It's almost time for Veggie Tales * - The Threefold Advocate - John ...

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 15 10C M Y K 50 40 30 20 15 10CYAN PLATE MAGENTA P L AT E YELLOW PLATE BLACK PLATEFebruary 16, 2012SPORTSThe Threefold AdvocateEight game winning streak for menPage 9SACMen’s BasketballConference StandingsMiller leads JBU in points, assists and steals while Garcia leads the team in rebounds and blocks.western Oklahoma State (Okla.)Sidney Van WykSports EditorHead coach Clark Sheehy describedthe game as “a tale of twowyks@jbu.eduhalves” because of NOSU’s strongThe Golden Eagles will try to continue their eight-game winning In the second half, the Eaglesstreak tonight on the road against came out strong and defended well,Mid-American Christian University(Okla.).out-rebounded NOSU’s two key bigespecially senior Andy Garcia whoJBU currently has a record of 21- men.5, 13-5 in conference and is third in The Eagles will come head tothe Sooner Athletic Conference. head with MACU’s three gameThe Golden Eagle’s last win winning streak.came against ninth seeded North-MACU sits at the 10 th seed in the in conference. They will need everywin for the rest of the season inorder to continue to the SAC tournament,including tonight’s gameagainst JBU.points per game while their oppo-Charlie Shorter, the SAC’s Playerof the Week, is leading MACU andthe rest of the conference in scor- per game. Brandon Williams is theteam’s second leading scorer withJP GARCIA/THREEFOLD ADVOCATESenior Adrian Miller and the rest of the Golden Eagles stand at the freethrow line during the national anthem on Saturday. Miller and fellow senior Andy Garcia have been playing well.1. Oklahoma Baptist2. John Brown3. Rogers State4. Southern Nazarene5. Oklahoma Christian10. MACU11. Wayland Baptist12. Saint Gregory’s12.4.MACU’s leading rebounder islowedby Bake Larson with 5.1.JBU’s top rebounder, seniorfollowed by fellow senior AdrianMiller is also JBU’s leadingscorer with 15.4 points per gamefollowed by Garcia who averagesMiller and Garcia have bothbeen on a streak the past few games.Miller is currently the leading in assistsand steals as well, while Garciais also leading in blocks.Garcia has reached double dig- times in the last two months, andMiller has achieved double-doublesthree times.Junior EJ McWoods has been ona hot streak the last few games aswell and is currently the top freethrow shooter in the NAIA.The Golden Eagles will play Saturdayagainst eighth seeded OklahomaCity University, who needsto secure their spot in post-seasonplay.Saturday is also Senior Night forthe Golden Eagles.Orlan Jackson is OCU’s top player,leading the Stars with 13.2 pointsTheir second leading rebounder and their second leading scorer isCarlton Jones with 12.2 points pergame.The Eagles will play OCU at 5p.m. on Saturday in the Bill GeorgeArena.enior walk-on brings team passion, driveSidney Van WykSports Editorwyks@jbu.eduEven before she had heard ofJohn Brown University, BrittanyHopper knew she wanted to playcollege basketball. However, theonly way she would be able to ful-on player.Talking about the role of awalk-on, women’s basketball headcoach Jeff Soderquist said that,“It’s a hard job because we saythere is probably not going to beany playing time.”Hopper admits it was hard tosit on the bench, and at times shedid not feel like being on the teamwas worth all of the work and dif-glad she didn’t quit.“She didn’t see the court forthree years, but you wouldn’t knowthat from how hard she works inpractices,” said teammate and fellowsenior Chelsea Garrison.Hopper said her hard work paidof in the end, not only in her per-ingtime.Garrison said she noticed rightaway during freshman year thatHopper was a passionate hard-worker on and off the court.Hopper started JBU as an educationmajor and had multipleclasses with Garrison, who recognizedhow hard Hopper worked to“I know I’m notthe best basketballplayer on the team,but I still play animportant role”-Hopperkeep up with the demands of beinga student-athlete.“Whatever she does, she gives ither all,” said Garrison.Not only has Hopper has becomea leader on the women’s basketballteam because of her determination,but also because of theencouragement she gives to others.“She sparks the energy of everyoneelse on the team,” saidfreshman Lauren Rogers.Rogers said Hopper pushes otherson the team to work hard be-Garrison and Rogers both saidHopper is the most encouragingperson on the women’s basketballteam.“If anyone is having a bad day,Brittany is the one to make themsmile,” said Garrison, “she knowshow to make my day.”Now a senior business administrationmajor, Hopper is involvedin other aspects of campus life aswell.She has been part of the annualtalent show, has played drumsin the chapel band, participated inMock Rock, is very involved withher residence hall and is competingfor the Governor’s Cup withher fellow business students.Soderquist said that he feels it isimportant for people to “buy into”something bigger than themselves,and that Hopper has done that.“I think in this day and age youdon’t see enough people stick withit and Brittany has,” said Soderquist.“Whether she played or notshe was involved.”This year Hopper’s hard workand determination have paid off invisible ways as she has had moretime on the court than in the past.Soderquist said Hopper hasearned her time on the court withher “hustle,” her aggressive play-Lady Golden Eagle.“I know I’m not the best basketballplayer on the team, but I stillplay an important role,” said Hopper. the Northwest Arkansas area andto possibly become the team’schaplain.“I’m just trying to stay open towhat God wants me to do,” saidHopper.She and Garrison both said theyriencewithout playing basketball.“We’re the seniors that don’tever want to leave,” said Hopper.MAX GRUBB/THREEFOLD ADVOCATESenior Brittany Hopper surges up the court against Oklahoma Christian. Hopper did notsee much of the court in her first three years on JBU’s women’s basketball team.SACTournamentMarch 1-3Bill George ArenaThe top eight SAC men’s and women’sbasketball teams will compete to advanceto the national tournament inKansas City, Mo.9080 70 60 50 40 30 20 15 10CYAN PLATE MAGENTA PLATE YELLOW PLATE BLACK PLATEC M Y K 50 40 30 20 15 10