B’ball ready for season

Losing two starters can be critical for any team. Losing your top two scorers can be devastating.

After Evan Gordon’s unexpected departure and John Brown’s season ending injury, the Liberty men’s basketball team will look for new players to fill those voids such as seniors David Minaya and Jesse Sanders and junior forward Antwan Burrus.

With nine returning players, the Flames will look to improve on last season’s record. In head coach Dale Layer’s second season, the Flames finished 19-13 (13-5), which earned them a second overall finish in the Big South Conference. But, with a more experienced team, the Flames are expected to compete even more in the Big South, as well as their non-conference schedule.

“I like our schedule. Many times we will be in hostile environments against NCAA tournament teams and that’s good for us. We will grow as a result,” Layer said. “We have two more home games, which is a positive as well. This is a good schedule and our guys are looking forward to it.”

Liberty will open its season against Texas A&M, William & Mary twice, traveling to Richmond and playing in the ESPN BracketBusters for the second straight season. Not to mention playing conference rival Coast Carolina, last year’s Big South Champion.

But, looking toward a potential bid into the NCAA tournament in March is not where Layer wants his team to focus. Instead, he wants them to take this season game by game.

“When you bring together good days, good things happens from it,” Layer said. “If you start worrying about the last couple of weeks of the season in October, we don’t take care of the things we are suppose to take care of. You can only be in position to win if you do the right things along the way.”

Coach Layer said that his team has come out of training camp prepared for season practices. The team has been working on becoming more unified as a team.

“We have great character, togetherness and teamwork. It has all been good. I think we are ready to move on to the next stage and start practicing,” Layer said.

While playing together overseas during the summer in Belgium and France, the Flames built a strong chemistry and look to compete against difficult competition this upcoming season.