Story co-produced with Madison Schwarz and Nicole Azar
It has been an incredible year so far for Western Carolina University Athletics, and the winning hasn’t stopped with Men’s Basketball. Catamount Men’s Basketball is having a record-breaking season so far, as they were amongst the last eighteen teams in the nation to remain undefeated, until their recent losses against the Gardner Webb Bulldogs on Dec. 2 and High Point Panthers on Dec. 5.
The Catamounts Men’s basketball team have opened their campaign on the front foot after claiming the first six games of the season, tying the record for best start to a season since being in the NCAA division 1.
The last time the Catamounts recorded a 6-0 start to a men’s basketball season was 67 years ago, during the 1955-56 season. The 6-0 record also left the Catamounts as the only unbeaten team in North Carolina, amongst powerhouses such as Duke University, UNC, and NC State University.
Coach Ryne Lightfoot is especially proud of this group of players and the hard work that they have put into starting off the season so strong.
“It’s unique for us but it’s really special for the guys to be apart of history and do something that no one has ever done before here at Western,” Lightfoot said.
The Catamounts achieved this success after a triumph against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 28, beating the Golden Eagles in a close 69-65 battle. Although their unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday night after a nail-biting loss to Gardner Webb, this record start to a season has placed them as prospects for the conference championship and post-season play.
Head coach, Justin Gray, said the players are ready and prepared for March Madness.
Charles Lampton, a senior graduate transfer from College of Charleston, is having a tremendous impact already on the Catamounts this season. Even though they are having a great year, there is always room to improve and they are not settling for mediocrity.
“The coaches have really been emphasizing on us communicating better. We pride ourselves on defense and being a good defensive team. Communicating as a team is huge. When we improve on these things, we will be unstoppable,” Lampton explained.
Catamounts fans are also feeling the excitement of a record start to the season. One of these wins was against a power five school, Notre Dame. The Catamounts defeated the Irish in a win of 71-61 on Nov. 11. Vonterious Woolbright led the team with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Catamount Men’s Basketball fan, Hayley Sexton, has enjoyed keeping up with the team this season.
“I think the team looks really great this year. A lot more grit has been shown this season and attacking the basket. Working together is what being successful is about and you can tell these guys are putting up a fight.” Saxton, a WCU student, said.
Taylor Wells, also a WCU student, has attended many of the team’s games both this season and 2022-23 season. She is eager to see what they accomplish this year after the incredible start.
“They have been doing great this season so far and I look forward to going to the rest of the games. The coaches are doing something right.”
Justin Gray has entered into his third year as the head coach at WCU and has already seen so much success. The Catamounts are hopeful that they will make a run for a conference championship this year, and are looking to keep things moving in the right direction.
