The Longwood men’s basketball team opened its season with a pair of wins, amid rising expectations in head coach Jayson Gee’s third season. The Lancers defeated Randolph College 69-49 in the Friday, Nov. 13 season opener, before beating La Roche 89-65 on Monday night, Nov. 16, both Division III opponents.
After reaching the semifinals of the Big South Championship last season, Gee will want to build on that success this season. The Lancers will look to improve on last year’s 11-23 record and make another deep tournament run, and Gee is aware of the team’s potential.
“I think as long as we continue to improve and keep our focus on defense, I think you’ll see this team do some good things,” said Gee.
With two wins beneath them, the Lancers will play six straight away games, beginning with South Carolina State on Nov. 20. Gee emphasized the importance of playing well and winning these early season encounters, in order to set the tone for the rest of the season, calling it “a great opportunity.”
One obstacle facing the team in the first few games is injuries.
Though, redshirt senior center Lotanna Nwogbo returns after missing the second half of last season with a thumb injury, team captain and junior forward Damarion Geter will miss the season following shoulder surgery on a torn right labrum. Redshirt senior guard Tra’Vaughn White is also bothered by a toe injury that kept him from starting in the opening two games.
Solid performances from redshirt freshman guard Bryan Gee, with 11 assists, and freshman guard Al Burge, with six points, have helped cover for the injury absences across the two games. Gee was full of praise for the way the young players filled in on their competitive debuts.
“I thought Al Burge came in and gave us some good minutes. Bryan Gee’s come in and done some good things, runs the team, makes great decisions. Really feel good about what he’s done,” said Gee.
Not discouraged by his team’s injury troubles, Gee views it as a chance for the team to improve.
“I think any time anybody’s down for whatever reason, it’s an opportunity for someone else to step up… I think at the end of the day, with other guys getting better that wouldn’t normally have opportunities, once we get everybody back, it’s going to make us a better team,” said Gee.
Another player hoping to make a big impression is redshirt sophomore forward Khris Lane. A transfer from Drexel University, Lane scored 16 points and racked up 20 rebounds in his competitive debut, playing like “a man amongst boys,” according to Gee.
Having had to sit out last season following his transfer to Longwood, Lane is poised to make a considerable impact this season. The powerful forward arguably already looks to be a breakout star in the Big South, and Gee has pegged him as a player to watch.
“I think he’ll be one of the more formidable power forwards in our league. I think the next three years he’s going to do some great things. He’s such a hard worker, such a great attitude and a very self-disciplined young man, that I think good things are always going to happen for him,” said Gee.
If the Lancers can stay healthy and get good contributions from players like Nwogbo, White and Lane, they have the potential to go even further than last season.
Gee expects Longwood to continue to develop and improve on their 11-23 record from last year as the season progresses despite missing players.
