STORY: UMO holds "Meet the Coaches" event

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 25, 2016 9:59 AM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- In less than three weeks, the University of Mount Olive men's and women's basketball teams will open their respective 2016-17 basketball campaigns.

Hoops enthusiasts got their first glimpses of the Trojans on Monday evening.

Freshman Armand Griebe and Jerry Carter knocked down eight points apiece to lead the Green team past the White team, 32-29, inside Kornegay Arena. Junior Emmanuel Patton led the White team with 10 points.

On the women's side, Ni'Ya Styles and Rachel Fehl combined for five assists in the closing minutes of the Green team's come-from-behind, 35-29 decision over the White team. The Green trailed 29-25 before Fehl's assist to junior Felicity Havens ignited a game-ending 10-0 run.

Lenoir Community College transfer China Marshall paced the Green team with 10 points. Kiara Jones tallied a team-high nine points for the White squad.

The preseason affairs capped off the sixth annual "Meet the Coaches Night" - an event that continues to grow each year.

"I'd like to say thanks to all of the supporters who have donated their hard-earned money. We really appreciate it," UMO head men's basketball coach Joey Higginbotham said. "We wouldn't have the program, the institution, the facilities that we have without you guys helping. This is a truly a home away from home for these student-athletes and you guys are the reason for that."

A DYNASTY

Before the exhibition games begin, Higginbotham called the UMO men's and women's cross country teams to center court just three days after they swept the season-ending Conference Carolinas Championship meets.

The men have won five in a row, while the women have won two straight.

"Coach Matt (van Lierop) has built a powerhouse here without a facility and with our new facility (under construction), I can only imagine where he is going to take this program."

IT'S RAINING THREES

Styles and sophomore transfer Dedric Byrd needed double overtime to decide this year's 3-point shootout champion. The two were tied 6-6 after the first 45 seconds. They wound up knotted at 9-9 after the first OT.

Byrd prevailed 11-8 in the second OT.

A LEE-ISM

UMO head women's basketball coach Wendy Lee is the wife of North Carolina women's assistant Billy Lee. His comedic side is starting to rub off a little bit.

"It's always fun to get started regardless of who we're playing," she said. "At least we didn't take the 'L' tonight. Mount Olive won. It's only been a week of practice. As a coach, you see a ton of mistakes and a lot of things you want to work on.

"That's how it is for me."

AND YOU ARE?

Higginbotham returns just three players from a year ago - captain Tayon Gleaves, Jamaal Matin and Patton. Nine underclassmen, including six freshmen, comprise the youngest roster that Higginbotham has assembled during his tenure on the bench at his alma mater.

"Thaths what's exciting...the future," Higginbotham said. "It's not going to happen tomorrow. We've got young talent. They just have to learn how to play the way we play. We're getting a step closer to it."

AN APPEAL

Higginbotham wants to resurrect the Kornegay Krazies.

"They've been missing a couple of years, not sure what happened," Higginbotham said. "We've got to get them back and I'm going to do whatever I need to do. If I've got to take care of them myself, I'll take care of them myself.

"They belong in here. We need them. The campus needs that environment. We need to have some fun back in Kornegay again."

VETERAN'S DAY TIP-OFF

The Trojan men face Augusta in the annual 45-Second Barton Classic on Nov. 11.

The Trojan women launch a season-opening, seven-game road swing against Catawba in the South Atlantic Conference/Conference Carolinas Challenge hosted by Queens University of Charlotte.