Trojans discover team chemistry

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on December 23, 2014 1:48 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- JaQuan Blount had all the accolades.

He earned All-American honors at Pitt Community College and emerged as a scoring threat for the perennial Region X power.

But he didn't carry that ego with him to the University of Mount Olive.

Blount joined a team that focuses on getting better every time it steps onto the floor. And no player has exuded that trait more than Blount.

"He came in here as an All-American and he's stepped in and it's just like he's been a part of this team the whole time," UMO head coach Joey Higginbotham said. "We talked a lot about him coming in and being a leader, being a guy for the rest of the team to lean on, and he's done that."

In fact, Blount's peers selected him as team captain.

"That doesn't happen much," Higginbotham said. "I think that shows you a lot of how these guys respond to him."

A few weeks into school and before his team had even played a game, Higginbotham knew he had something special. He didn't know if it would translate into wins or losses, but he knew this team was bonding quicker than any he'd coached in his tenure.

"I just saw them going everywhere together," Higginbotham said. "And it wasn't like they were in cliques, you would see four in one group one day and then a different group of four the next day. That was a really unique bond that we haven't had here as much in the past."

Higginbotham didn't wait long to see his players' off-court chemistry carry over to the hardwood. The Trojans are off to their best start in program history (11-1 overall) as the holiday break begins.

UMO's previous best start was 10-2 in 2005 when it advanced to the Elite Eight.

The Trojans' lone hiccup occurred last Monday -- an 86-74 loss to in-state Southeast Region nemesis UNC Pembroke. Higginbotham's team had a week-long break due to semester exams and he admitted keeping the players focused was a big challenge.

Higginbotham, throughout the season, has stressed the importance of getting better each day. He reminded the players to consider how it affects the team when they do certain things on the court.

Kendall Hargrove hasn't forgotten those discussions.

At the start of the season, Hargrove set a personal goal to lead Conference Carolinas in rebounding. Usually Higginbotham is against his players setting a goal for themselves, but he knew it was clear Hargrove set this goal for the team.

"Yes, he's taking it personally," Higginbotham said. "But it's a personal goal that is helping our team. It has made us a better team by far."

A senior, Hargrove leads the league with 8.9 rebounds a game.

Someone who has averaged 30-plus minutes a game each of the past 3 1/2 seasons, Hargrove has benefited since he's channeled his energy to wiping the glass for rebounds.

"If I get rebounds I get easy buckets," Hargrove said. "I don't even have to focus on offense if I'm getting rebounds, because that's where most of my points come from on the offensive glass, or on the defensive glass and getting guys in transition."

Hargrove averages 11.6 points per game -- one of six Trojans who are in the double-digit scoring range this season. Dontrell Brite leads the team with 13.7 points an outing, followed by sixth man Jordan McCain with 12.2. Dominique Reed (12.1), Mike Moore (11.2) and Blount (10.5) complete the balanced scoring attack.

"It's a different guy every night for us," Hargrove said. "That's what has helped us be so successful, we don't care who's night it is that night."

During a recent practice, as the team gathered at midcourt, Higginbotham mentioned that if the Trojans want to get into the NCAA tournament they would have to win the conference. So, for the players to feel invincible because of a hot start would be a mistake. But it doesn't completely discount what they have done to this point.

"(This start) gives us confidence heading into conference play," Hargrove said. "If we can keep playing this well and carry it over into conference play, we feel like we can get into the tournament and do some damage."