No. 9 Richard Bland Welcomes Wake Tech (N.C.) Saturday Night
SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Richard Bland College will host Region 10 member Wake Technical (N.C.) Community College in its regular-season finale men's basketball game on Saturday night, February 25 at 7 p.m. in Statesman Hall. The nationally-ranked Statesmen, No. 9 in this week's NJCAA Division II Top 20 Poll, feature an overall record of 24-4, including 16-2 in Region 10, with 11 wins in their last 12 games while 20-2 over the last 22 contests. The Eagles are 13-16 overall, 9-10 in Region 10.
It'll be Sophomore Night to include a special pre-game recognition of the six Statesmen completing their eligibility with the program this season. Admission is free to all Richard Bland home games, while the contest can be heard locally on WHAP Radio, Fox Sports 1340 AM.
GAME INFORMATION
No. 9 Richard Bland (24-4, 16-2) vs. Wake Tech (13-16, 9-10)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017
Time: 7 p.m.
Radio: Fox Sports 1340 AM | Via Phone: 641-552-5316
Live Stats: rbcathetics.com
Location: Statesman Hall
Series History: 5-3
Scouting the Statesmen
No. 9 Richard Bland is 24-4 overall after a 101-71 home win past Vance-Granville (N.C.) on Feb. 22. The Statesmen, who are an outstanding 98-29 (.772) over the past four seasons, are coached by head coach Chuck Moore, who is in his fourth season, and assisted by fourth-year assistant coach Brian Henderson, second-year assistant coach Preston Beverly and first-year graduate assistant coach Mike Wynn.
Through 28 games, Richard Bland has been led in scoring by 6-4 sophomore guard Deandre Clark/Orange, who is averaging 12.7 points (68 3FGs), 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He is followed by local 6-3 sophomore guard Gevon Arrington/Petersburg, who is averaging 12.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while 6-9 sophomore center Jaquan Wooten/Kinston, North Carolina is averaging 11.8 points (64 FG%), 9.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks with 10 double-doubles. Richard Bland is averaging 83.6 points per game, while allowing just 67.1 points to opponents for a scoring margin of +16.5.
Scouting the Eagles
Wake Tech is 13-16 overall after a 97-91 home win past Fayetteville Technical (N.C.) Community College on Feb. 21, and is coached by Adam Wainwright. The Eagles have been led in scoring by sophomores Camryn Fort (27.5) and Josh Siler (14.6). Fort ranks first nationally in NJCAA Division II scoring. Wake Tech averages 83.1 points, while allowing 89.0 points for a scoring margin of -5.9.
Series History
Richard Bland and Wake Tech are playing for the ninth time in the sport of men's basketball, and the Statesmen lead the series 5-3. Richard Bland won the first meeting this season by a score of 81-74 on November 22, 2016 in North Carolina. Jaquan Wooten led the way with 18 points and 13 rebounds, followed by Deandre Clark with 14 points, freshman Ricky Hicks/Bronx, New York with 13 points and seven assists, along with Gevon Arrington with 11 points. Camryn Fort scored a game-high 28 points for the Eagles.
Among the National Leaders
Richard Bland is ranked 10th in NJCAA Division II rebounding (46.1), 16th in blocks (4.9), 18th in steals (10.8), 25th in assists (18.7) and 38th in scoring (83.6). Jaquan Wooten is ranked fifth nationally in blocks (2.9), seventh in field goal percentage (64.0%, 128-200) and 21st in rebounding (9.5). Deandre Clark is tied for 34th nationally in three-point field goals (68). Ricky Hicks is ranked 44th nationally in assists (4.8).
Sophomore Class
Richard Bland will recognize its six sophomores during a special pregame ceremony, including Gevon Arrington, Deandre Clark, Jalen Jackson/Plainfield, New Jersey, Myles Markland/Petersburg, Harrison Mitchell/Hampton and Jaquan Wooten. Arrington has played in 60 career games with 614 points, 305 rebounds and 149 assists. Clark has played in 58 games with 585 points, 207 rebounds and 101 assists. Jackson has played in 54 games, including last year at Navarro (Texas) with 136 points, 105 rebounds and 10 blocks. Markland has played in 58 games with 316 points, 97 rebounds and 88 assists. Mitchell has played in 46 games with 200 points, 196 rebounds and 17 blocks. Wooten has played in 42 games with 425 points, 403 rebounds and 126 blocks.
2015 NJCAA Division II National Champions
Richard Bland won the 2015 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship, defeating John Wood (Ill.) Community College 64-53 on March 21, 2015 at the Mary Miller Gymnasium on the campus of Danville Community College in Danville, Illinois. The Statesmen finished their most memorable storybook 2014-15 campaign with a school-record of 32-4, winning the national title in only their second year back in action following a 20-year hiatus from competitive sports at Richard Bland College.
Up Next
Richard Bland is hosting the first round and quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division II, Region 10 Tournament next weekend, March 4-5. There will be two first-round games on Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. The four quarterfinal games will be played on Sunday, March 5 at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. The Statesmen have earned a first-round bye, and will play their quarterfinal contest on Sunday, March 5 at 4 p.m.