Athlete of the Issue

By Kameron Evans

Although the men’s basketball team (10 – 5) has had an up and down season, one player in particular has been an unanswered problem for most competing teams.

Lavar Rich is a senior fromNorthumberland,Va. Before the 2010 basketball season began, Rich was injured, restricting him from playing the first half of the season.

When he returned, he was thrown into a new system in the middle of the season with a team he never played with.  It was not until this year that Rich became a true force on the court.

Rich is the second leading scorer of the team with 13.5 points per game.

He scores many of his points in the paint.  Despite being 6’4”, facing opponents as tall as 6’8”, Rich averages about five rebounds per game and scores with ease using his strength.

Rich’s most notable performance so far was on Jan. 16 against Delaware Valley.  He scored 28 points leading all scores to a Hood victory.

Rich describes Coach Dickman’s offensive philosophy as an “inside out, instead of outside in.  He’d rather the big man to touch [the ball] then give it out.”

This gives him the opportunity to score. His success on the court has also been contributed to his fellow teammates.

“The bench has played a tremendous role in keeping us in the game because a lot of us come in with an attitude,” said Rich.  “The bench keeps us in spirit.”

Rich’s favorite part of the new gym is the growing student section.

“The new student section here in the gym has been a tremendous help to our team,” he said. “To have somebody sit here and cheer for you makes you feel right at home.”