By DAN BISER
After busting through non-conference play undefeated, the West Columbus Viking boys basketball team has found the going considerably rougher in the new Southeastern 1A-2A Conference.
The Vikings have a 3-3 record in conference and trail Fairmont, West Bladen and East Bladen in the league standings at the midway point.
West Columbus moved to the newly formed Southeastern Conference after a 20-year run in the Waccamaw 2A Conference.
“I guess if we had stayed in the Waccamaw we would sitting in first place right now,” quipped Powell, whose Vikings have two wins each over East Columbus, Whiteville and North Brunswick and one win each over South Columbus and South Brunswick.
While conference losses to Fairmont, East Bladen and West Bladen have been disappointing, Coach Powell and his Vikings aren’t discouraged as they are looking forward to finishing the season strong and anticipating strong performances in the conference tournament and state playoffs.
The Vikings, whose season record stands at 11-3, will entertain South Brunswick Tuesday in a non-conference game before resuming conference play next Tuesday with a home game against league leader Fairmont.
West Columbus, playing in the state 1A ranks for the first time in the school’s 41-year history, is led by the backcourt play of Chaz Everette, Mikey Bilal and Mexican exchange student Alberto De La Rosa. Willie Smith and Zack Andrews shoulder much of the play under the boards while Travis Leggett provides plenty of athleticism at both ends of the floor.
The West Columbus girls have an 0-14 record and could have a shot at getting their first win of the season against South Brunswick.
The Fairmont boys and Red Springs girls lead their respective Southeastern Conference races are unbeaten in the league.
The Red Springs girls’ only loss came against unbeaten Whiteville in the Robeson County Shootout. The Fairmont boys’ only losses came against Purnell Swett and Whiteville, also in the Robeson County Shootout.