Rams win big on dedication night
No it was not ‘80s night in the Wellness Center Gym on Saturday, Nov. 13 but short shorts were out in full stride as players wore “throwback” uniforms against Gavilan College from Duggan’s coaching era.
By Ryan KuhnThe Guardsman
On a night where City College honored its legendary coach Brad Duggan, the men’s basketball team also honored him in their first regular season game.
No it was not ‘80s night in the Wellness Center Gym on Saturday, Nov. 13 but short shorts were out in full stride as players wore “throwback” uniforms against Gavilan College from Duggan’s coaching era.
“At first we were like ‘we can’t do this,’” forward Fred Sturdivant said about the old jerseys and short shorts. “But when we got out here and started warming up we felt good about it.”
The Rams, who came into the game with a 4-0 record and a win at the CCSF Tipoff Tournament, had no problems against Gavilan as they won in convincing fashion, 85-35.
Johnathan Williams was the leading scorer for the Rams with 18 points but the scoring was balanced with three players in the double digits and everyone getting a chance to play.
“Our first four games were really hard and a lot of guys haven’t got their feet wet in a game yet so this game gave us an opportunity to get those guys in,” head coach Justin LaBagh said.
In their first game against San Bernardino Valley, City College rallied down 17 and went on to defeat Yuma and Mt. San Jacinto Colleges later that weekend.
“Ever since that first game we have had momentum,” Sturdivant said. “Everybody has good chemistry and everyone is on the same page so as long as we keep it going we should be fine.”
Before the game the college officially named the court in the gym after Brad Duggan, the long time coach for City College who led his team to 10 conference championships, a state title in 1962 and graduated 95 percent of his players.
In attendance were athletic directors Harold Brown and Peg Grady, Board of Trustee members and Chancellor Dr. Don Griffin.
With many people thanking and praising Duggan for what he has done for City College, Griffin said if he could have it his way, the entire building would be named after Duggan.
The basketball team will take their undefeated record and travel to Fresno for their second tournament of the year this Friday through Sunday before heading home to play San Jose City College on Dec. 3.
