The Freeman Center’s stands were packed last Saturday with Captains, alumni, friends, and family eager for the men’s basketball team’s senior night match-up against Salisbury University’s Seagulls and they did not disappoint. The night was filled with celebration even before tip-off. A pre-game ceremony was held to officially retire the number 3 jersey worn by Marcus Carter. As well as unveil Jahn Hines #22, which was retired the previous year before senior player Collin Hines (#5) was honored for Senior Night along with the team’s senior media managers Allyson Re’Alis, Justice Thompson, and Ana Roldan.
The first half started with the Captains making a field goal, gaining a two-point lead less than ten seconds into the game and setting the tone for the rest of the night. The Seagulls quickly followed with a successful free throw shot, making the score CNU 2-1 before the Captains quickly widened the gap with another two points. The energy was clear from the beginning, both on and off the court. The Captains moved as a cohesive unit both offensively and defensively, while fans of all ages cheered until their throats ran dry. The first half moved both in slow-motion and rapidly, with the Captains maintaining their lead the entire time and ending the half 40-15.
During halftime, the CNU Storms, cheer team, and band all executed stunning performances while the stands continued to buzz with excitement, not only as they waited to hear who won a raffle that was held, but in anticipation of the last half of the game. Also during the intermission, the Storms honored their two seniors, Grace McCoy and Kellie Wright. For the second half, the Captains maintained their momentum, never letting the Seagulls gain the advantage. Despite the Seagulls’ best efforts, they were no match for the CNU team. With the final score of 79-47 leading to yet another Captains victory, ending the regular season with a record of 20-4. This was not the Captain’s first match against the Seagulls, though, as the Captains played at Salisbury University’s home court a week ago and also sailed to victory there, with a score of 77-49.
Throughout the match, it was clear who was emerging as the game’s leader. Four players all shot in the double digits: senior Collin Hines (#5) got the team twelve points along with getting 20 rebounds, his season high, and achieving a double-double; junior Ethan Ward (#30) scoring eighteen points and making nine of his eleven attempted field goals; junior Zyir Baskerville (#13) who got the team fourteen points and successfully shot six of his ten attempted field goals; junior Toa Hollenbeck (#8) who shot ten points in the twenty-two minutes he played. Despite these four Captains exceptional play, it was apparent to anyone who watched that it was a complete team effort that led to the landslide victory for CNU. The team will next play against the University of California, Santa Cruz’s Banana Slugs this Friday for the Coast to Coast tournament’s semi-final.
