Big Basketball Wins!

Monday night was a big night for our Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams. Both teams were on the road playing important games. Our men were in Boiling Springs, NC playing Gardner Webb University while our women were playing Southern Conference member Appalachian State in Boone, NC.

Both teams had very impressive outings. Our men beat Gardner Webb in two overtimes. It was great listening to this game on the radio, it was so intense and hard fought. Our team had some outstanding individual efforts such as Amir Johnson’s 26 points and Kenny Thomas’ 24 points -but what I liked most about our win was the total team effort. Coach Greenberg talked about it being “an authentic team effort” and a game that “tested our resiliency, mental toughness and stamina—and we passed.” Keep in mind this is an excellent Gardner Webb team-the same team that beat the University of Kentucky in Rupp Arena last month! Our team is getting better with every practice and every game and a win like this is huge for our confidence. Let’s make sure we have a great turnout for our upcoming game Saturday against Campbell. Tip-off is at 7:00pm in the Dedmon Center.

Our Women’s team also had a very impressive win in the mountains of North Carolina beating Appalachian State by 20 points, 65-45. We once again had two players record “Double-Doubles”. Corrie Ferritta had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Johnette Walker scored 12 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. What a night for these two players! Taleia Morton also had a great game scoring 15 points and 8 steals-I would hate to be the point guard that has to bring the ball down the floor against Taleia as she can flat out play defense. What these numbers tell me is that our team plays hard. They pursue the ball and do the little things that lead to wins. We return to action against VCU Saturday at 4:30 in the Segal Center. I am calling out to all Highlanders in the Richmond area…we want you in the stands to support this basketball team! VCU is one of the best teams we have faced and we need your support in this key non-conference road game.

Have you heard former women’s player Sarah Stevens sing the National Anthem at our games? Wow! She is fantastic.

One last thing…a good source in Charlottesville who just happens to be my brother, (UVA Assistant Football Coach, Wayne Lineburg), informed me last night tickets go on sale for the April 30th Bruce Springsteen show at the John Paul Jones Center in Charlottesville this coming Friday. Soccer Coach Spencer Smith and Field Hockey Coach Jeff Woods…hope you are reading my blog!

GO HIGHLANDERS!!!!