March 19, 2004
For immediate release
Contact: Bob Lowe, SID
(336) 272-7102, x279

The Greensboro College men's basketball team finished 12-13 overall and was 10-4 in USA South Athletic conference games. The Pride tied for second in the conference--its best placing in 10 seasons.

GC's season, however, got off to an inauspicious start. Facing one of the most difficult schedules in the nation, The Pride started the year with six losses.

"We faced two Division I programs and four Division III playoff teams in our first 11 games," said GC Head Coach Lynn Ramage. "I'd like to blame that on the guy who made the schedule but that was me!"

Yet Greensboro's tough opposition did pay dividends. GC won its first five conference games and won 9 of 11 over one stretch in the season.

SENIOR BACK COURT LED THE PRIDE

The Pride was led by two senior guards: Marcellus Morgan and Trey Williams. 

Morgan averaged 19.4 points per game and was picked USA South Player-of-the-Year--the first GC hoopster to earn the award. More than just a scorer, Morgan was among conference leaders in steals and assists, too.

"Marcellus is the most unselfish star player I've ever coached," Ramage said. "He's also one of the hardest working young men I've been around."

Joining Morgan in the back court for the fourth straight year was Trey Williams. The point guard again led the team in assists with 108 and was second on the club in scoring (12.8 average). But it was Trey's clutch three-point shots that will be what most fans remember.

On January 17, the visiting Pride trailed Averett by three points with 4 seconds remaining. Williams took the inbound pass and made a 22-footer from the right side to tie the game at 82 and send it to overtime. 

In the same game, Averett led 90-87 with 3 seconds left in the first OT. With a defender covering him like glue, Trey fired an awkward shot--near the same spot of the previous one--that goes threw the net. GC wins the game (with Trey Williams scoring 6 of GC's 8 points in the second extra period) after two overtimes, 98-94. 

One week later at Hanes Gym, GC and North Carolina Wesleyan are tied at 62. On the game-winning play, Morgan drove to the basket and forced the defense to collapse. He found Williams open in the near corner.  Williams faked and drew the defender off his feet. He then moved left and calmly made the shot with 4 seconds left in regulation. 

Strong Season and Nucleus to Build Upon

Boasting one of the tallest teams--in ANY league--GC expects to return a talented club in 2004-05. 

Seven-foot center Dshamal Schoetz was a defensive presence all year and blossomed offensively late in the season. The junior averaged 9 points, 7 rebounds and had 33 blocks.

Junior power forward Ed Montrell (7 points, 6 rebounds and 34 blocks) will be poised for a strong senior year.

Underclassmen Justin Battle and Gerry Wood made noteworthy contributions to the team. Wood, a freshman, led the team in three-point shooting (.389) and earned a starting spot near midseason. Sophomore Battle came off the bench to average 4 points and 4 rebounds and lead The Pride in field goal shooting (.513).

"We did some good things this year," said Ramage. "Our guys got a taste of winning and we expect to improve."