Men’s Basketball Tries to Start New Winning Streak

Harold Dawson, Harbinger

Friday, Dec. 18, 2015

Back on Nov. 16, 2015, the Illinois Central College men’s basketball team played Robert Morris-Peoria, a NAIA school.  Contributor Harold Dawson used this opportunity to discover the characteristics and expectations of this team.

As the Cougars season reaches a halfway point, I had the pleasure of catching up with coach Tony Wysinger after the Cougars 93-68 victory over Robert Morris-Peoria.

Harold Dawson: How are you feeling about your team this year?

        Coach Wysinger: I feel very good about the team this year. We are beginning to gel and

        find ourselves.

       HD: What are the team’s strengths and weaknesses?

       CW: I feel like we are great in depth, so that will never be a problem. The guys on the

       team trust each other and trust is definitely a strength. Our weaknesses would be when

       we’re up, we’re up and when we’re down, we’re down. By that I mean, we’ve got to

       understand not every shot is going to fall and every night isn’t going to be a W.

      HD: How is the team’s chemistry?

      CW: The team’s chemistry is great, which falls back on the team and their trust in one

      another. Practices run smooth, and everyone has an understanding.

ICC has started with a 9-5 record.  With the leadership of Coach Wysinger, the Cougars are believed to have a successful basketball season.

In their first meeting, ICC gained an early advantage over RMU-Peoria and coasted the rest of the game.  All sixteen players that dressed for the game scored showing the team’s depth.

Leading the way in points halfway through the season is sophomore Justin Taylor, the leading scorer from last year, with 12.3 per game.  He also leads in blocks with 1.1 per game.  Sophomore Jamani Pierce leads the team in rebounds with 6.1 per game.

Freshman Christopher Dixon-Williams (Limestone HS), son of assistant coach Chris Williams, leads the team in assists with 3.5 per game.  Freshman Cole Louderman (Dunlap HS), when he’s not contributing to the Harbinger, is leading the team in three-pointers with 22.

The men’s first victory over RMU-Peoria was just the start of a season-high five-game winning streak.  Two losses would follow marking the first time this season the Cougars have lost back-to-back games.  They hope to bounce back and start a new winning streak in their rematch against RMU-Peoria this Saturday at 4 p.m. in Lorene M. Ramsey Gymnasium.

Cover photo by Mark Nycz.  Sophomore Kendall Davis trying to find a way around the defense in the season opener against Lincoln Trail Oct. 30 2015.