The Rampage #4 March 2020

bcRampage.com

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Thousand-Point Man by Chris DeBerry Graphic Communication • 2020

BC Hosting Winter Youth Basketball League by John Kollie Communication • 2024 Bluefield College is reaching out to the youth of Bluefield through a winter youth basketball league. The college is hosting the winter youth basketball league at the Herb Sims Wellness Center on Stadium Drive and the Bluefield College Dome Gymnasium on the main campus. According to Rodney Kasey, manager of the Sims Center, more than 100 youth are participating in the league on 12 teams in three age groups. “What I am really excited about is we have a lot of interested people,” Kasey said, “people who are looking to come into the program in the coming years.” Kasey said the teams are playing two games a week on Saturdays and Sundays. Games on Saturdays begin at 9 a.m. and go until noon, while games on Sundays begin at 2 p.m. The Sunday games are for the youth in the older age group, (ages 10-12), and they are being played at the Dome Gymnasium. Cost for participation in the youth basketball league is $40 per child, which includes registration and uniforms, and according to Kasey that price is cheaper than previous years. “We will start registration for next season as soon as this season is over and go until about November,”Kasey said. Those interested in playing, coaching or participating in any other way should contact Kasey by email at rkasey@bluefield.edu.

B luefield College men’s basketball player Niquan Cousins has had a stellar college basketball career, marked this year by a huge milestone. In his senior season as a Ram, Cousins scored his 1,000th career point. Originally from Raleigh, NC, Cousins came to Bluefield for the opportunity to play basketball and stay close to his family. “It was a journey coming to Bluefield only having two years of experience with basketball,” Cousins said about his career with basketball that started late in life. “However, it taught me how to work from being a role player to becoming a leader on and off the court.” A criminal justice major at BC, Cousins has averaged more than 12 points a game in his career with a career high 14.9 points per game this season. He hit the 1,000-point milestone in a home conference game against Allen University on January 22. The 1,000th point came on a basket just five minutes into the game. Cousins was fouled on the make and converted the free-throw and the three- point play for the milestone mark. The Rams also won the game, 92-76. Cousins said he appreciates the relationships he has built through his experiences on and off the court and believes his success has come from the support he has received from his friends and family. He said he also believes that his resilience, his ability to overcome struggles, and his capacity to stay on top of everything are the skills that have allowed him to be successful. In addition to his 1,000th point this season, Cousins is currently in the running for the Dark Horse Dunker award sponsored by State Farm. This is a fan voting contest for contestants based on their dunking ability and character. Cousins is looking to finish the season strong and walk across the stage to receive his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in May. He will be remembered for his play on the court and his character off the court, as well.

Niquan Cousins