Collins taking a week by week approach to the season.
COLUMBIA, Tenn.- Last week, the Columbia State Community College Chargers split a two game road trip to Chattanooga State and Cleveland State. Upon their return, head coach Brian Collins vowed how crucial it was to sweep the three game home stand his team was enjoying.
After earning a blowout victory against Bethel University on Monday, the Chargers jumped back into Tennessee Community College Athletic Association action at home. First up was the Walters State Senators. The Senators are the only team to defeat the conference leading Southwest Tennessee Saluqis.
The Chargers got off to a fast start scoring the game’s first 13 points and they never trailed in their 79-64 victory. T.J. Dunans scored 17 points and T.J. Cromer 16 to pace Columbia State.
“Walters State is a very good team coached by a legendary coach, Coach (Bill) Carlisle,” said Collins. We knew coming into this game it would be a war. We came out with some excitement and intensity to give us a cushion.”
After giving up only 21 points in the first half and leading by 17, the Chargers gave up 21 in the first 10 minutes of the second. They then caught a break when Walters State center Brandon Walters was assessed a technical. His team was on a 10-0 that cut the Charger lead to 64-54. The technical was Walters’ fifth foul. He led his team with 16 points all in the second half.
“It definitely helps that he was in foul trouble,” said Collins of Brandon Walters. “They are a good team. We knew they would make a run. We want to finish the week 3-0. This game was a tough one. I am glad to get this victory. We are going week by week trying to get into March.”
6’8 post Immanuel Griggs added 10 points for the Chargers. Jesse Johnson added 15 for Walters and Alex Hicks netted 10. Charger point guard Justin Pride didn’t score in double figures but he filled up the score sheet contributing eight points, five rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
“Coach has been on me a lot lately about me playing lazy and playing down to my competition,” said Pride. “Tonight the goal I set for myself was to be aggressive, when I get to the hole kinda look for my shot but also look for my teammates.”
Walters State Community C .C.
Osmond Robinson 0-0 0-0 0, Dustin Skelley 0-1 0-0 0, Filipp Burnashov 0-2 0-0 0, Patrick Vincent 0-1 0-0 0, Marcellus Roberts 3-7 0-2 6, Jesse Johnson 6-7 3-4 15, Corey Nelson 2-4 5-8 9, Jalen Oliver 0-6 0-0 0, Stetson Moore 3-6 0-0 8, Brandon Walters 6-6 4-4 16, Alex Hicks 5-10 0-4 10, Isiah Clark 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 25-53 12-22 64
Columbia State Community (17-5, 9-3 TCCAA)
T.J. Dunans 6-13 5-8 17, Jamonte Graham (Father Ryan H.S.) 2-3 3-4 8, A.J. Dodd 2-4 2-2 8, T.J. Cromer 6-15 1-2 16, Jamontae Davis (Hillsboro H.S.) 3-6 1-2 7, Immanuel Griggs 4-7 2-3 10, Antoine Williams 1-3 0-0 2, Terick Hill 0-0 0-0 0, Justin Pride 1-4 6-8 8, Matt Brown (Cane Ridge H.S.) 1-6 0-0 3. Totals 26-61 20-29 79
| SCORE BY PERIODS | 1st | 2nd | TOTAL |
| Walters State Community C | 21 | 43 | 64 |
| Columbia State Community | 38 | 41 | 79 |
FG%: Walters State Community C .472, Columbia State Community .426. 3-pt FG:Walters State Community C 2-12 (Nelson 0-1, Oliver 0-2, Moore 2-4, Hicks 0-3, Clark 0-2), Columbia State Community 7-21 (Dunans 0-4, Graham 1-1, Dodd 2-3, Cromer 3-9, Brown 1-4). Rebounds: Walters State Community C 41 (Johnson 8), Columbia State Community 34 (TEAM 5, Griggs 5, Pride 5). Fouls Walters State Community C 23, Columbia State Community 19. Fouled out: Oliver Walters Hicks Griggs . Technical: Walters. Assists: Walters State Community C 18 (Oliver 6), Columbia State Community 22 (Pride 8). Steals: Walters State Community C 7 (Oliver 2, Hicks 2), Columbia State Community 23 (Graham 5, Cromer 5). Blocked shots: Walters State Community C 5 (Roberts 2, Johnson 2), Columbia State Community 5 (Davis 2). Turnovers: Walters State Community C 28, Columbia State Community 14.
On Saturday it was Dunans again leading as he scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to pace the Columbia State Chargers (18-5, 10-3 TCCAA) to an 86-68 win in Tennessee Community College Athletic Association action over the Roane State Raiders. Up 21 early in the second half, the Chargers then allowed Roane State to go on a 12-0 run to cut the lead to nine points. The Chargers then went on two 6-0 runs to stretch their lead out and cruised the rest of the way to victory.
“Our goal was to go 3-0 this week,” said Charger Head Coach Brian Collins. We are so glad and so blessed that we got out of here injury free. We played really good basketball; we moved the ball with a purpose. The only negative thing I can say is that we let them make a run at the wrong time in the game it was good that we were able to rally back up and get the lead up tp 20 again.”
Leading scorer Cromer added 18 points and two other players, Griggs (13 points, 12 rebounds) and Pride (10 points, 12 assists) joined Dunans recording double-doubles.
“I have felt more comfortable lately,” said Dunans who has committed to Auburn University. “Coach has been preaching to let the game come to us. When we do that it makes everything that much easier. We want to keep this going. I am happy with how we have been playing of late. We need to keep winning all the way to Nationals.”
Roane State was led by Jon Mitchell with 22 points. Ryan Davis added 16 and Marques McKoy rounded out players in double figures with 14.
Roane State Community Col
Ivan Hardin 1-2 1-2 3, Kyle Gunter 0-0 0-0 0, Dillon Reppart 0-1 0-0 0, Jon Mitchell 8-16 3-3 22, Xavier Howard 1-9 4-6 6, Antonio Gardener 1-7 3-4 6, Marques McKoy 6-12 2-2 14, Ryan Davis 7-12 0-1 16, Jordan Solomon 0-1 0-0 0, Tayte Kitts 0-1 1-1 1. Totals 24-61 14-19 68
Columbia State C.C. 18-5, 10-3 TCCAA)
T.J. Dunans 8-15 4-5 20, Jamonte Graham (Father Ryan H.S.) 2-4 0-0 4, A.J. Dodd 1-4 2-2 5, T.J. Cromer 6-11 2-2 18, Jamontae Davis (Hillsboro H.S.)4-7 0-0 8, Immanuel Griggs 4-9 5-11 13, Antoine Williams 1-3 0-0 3, Justin Pride 5-6 0-1 10, Matt Brown (Cane Ridge H.S.) 2-5 0-0 5. Totals 33-64 13-21 86
| SCORE BY PERIODS | 1st | 2nd | TOTAL |
| Roane State Community Col | 32 | 36 | 68 |
| Columbia State Community | 54 | 32 | 86 |
T.J. Dunans
Justin Pride
Immanuel Griggs
FG%: Roane State Community Col .393, Columbia State Community .516. 3-pt FG:Roane State Community Col 6-15 (Reppart 0-1, Mitchell 3-6, Howard 0-2, Gardener 1-1, Davis 2-4, Solomon 0-1), Columbia State Community 7-22 (Dunans 0-4, Dodd 1-3, Cromer 4-8, Davis 0-1, Williams 1-2, Brown 1-4). Rebounds: Roane State Community Col 33 (McKoy 12), Columbia State Community 44 (Griggs 12). Fouls Roane State Community Col 15, Columbia State Community 18. Fouled out: Hardin Davis . Technical: DUNANS. Assists: Roane State Community Col 14 (Davis 5), Columbia State Community 26 (Pride 12). Steals: Roane State Community Col 4 (Hardin 1, Mitchell 1, Davis 1, Solomon 1), Columbia State Community 8 (Graham 2, Dodd 2, Cromer 2). Blocked shots: Roane State Community Col 2 (Gardener 1, Kitts 1), Columbia State Community 8 (Griggs 3). Turnovers: Roane State Community Col 13, Columbia State Community 12.