NCDS: Russ Willemsen, Asst. Coach - Tennessee Tech

There are always moments throughout the year that define a team’s season.  Having won 20 games this year, we had plenty of those moments to choose from.  Our point guard Zac Swansey, a transfer from the University of Georgia, nailed six game winning shots this year, one of which made the No. 1 play on ESPN Sportscenter’s Top 10 list.  Our first team All-OVC guard Kevin Murphy scored eight straight points to close out a home win against Gardner Webb late in the year.  But possibly our biggest win of the year coming against a very well coached Murray State team to advance to the conference championship game for the first time since 2003.  Although these memories helped to determine the success of our season, the core makeup of our team was found in the leadership of our three seniors.

Alfred Jones played three seasons for us and has been an anchor in the paint, finishing his career ranked no. 1 all time at Tennessee Tech with a shooting accuracy of 63.6%.  Jones always led by example and never took a day off.  He will graduate in May with a degree in criminal justice and plans on working for the Sangamon County Police Department in Illinois, where he interned this summer.  His consistent stability paced our team, and his dependability and character will help make Sangamon County a better place to live. 

Charles Newton, affectionately known to all as “Newt,” became our vocal leader this year.  He was the liaison between the coaches and the team, which is fitting because Newt is planning to become a coach.  After he graduates in May, he plans on joining the men’s basketball staff at the University of Kentucky.  With a work ethic like a thoroughbred, Newt will quickly be a star in the coaching profession.  I just hope he hires me one day!

Byron Pickens’ energy became the life of our team.  The other players fed off of his enthusiasm daily on the court in practice and drills, as well as off the court in life in general.  His favorite drill became 2-on-1 post feeds in which the coaches had pads hitting the post players, forcing them to score with contact.  I always managed to match up with Byron and battled with him all season.  Personally I think he feared the pad!  Byron will graduate in May and plans to work with his former team at Senn High School in Chicago.  There is no question that Pickens will have a positive influence on the youth of his home city. 

These three seniors helped lead their team to the fifth 20-win season in Tennessee Tech history.  With 85% of our scoring coming back, we expect to be competing for a conference championship next year.  But we could not have had the success we had this year if these young men had not paved the way.  We thank them for their efforts and are proud they will always be part of the Tennessee Tech family!

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