A Sea Of Red

I was able to save a copy of the '03 opening round game of the BSC tourney vs CCU from the dump a few days ago. I couldnt remember what it was so I watched it yesterday and boy what an amazing game. The first portion of it is a little tough on the eyes to watch because the tape isnt in that great of shape but I'm going to be trying to upload it for some of those who weren't around to see the amazing team that turned the program around. It's on VHS right now and I can burn it on a DVD so that I can then upload it on a computer. I need to find a VCR first. Nobody I know has one and the only one I have is the kind built into a TV with no options for output. So I'm working on that right now. Is there anybody who has the ability to host a large file like that once I get it on a computer? The game has a few Gabe Martin specials and a close up of me at one point. That alone should be worth the download.

I don't have my copy of that game anymore on Tape. It was a great game though. Dees hit some big shots down the stretch when Chuck South looked like they were ready for the upset which they happened to pull off a year later in the same scenerio. Great game though. Can't wait for you to get that online. I was just thinking about putting some of my work on Youtube but I am not savy enough to figure it out. I may have to get SJ on my laptop to get some of it out there. That was a fun season once conference play started. That team really came together nicely. It is a shame Lightbourne was injured most of the year. He was probably the best player on the team prior to his leg injury. He ended up coming back the following year and having a great season. He and Gabe together though was tough when Leo was healthy.

I think you're thinking of '04. Blair and Dees' Freshman year.

Yes 03-04 correct. Are you talking about 2002-03 March 03? That was fun too but I wasn't there until the semi finals games. 1st game was UNCA/WU and it went overtime. 2 Alex Kragel Miracle shots and UNCA upsets Winthrop then Liberty/RU in one of the toughest played matchups in a long bitter rivalry. Mantlo couldn't hit the shot in the paint to win. RU and UNCA in the finals. NO ONE BOTHERS TO COME TO THE FINAL! There were about 500 people there and I remember Byron Samuels getting escorted from the building after 2 technicals. Who did we play that 1st night in 02-03?

CCU, it went to overtime.

Yeah that weekend was fun, except for the end of the Radford game. I felt so sick. After watching Winthrop lose, everything seemed to be falling into place for us to get the W. Then that ****. That year and the following were some great moments that took place in the Vines. I'm glad I was able to be a part of it. Hopefully McKay will get it like that again shortly.

I went to the final game just to see who won, it really irked me for us to not have been there.

Honestly, I think the semifinals in 03' was the craziest and packed out the Vines has been. Alot of Radford people made the trip over to somewhat fill the place up

Yes. The crowd roar when Gabe Martin dunked in the first half of that game against Radford was unbelievable.

I remember those games too, WEF and I traveled up for the tourney, got shocked by that buzzer beater by Kragel, and listened to the RU-LU game on the way back. I remember us talking about how we should have stayed for the RU-LU game because it sounded crazy and loud on the radio.

Great Dunk by Gabe after a great steal, as I remember. Too bad the last shot... I think there were a couple just before the buzzer, didn't go in.

It was Monceaux who had the best shot and he was right in the lane.


But anyway, I'm not having any luck finding someone with a VCR.

I remember him penetrating from the right side, but I also think that someone rebounded his miss but couldn't quite put it back.

Was it Mantlo or Monceaux. There is no way Dunton would let Monceaux take a last second shot. One person that really stepped it up that post season was Vincent Okatie (sp?). I remember seeing him do alot of shoot around right before the tourney, and his game really took a notch up after that. I guess he figured this would be the last of any organized ball he would play. We could have easily won back to back both those years.

It was Monceaux. Although a freshman, and one who later got hurt and then didn't get his accustomed playing time, he had plenty of guts, and took big shots and made big plays. On this occasion, he had the guts, but obviously did not convert. Gabe was the one that wanted the shot, was allegedly open, and I believe I can say that the coaching staff would have liked to have him take the shot. As you know, those last few seconds can seem like a lifetime to both teams, and it's easier for coaches to say what should happen during those seconds than to actually make it happen. I still believe that someone else (a big man, I think) had a last moment attempt from close to the rim, but it was Monceaux who made good penetration and got off a decent shot. (I'd like to watch the tape - and never have).