Men's basketball team heads into break with 10 wins
The Eastern Florida State College men’s basketball team is off to a strong start to the regular season as they head into the Christmas break
The Eastern Florida State College men's basketball team is off to a strong start to the regular season as they head into the Christmas break.
The Titans are ranked 24th in the national poll and are 10-2 and have won three in a row heading into the conference season.
"I am excited about the growth of our group over the course of the semester," Eastern Florida State College men's basketball coach Thomas Gray said. "We talked about how inexperienced of a group we had going into the year but these guys have really embraced the work/preparation that it takes to be successful at this level of college basketball."
The men's team is in the top five in the FCSAA in scoring as well as points allowed, averaging 85.5 points per game and allowing just 62.6 points.
"I mentioned to the guys after our last game that they compliment each other so well on the floor. They have quickly grown close as teammates and it shows with how they play off of one another," Gray said. "We are starting to really be connected defensively because our talk on the floor has improved significantly."
The team has been in Georgia the past two weekends and are 4-1 including a perfect 2-0 last weekend at the B-Mac's Christmas Classis.
Following a home game on New Year's Eve against Keep Striving Prep the Titans will begin the Citrus Conference season at Florida Southwestern State College on Jan. 3.
"I have always had the most respect for this conference," Gray said. "The coaches in this conference do a tremendous job across the board. As you watch scores of each team from this first semester, you understand how tough each game is going to be whether at home or on the road. We will have to bring our best each night."
Sophomore Emondrek Erkins-Ford is averaging 15.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while teammate Fredy-Salam Sylla is averaging 13.1 and Corey Caulker is scoring 12 points per game this season. The group has not only done it on the court but off the court as well, finishing the first semester with a 3.3 team GPA.
The Titans will take the court at 3 p.m. on New Year's Eve for a 3 p.m. contest at Titan Field House. Admission is free to games on the Melbourne campus and you can also watch the game live online at efsctitans.com, click the watch live under the fan zone tab.