 Carlton Dean (freshman, Edmond, Okla.) shoots in action February 6. The Larks defeated Sterling College JV 88-70. |
February 8, 2008
The men’s basketball team at Hesston College finds itself ranked #12 nationally in the latest Division II, National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) poll released February 5.
The Larks, with a 19-6 record, have won eight games in a row, and boast a 9-1 record since the Christmas holiday break.
“This ranking is unprecedented in recent years in men’s basketball at Hesston College,” said men’s basketball coach Tim Swartzendruber. “I’m proud of our players and our coaching staff. The players have worked hard and are truly a team.
“The players have a lot of neat characteristics,” Swartzendruber said. “One of them is that they don't care who scores. They are committed to be a team, and will do whatever they can do for the success of the team."
The team also ranks among the top 20 in team defense, allowing only 67.8 points per contest.
Less than a month ago, the Larks were ranked #15 nationally in polls released January 15, with an 11-5 record at the time.
During the 1988-89 season, the Larks men’s basketball team coached by Mark Yoder (now men’s basketball coach at Bethel College, North Newton, Kan.) was ranked #3 nationally in Div. II, NJCAA, in December 1988, while posting a 10-1 record. In late January 1989, the team was ranked #7 in the nation.
The Larks travel to Beatrice, Neb., tomorrow afternoon (February 9) to take on Southeast Community College, then host Brown Mackie College Thursday evening, February 14, and Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College Saturday evening, February 16.
Hesston College Men's Basketball