VGCC Vanguards win one, lose two

The Vance-Granville Community College men’s basketball team has completed a two-game series with the Rockingham Community College Eagles this season. In both games, the Eagles scored 84 points. In the first, the result was an 84-82 victory for RCC in Wentworth. But when the Eagles traveled to Henderson on Jan. 31 to take on the VGCC Vanguards, the home team dealt the visitors a decisive 105-84 defeat. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Vanguards. Mitchell Jeffries led VGCC in scoring with 26 points and also had 8 assists. Dane Williams of Henderson followed Jeffries with 20 points. Raymond Dunn of Henderson contributed 16 points and nine rebounds. L.C. Hester of Oxford scored 17 and blocked 5 shots. Bryan Burrell of Raleigh was also a major factor in the victory, with 15 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

However, the results of the next two games, both away, were not as satisfying for VGCC. On Feb. 2, VGCC lost 80-74 to the Central Carolina Community College Cougars. The game was VGCC’s first meeting with Central Carolina. The teams will play again, this time at VGCC, on Feb. 15 for the Vanguards’ last home game of the season.

On Feb. 4, VGCC traveled to Pitt Community College. The Bulldogs came away with a 108-95 victory over the Vanguards. In December, VGCC beat Pitt 98 – 93.

Like VGCC, all three of their opponents are members of the North Carolina Junior College Athletic Association, but Central Carolina plays Division III basketball. VGCC plays in Division II. VGCC’s record stands at 11-10 (5-7 in conference play).

VGCC returns home on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. to face Surry Community College (which VGCC beat 80-77 in January). They will travel to nearby Louisburg College for a rematch with the Hurricanes on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.

All VGCC home games are free and open to the public. For more information, visit VGCC’s web site ( http://www.vgcc.edu/Athletics ).