TCC Loses Heartbreaker in Season Opener

By TCCNN reporter Randy Pifer
Updated at 12:25 AM on 11/28

The Fightin’ Reformers opened the 2017-18 season against Taylor’s First Baptist Church and jumped out to an early lead thanks to strong play from new comers Jordan Cobb and Ben Davis.  Cobb put on a show with his superb court vision finding open teammates for easy buckets time and time again. Davis, doing his best Jason Williams impression, put on a dazzling display before injuring his leg midway through the second half and was forced to the bench.  Rome Lawson and Randy Pifer paced the early scoring and led TCC to a seven point lead at the half.

The second half started just like the first half with TCC stretching their lead to as many as twelve with just over six minutes left in the game. Then disaster struck.  Whether it can be attributed to lack of stamina or not having practiced together ever, The Reformers imploded and blew their near insurmountable lead to drop a 43-45 decision.  TCC’s undoing was at the free throw line as they converted a dismal 1-11.

Patrick Gomer, making his Reformer debut, looked rusty at times but showed that incredible talent in flashes  that made management so excited when they signed him during the off season. Coach Ryan LaPierre, offering his thoughts after the game, said “we jumped out early, but couldn’t close the door. But make no mistake, that’s a great team we played out there tonight!” Team Captain Hugh Carson struggled getting a shot up, and was not getting any calls as every time he tried to drive the ball he was getting hit but no whistle.

Sam Ali summed up the teams feelings after the game by saying “we knew coming in we would have to put pressure on their shooters and hit the glass hard. We weren’t able to do that for sustained periods of time and it caught up to us”.  Defensive stalwart Daniel Brown played his usual superb defense and hassled their ball handlers and led the team with four steals.

TCC will regroup and look to get back on track next week agaisnt rival Fairview Baptist. Jonathan Chasteen implored all TCC fans to make it out to support the team and cheer them to victory.