October 27, 2007

 

     Dayton, TN—The Bryan College Men’s Basketball team opened its’ season on Saturday night at home against Southeastern Bible College from Birmingham, AL and won in convincing fashion. Playing in October, one of the earliest starts of any team in the country, the Lions were anxious to get this season underway and Sommers’ Gymnasium was packed with Bryan fans also eager to see this year’s talented group of Lions take the court. Bryan Head Coach Don Rekoske didn’t know much about the Sabres of Southeastern Bible College, but felt confident that his team was ready to play whoever they might step onto the floor against.

     The Lions featured three new faces in the starting line-up with the 6’7 and 6’8 Lytle brothers, Mike and Charlie as well as junior college transfer Cody Christopher. Returners Lamarr Shorts and Matt Housley rounded out the Lions’ starting five. As the game began, the Lions began fast, but it appeared that the excitement of the new season forced Bryan to play out of control and they looked sloppy for the first few minutes. A Sabre’s timeout allowed the Lions a chance to catch their breath and regroup, and as play resumed the crowd’s expectations were soon met as the Lions found their rhythm and began to force their will on the visitors from Birmingham.

     This year’s edition of the Lions is more athletic, more skilled and has a lot more size than any squad Rekoske has had while at Bryan. After the slow start, Kyle Terry ignited the Lions’ offense with a deep three and Charlie Lytle used his 6’8 frame to contest shots on the defensive end the entire first half. The Lions owned the boards all night, out rebounding their opponents 65 to 39 on the night. Mike Lytle did a great job of distributing the basketball to his teammates, finishing with 9 assists on the night to go along with four points. One of Lytle’s favorite targets was Junior Swingman Lamarr Shorts. Shorts got hot and began to hit from the outside, giving the Lions’ an 18 point cushion midway through the first.

     One of the most notable differences in this season’s team is their depth which they’ve been lacking the last few years. Early in the first half Rekoske was able to substitute often and keep fresh legs on the floor as freshmen Derek Batt and Scott Newton played significant minutes for the Lions in the contest. As the first half came to a close, Batt hit a fade away three pointer at the buzzer to extend the Lion’s lead to 26.

     Southeastern made a small run to begin the second half, and got back to within 20, but Bryan would rise to the challenge and make a run of their own. Shorts again found his stroke, and at one point scored eight consecutive points for Bryan to start the second half of play. Lions’ Sharpshooter Kyle Terry also got into a rhythm from the outside, burying two shots from beyond the arc in a short span of time. It seemed everyone on the floor for the Lions wanted to get in on the action, as freshman point guard Demond Craig and forwards Cody Christopher, Derek Batt, Charlie Lytle and Scott Newton buried shots from deep as well.  Terry would finish 4 of 5 from three point range with 12 points on the night for the Lions.

     Coming off the bench to provide a spark for the Lions was senior captain Thomas Davis. With all the height and athleticism the Lions have this year, they still need a legitimate low- post threat and Davis is exactly that; a big, physical presence who is not afraid to get in the paint and “mix it up.” Davis transferred last year from Roane State Community College and has been a great fit for the program at Bryan.

     The Lions built a comfortable lead and began to give their underclassman a chance to step on the floor and showcase their talents as well. Derek Batt led the scoring off the bench with 16 points, followed by Terry. Shorts remained ‘hot’ through the remainder of the second half, finishing with a team high 18 points and five rebounds.  Southeastern didn’t stand a chance to claw back as Charlie Lytle’s presence was felt in the post all night: The true freshman blocked four shots on the night and changed many more attempts around the rim by the Sabres.

     The Lions pulled away for good, as Charlie Lytle found the basket on a beautiful baseline drive with twelve minutes left in the ballgame, putting his team ahead 89-52. Lytle made a huge impact in his first ever game for the Lions, finishing with 15 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots. With the game well in hand, Rekoske unloaded his bench, getting big contributions from Jake Dillard and local product Andrew Slikker who combined for 11 rebounds down the stretch.

     Overall Rekoske was pleased with his team’s effort, but felt they could have been sharper. It was their first contest of the year, and Rekoske is still trying to narrow down his top 10 players, and more specifically his best combination of starters, but there is already a sense of excitement around campus about the potential of this year’s team. The Lions will find out very quickly how good they really are, and their first real test of the season will come this weekend at the Berry Classic in Rome, GA where they face off with Shorter College on Friday, and play the host Berry Vikings on Saturday.