Waithe’s record performance leads TCC to opening night victory

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (October 31, 2008) – Opening night of Tallahassee Community College’s 2008-09 basketball season turned into one big treat for head coach Eddie Barnes. Led by freshman Marvell Waithe’s 21 points and school-record 23 rebounds, the Eagles easily defeated Gordon (Ga.) College, 96-52, on day one at the Wing Zone Tip-Off Classic.

Waithe eclipsed the previous single-game record of 21 rebounds, set by Marcus Cowart on February 6, 1993, against Northwest Florida State College. In the process, the Toronto, Ontario, native became the first player in TCC history to record at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game.

“I was glad to see him (Waithe) get aggressive on the boards,” said Barnes.

TCC (1-0) jumped out to a 13-2 lead over the visitors from Barnesville, Ga., and never looked back. By the midway point of the first half, the Eagles’ lead had reached 24 (32-8). A 15-0 run late in the half widened the margin to 55-21 and TCC took a 57-23 lead to the locker room.

“We didn’t play 40 minutes, but we had spots where we looked really good,” Barnes added. “We made some plays out there tonight, which, for such a young team, is important and something that we can build on.”

TCC’s lead reached 41 on Waithe’s three-pointer at the 14:49 mark of the second half. The Highlanders fought back to within 30 (73-43) before TCC scored 19 unanswered points to grab its largest lead of the night, 92-43, with 3:04 left in the game.

Waithe led five players – all freshmen – in double-figures for the Eagles. He was followed by Hugh Robertson with 19, Zuri James and Michael Lee with 12 each and Jamar Moore with 11.

Lamar Elston was Gordon’s (0-1) only player in double figures with 17.

The Eagles return to action at the Classic on Saturday with a 5 p.m. tip against the College of Coastal Georgia, who defeated Enterprise-Ozark (Ala.) Community College, 91-89, in Friday’s first game.

The TCC women will play in Saturday’s third and final game, a 7 p.m. tilt against South Georgia Tech.

GORDON (52)
Antwon Bradley, 6; Lamar Elston, 17; Gray McNeeley, 3; Ray Head, 5; Lovaun Jarrell, 3; Justin Udi, 1; DeAndre Cannon, 5; Jonathon Harris, 8; Daveion Zellner, 2; Byron Simmons, 2.
TALLAHASSEE (96)
Jeremy Robinson, 6; Jamel Brazeal, 2; Michael Lee, 12; Mark King, 2; Kirk Jackson, 2; Marvell Waithe, 21; Jamar Moore, 11; Hugh Robertson, 19; Zuri James, 12; James Goss, 9.

Halftime: Tallahassee 57, Gordon 23
Records: Tallahassee (1-0); Gordon (0-1)
Attendance: 337