2008 Woodie Awards
All aboard! UNCA rides the spirit train
Ben Smith
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Editorial
With a cushy 14-point lead and only 1:31 on the clock, Senior Guard Bryan Smithson slapped the ball away from High Point Mike Jefferson before the point guard could pass. Alone in the backcourt "Killa B" recovered the ball and drove to the hoop, soaring for an earth-shattering dunk. The sell-out crowd jumped along with Smithson, some screaming and some imitating the inevitable slam while the guard was still in midair.
The blowout 74-58 win stands in sharp contrast to last year's heartbreaking loss to High Point at the Justice Center. In the game, the Bulldogs led by four with just 1:30 left, but gave up six straight points, allowing High Point to pull off the 69-67 win.
But instead of being outmanned in close contests this season, the Bulldogs have shown grace under pressure and gone 4-1 in games decided by five points or less. Last year the Bulldogs went 1-4 in such contests.
Against VMI on Saturday, the Bulldogs trailed by three points in the waning seconds of the second half before K.J. Garland, ever the clutch assassin, drained a 3-pointer to send the game to overtime. In the final clutch Bulldog moment, Kenny George scored the winning overtime basket after sitting out for the entirety of regulation. George finished the game going 1-1 from the field with two points and just six seconds of playing time.
For the Bulldogs, such clutch playing has become contagious, owing itself to the senior leadership of Smithson and Garland, and the unstoppable play of George.
After having his coaching credentials called into question by a November editorial in The Blue Banner, Head Coach Eddie Biedenbach has proven his abilities this year by leading the Bulldogs to a 14-4 record so far. The athletic department should renew his contract in time for next season, which will require serious rebuilding.
Because of the publicity surrounding the Bulldogs' upset of SEC opponent South Carolina, and the media firestorm surrounding George, including a feature in The New York Times and a profile on ESPN, UNC Asheville has increased its prestige in the Western N.C. community and received free promotion to scores of prospective students. And for Asheville citizens who have no idea who Anne Ponder is, Kenny George has become the face of our university. After repeated press coverage and interviews, including a feature in today's Banner, George has handled himself with charm and grace.
The blowout 74-58 win stands in sharp contrast to last year's heartbreaking loss to High Point at the Justice Center. In the game, the Bulldogs led by four with just 1:30 left, but gave up six straight points, allowing High Point to pull off the 69-67 win.
But instead of being outmanned in close contests this season, the Bulldogs have shown grace under pressure and gone 4-1 in games decided by five points or less. Last year the Bulldogs went 1-4 in such contests.
Against VMI on Saturday, the Bulldogs trailed by three points in the waning seconds of the second half before K.J. Garland, ever the clutch assassin, drained a 3-pointer to send the game to overtime. In the final clutch Bulldog moment, Kenny George scored the winning overtime basket after sitting out for the entirety of regulation. George finished the game going 1-1 from the field with two points and just six seconds of playing time.
For the Bulldogs, such clutch playing has become contagious, owing itself to the senior leadership of Smithson and Garland, and the unstoppable play of George.
After having his coaching credentials called into question by a November editorial in The Blue Banner, Head Coach Eddie Biedenbach has proven his abilities this year by leading the Bulldogs to a 14-4 record so far. The athletic department should renew his contract in time for next season, which will require serious rebuilding.
Because of the publicity surrounding the Bulldogs' upset of SEC opponent South Carolina, and the media firestorm surrounding George, including a feature in The New York Times and a profile on ESPN, UNC Asheville has increased its prestige in the Western N.C. community and received free promotion to scores of prospective students. And for Asheville citizens who have no idea who Anne Ponder is, Kenny George has become the face of our university. After repeated press coverage and interviews, including a feature in today's Banner, George has handled himself with charm and grace.
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