By Jamie Wachter / Sports Editor
CNHI
MERIDIAN — East Mississippi Community College has played 31 games this season.
Still, when the No. 12 Lions open the NJCAA national tournament in Hutchison, Kan., against Brunswick (N.C.) Community College at 2 p.m. Tuesday, they will face something new.
The Dolphins (23-10) enter with a pair of lethal shooters and a big man that poses a matchup problem, according to EMCC coach Mark White.
“They are a different kind of team,” White said. “We try and compare opponents and their personnel to help the guys, so they have an idea what to expect. But, we haven’t played anybody like them.”
Brunswick’s Christopher Smith, a 6-foot-6 freshman, has hit 10 3-pointers on his way to averaging 14.3 points, third-best on the Dolphins. Smith also pulls down 7.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 57.5 percent. That ability to step out on the floor, while also banging inside gives White concern.
“He’s very big, strong, physical,” he said. “He’s a very skilled player. He can hit the 3, he’s good off the dribble.”
Still Smith isn’t the only problem the Dolphins pose for EMCC (26-5). Brunswick has three other players that average double figures, led by sophomore guard Tyree Graham. The 6-2 guard pumps in a team-high 17.4 points per game and leads the way with 68 3-pointers and 95 free throws. Alan-Michael Thompson follows with 15.8 points per game and 59 3-pointers.
“Their 2 and 3 guards are unbelievable shooters,” White said. “We’ve played good shooters, don’t get me wrong, but they can do it all.”
Thompson hits 54.7 percent of his shots – 38.8 percent from behind the arc – and Graham connects on 47.9 percent from the floor, including 42.5 from deep. Marcus Graham, a 6-6 freshman guard, adds 11.5 points per game.
Still, White and the Lions aren’t in awe of the Dolphins, even if they do provide a new challenge. Instead, EMCC heads into the tournament believing they belong.
“At this points, this far into the year, we feel we can go out and compete with everybody there,” White said. “That said, we could go out and play well and lose the first two because everybody is that good.
“But, we’re going to go in and emphasize what we always do – compete, play hard and get after them defensively.”
At least some things don’t change after 31 games.
