by TCCNN Reporter Randy Pifer
Updated 7/29/16 at 12:43 AM
On a typical Monday evening during the summer you will find your TCC Fightin' Reformers hard at work in the TCC Field House. You won't find any frills or creature comforts that other teams in the league enjoy. There are no locker rooms, no ice tubs or trainer tables. There are no breakaway rims or glass backboards, and there is no air conditioning. What you will find is a hungry team wanting to parlay last years inspiring 5-5 finish into the first winning season in TCC history. "We will be the most conditioned team in the league" exclaimed Hugh Carson, team captain and top returning scorer. Each and every Monday night the majority of the team has attended voluntary workouts and the temperatures inside the gym have soared well above 100 degrees. "I think this shows the commitment from the core of this team" said Malcolm Burgess. "Last year we didn't know what to expect and really didn't take it as seriously as we should have and that cost us early in the year. We dropped a few games we should have won" said center Randy Pifer. "We are planning on taking the league by storm this year" he added.
The Reformers expect to return the majority of their team from last year as well as two key additions. New TCC members Dan Wheeler and Ryan LaPierre are joining the team and have been at the Monday workouts getting to know their new teammates and learning the plays so they will be ahead of the curve once training camp opens in a few weeks. LaPierre is no stranger to the league as he is coming over from TCC's chief rival, Fairview Baptist. Fairview beat TCC last year in their only match up and LaPierre has guaranteed a victory over his old squad. Wheeler and LaPierre will give the Reformers the consistent outside shooting they lacked last year that will allow Carson and Pifer more room to work down low.
Defensive stalwart Daniel Brown is in the best shape of his life, but an offseason shoulder injury has affected his shot. Team doctors are hoping a new experimental treatment of "doing nothing to try to fix the problem" will have him ready by the time the season starts. Donny Mathis is also recovering from a leg injury he sustained in last years season finale. He has yet to be cleared by the team to resume practicing.
Guard Johnathan Chasteen, excited about this years team, said "we have all the pieces, now we just have to execute!" Sam Ali, having just graduated during the offseason, said "now that I don't have that nonsense weighing me down I can finally focus on whats really important! Over 30 Church league basketball! Lets roll!" That sentiment was echoed by the entire team.
The TCC Under 30 team that hopes to join the ranks of the big leagues is as strong as ever with talented up and comers Josh Payne, Jason Stuckey and Aaron Markham. They have helped get the senior team ready for the season by scrimmaging them on Mondays. The future of Reformers basketball is bright indeed!
There is a different feel to this years team and although no one inside TCC headquarters would say it out loud, there is that feeling this could be a historic 10-0 team. Only time will tell what kind of assault this team will put on the record books during the 2016-17 season.
