Basketball Preview 2015

Photos by Chris Crews

BASKETBALL PREVIEW 路 NOV. 3, 2015

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THESE CHARLOTTE 49ERS WILL BE A KEY TO SUCCESS THIS SEASON ANDY GUSTAFSON Staff Writer

RIDELL CAMIDGE Ridell Camidge is a 6’3” sophomore guard from Wilmington, N.C. Camidge played his freshman year at Cloud County Community College before transferring to Charlotte. He averaged 13.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in his lone season at Cloud County. Camidge is known for his shooting ability, making 38.6 percent last year from three.

ADRIEN WHITE Andrien White is a 6’3” freshman guard from Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem.

White averaged 14 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists during his senior season. He played his first three seasons at Thomas Dale High School in Chesterfield, Va. White will bring defense and leadership to the table, two traits he was praised for during high school.

JON DAVIS Jon Davis is a 6’2” freshman guard from Upper Marlboro, Md. Davis played at Hargrave Military Academy last year, averaging 14 points, seven assists and started every game for a team that won 38 games during the season. During high school, Davis earned conference player of the year and conference tournament MVP.

CURRAN SCOTT Curran Scott is a 6’4” freshman guard from Edmond, Okla. Scott averaged 21.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists during his senior season at Edmond Memorial. He set a single-season scoring record during his senior year, finishing the year with 634 points. Scott was ranked among the top 150 players in the nation by Maxpreps.com and Future150.com.

LUKAS BERGANG Lukas Bergang is a 7’1” freshman center from Gothenburg, Sweden. Bergang is the sixth sevenfooter in Charlotte history. He spent last season in Sweden’s Eco Orbero, which is the top league in Sweden. Bergang has also played for the U-20, U-18 and U-16 Swedish national teams in the European Championships.

ANTHONY VANHOOK Anthony Vanhook is a 6’4” junior forward from Chapel Hill, N.C. Vanhook played last year at Cape Fear Community College, where he earned second-team All-American and player of the year honors for the Carolinas Junior College Conference Region 10. He averaged 21.7 points and 11.2 rebounds on the year.

BENAS GRICIUNAS Benas Griciunas is a 7-foot redshirt sophomore center from Silute, Lithuania. Griciunas played his freshman season at Auburn University. He played his high school ball at the renowned Findlay Prep near Las Vegas. Griciunas was a member of the U-20 Lithuania national team during the summer of 2014.

JOSEPH UCHEBO Joseph Uchebo is a 6’10” senior center from Enugu, Nigeria. Uchebo transferred from Pittsburgh, where he played at for two years.

He played at Word of God Academy in Raleigh, N.C. and was a top-100 player coming out of high school.

All photos courtesy of Charlotte Athletics

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DARA PEARSON Dara Pearson is a 6’3” freshman forward from Hampton, Va. Pearson averaged a triple-double during her senior year at Hampton high school.

She was listed at number 16 on the Next Sports Phenom chart and was a first-team all conference player for the 2015 class. During her sophomore year, Pearson earned a mention from the USA Today’s top high school performance for her 43 points and 16 rebounds performance, despite not playing the fourth quarter.

JAIDA ROBINSON Jaida Robinson is a 6’2” freshman forward from Albemarle, N.C. Robinson was nominated for the McDonald’s All-American game. She averaged 17.3 points, 13.4 rebounds and 4.6 blocks a game as a senior. Robinson won conference and county player of the year and was selected on the first team AllDistrict 8 team in North Carolina. Robinson was also ranked among the top 225 players in the nation according to the All-Star Girls Report.

GRACE HUNTER Grace Hunter is a 5’9” freshman guard from Raleigh, N.C. Hunter was nominated for the McDonald’s All-American game. As a senior, Hunter averaged 30.8 points and 7.9 rebounds. She was named to the 2015 All-North Carolina Basketball Association First Team and won the District five player of the year. Hunter finished as the Athens Drive high school’s all-time leading scorer.

NYILAH JAMISON-MYERS Nyilah Jamison-Myers is a 6’3” redshirt junior from Orangeburg, S.C. Jamison-Myers played her first two years at Clemson University. During her freshman year, Jamison-Myers averaged 6.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and led the team in blocks with 37 rejections. She was ranked no. 91 in the nation as a senior in high school according to ESPN. JamisonMyers was a nominee for the 2012 McDonald’s AllAmerican game as well.

LAIA RAVENTÓS Laia Raventós is a 5’7” freshman guard from Santa Eulàlia de Riuprimer, Spain. Raventós played her prep career at IES Joaquim Blume and is a member of Spain’s U-18 national team. In summer 2015, Raventós averaged 11 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals to help Spain win a gold medal in the European Championship. She was ranked in the top 20 in eight different statistical categories during the tournament.

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CHARLOTTE

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2015 FRIDAY, NOV. 6 SAINT LEO (EXH.)

MEN’S BASKETBALL 2015 MONDAY, NOV. 9 METHODIST (EXH.)

THURSDAY, JAN. 14 MIDDLE TENNESSEE SATURDAY, JAN. 16 UAB

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Huntington, W. Va. | 6 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOV. 13 BALL STATE

SATURDAY, JAN. 23 WKU

FRIDAY, NOV. 13 ELON

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 5:30 p.m.

at Bowling Green, Ky. | 3 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 8:30 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 15 ROBERT MORRIS

THURSDAY, JAN. 28 FIU

MONDAY, NOV. 16 EAST CAROLINA

THURSDAY, JAN. 21 MARSHALL

at Charlotte, N.C. | 4 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Greenville, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOV. 19 ELON

SATURDAY, JAN. 30 FAU at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOV. 19 FURMAN

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 23 WKU

at Charlotte, N.C. | 6 p.m.

MONDAY, NOV. 23 MIAMI (FLA.)

SATURDAY, FEB. 6 OLD DOMINION at Norfolk, Va. | 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25 SYRACUSE

at Paradise Island, Bahamas | 2:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, JAN. 28 FIU

SATURDAY, NOV. 28 MERCER

THURSDAY, FEB. 11 RICE

THURSDAY, NOV. 26 MICHIGAN/CONNECTICUT

SATURDAY, JAN. 30 FAU

at Elon, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Miami, Fla. | 7 p.m.

at Macon, Ga. | 3 p.m.

at Houston, Texas | 8 p.m.

at Paradise Island, Bahamas | TBA

at Boca Raton, Fla. | 2 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 29 GEORGIA STATE

SATURDAY, FEB. 13 NORTH TEXAS

SUNDAY, NOV. 27 BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3 NORTH CAROLINA A&T SATURDAY, FEB. 6 OLD DOMINION

at Macon, Ga. | 8:30 p.m.

at Denton, Texas | 3 p.m.

at Paradise Island, Bahamas | TBA

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2 NC CENTRAL

THURSDAY, FEB. 18 MARSHALL

TUESDAY, DEC. 1 DAVIDSON

at Greensboro, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Columbia, S.C. | 8 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 6 NC STATE

SATURDAY, FEB. 20 WKU

SUNDAY, DEC. 5 MIAMI

THURSDAY, FEB. 11 RICE

at Raleigh, N.C. | 2 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Miami, Fla. | 4 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 8 COLL. OF CHARLESTON at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEB. 25 UTSA

at San Antonio, Texas | 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9 CAMPBELL at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 13 NORTH TEXAS

at Charlotte, N.C. | 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 20 DAVIDSON

at Davidson, N.C. | 2 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 27 UTEP

at El Paso, Texas | 4:05 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 19 APPALACHIAN STATE at Boone, N.C. | 2 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEB. 18 MARSHALL

at Huntington, W. Va. | 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JAN. 3 OLD DOMINION

THURSDAY, MARCH 3 RICE at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 22 GEORGETOWN

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB. 20 WKU

at Bowling Green, Ky. | 3 p.m.

THURSDAY, JAN. 7 SOUTHERN MISS

SATURDAY, MARCH 5 NORTH TEXAS

TUESDAY, DEC. 29 CITADEL

THURSDAY, FEB. 25 UTSA

at Charlotte, N.C. | 1 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | Noon

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JAN. 9 LOUISIANA TECH

SATURDAY, JAN. 2 OLD DOMINION at Norfolk, Va. | Noon

SATURDAY, FEB. 27 UTEP

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, JAN. 14 MIDDLE TENNESSEE

at Murfreesboro, Tenn. | 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, JAN. 7 SOUTHERN MISS

at Hattiesburg, Miss. | 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 3 RICE

SATURDAY, JAN. 16 UAB

SATURDAY, JAN. 9 LOUISIANA TECH

SATURDAY, MARCH 5 NORTH TEXAS

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Birmingham, Ala. | 3 p.m.

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THURSDAY, JAN. 21 MARSHALL

CHARLOTTE

at Charlotte, N.C. | 7 p.m.

at Ruston, La. | 7:30 p.m.

BASKETBALL PREVIEW · A NINER TIMES SPECIAL SECTION

at Houston, Texas | 8 p.m.

at Denton, Texas | 8 p.m.

BASKETBALL PREVIEW 路 NOV. 3, 2015

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THE PRICE IS RIGHT The Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team turns to former NBA all-star point guard Mark Price to rebuild the program MATT CHAPMAN Sports Editor

The fall from grace for the Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball program has been well documented in recent years. The 49ers have stumbled to the brink of obscurity since their last NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005, culminating with last season’s mind-boggling finish near the bottom of a mediocre Conference USA. Average attendance inside Halton Arena fell to an all-time low during the 2014-15 campaign and one look at the spattering of empty seats revealed a fanbase that had lost all hope in their once proud program. Despite the tough times, Niner Nation remained adamant in their demand for a return to prominence, prompting Director of Athletics Judy Rose to bite the bullet and clean house.

Rose started at the top by parting ways with head coach Alan Major after rewarding him with a heavily scrutinized three-year contract extension following a 2012 NIT Tournament appearance. Major’s departure resulted in a slew of transfers, including the loss of freshman phenoms Torin Dorn and Keyshawn Woods who bolted for N.C. State and Wake Forest respectively.

The search for a new head coach began immediately following Charlotte’s first round exit from the C-USA tournament and prospective names started to circulate throughout the message boards and news outlets. In-state candidates including Wofford’s Mike Young, Winthrop’s Pat Kelsey and North Carolina Central’s LeVelle Moton gained momentum, but Rose shocked everyone when she reached out to the National Basketball Association for the new face of the 49ers’ program.

Charlotte Hornets’ assistant coach and former NBA all-star point guard Mark Price was introduced to Niner Nation on Thursday, March 26 during a press conference held by the athletics department.

“He’s experienced basketball at every level. He’s taught basketball at every level. And he’s shown a pattern of success at every level,” said Rose upon introducing Price to begin the press conference.

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“He’s eager to bring that same work ethic to our program. He’s eager to develop our players. And he’s eager to be our head coach.”

The hire was greeted with overwhelming positivity, aside from a select few with valid concerns about Price’s lack of head coaching experience. However, even the most pessimistic of fans can’t deny the value of adding a leader that provides the program with a sense of national recognition that has been nonexistent over the last decade.

Sports pundits across the nation applauded Charlotte and Jim Rome even went as far as calling it a “genius hire” on CBS Sports Radio.

Price acknowledged his potential impact when I sat down with him at the C-USA basketball media day last week.

“I just think that I bring some name recognition obviously for what I was able to accomplish as a player and as a coach at the professional level,” said Price.

“It brings some buzz to the program, but ultimately it’s going to be about being successful and putting a product on the court that people are excited to come and watch. That’s the goal and I think that the excitement can be built back in pretty quickly here.”

Price, 51, is facing a daunting task in his first head coaching job at the collegiate level. The 49ers lost four-of-five starters and 78 percent of their scoring from last season’s squad.

The Niners will have to assemble an entirely new front-court following the transfers of Willie Clayton and Mike Thorne Jr., while also developing a new floor

general after losing seniors Pierria Henry and Terrence Williams to graduation.

Given his lack of experience, Price has done a tremendous job assembling an almost entirely brand new roster in a limited amount of time.

He had never pounded the pavement on the recruiting trail as a coach and was quick to give credit to his staff of assistants for aiding him in the process throughout the spring and summer.

“It was extremely important that I hire a very veteran collegiate staff,” said Price. “To put it together in such a short amount of time, I couldn’t imagine having a better staff.”

Former Appalachian State head coach Houston Fancher headlines the staff

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NT file photo

The 2015-16 Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team poses at Basketball Madness.

Photo by Chris Crews

and is someone that Price can learn from during the grueling day-to-day grind of the college basketball season. Chris Ferguson brings 28 years of coaching experience at the college level and Andre Gray was brought in for his knowledge and expertise of recruiting in North Carolina.

Price and his assistants added eight new faces to the roster during the offseason, including four freshmen and four transfers from around the country. Many of the nation’s top prospects might shy away from a program in obvious rebuilding mode, but Price flipped the rhetoric and pitched the opportunity to make an immediate impact on a roster building toward something special in the future.

“Opportunity, opportunity to come in and play and be an impact person right away. The opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something that’s going to be special,” said Price.

“I had the opportunity to do that as a player at Georgia Tech. I came in when Tech was at the bottom. I knew I was going to play a lot early and I got to be a part of the process. When we were competing for conference championships by my junior year it was a special feeling to know that this wasn’t happening before we got here.

That’s a lot of what I sell every single day to these young players. You can go a lot of place, but (UNC) Charlotte is a place where you can make an impact right now and help us get to where we want to be.”

Price left his mark on the NBA as one of the top floor generals in the game before retiring in 1998, so it only makes sense that the top signee from his first recruiting class happens to be a point guard from Hargrave Military Academy with natural leadership ability. Jon Davis is a three-star recruit coming out of high school that led his team to 38 victories last year as a senior.

Davis originally committed to play at Depaul, but re-opened his recruitment following an offseason coaching change and jumped all over the opportunity to learn from one of the all-time greats at the point guard position.

“I felt fortunate that we were even able to have a shot at a guy like Jon. He was really the best

Coach Price with Athletics Director Judy Rose and Chancellor Phillip Dubois.

available point guard that was out there when I took over the job,” said Price.

“I went and watched him and I really liked his size. He’s a big, strong point guard making the transition from being a combo-guard in high school. It’s a big learning curve for him now, particularly the way that we like to play. He’s had his good days and bad days, but the thing I love about him is his attitude. He really wants to be good and I’m really excited about his future here at (UNC) Charlotte.”

Along with Price, Davis will be able to learn from playing alongside Braxton Ogbueze who is the top returning scorer from last year’s squad.

Ogbueze has experience playing in big games from his days at Florida and is slowly becoming the leader on a roster filled with a lot of young, inexperienced players.

“With this group and a bunch of new guys coming in I think my role has changed in terms of experience,” said Ogbueze.

“I’m going to have to step up to that leadership role. Give guys advice whenever they need it and really set that example for the program.”

Ogbueze showcased flashes of brilliance last season, particularly early in the season when he exploded for more than 25 points against George Washington and Penn State. The redshirt junior led the team, connecting on 49 three-point field goals a year ago. Ogbueze is dangerous from beyond the arc, but he struggled inside at times last season, shooting only 35 percent from the floor in conference games.

“Braxton has been terrific. Last year he had an up-and-down season, but I really look for him to have a breakout year this year,” said Price.

“He’s really bought in to what we’re trying to do here. He’s naturally kind of a quiet guy, but I’ve really encouraged him to step out of that and be a leader and talk to these guys. He’s done a really good job of that. He’s got to be a factor for us every night if we’re going to be successful.”

Davis and Ogbueze will likely be the starting backcourt tandem once the season arrives, but the rest of the starting lineup is still unsettled early

BASKETBALL PREVIEW · NOV. 3, 2015

NT file photo

in November. Anthony Vanhook and Andrien White shined during the green-white scrimmage and Benas Griciunas and Joseph Uchebo both provide a lot of size on the inside for the 49ers.

“It’s still wide open in my eyes,” said Price when asked about his starting lineup.

“I’ve been rotating guys around and keeping them guessing so to speak. I’m trying to see what unfolds and which guys play well together. We’re still in that process.”

Price has expressed that he plans on running an up-tempo offense that spreads the floor with a lot of knock-down shooters on the perimeter. On the other end of the court he plans on playing a lot of man-to-man defense. Price believes he has the personnel on the roster to really guard the ball well, which Charlotte has struggled with in recent years.

The Charlotte 49ers might be the biggest mystery in the country after the roster overhaul during the offseason. The Niners have been picked to finish 11th out of 14 teams in the 201516 C-USA preseason poll, exactly where they finished at the end of last season.

“It’s simple. I’m not putting numbers on anything. Our goal is to be better tomorrow than we are today and to keep growing as a team,” said Price.

“I think my expectations are going to be higher than most everybody else’s right now. I think a lot of that is just due to the unknown of the situation.

It’s kind of hard at this point to give any kind of prediction.”

Niner Nation must be patient with Price and the 49ers during this rebuilding process. Enjoy watching the hometown team grow and more importantly, come out to Halton Arena and support Charlotte basketball as Price builds something special in the Queen City.

“My goal ultimately is to lay a foundation this year, change the culture here, develop an excitement around this program and keep adding pieces to it,” said Price.

“I fell in love with the city of Charlotte and I think the opportunity is terrific to build something special.”

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SPANISH SENSATION Charlotte adds newcomer Laia Raventós, a 2-time FIBA European champion, to its roster JARED ALLEN Sports Editor

All photos by Ben Robson

In Halton Arena on a brisk October night during UNC Charlotte’s annual basketball madness, the newest Charlotte 49er, 18-year-old Spanish international Laia Raventós glides into the spotlight as an unfamiliar Niner Nation welcomes her with enthusiastic cheers and emphatic clapping. She is 5’ 7”, her straightened brown hair gleams in the vibrant white light. She smiles proudly.

They’ll know her story soon enough.

Hailing from Santa Eulàlia de Riuprimer, her hometown is nestled 45 miles inland from the second largest city in Spain, Barcelona. The Catalan guard has been playing basketball for eight years, picking out open teammates, dishing them pinpoint passes since she was 10 years old.

Raventós models her game after Los Angeles Clippers’ superstar point guard Chris Paul. Like Paul, she became a hot commodity in her country

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fairly quickly.

In 2013 she represented her country in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U16 Women’s European Championship in which she showcased her skills to the world averaging seven points and just over two assists per game while only playing 20 minutes, half of a game, on average.

She was key in Spain’s run to European glory scoring 13 points in the final while pickpocketing Croatia three times in 21 minutes.

In 2015 Raventós represented Spain once again on the world stage in the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship, donning the famous yellow and red jersey with the No. 4 stitched on the front and back. Over the two years, the talented guard blossomed into a leader averaging 11 points in 30 minutes of play per game. She ranked in the top five in field goal percentage from inside the arc and was nearly automatic from the free-throw line, only missing one freebie.

Spain captured the gold once again.

A week after UNC Charlotte’s basketball madness, in the Charles Hayward Memorial Practice Gym, Raventós is tightly huddled with her teammates in a circle surrounding the iconic 49ers logo at center court.

Charlotte women’s basketball head coach Cara Consuegra leads the team in their pre-practice ritual. Raventós opens her winner’s manual as Consuegra reads a passage aloud in English, a foreign language to Raventós. The notebook features team plays along with motivational passages that prepare the ladies before they step onto the hardwood. Like Raventós, all of her teammates hail from outside Charlotte but she is the only player representing a foreign nation.

Raventós is the first international signee under Consuegra.

“I think it’ll take some growing for both her and I,” Consuegra said.

“Obviously there’s a language barrier, but Laia knows English so it’s not like its a complete barrier. Certainly, there’s terms and different ways of doing things but so far its been seamless. She’s an intelligent player and has caught on very quickly with her high basketball IQ and that’s made it very easy for us coaches and her teammates as well.”

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Her high basketball IQ has been showcased on several occasions as her play has been publicly noted by Consuegra. In practice, Raventós closes out her defender along the 3-point arc while cutting off potential passing lanes to a shooter stationed in the corner. This minor detail sets her apart from teammates. Raventós will have a major role this upcoming season being one of the six talented ball-handling guards in coach Consuegra’s three guard system.

Raventós will undoubtedly benefit from playing at the highest level in Europe at such a young age. She has many tendencies that differ from players in the United States as the game has minor dissimilarities.

Raventós likes the quick style of play.

“We do many more exercises compared to Spain and faster in the United States. I like that style.”

The future is bright for Raventós, the court is at her feet. For the next week, Raventós and her teammates will work diligently, preparing for opening night at Halton Arena. Raventós’ life has been filled with many firsts, but a competitive basketball game in the United States has not been one.

It will be very soon.

Q&A WITH LAIA RAVENTÓS Where are you from in the great country of Spain?

I am from Barcelona. It is an area quite different with regard to the rest of Spain and is one of the most beautiful cities.

How long have you been playing basketball?

I started at the age of 10.

What persuaded you to come to Charlotte?

I’ve always wanted to have an experience outside of my country and I believe that by coming here to Charlotte is the best opportunity. I liked the campus a lot when I visited my first time and the coach I am interested in. I liked it very much when we met.

What was your family’s reaction to you picking Charlotte?

They have always wanted the best for my and saw that I had great enthusiasm for living here.

Especially my mother, she helped in terms of roles and the process that I had to do to come here.

Leading up to the first game, how different was training camp and coach Consuegra’s teaching compared to the game in Spain?

Sometimes too much pressure and nerves because when we went to the final, the stage is full of a lot of noise and I believe it is a great experience and you can learn a lot.

Granted you haven’t been here long, but what’s your favorite thing about Charlotte and the United States?

I think that the people. I think the character is very different from the rest of Europe and more open, and you can immediately connect with them.

Over the next few months, what are you going to miss the most about Spain?

The food because it is quite different and I am not used to it yet.

Who’s the funniest player on the team?

I think that the style of play is very different from Spain. For example, we do many more exercises compared to Spain and faster in the United States. I like that style.

The most funniest in the team, I believe that it is Lefty, she is always smiling.

Looking ahead to your four years with the program, what is one thing you want to accomplish?

I don’t even know what to study yet. (Laughs)

One thing that I desire to accomplish in four years in Charlotte is to grow both as a player, as a person and learn as much as I can.

Chris Paul, always. I really like the Los Angeles Clippers. They are my favorite team.

What are you studying?

Who is your role model or influence?

Pre-game meal of choice?

What was it like playing basketball internationally at the highest level?

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Pasta and meat. Always.

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Halton Arena turns TREVOR WILT Staff Writer

Join Charlotte’s beautiful sporting venue, Halton Arena, in celebrating 20 seasons as the home of the men’s and women’s basketball teams this season.

Approaching its 20th season on the Charlotte campus, Halton Arena has provided a front row seat to countless Charlotte fans supporting their basketball teams on game day.

The arena opened on Dec. 2, 1996 with a men’s win against the visiting Appalachian State Mountaineers.

With the opening of Halton, this became the fourth home court for Charlotte, and looks to stay the primary court for the 49ers for many years to come.

The arena, which was funded off of private donations and students fees, was named after the former President and CEO of Pepsi-Cola bottling Company of Charlotte Dale F. Halton. She has stayed involved with the university while serving on the University’s Board of Trustees.

With a little over 9,000 seats available, Halton Arena has been the home of many great game environments over the last two decades for basketball fans.

According to Stadium Journey Magazine in 2014, Halton Arena was ranked No. 22 out of 351 basketball arenas in the nation.

With the friendly atmosphere and passionate fans, it makes for a tough environment for opposing teams.

On women’s basketball game days, the curtains are brought down to cut out over 5,000 seats, which creates a

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20 NT file photo

tight and lively atmosphere for every women’s home game.

With the men’s team in town, the curtains are raised so Halton can seat more fans. This provides the opportunity for great seats at low prices for guests. This also allows more room for Charlotte students who want to get away from their school work and cheer on their teams in a respectful fashion.

When the curtains are brought down and the upper stands are pulled back, the arena allows for students to play multiple sports, such as basketball, volleyball and badminton on four main courts.

There is also a track that is used

by students and athletes that helps show how unique the arena truly is.

There have been multiple upgrades to Halton Arena since the time it opened in 1996. In 2006, Halton added a video screen to the hanging scoreboard, enabling fans to watch highlights and great moments in Charlotte basketball history at halftime.

In 2008, Charlotte purchased a LED board that was used in the 2008 Final Four to have on both sides of the court. This board allows fans to get news on upcoming events, game details, and show advertisements.

Halton Arena has been home to

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multiple events for the women’s basketball team, such as the 2005 Conference USA tournament and the 2009 Atlantic 10 tournament.

Halton has yet to hold an event for the men’s team, but with Mark Price at the helm for the men’s team, look for a change in that.

As the men’s and women’s basketball teams prepare for their upcoming C-USA seasons, Halton Arena is preparing for a loud environment in the Gold Mine from Niner Nation. The 20th season inside of Halton Arena promises to be a spectacle, much like the past two decades have been.

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