2001-2002 Season Review
Throughout the 2001-02 season, the Trevecca men's basketball team found itself facing an enemy tougher than any opposing team: adversity. The Trojans were forced to confront adversity from several different areas both on and off the court. Injuries and single-digit losses all contributed to a rough journey for the Trojans.
The injury bug started when sophomore post player David Stark was lost for three games due to injury; then freshman Wesley Poe and junior Will Partin were involved in a minor car accident. Poe didn't miss a game but was less than 100% for a couple of weeks, while Partin didn't far as well. Partin, the team's starting point guard, was forced to miss several games with a broken hand. Jared Austin, a junior and starting post player, suffered a leg injury and missed several games during that same stretch.
Coach Sam Harris said of his team, "Many times teams fold when they are faced with that adversity, but this team never folded, and members played with pride and determination to improve every game this season." Harris continued, "I have no doubt that our team will benefit from the character developed last season."
Despite the key losses off the court and the near misses on the court, the team was able to mount an impressive record, 13-4 heading into conference play. By the beginning of February, the Trojans led the TranSouth Conference in scoring and were ranked second in both field-goal percentage and three-point shooting. Poe ended up breaking the record for blocked shots in a season, swatting 54 blocks, shattering the previous record of 40. Poe also earned a spot on the TranSouth All-Freshman Team. The Trojans put two players on the TranSouth All-Conference Second Team in juniors Will Partin and Marshall Hyler. Partin, who played with a broken left hand through much of the year, finished the season ranked 3rd in the conference in three-point shooting, 4th in assists, and 10th in scoring. Hyler completed the season ranked 7th in the conference in scoring, 9th in field goal percentage, and 18th in rebounding. Also finishing strong statistically were juniors Austin and Darryl Keckler. Austin, who played through the pain, ended up ranked 8th in the conference in free- throw percentage, 11th in rebounding, and 23rd in scoring. Keckler finished ranked 8th in the conference in assists, 12th in three point shooting, and 22nd in scoring.
Overall, the Trojans finished with a 16-14 record and demonstrated much character during the 2001-02 season.
