MOC basketball begins Wednesday

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 14, 2008 1:50 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- On the Mount Olive College website, a countdown clock ticks away the seconds until men's basketball practice opens on Wednesday.

Time can't move fast enough for Joey Higginbotham, who was named the Trojans' new head coach last spring.

"We are really excited... can't wait to get things started," said Higginbotham. "We have a good group of guys and they are focussed on what's coming up on Wednesday."

The Trojans are ranked 18th in the NCAA Division II Bulletin preseason top 25. With three starting guards returning, expectations are high around Kornegay Arena.

"I think that our ranking is a tribute to where coach (Bill) Clingan brought the program," said Higginbotham. "It's an honor to be considered one of the best 25 teams in the country, but we know it's preseason and we haven't played a game yet."

Mount Olive returns a total of seven players from last year's Conference Carolinas championship team which finished with a 24-7 record and earned a spot in the NCAA Division II East Regional.

The centerpiece of the Trojans' backcourt is Kendrick Easley, who was recently recognized as an honorable mention All-American by Street and Smith's Magazine. Easley averaged 16.9 points a game last season.

"Kendrick has really stepped up his leadership role over the summer," said Higginbotham. "He had a little bit of an ankle issue during his training, but he is back to full strength and ready to get his conditioning back.

"He is a guy that is becoming a leader. We have some new guys that haven't played a whole lot, but our returning guys are stepping up and showing them how things are done."

A tough schedule greets the Trojans.

Mount Olive opens the season Nov. 16 against Lenoir-Rhyne, ranked No. 14 in the preseason. The next day, Higginbotham's team opposes No. 20 Catawba.

Less than a week later, the Trojans play host to the 43rd annual Pickle Classic which includes another matchup against L-RC and a battle with No. 5-ranked USC Aiken.

"One advantage I have is that I know how things are done at Mount Olive," Higginbotham said. "I knew the players before I was made the head coach and I know what they can do. We have to take things one game at a time.

"We have to continue to improve in practice, and prepare before we step out on the floor against Lenoir-Rhyne."