellis says. “We work together and try to keep
everyone’s head and energy up in games and practice.”
The energy on the court is not the only thing that makes
the Lady Mustangs unique. Junior David Chaney, a member
of the CBC band that often plays at home basketball games,
says that the atmosphere of the games is unique as well.
“I think the most enjoyable aspect of CBC women’s
basketball is the environment,” says Chaney. “The Photog- rapher
energy from the student body, alumni and faculty create an
atmosphere of intense competition that is unrivaled.”
With the strengths of the team and the chemistry between
the players, Middleton says they have one thing in mind.
“As always, our goal is to make it to the conference
and national tournaments,” Middleton says.
On Nov. 21, junior Kendra Cummings focuses on making a shot.
Photographer Marcela Bueno The Lady Mustangs played against Missouri Baptist University and
won 73-69