Monday, November 28, 2016

TCC Loses First Game of Season

by TCCNN Reporter Randy Pifer
updated at 10:53 pm on 11/28/16

The Fightin' Reformers lost a tough game to Lutheran Church of Our Savior 54-46.  TCC, playing without second leading scorer Hugh Carson, was cold from the field all night and despite several runs to keep the game close, could never close the gap all the way.  "Poor shooting and turnovers cost us several points and maybe the outcome would have been different" said Ryan LaPierre who lead the team with 23 points.  Missing Carson's offense was significant but The Reformer's still had theirs chances.  Rome Lawson had his best game of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds but outside of he and LaPierre there wasn't much else.  Randy Pifer, who was 0-6 on the night and missed many makable shots, was held scoreless for the first time this season.

Daniel Brown contributed in many other areas, but his season long offensive slump continued with an abysmal 1-11 showing.  "I don't know how to explain it.  It is not for lack of effort I can tell you that" he said when pressed by reporters after the game. His backcourt mates, Jonathan Chasteen and Sam Ali only combined for 5 shot attempts, and vowed to be more aggressive next game.

TCC cut the lead to 3 with just under 2 minutes left, but back to back shots by LCOS stretched the lead back to 7.  TCC responded with a 3 by LaPierre and was able to cut it back to 2 with under a minute left, but LCOS hit 5 consecutive free throws to put the game on ice.  "We look forward to the next time we play this team, because we really played poorly and still had a chance to win" said Chasteen.  "I think we can beat them with our full team and if we can take care of the ball!  Our shots will eventually fall" he added.

TCC plays Taylors First Baptist next Monday night at 7:30 at Taylors.

TCC vs LCOS Boxscore

TCC v LCOS Boxscore


Updated Season Totals


Monday, November 21, 2016

TCC vs Fairview Baptist Box Score

TCC Boxscore

Fairview Boxscore

TCC Season Totals



TCC Starts Season 2-0 for First Time

by TCCNN Reporter Randy Pifer
updated at 10:34 pm on 11/21/2016

The Fightin' Reformers are off to their best start in franchise history.  TCC started the game quickly and built up a large lead over their arch rival Fairview Baptist and were able to hang on late to capture their second win of the season 45-38.  TCC was led in scoring by Hugh Carson's twelve points.  Ryan LaPierre added ten.  Starting center Jerome Lawson was huge in all facets of the game and finished with six points, ten rebounds and five assists.  "It was a total team effort" said Jonathan Chasteen who had a solid game with four points, two assists and two steals.  Perhaps the biggest surprise was the team record eight blocks recorded by Randy Pifer.  "This isn't just another game" he said.  "We prepare a little bit harder for this game and I was able to get my hand on some of their shots and make an impact" he added.

Fairview was led by center Tony Gilliard's ten points and nine rebounds and Perrin Stewart's thirteen points. Point guard John Miller contributed six points, eight boards and five assists in the losing effort.  "We got behind early and couldn't make enough shots to make this a game" Richard "Chard" Garrett, Fairview's coach, said after the game.  Fairview falls to 0-2 on the young season.  "We were missing one of our most potent weapons out there" said guard Lionel Jones, referring to the absent guard Stephen Donovan who is not shy from taking the shot every chance he gets.

Guard Daniel Brown had a strong game attacking the hoop and finished with five points, and four steals.  He, however, was held out of the starting lineup for a "violation of team rules".  It was not specified what rule he broke but sources close to the situation report it had "something to do with a Friendsgiving mishap" the night before.  "I am not at liberty to discuss it, but I deeply regret my actions and ask my teammates to forgive me and know that I will not let it happen again" said Brown.

"We are encouraged by how we have played so far, but know it is a long season and hope to continue to improve each week" said guard Sam Ali.  This was the first meeting of the season between these two cross-town rivals.  They will meet again on TCC's Fan Appreciation Night.  A night full of fun and hoopla that can not be compared to anything else in sport.  "It truly is a spectacle" said super fan Karla Kirby Simpson.  Fan appreciation night is schedule for January 23, 2017 at St. Giles Presbyterian Church at 7:30 PM.

Monday, November 14, 2016

TCC Opens 2016-17 Season With Big Win

by TCCNN Reporter Randy Pifer
Updated at 11:20 pm on 11/14/16

The Fightin' Reformers, powered by newcomer Ryan LaPierre's 23 points and 5 steals, cruised to a 42-33 victory in their season opener against Earle Street Baptist.  "Going against an experienced Earle Street team that returned most of their roster from last year was a stiff test to open the season with" said Hugh Carson.  Carson, last years leading scorer, struggled with his shot and finished with just 4 points.  The Reformers opened the game strong and built up an early double digit lead.  The most lopsided stat was the offensive rebounding by TCC.  They were constantly on the boards and getting second chance points with new starting center Jerome Lawson (9 reb) and Randy Pifer (5 reb) doing most of the damage on the glass.

LaPierre hit numerous threes to stretch the defense to open up the inside for Lawson and Carson to get easier shots.  Sam Ali provided a huge boost off the bench with timely outside shooting and sealed the game late with two clutch free throws.  Jonathan Chasteen, who chose to forgo the optional team practices this summer, also looked sharp.

Perhaps the most surprising fact of the game was that TCC decided to not play a zone defense.  This stymied Earle Street.  "95% of the teams in this league play a zone, but we feel our athletic abilities far outweigh the other teams and we want to take advantage of that" said Pifer.  This was true early on as TCC constantly denied any kind of quality shots to Earle Street and they had to settle for tough contested shots or hope to be bailed out by the referees.

A special thanks to TCC's new Media Specialist Paula Karmin for videoing all of TCC's games this year.  Also, The Reformers extend a thank you to AJ Gillespie at Designs Unlimited for designing and preparing the team jerseys.

Next week, TCC travels to St. Giles Presbyterian to play heated rival Fairview Baptist Church in a prime time matchup at 7:30 PM.  The TCCNN recommends you arrive early if you want a seat!

Monday, November 7, 2016

TCC Fightin' Reformers Season Preview

by TCCNN Reporter Randy Pifer
Updated on 11/7/2016 at 6:19 pm

The 2016-17 Wade Hampton Church Basketball League season is set to tip off in one week.  TCC is looking to improve on their 5-5 record from a year ago.  The Fightin' Reformers have improved their team by leaps and bounds and figure to challenge the top teams in the league.  "With Suber Road not playing this year, we figure to have the most experienced and well rounded team in the league" said Randy Pifer, team GM.  Their experience and depth will be the main reason that TCC will be hard for anyone to beat.

Frontcourt:
The front court figures to be the strength of the team.  Last years leading scorer, PF Hugh Carson returns and will be joined by newcomers C Jerome Lawson and SF Ryan LaPierre to form the most potent and dangerous front court in the league.  Pifer is also an experienced stretch 5 coming off the bench and should pick up where he left off last year with more shots than good decisions.

Backcourt:
Returning players include defensive dynamo Daniel Brown, sharpshooter Donny Mathis, steady leader Jonathan Chasteen and the crafty guard Sam Ali.  Newcomer Dan Wheeler should make his name known with his outside shooting prowess.

"We are a better team and I am excited to see if we can put it all together this season" said Carson.  The summer conditioning was not for the weak at heart as temperatures soared into the 100's inside the TCC Field House during practices.  "Everyone who came to the voluntary workouts will benefit from their intensity" said Ali.  "I feel bad for the guys who didn't show" he added with a look of derision on his face.

Fan Appreciation Night is scheduled for 1/23/17 vs TCC's chief rival Fairview Baptist!  Make plans now to attend the game for you chance to take home memorable collectables from your favorite TCC players!

Check out the schedule below and make plans to attend as many games as you can!

CHURCH at CHERRYDALE

SCHEDULE
Regular Season Schedule & Results
WeekDateTimeLocation Home  Away 
Week 1Mon 11/14/167:30 PMEARLE STREET BAPTIST CHURCHEARLE STREETCHURCH at CHERRYDALE
Week 2Mon 11/21/167:30 PMST. GILES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHFAIRVIEWCHURCH at CHERRYDALE
Week 3Mon 11/28/167:30 PMTAYLORS FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH (FLC) COURT #1LCOSCHURCH at CHERRYDALE
Week 4Mon 12/5/167:30 PMTAYLORS FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH (FLC) COURT #1TAYLORS "BULLS"CHURCH at CHERRYDALE
Week 5Mon 12/12/167:30 PMST. GILES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHCHURCH at CHERRYDALENORTHGATE
Week 6Mon 12/19/16NO GAMES THIS WEEK. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Week 7Mon 12/26/16NO GAMES THIS WEEK. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Week 8Mon 1/2/177:30 PMEDWARDS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCHCHURCH at CHERRYDALEEDWARDS ROAD "OMEGA"
Week 9Mon 1/9/177:30 PMST. GILES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHBEREACHURCH at CHERRYDALE
Week 10Mon 1/16/177:30 PMEARLE STREET BAPTIST CHURCHCHURCH at CHERRYDALEEARLE STREET
Week 11Mon 1/23/177:30 PMST. GILES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHCHURCH at CHERRYDALEFAIRVIEW
Week 12Mon 1/30/177:30 PMTAYLORS FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH (FLC) COURT # 2CHURCH at CHERRYDALELCOS