1-30-2014 Bison Basketball

B&W Basketball

Tonight I shot basketball totally different than I did with the previous post. Saturday night was Decisive Moment shooting because I was using strobes that recycle about once every second. Tonight I shot available light with a Nikon D3S and a 24-70 F 2.8 lens with the camera set at ISO 8000 and the motor on 9fps. I think of this as more of a spray and pray type of shooting. I converted them to B&W because I like B&W better. We lost a tough game tonight to AR Tech in OT. Now we are moving on the the GSC tournament for the last time. In the fall the Bisons will be playing in the GAC, Great American Conference.

Matt Hall Jersey Retirement

I have the best job at Harding University and Thursday night was one of those nights that confirmed it again in my mind. The Bisons and Lady Bisons both won great games against SAU. This was the final regular season game so it was senior night. This was a senior night that made history. The Cheerleader then the players and then the Rhodes Rowdies were all honored but I could tell something was different. Coach Morgan said we have one more thing tonight and then Athletic Director, Greg Harnden, walked out with a framed #30 jersey. Tonight we are retiring Matt Hall's Jersey. The only other Bison basketball jersey ever retired belonged to Butch Gardner. Butch was on hand to present Matt with his jersey. The crowd was applauding, the team was proud and there were more than a few misty eyes in Rhodes Field house. Wally Jarrett looked over at me and said this is about to get me and I was thinking the same thing. I am not sure that there is a team on campus that better exemplifies the team idea than mens basketball ( I am not taking anything away from any of the other teams). Everyone of those guys was so proud for Matt as was everyone in the building. Matt Hall is a great guy. His Jersey retirement was well deserved. This feels rambly but I just don't have the words to express the pride I had in being part of the Harding Family on that night. I do have the best job on campus.

So you don't know who Matt Hall is:

Matt Hall is the best player to come to HU in a long time. I don't have all of his stats but he is I believe the second leading scorer in HU history. Second only to Butch Gardner, 3 time All American. Just a couple of games into his Jr Season he tore a ligament in hi ankle and was out for the season-medical red shirt. He worked tirelessly rehabbing it and came back and was better than ever. Thursday night he set the GSC and HU records for Free Throws in a game with 14. Matt Hall is a player but more than that he is a team player.He has fun. Thursday night while lined up for a rebound the player beside him was yelling at his teammate across the lane to switch. Matt looked over with a big smile on his face and said us and pointed to the other Bison player across the lane. It cracked the SAU up. Matt Hall is just a great kid that will truly be missed.

Bisons on National TV

Today the Bisons played the University's first ever Nationally televised game. The game was shown on CSTV. The Bisons beat Henderson State University 72-59. This game was Coach Jeff Morgans 250th career victory. The game was sold out and over 3000 were in attendance.
Dr. Burks was even in the spirit today with the Face Paint and standing and yelling with the Rhodes Rowdies.
During halftime, Harding honored members of the 1957-58 basketball team, the first intercollegiate team Harding fielded after an 18-year hiatus from competition. Seven of the original 12 players attended the 50th anniversary ceremony.

Note- Some Copy taken from the Harding Sports Information Web Page and the game story by Amanda Pruitt. By the way, today is Amanda's birthday.