by Savannah Weishaar
Both men’s and women’s basketball had their season openers last Friday.
Each team is nationally ranked in the preseason poll. The women’s team is ranked 18th while the men’s team is ranked 15th. However, the men’s team only has three players returning from last year’s team. The women have a little bit of an advantage with five returning players. Either way, new and returning players of both teams are looking to live up to their preseason rank.
The women’s team fell a little short in their season opener against Moraine Valley losing 74-80. Both teams were pretty evenly matched from the start leaving it to a battle of wills. The Cobras started out strong in the first half. They tied the game in the first quarter with 18 points then took the lead in the second quarter to make the score 36-39 at halftime. However, this lead did not hold as the Cobras were outscored by 10 points in the third quarter. The Cobras did their best to make a comeback in the final quarter, but it was not enough and they lost by only six points with a final score of 74-80. Sophomores Micah Tapscott and Olivia Babcock led the team in points with Tapscott scoring 14 and Babcock scoring 11.
The men’s team had better luck in their season opener against North Arkansas winning 100-71. The Cobras started out strong and finished the game that way. Parkland got the first lead and never gave it up. Charles Campbell Jr. led the team with an impressive 19 points. Bruno Williams Jr. was not far behind with 16 points, while Ty’Ohn Trimble had 14 and Yakeema Rose had 12.
The women’s team had another tough game the following day, Saturday the 3rd, against Southeastern Iowa. Both teams fought for the lead back and forth for all four quarters. With only a couple minutes left in the final quarter and a ten point lead, it seemed that Parkland had this one in the bag– that is until Southeastern began to make their comeback. With a second left on the clock, down by three points, the Blackhawks sunk a three pointer for the buzzer beater tie 60-60. However, the Cobras did not let this discourage them. They played hard in the five minute overtime to get the well deserved win with a final score of 71-70.
The men’s team got another win against Arkansas State Mid-South on Saturday as well. The final score for that game was 78-73. This gives the #15 nationally ranked Cobras a great start on the season for a 2-0 record so far. In regards to the team, head Coach Anthony Figueroa said “[I am] excited to see how we can grow throughout the season”–as are their fans. The Cobras will play their first home game versus Indiana Elite Prep on Nov. 20 at 7:00pm. Figueroa said him and the team are “Looking forward to our first home game and the Cobra fans seeing us play!”
As seen last weekend, things are looking fairly promising for both Parkland teams as they begin their season. The women’s team will play again at home on Saturday versus Olney Central at 1:00pm. Support from students, faculty, and family is always much appreciated on Parkland’s home court. The men’s team will play again on Saturday as well. The Cobras will take on Lansing in Michigan at 2:00pm. Best of luck to these two teams as they continue their season!
*All statistics updated as of 11/3
