Men's basketball team improves upon great season

All photos courtesy of Lee Flames.

After two home wins this past weekend, the Lee University Men’s Basketball team has improved to 11-0 at home. With an 18-4 record overall, the team is on track to win their division. 

The Flames followed their amazing win against the University of Montevallo on Friday with a win over West Alabama on Saturday. The wins not only kept the Flames’ perfect home record alive but gave the team a much-desired win over West Alabama, who defeated the Flames in an overtime thriller earlier in the season. 

With his team ranked No. 1 in the GSC conference, coach Bubba Smith articulated how proud he is of the improvement he has seen. He said it has been a fun season to coach, and his team’s determination to improve is something he has rarely seen.

“We’ve always been a defensive team, and to be able to guard and rebound the basketball is something that the guys have been committed to. We have a lot of versatility,” said Smith. “We have players that are able to play multiple positions and guard multiple positions, and that’s why we are such a dynamic defensive team.”

Senior guard Parker Suedekum blows past a defender.

The team’s big weekend was led by senior guard Parker Suedekum. He had 13 points, three rebounds and five assists in the team’s win over Montevallo. Suedekum followed that performance with 19 points and five rebounds against West Alabama while holding All-GSC guard LaJuan Hardy to just 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting.

Though this weekend was a great home stand for the Flames, they look back to their win against Valdosta state as the turning point in the season. 

“The Valdosta State game definitely was the high point of the season,” said senior forward Ryan Montgomery. “Going to their home court and beating them when they were a top 25 team in the nation was crazy.”

“We definitely clicked during the Valdosta State game,” said Suedekum. “We were more like a team, like we wanted to be out there.”

The Flames have continued to show they want to be out there on the court. With only five games left, the Flames will look to finish their season strong as they head into the conference tournament. 

To follow the remainder of the Flames’ season, check here.