By Nathan Deen
Published on November 7, 2007
The PJC men’s basketball team’s record currently stands at 1-1. After going 7-1 in the preseason, the Pirates suffered a disappointing loss to a very young Gadsden State team by a score of 72-69.
PJC started off Saturday’s game against Shelton State very sluggish and fell behind early 12-1. However, a more focused and energetic Pirate team took the court in the second half and outscored their opponent 52-24 on their way to a 79-57 win.
“We took a half step back Friday night,” said PJC head coach Paul Swanson. “We made a big step forward on Saturday.”
Sophomore guard/forward Miles Taylor was named as the Cici’s Tip-Off Classic Most Valuable Player. Taylor averaged 18 points in the tournament (20 against Shelton State and 16 against Gadsden State).
Taylor said that winning the MVP award felt very “rewarding.”
Coach Swanson said that he wanted his veterans in Taylor and Sasha Parghalava to step up in Saturday’s game. Parghalava committed nine turnovers in the game against Gadsden State, but played extremely well against Shelton State, scoring 17 points and instigating several key scoring runs.
Coach Swanson is extremely pleased at his team’s effort in rebounding. So far, the Pirates have averaged 32 defensive rebounds and 19 offensive rebounds per game.
PJC’s biggest problem and the reason they struggled in their first three halves of play is the amount of turnovers they’ve committed, averaging 23.5 per game. In the three halves in which they struggled, PJC committed 41 turnovers. In the second half against Shelton State, they committed only six.
PJC also struggled from the three-point line in the tournament, shooting only 17percent. PJC’s total FG percentage is 44.
Swanson says that PJC received consistent play off the bench from forwards Petras Balocka and Jalin Thomas and guard Jadarren Mumpfield, Balocka had a double-double against Shelton State with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Center George Erkvania is currently inactive due to a thumb injury and the coaching staff is not sure when he’ll be available to play.
PJC continues its season against Faulkner State (1-0) at home on Wednesday followed by another home game against Delgado Community College of New Orleans, La. Delgado looks to play their first full-season schedule in two years as their last two seasons were cancelled due to damage by Hurricane Katrina.