Richard Bland Welcomes In-State Rival Patrick Henry On Wednesday
SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va. -- Richard Bland College will host in-state rival Patrick Henry Community College in a Region 10 men's basketball game on Wednesday night, January 24, at 7 p.m. in Statesman Hall. The Statesmen are 12-5 overall, including 6-3 in Region 10, while the Patriots are 6-7 overall, including 5-3 in Region 10. Richard Bland returns to action following its thrilling 99-94 overtime victory past No. 11 Louisburg (N.C.) on Jan. 22.
The contest, designated as the 6TH MAN game with free t-shirts going to the first 30 fans in attendance, can be heard locally on WHAP Radio, Fox Sports 1340 AM.
GAME INFORMATION
Richard Bland (12-5, 6-3) vs. Patrick Henry (6-7, 5-3)
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018
Location: Statesman Hall
Time: 7 p.m.
Radio: Fox Sports 1340 AM
Via Phone: 641-552-5316
Live Stats: rbcathetics.com
Live Video: foxsports1340am.com
Series History: 6-4
Looking at the Statesmen
Richard Bland is 12-5 overall, 6-3 in Region 10, and dropped out of the Top 20 in this week's NJCAA Division II Rankings. The Statesmen, however, are an outstanding 116-36 (.763) over the past five seasons, including an even more impressive 57-9 (.864%) at home since 2013-14. Richard Bland is coached by fifth-year head coach Chuck Moore (164-52 overall), and assisted by third-year assistant coach Preston Beverly and first-year assistant coach Anthony Sally.
Through 17 games, Richard Bland has been led in scoring by 6-4 sophomore guard Robert Smith/Hampton, who is averaging 18.4 points and 6.0 rebounds. He is followed by 6-2 sophomore guard Tim Bing Jr./Suitland, Maryland (11.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists), local 6-7 sophomore forward Stanley Taylor/Petersburg (9.6 points, 7.7 rebounds), 6-3 sophomore guard Tre' Patterson/Richmond (8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds) and 6-0 sophomore guard Ricky Hicks/Bronx, New York (7.1 points, 5.5 assists). Hicks is ranked 26th nationally in assists per game (5.5).
Looking at the Patriots
Patrick Henry is 6-7 overall, 5-3 in Region 10. The Patriots are coached by head coach Kenny Wade, and are led in scoring by 6-4 sophomore guard Dequarius Harper, who is averaging 20.6 points and 8.2 assists. He is followed by 6-4 sophomore forward Hafeez Anifowoshe (14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds) and 6-5 freshman forward Tahkey Williams (13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds).
Series History
Richard Bland and Patrick Henry are playing for the 11th time in the sport of men's basketball, and the Statesmen lead the closely-played rivalry series at 6-4. Richard Bland won all three contests played between the two schools a year ago, including 83-61 in the first meeting on Jan. 25, 2017 in Martinsville, 74-51 in the second meeting on February 15, 2017 in Statesman Hall and 70-61 in the Region 10 Tournament Semifinals on March 10 in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Rankings
Richard Bland dropped from No. 17 last week to receiving votes in this week's rankings, based on games played through Jan. 21 (thus, not including the big win past No. 11, now No. 9, Louisburg).
Up Next
Richard Bland remains at home in Statesman Hall for two more games this weekend. The Statesmen will welcome Guilford Tech (N.C.) on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 3 p.m. and Lenoir (N.C.) on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 3 p.m., closing this busy stretch on campus of five games in eight days.