VGCC Vanguards win two in a row

The Vance-Granville Community College men’s basketball team notched two wins recently, including the Vanguards’ second victory in Region X conference play this season.

VGCC defeated Lenoir Community College, 84-65, on Jan. 7 at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson. The first half was a close contest, leaving the home team with a 38-37 lead at intermission, but the Vanguards dominated 46-28 in the second half over the visiting Lancers.

Tyrek Beverly of Oxford led VGCC in scoring, with 26 points. He also put up 7 rebounds. Raekwon Hall of Raleigh contributed 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Donal Gooch of Raleigh had the most rebounds for the Vanguards (13) while also posting 12 points. As a team, the Vanguards shot 61% from the field and 64% from the free-throw line.

On Jan. 11, VGCC traveled to Fayetteville and defeated the Methodist University JV squad, 86-71. The Vanguards again pulled away in the second half after only leading 33-30 at halftime.

Beverly was again the top scorer, with 19 points, followed closely by Hall, with 17. Hall also contributed 11 assists and three steals. Gooch had a double-double night with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Off the bench, Joseph Avery of Fayetteville, a relative newcomer to the team, had 13 points and 5 rebounds.

After several more away games, VGCC returns home on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m., to face another conference opponent, Catawba Valley Community College, at Aycock. Admission is free.