Sharks Fighting For Spot At State Tournament
Confidence is key for any team heading down the stretch of the season.
How is Miami Dade College’s men’s basketball team faring with just three regular season games remaining?
“We are very confident,” said Sharks Head Basketball Coach, Stephen Cowherd. “We have put ourselves in position to accomplish all of our goals.”
Through 25 games this season, the Sharks are 18-9 and 6-3 in conference play. If the State Tournament were to start today, the Sharks would not qualify because only the top two teams from the Southern Conference advance to the tournament. The Sharks are currently the third seed.
But the team is optimistic it can claw its way back into contention. That confidence is sparked by the Sharks penchant for scoring and playing tough defense. The team is averaging 75 points and more than 10 steals per game this season.
Sophomore point guard Shane Rector has been the team’s top scoring threat, averaging 16.2 points per game and shooting 40.1% from the field.
“I do whatever is best for the team to win,” Rector said. “Sometimes I need to score, but some games other guys are hot, and I need to find them.”
Helping Rector has been backcourt mate Marvin Jean-Pierre, who is averaging 13 points per game. Jean-Pierre also leads the team with 3.5 steals a game, ranking second in the nation in the category.
“I love playing defense, I enjoy it,” Jean-Pierre said. “Offense comes and goes, but defense is what wins ballgames, that’s how I think of it when I’m playing.”
On Dec. 13 in a 62-58 loss to Santa Fe College, Jean-Pierre recorded an impressive 20 steals.
“He’s tough and physical and he usually guards the other teams best player,” Cowherd said in describing Jean-Pierre’s defensive prowess.
Another standout on this year’s team has been freshman forward, Joe Mvuezolo, who is third on the team in scoring averaging 11 points a game.
Mvuezolo’s game has vastly improved as the season has progressed. After averaging just seven points per game in the first four conference games this season, Mvuezolo is averaging more than 15 points per game in the team’s past five conference games.
“Coach has encouraged me to take more shots, even if I’m missing,” Mvuezolo said. “My teammates are also sharing the ball a lot more.”
With only three conference games remaining in the regular season, the Sharks would be thrilled to continue to have that type of production from Mvuezolo as they attempt to get back into State Tournament contention.
The Sharks next home game is versus Eastern Florida State College on Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Theodore R. Gibson Health Center, 11011 S.W.104 St. Admission to all games is free.
