By Spencer Isberg
UNIVERSITY CENTER- The Pioneers played the Alpena Lumberjacks for Sophomore Day on Feb. 19 at Delta College. The Pioneers took two consecutive wins by both the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
The women’s team played first, winning with a crushing score of 89-35. During both the first and second half of the game, the women’s team kept a considerable lead, with the Lumberjacks seeming to only score a couple of points in small select moments during the entire game. The Pioneers implemented a strong defense by forcing a full-court press and shutting down any offensive maneuvers by the Lumberjacks.
Athletic Director Dionne McCollum expressed, “I think the women are a defensive-based team.” McCollum added that good things will come from that when they start doing a full-court press because they start working together more.
The men’s team won 85-70 in a very aggressive and evenly skilled match-up. After an already action-packed first half with the Pioneers seeming to consistently out-score the opposing team, the second half seemed to veer in the Lumberjack’s favor at times. However, the Pioneers secured a win through good teamwork and an aggressive final quarter.
Emotions among the men’s and women’s teams seemed to stay focused and driven as the Pioneers took the lead; however, the men’s team was much more emotional during their game.
Coach Vincent Turner mentioned, “I’ve got a lot of guys who are aggressive on and off the court, and it’s about just channeling it and getting it in the right direction.” He explained that when you get the team to play together, the aggression is good because they are a force on the defensive end, and they have to believe in each other.
A ceremony celebrated Delta’s basketball players from the sophomore and freshman classes between both games. Due to Delta’s position as a two-year institution, the last non-tournament home game of the year was spent as a celebratory and graduation event in which all basketball players were given flowers, a certificate, and a framed photo of them during basketball events from this season.
