Colton Weisbrod and his Lamar State College-Port Arthur Seahawks were reminded of the preseason Region XIV polls.
The Seahawks were picked by the rest of the conference’s coaches to finish fifth in the South Zone. LSCPA won the zone and is the second seed heading into this week’s conference tournament.
LSCPA (21-9) has a bye through the first round and plays at 6 p.m. Thursday against Lee College (19-12) at Angelina College in Lufkin. Lee defeated Navarro 99-75 Tuesday night. LSCPA defeated Lee both times they played this year, 95-87 and 100-88.
Trinity Valley Community College (29-1) is the overall No. 1 seed.
“Coach (Lance) Madison brought the predictions into the locker room the other day,” Weisbrod said. “He asked us how that makes us feel. I told him it is ironic now we are at the top. Predictions aren’t always what they seem and I am looking forward to the opportunity in front of us.”
Weisbrod heads into the tournament averaging 20.5 points a game, fourth best in the conference and his 10.8 rebounds a game is first in Region XIV.
Jordon Harris is fifth in scoring at 18.7 and Freddie Williams Jr. puts in 15 points a contest, 12th best in the league.
LSCPA’s best attribute is the Seahawks are a deep team even with only eight players suited up.
Sophomore Mambi Diawara averages 12.8 points a game off the bench.
“We are excited about it,” Diawara said. “It is tournament time. We are ready to play and see what goes on. We had a good season. The difference between us and the other teams is our chemistry. We really trust our teammates and we play as a team.”
Diawara said the chemistry on the Seahawks leads to the fact it does not matter who scores the most points for LSCPA as long as the team wins.
“We play for the W,” Diawara added. “We all want to win, especially this time of year. We play as a family.”
Diawara was not the only one speaking about chemistry at Tuesday’s final practice at the Parker Center.
Madison also brought it up as he has all season long when talking about his team.
“It’s March Madness,” Madison said. “You are always looking forward to this time of year. You are always looking for the opportunity to regroup and have a chance to play for a regional championship. We are playing good basketball and we are healthy.
Madison said a tournament does not necessarily bring more stress on a basketball team even though each game could be the last of the season.
“You prepare the same you do during the regular season,” Madison said. “Most of these teams we have played at least once and a few twice. We have a good feel for their personnel and now it comes down to mismatches and exposing weaknesses. It could all come down to a play or two and if the ball bounces your way, you get lucky.”
Weisbrod has been in this type of situation before. He was a part of the University of New Orleans team that won in the first round against Nicholls State in 2015. UNO won that game 82-73 before falling to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 61-58 in the second round.
“I haven’t talked too much about that experience yet to this team,” Weisbrod said. “I am looking forward to this opportunity with this team. If you make it more stressful then it will be more stressful. It is another game. It is a one-and-done but that can bring out more in players. That can help.”
LSCPA would play again at 8 p.m. Friday if the team wins Thursday. The Region XIV championship game is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday.