Even NCCU's new jumbotron gets in the act to support the Eagles. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
Senior Lyndon Bass was the MC for the event. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
NCCU Sound Machine dance girls walk off the court after an energizing performance. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
NCCU student dances on the baseline while the DJ blast music. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
A NCCU student showed off his range in the FLy Night 3-point Competition. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
The NCCU LAdy Eagle basketball team performed after team introductions. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
Junior guard Marius McAllister represents for his hometown, "Bullcity".
The team gathers around Sophmore guard John Guerra (55) as he dances. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
Senior forward Will Ransom throws it down with two hands during warm ups. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
Senior guard Ron Trapps shows off his vertical and almost brings the house down with his between-the-legs dunk attempt. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
Junior guards Marius McAllister (left) and Alex Mills (right), look on from the sideline and share a laugh with Coach Moton. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
Sophmore guard C.J. Wiggins pulls up from three! Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
Junior forward Mike Wolfe is excited for the upcoming seaon. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
Senior guard Rashaun Madison casually brings the ball up-court.Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
Manager Dilan Strepay (left) and Coach Moton (right) look on as the scrimmage goes on. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher
Eagles players embrace each other as they end the 2016 Flight Night event and lace up for the season. Photo by Justin Brodie/Echo staff photogrrapher

Eagles prepare for take off into new basketball season at Flight Night

November 11, 2016

The N.C. Central University men’s basketball team hosted Flight Night, an NCCU version of “Midnight Madness” on Nov. 1 in McDougall-McLendon Gym.

Over 300 students came to celebrate the beginning of the upcoming season and all the excitement that surrounds it.

The event was filled with music, impromptu performances, good laughs, and exciting basketball.

“Flight Night was awesome for me,” said transfer junior forward Michael Wolfe. “I wasn’t here last year so it was a chance for me to introduce myself to the fans and I liked the energy I got from them. Next time I think we’ll fill up the whole gym.”

After posting a 13-19 overall record and 7-9 conference record in the 2015-2016 season, returning Eagles players are looking to bounce back from last year’s blunders.

The departure of team leaders  and role players, left the Eagles with a somewhat inexperienced lineup as few have logged in major minutes.

Red shirt junior guard, Marius McAllister, is coming off an off-season knee injury and hungry to finally get out there and play.

“Last season was very different. We had some bumpy roads trying to get all the pieces to gel and at times we looked great and times we didn’t. As crazy as it sounds, we’ve improved nearly everywhere in my opinion,” McAllister said.

For the 2016-2017 season, Coach Moton’s recruiting class of six looks to make an impact.

“We felt that we needed older and mature players in the program to compete with the new landscape in the MEAC,” Moton told NCCU Athletics.

When reminiscing on last season, red shirt guard Patrick Cole simply called it a “learning experience.”

Cole, who was recently named to the 2016 preseason All-MEAC second team, is going to be looked at as a catalyst this season according to McAllister.

“Our energy and effort is a lot better than last year. These guys and I understand how valuable the basketball program is to this community,” Cole said.

Despite the barriers that come with playing with new players, the team looks toward the future.

“Leadership is probably the biggest area we have improved upon,” McAllister said. “Pat Cole and Dajuan Graf are really pushing us this year and propelling us forward so we maximize our potential.”

Friday, Nov. 18 the Eagles look to showcase their new talents to their home fans as they take on Jackson State University at McDougald-McLendon Arena. The Eagles plan on winning the MEAC conference and shocking the world in the NCAA Tournament with their hard work over off-season.

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