The men’s basketball team currently stands 7-8 overall and 4-5 in Gulf South Conference games.
Head Coach Chad Warner has been leading the Hawks for more than five years. Under his teachings, the men’s basketball team has broken many school records, including winning the NCCAA National Championship in its first season as a member.
Coach Warner was named the NABC National Coach of the Year during 2011- 2012 season. Last year, he was named Division II Coach of the Year.
Coach Warner said that it has been a transitional season for the Hawks. With six new players, the team is learning to adapt to each other this season.
“We have six new players that are currently playing substantial minutes for us,” said Coach Warner, “That is a lot of new faces and takes time to gel as a team.”
He adds that the team is transitioning successfully as the season progresses.
“I think we are starting to see some of the process pay dividends now,” said Warner.
Senior Phillip Mullins, Interdisciplinary major, played for the Hawks his freshman year during the 2010-2011 season. Though did not continue as a player, he continued to help the team throughout his time here at Shorter.
Mullins described this season as a rebuilding season because of a number of graduated players last year.
“It’s a big rebuilding year,” said Mullins, “Because we lost a number of players after graduation in 2013.”
Mullins also described the reasons why he chose to stay involved with the team.
“I had gone on some mission trips with them, and I lived with some players on the team,” said Mullins. “It gave me an opportunity to have a relationship with them.”
Though he hasn’t been able to help as much with the team due to his schedule this year, he does have some advice for the players.
“Don’t be afraid to venture out into other aspects of the school, said Mullins. “Get involved because people on this campus look up to you, you’re not just basketball players, you’re leaders.”
Coach also has similar expectations for the Hawks.
“We don’t name captains per say because we want all of our players to be leaders,” said Coach Warner.
Though the team doesn’t have official captains, they do expect more out of those whom have been here longer.
“Dedric Ware and Brandon Pullman have been here the longest and we always ask a little more of them, said Coach Warner. “I have enjoyed seeing them mature on and off the floor.”
Junior Dedric Ware, Sports Management major, said that he looks forward for continued growth on and off the court. He also hopes to win the National Championship.
“I want to continue to grow as a team on and off the court,” said Ware “and we want to bring home another championship.”
Ware has played basketball for 15 years. He described his motivation to play the game.
`“Basketball is just a game that everybody and my family played,” said Ware, “I just love the game so I’m always happy to set foot on the court.”
Though the Hawks are transitioning, Coach Warner describes this season not too different from previous seasons.
“This season has been a lot like many others in that you always have the process of watching a team come together,” said Coach Warner.
Even in a transition year, coach Warner has the same expectations of this team that he has of every team he puts on the court.
“I expect our team to learn to compete every day and learn to be great teammates,” said Coach Warner, “That has always been our expectation.”
Through these expectations Warner believes everything else will fall into place naturally.
“We have found that if they can learn to do that,” said Coach Warner, “then the wins will take care of themselves.”
Edith Avila
