The clutch factor has become vital for the young Guilford College men’s basketball team with many exciting finishes throughout the season.

Culminating an 11–7 overall record and 6–3 record in conference play, the Quakers currently stand one game back from the top spot in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Great energy and strong defensive play propelled them to a winning record, which they look to build upon as the ODAC tournament draws closer.

After losing Second Team All-American Matt McCarthy and other key players to graduation, young players, including several first-years, had to step up to fill their places.

“We have young guys playing a lot of minutes,” said junior guard Zachary Houston. “Getting them acclimated to the league and how we do things at Guilford has been a challenge, but we are getting better each and every day.”

“The transition from high school to college has gone very well for me so far,” said first-year forward Trevor Mayo. “It has definitely been a learning experience along the way. I have definitely learned more about the game, and I have improved as a player and a person.”

The high level of intensity in games and practices facilitated the transition for players to the college level. The ability to be on the court against Division I college basketball powerhouse, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and travel to Toronto were great stepping stones for preseason preparation. In addition to those challenges, the team has been competing in close matchups throughout the year, which has developed players, enabling them to improve team chemistry.

But even with the improvements in chemistry, areas where they look to improve in order to attain more wins exist, especially heading into the postseason. The main struggles for the team have been on the offensive end and being able to put points on the board. The team ranks in the bottom three of the ODAC in points per game, field goal percentage and free throw percentage.

“We need to shoot the ball better from the free-throw line, which will also help us close out games,” said Mayo.

Offensive struggles have not kept the Quakers from competing, as they have seen their fair share of exciting finishes. Close games have been the story for the team all season with 12 games decided by six points or less. However, the Quakers have prevailed and come out victorious in eight of these 12 thanks to impeccable plays on defense.

“The defense has been clutch,” said Assistant Athletics Director and Sports Information Director Dave Walters. “When you’re able to force a turnover or get a key rebound, that’s going to get you more key possessions and opportunities. The coaches are making really good calls and decisions down the stretch, and the guys are executing, which is why we are able to pull (close games) out.”

The Jan. 13 matchup with Emory & Henry College exemplifies this notion, where lone senior and team leader Will Freeman hit the game-winning basket with three seconds left on the clock. As one of the few veteran players, Freeman has become a key component for the team and leads the team in scoring.

Houston, another veteran player, has been a leader for the younger players as well and has stood out statistically in the conference. He is ranked in the top three in total rebounds, assists, steals and minutes played this season. He is also ranked first in rebounds per game, a shocking statistic for a player at the guard position, demonstrating the amount of hustle and energy the team holds.

“We run a lot in the preseason, and it has paid off,” said Houston. “We constantly run full-court drills to stay in shape during the season. We make sure we have a lot of energy.”

The team has seven games remaining before the conference tournament begins Feb. 23. For Houston, the biggest game is always the next one.

“We want to finish the regular season strong,” said Houston. “We would love to win the regular season title outright. We need to start making things happen now and focus on that.”