Grit 'n' Grind

By Brodee Gillam

Sports Editor

That Memphis Grizzlies mantra now is starting to apply to the LCC men's basketball Stars after the Jan. 18, 98-92 road win against Lake Michigan College.

This was LCC's sixth victory in a row, with the team averaging 96 points a game and outscoring opponents by an average of 11.5 points during this stretch.

The 16th-ranked Stars rotation is piecing itself back together over the last few games after losing three players to academic ineligibility after the fall semester.

With players like freshman Brandon Dingman and sophomore Claude Finley stepping up over the past few games, Head Coach Mike Ingram said he feels confident with this roster moving forward.

"We're playing better. We weren't playing that good when those guys were here, for whatever reason," Ingram said. "I think we're playing a lot better, we're playing more together; we're playing more fundamental; we're playing more skilled."

Finley scored 15 points against the Red Hawks. He averaged 14 points a game in his last six starts, including a 28-point outburst against Jackson College on Jan. 4.

He echoed Ingram, saying the team is clicking because of its unity.

"I think we have been playing so well because we have been playing as a team; unselfish and playing together," Finley said. "Defense is the main thing. Defense turns over to offense; gets to easy fast breaks."

Dingman has been another component in recent wins, scoring 54 points over the last three contests.

The Stars were scheduled to play at home on Saturday Jan. 21 against Ancilla College.