From one brother to another
After playing together for 12 years, Jesse and John Caleb Sanders have formed a dangerous backcourt duo
They have scored 1,706 points together at Liberty, which places them in third as far as Big South brother-scoring combinations go. Currently this season, the brothers from Sugar Land, Texas, both average over double-digits in scoring. Jesse Sanders is tied for the team lead with David Minaya with 12.4 points per game while John Caleb averages 11.4 points per game.
Brotherly love — Jesse and John Caleb Sanders have played two years alongside each other as Liberty Flames. Photo credit: Ruth Bibby
For two seasons, the brother duo of Jesse and John Caleb Sanders has produced plenty for the men’s basketball team. But after this season, this backcourt tandem will be disbanded when Jesse graduates in May. John Caleb Sanders followed in his brother footsteps, coming from Texas to play alongside his brother.
“It’s fun,” John Caleb Sanders said. “I’m going to miss him when he is gone. He is a big reason why I came to Liberty, to be able to play alongside him.”
While this season saw the team lose seven straight games, this recent hot spell has given them hope to relish in what some would call a miracle.
“We scout and have a game plan for each team,” John Caleb Sanders said. “Some teams we have to keep out of the paint, some teams we have to push the ball, and some teams we have to play a half court game. Just executing what coaches have drawn out for us, and just being unselfish. We have been shooting well recently, giving up open shots for a better shot for someone else.”
Playing at home for the final time almost seemed surreal to some, but for Jesse Sanders, it was a moment to reflect on what has taken place over his four years — the All-American nod, the Big South Player of the Year award, the triple-doubles in each season.
Before tipoff Saturday, Jesse Sanders wasn’t emotional.
“It (had) not quite hit me yet that this was my final home game at Liberty,” Jesse Sanders said.
After the game, he was elated. It was fitting that as the buzzer sounded and the backboard lit up, marking the end of Jesse Sander’s home career, the ball was in his hands. He tossed it high in the air and hugged teammates, celebrating most notably with other seniors, Minaya, Tanner Hoyt and John Brown.
Leaving behind a trail of accomplishments, Jesse Sanders still has one more goal in mind — making the NCAA tournament.
“Its been quite a run,” Jesse Sanders said. “Even though we have done a lot, getting to the NCAA tournament is one thing that the team, as well as I, would like to accomplish. The position we are in right now, the only way to get there is to win out the Big South.”
In his last home game, Jesse Sanders scored only two points, had nine assists and five rebounds in the 49-41 victory against the Campbell Camels. John Caleb Sanders had 14 points and was 4-8 from three.
“I’m going to miss him,” John Caleb Sanders said. “I play a lot better while he is on the court. What I learned from him is having a great work ethic. We both worked real hard in high school, but it is a different level in college. It is really like a full-time job.”