On Feb. 15, the VWC Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams celebrated the careers of their seniors Alexis Platt, Crystal Strother, Tim Jones, Justin Watson, Khory Moore, DeLante Victory, Andre Banks, Aaron Sturdifen and Kaelin Poe. This is an important annual tradition in VWC sports.
Unfortunately, on senior night the women’s team fell to Emory and Henry College by a final score of 73-61. Strother led the team in her last game with 20 points and 8 rebounds.
Things went a little better for the men’s team and they were able to send their seniors off with a 83-51 win over Randolph College. All the seniors scored at least 7 points, highlighted by Victory’s 10 point, 6 rebound effort.
Senior night is a time to recognize the hard work and dedication the seniors have put into the team after four years. It is also an opportunity for the rest of the team to hear why each senior chose to attend Virginia Wesleyan College.
Moore, a senior from Arlington, Virginia has been a part of the team for four years. He had a lot to say about David Macedo, VWC’s Head Basketball Coach, when discussing the reasons why he decided to bring his talents to Virginia Wesleyan College.
“I came to VWC because Coach Macedo was the only coach who was recruiting me out of high school and throughout the whole process he showed me the most loyalty, and I knew that was the kind of coach I wanted to play for,” Moore said.
Jones, from Richmond, Virginia, also had mentioned that the main reason he decided to come to Virginia Wesleyan College was because of Macedo.
“I came to Virginia Wesleyan because I love to win and this was a perfect fit for me. I knew I had a loyal coach to push me to my full potential and never give up on me,” Jones said.
Not only has Macedo been the main reason behind most of the senior’s VWC attendance as they have continued on their journeys at Virginia Wesleyan College, Macedo has sought to teach them valuable lessons about life.
“He is awesome. A great man, a respectable man. I wouldn’t have wanted to play for anybody else and he has taught me so many valuable life lessons that I will take with me when I graduate. He shows us what it means to work hard and be loyal, he shows us what it means to be a great father and so much more. I love the man,” Poe said.
As their season comes near to an end, the seniors get ready to leave VWC and reflect on their past four years.
“My favorite part about the team is the way everyone can just be themselves and it is a true brotherhood. It’s amazing to know the people that are around you will always have your back at all times to include the whole Marlin family too” Jones said.
The seniors explain that VWC has not just been a place of education for them but an actual home.
Brianna Clarkson
bnclarkson@vwc.edu
(Featured Photo: Anthony Dellamura | Marlin Chronicle)
