Cru team steady on road to success

Basketball season is under way for the men’s and women’s teams, and they continue to improve their standings in the American Southwest Conference.

The women have been off to a trying start, but remain focused on one game at a time.

On Jan. 13 the team took a crucial defeat against the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls, 70-59, which placed the Cru at fourth in the ASC.

Head Coach Kim Kirkpatrick said, “We didn’t play well, and they played very well.”

Conference play has not reached the halfway point, and the team remains focused on their goal. “We have the potential to beat anyone in our conference,” Kirkpatrick said.

“We’ve had some great moments of play this year, and I foresee we’ll put all those great moments together and play as a team throughout the whole game.”

The men’s basketball team is now ranked first in the ASC West with an overall record of 10-3. The Cru won their past six games but have been cautious throughout the season, and remain focused on one game at a time.

Men’s Head Coach Ken DeWeese said, “We obviously have one longrange goal. We want to win the conference championship, and we want to win the national championship, but our real team goals we set every two to three games.”

Most of the team’s ambitions depend on the opponent and how they are playing.

“Those short-term goals tell us if we’re making improvements or not,” DeWeese said. “If we get four or five that improve in certain areas, then our whole team improves.”

Senior guard Kevin Guyden was named ASC Player for the week ending in Jan. 1 and believes one key to the team’s success is their communication.

He said, “We do more talking on the offensive and defensive ends of the court than ever before.”

On Jan. 13 senior guard Neiman Ford led the Cru with a career high 19 points against Hardin-Simmons. Following his performance, Ford was named ASC West Division Player of the Week. Guyden added 18 points, and Matt Dickey led the team in assists and rebounds.

“Every game that you win builds momentum to take to the next game,” Guyden said after the victory. “At the same time, you can’t dwell on what happened last game simply because it was last game. You have to enjoy it for the moment and prepare for the next opponent.”

A new opportunity for listening to the games is available live online at the school’s athletic Web site. It is available for broadcast with play by play from the voice for Crusader athletics, Jim Cooper.

On Jan. 20 the men bettered their record 11-3 overall, 8-3 in conference in a 71-67 victory over Howard Payne.

The women had a second-half lead over the nationally ranked Lady Yellowjackets, but couldn’t hold on losing, 77-62.

The Sul Ross game results were not available as of press time.