National Recognition

Fast start brings national recognition to WC basketball The Waycross College men’s basketball team’s 5-0 start has brought national recognition to the first-year program. According to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Division I basketball poll released Nov. 17, the Swamp Foxes have not cracked the top 25 yet, but have received votes from NJCAA region heads and conference commissioners that could, with additional victories, result in a top 25 ranking. “It is great starting any season off 5-0, but to start an inaugural season like this is unheard of,” said head coach Cory Baldwin. “Having said that, we must continue to grow as a team and improve each time we are out on the court. Rankings are great because as a team your job is to get recognized and promote your college and town. At the same time, it puts a bullseye on your chest for every opponent you play from this point forward.” Currently, the Swamp Foxes are third in the nation in scoring defense, giving up an average of 46.6 points per game. Offensively, the team is averaging 83 points a game, which is among the top 50 teams in the nation. Sophomore Brandon Hosely is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 15 points a game (seventh in the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association (GJCAA)). Hosely leads the GJCAA in steals, averaging four per game. At 5’10”, he is also contributing on the boards with a five rebounds per game average. Freshman Josh Mendenhall has also found his name at the top of the GJCAA. Averaging 11.5 points per game, Mendenhall leads the GJCAA in field goal percentage (70%) and is second in free throw percentage (92%). When those stats are combined with an average of seven rebounds and two blocks per game, Mendenhall joins Hosely as the team’s two most complete players. Sophomore Austin Collins is the top three-point shooter in the GJCAA with a game average of 62%. Athletic Coordinator Bryan Hartley is proud of the team’s tremendous start and credits the team’s work ethic for the early success. “We have a great group of guys that have been working very hard in the classroom and on the court,” said Hartley. “To start our season 5-0 and ranked as one of the top defensive teams in the nation, along with receiving recognition in a national poll, is a great way to start our athletic program.”

Waycross College has been a proud member of the University System of Georgia since the College’s founding in 1976.