Men'sBasketball

Last season, the men's basketball team was introduced to some very talented teams and players in its firstyear ofcompetition atthe Division I level. The Flames were also taught many hard lessons while meeting stiff competition enroute toa 10-17record. But Liberty head coach JeffMeyer has learned from lastyear's experience andhas put it in short perspective. "Experienceis notonlythetoughestinstructor,butthebest," he said.Andwith a year under his team's belt, Meyer confidently stated that, "We are fully capable of competing this year."

Leading thisyear's team without question was senior guard Bailey Alston whohas rewritten the Flames basketball record book. His scoring andleadership were highly valued on such ayoung team. Senior guard TimScarborough concluded his career atLibertyby assistingAlston inthis role.

Steve Farquhar andB.J. Burton made up thebench support forthebackcourt. The "big" peoplewho occupied thefrontcourtwere young,new, and promising. Derrick Williams,transfer Brett Badget,and freshman Dan Shows interchangeably filled the lane joininggreatlyimproved centerMike Coleman. Zach Harrisalsofigured inMeyer's scheme of things.

Bailey Alston

"Six-three senior guard, from Henderson , Nort h Carolina number 10, Bailey Alston!"

Those are the infamous words that introduced that Flames' star guard every basketball game on Liberty Mountain forthelastthreeyears before he dazzled the crowd with his courtexpertise.

Bailey Alston,otherwise known as "B.A." toLiberty students,became a household name atLiberty after his transfer from Rutgers University in 1986

After his decision to leave Rutgers, Alston was recruited by five schools, including Wake Forest, Tennessee and Liberty. He decided to leave thedecisionup tohismother.

"Itold my mother topick which schoolshewanted me togoto,"Alston said. "When Coach (Jeff) Meyer came to visit my home, he impressed me He really seemed genuine."

After sitting out the 1986-87season, Alston averaged 27 points per game (fifthinthenation), and earned the Mason-Dixon Conference's Most Valuable Player Award. Alston recorded acareer-high46pointsagainst Ferrum College during the regular season, and intheMason-Dixon Conferencetournament, he was named totheAll-Tournament team

Alston believesthathe has learned a lot more than just basketball sincehisfirst year with theFlames.

"Since coming to Liberty, I've learned a lotofvalues, on and offthe court, thatwillcarry intolife after school,"Alstonsaid. "I guessI'velearned threeimportantthings: I need toputGod first, putmy priorities in order and respect my fellow man."

Coming intothispastseason,Alstonwasconsideredbymany basketballanalystsasthebestcollegeplayer in the stateofVirginia, many listing him as a candidate for All-America honors Dick Vitale's Basketball Magazine selectedAlstontoitsAll-Independent team and ratedhim thetopoffensiveplayeramong Division IIndependents, while Street & Smith's selected him toits honorable mention All-America team.

Not surprisingly, Alstonis considered tohave agood shotattheprofessionalranksinbasketball. He has been contacted and scouted by a few National BasketballAssociation teams.

"I'd liketoplay pro basketball afterI graduate inMay I've received letters from theChicago Bulls and acoupleoftheexpansion teams," Alstonsaid."I'dliketoseewhat Icandoinarookietrainingcamp. Of course it pumps me up,but it's more pressure than anything."

With somuch unlimited potentialon thebasketball courtand apossiblepro careeron thehorizon, does Alston regretcoming toa small Division I program thathas struggled intherecentyears?

"I can'thelpbuttobeglad tobeherethelastthreeyears," Alstonanswered. "I reallybelieveGod had me come here fora reason. I've learned a lot about life."