Five In A Row: Indians Clinch Share Of Conference Crown
February 21, 2008
By Chipola Staff
Five years, five Panhandle Conference championships.
That’s the resume that Chipola has built since coach Greg
Heiar landed in Marianna, Fl.
An 89-72 win on Wednesday night in Pensacola now ensures
that the Indians will capture at least a share of the
conference title, making it the fourth such championship in
as many seasons for Heiar as head coach. Heiar’s first of
five Panhandle championships was as an assistant coach under
Chris Jans in 2004.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have had some very good
players,” said Heiar. “Those guys have been tremendous
leaders, while buying into our system and knowing how we
want them to play.”
“I’ve also been very lucky to have had assistant coaches
that understand our system and are able to help develop
players.”
The game’s outcome was greatly determined in the first half,
as Chipola built a 50-37 halftime advantage behind the hot
shooting of sophomore Mario Little.
Little would connect on his first nine field goal attempts
while scoring 25 points in the opening period. He hit his
first six three-point field goals, breaking his career high
of five, set just this past Saturday against
Okaloosa-Walton.
“It’s probably the best one-half performance I’ve ever
witnessed as a head coach,” said Heiar. “For it to be a road
game, makes it that much more impressive.”
The future Kansas Jayhawk ended the night with 27 points and
7 rebounds, as the Indians improved to 28-1 on the season.
“If he has just one performance like that while at Kansas,
he’ll go in the NBA draft,” joked freshman Gary Flowers.
Chipola, who owns the tie breaker over Okaloosa-Walton in
the league race, is now guaranteed to represent the
Panhandle Conference as the champion in the State Tournament
on March 5-8.
“The support from the administration, faculty and staff,
booster club members, and surrounding community has
continued to increase,” said Heiar. “We’re excited to finish
up the regular season on Saturday night with homecoming and
then play in the state tournament.”
Aiding the Chipola victory was sophomore Malik Alvin, who
just missed a double/double. He scored 17 points and dished
out 9 assists as Chipola upped its conference record to
10-1.
“I thought everybody contributed in some way,” added Heiar.
“We’re continuing to share the basketball. To get a road win
on their sophomore night and to clinch at least a share of
the conference title showed a lot of character from our
kids.”
Flowers ended the night with 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Freshmen Vernon Teel and Casey Mitchell rounded out the
double-digit scorers for the nation’s number three ranked
team, each adding 10 points. Teel also had 7 rebounds and 6
assists.
The regular season finale against Gulf Coast gives the
Indians an opportunity to win the Panhandle Conference crown
outright. A win would also mean the best regular season
record in school history.
The game can be seen live via webcast, beginning at 7:30 pm
CST.