CHR
Richland
Vol. XLV Issue 16 January 22, 2019
NICLE
T-Ducks’ basketball turns up the heat
Pg. 7
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2 NATIONAL/CAMPUS
January 22, 2019
Photo: The Associated Press
Several dozen federal employees and supporters demonstrated at the Sacramento International Airport calling for President Donald Trump and Washington lawmakers to end the partial government shutdown, Jan. 16, in Sacramento, Calif.
Government shutdown slows student financial aid funding Adrienne Aguilar
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Acting Editor-in-Chief As students start the new semester, they may find it difficult to receive their federal grants and loan money. Funding provided through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FA has been slowed down due to the recent government shutdown. “With the partial government shutdown, right now the 2018-2019 fiscal years have been fully funded but the shutdown is affecting several of the processes,” said Mark Ammann, Richland’s associate dean of admissions. It’s not a lack of student funding or concern as to whether the fiscal aid will be there. It’s the distribution process that has been interrupted. FAFSA applications go through a database matching system that pass through the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Homeland Security and the Selective Service System in order to be verified, according to the Federal Student Aid website. If an application has been submitted, it may be interrupted until government workers
“With the partial government shutdown, right now the 2018-2019 fiscal years have been fully funded but the shutdown is affecting several of the processes.”
– Mark Ammann
within those departments return to work. “Without the database matches, students are receiving a code of 390 that requires resolution in order to complete financial aid files and ultimately receive funding,” said Cynthia Butler, DCCCD financial aid director. Butler said the IRS Get Transcript Online and Get Transcript by Mail service is also unavailable, which may block individuals from obtaining necessary documents for filing. Yet, not all hope is lost. Regardless of where someone might be in terms of processing, there are ways for every student to double check available funds or get assistance. Students still have a way to receive funding for the remainder of the school year. According to Ammann, DCCCD has worked to provide assistance for students who may find themselves impacted by the shutdown. As for applications with a 390 code for applications in process, their FAFSA applications will be reprocessed once the government reopens. If unfinished files or worries about verification exist, the DCCCD has placeholder funds in order to protect students from being unregistered. The Department of Education released a statement Jan. 9 allowing for “copies of tax returns [from 2016 and 2017] and written statements of non-filing to be accepted for verification purposes in lieu of obtaining IRS tax return transcripts and verification of nonfiling forms for both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 application years.” This applies to verifications taken after Jan. 9 of this year. If there are questions that still remain unanswered, contact the school’s financial aid advisors in Thunderduck Hall. The Department of Education’s address is available to be read at ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/010919Chngsto1819a nd1920VerificationReq.html.
CAMPUS 3
January 22, 2019
Taking the lead and finishing the race Trace Miller
Assistant Managing Editor This is part two of a two-part-series. Finish the Race is a program designed to help Richland students complete their degrees on time with minimal waste of time and money. The initiative helps students focus on completion instead of just taking classes of interest. “Historically, we’ve had students who have come to us, and take classes on more or less a ‘cafeteria plan,’” said Mark Ammann, associate dean of admissions at Richland. “If you don’t have any guidance of where you’re going, you [might] show up and go, ‘Well, I want a plate full of fries, with a side order of fries—and more fries with that.’ So you may not be taking courses that are germane to your degree plan.” To counter this unintentional, but oftcommitted error, Finish the Race offers students a five-step program designed to help them stay on track and cross the finish line. In Part 1 of this series, Gloria Agbogla outlined Step 1, On Your Marks; Step 2, Ready, Set, GO; and Step 3, Staying on Track. These steps cover applications, planning, advising and campus resources available to students in specific areas such as counseling, free DART transportation, the Male Achievement Program (MAP) and the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN). Step 4, Take the Lead, encourages students to participate in campus life and give back to fellow students. It’s an important part of the educational process that gives students a
Kyle Chainey, right, talks with Vinhty Dinh and Jacqueline Smith in the admissions office at Thunderduck Hall on Jan. 18.
sense of community and purpose by encouraging them to stay at Richland and finish their degree. For example, students can build self-confidence, create friendships and foster school spirit through athletics and intramural sports. Athletics also teach values and skills like teamwork, enterprise and initiative which, when balanced with academics, easily transfer to the workplace. By participating in life on campus, students can make meaningful connections and meet
peers who will spur them to greater heights. Success can also be attained by joining programs like the Honors Program, the Richland Chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Alpha Alpha Xi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. These programs offer members access to many established and wellfunded scholarships which can ease financial strain and allow students to focus on academics. Step 5, Finishing the Race, essentially guides students through the steps required to
Staff photo Trace Miller
graduate and find a job. Students are eligible for services such as the Symplicity job bank and America’s Job Exchange which, according to its website, “provides the resources to help Americans succeed in their job search.” Students also have access to different money management services such as CrashCourse Financial Help and Texas Reality Check. Links to the services mentioned in this article are available in one central location online at www.richlandcollege.edu/finishtherace.
Raj Seekri - moving from poverty to philanthropy Staff Writer
Richland mathematics professor Raj Seekri grew up in poverty and has a heart to help others who are struggling. He and his wife, who is also named Raj, have donated an endowed scholar- Seekri ship to Richland in honor of his father, Ram Lal Seekri. Seekri grew up in a mud hut in India, but through the help and inspiration of his father, he worked hard to get a good education. “He went door to door to promote education,” Seekri said. “Those are the days back in India. The parents and grandparents did not want their daughters and granddaughters to go to school but he awakened them and said, ‘Education is the most important thing that gives you security, that gives you an understanding, that gives you even happiness in life.’” Seekri began his post-secondary education
at Punjab University in Chandigarh, India. After moving to the U.S., he received a Master of Science in mathematics from Ball State University and a Master of Business Administration in general business from the University of Dayton. He began working at NEC Corporation in 1969 and, after four years, he and his family moved to Dallas. “My wife suggested that we should find a place which is a little warmer for my father to jog and that’s the reason we ended up changing job to Texas Instruments,” he said. While his job entailed extensive international travel, Seekri so loved teaching that he became an adjunct professor at Eastfield College. In 1996, the school presented him with an Excellence in Teaching Award. In 1997, he began teaching part time at both Richland College and the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). When Seekri retired from Texas Instruments in 2002, he became a full-time faculty member at Richland. Like his father, he has a passion to help others learn, but that passion goes beyond the classroom. Seekri and his wife used some of their investments not only to establish an endowed
scholarship at Richland, but also at Howard College, UTD and 19 other universities in order to help those who cannot afford an education. The endowments are self-perpetuating and consist of seed money that generates income off of interest each year. The newest one will be a teaching scholarship at the University of
“We are all capable of doing something to help others.”
– Raj Seekri
Texas at El Paso. “We will not be living forever but that scholarship will live forever,” he said. His father’s vision keeps Seekri and his wife focused. “We are all capable of doing something to help others,” he said. While attending a basketball game at Richland, they realized that the deaf women’s basketball team from Howard College did not have the proper athletic equipment. They
reached out to the college and donated the money to help them get the equipment they needed. They make a budget each year and set up endowments at colleges to help those who can’t afford an education. There are 22 scholarships and counting. The Seekri’s generosity has not gone unnoticed. UTD has given them the Champion of Community Diversity Award and in 2008 the Dallas Historical Society selected Seekri as a distinguished person of community service in education. Today Seekri is not only living out his father’s vision, he has passed that vision on to his son Inder, who is a general surgeon. His son goes overseas to give medical care where it is less accessible. “He will buy all the equipment, the latest equipment for surgery. He will do the surgery himself and then leave the equipment there with the local authority,” said Seekri. The vision of his father lives on both in him and now in the next generation. For those interested in applying for the Ram Lal Seekri Endowed Scholarship, contact the Richland Financial Aid office for an application.
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Dara Jones
4 MOVIES
January 22, 2019
Kidman shines in ‘Destroyer’ Ricky Miller Entertainment Editor
What I like about “Destroyer” is that it’s a gritty throwback to 1970s American cinema that makes no excuses for its violence and the rate in which it occurs. Think back to the days of “The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3” or Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver.” “Destroyer” is directed by Karyn Kasama who helmed the 2003 science-fiction entry “AEon Flux.” More recently, she directed “Jennifer’s Body” (2009) scribed by “Juno” Oscarwinning screenwriter Diablo Cody. Neither of these films were worthwhile, but they show a more diverse hand in storytelling that never fell into the doldrums. What also works is the presence of Nicole Kidman who downplays her beauty and onscreen presence. I’ve been a fan for years, going back to “Dead Calm” in 1989 — one of the few water-based entries I actually liked. “Destroyer,” for all intents and purposes, is just a good old detective tale about a woman, Erin Bell (Kidman) who is deep undercover in a bank heist scheme that goes awry. She shares some great screen time with co-star Toby Kebbell, one of the bad guys she gets involved with. The trouble I have with films like this is that the plot focuses, not on the greater good, but rather an individual’s self-worth and just plain
old greed. It is just about gluttony and the ability to get ahead. As a point of reference, I would compare this to Christopher Nolan’s pretzel-twisting tale “Memento” (2000). In that the storyline, the plot is not all spelled out for viewers in a paint-by-numbers style of execution. The story never hits any dry spells. It’s methodic in taking the audience to a point where it settles down. Kidman takes a bold step in presenting her character as deeply flawed and troubled. She gives Bell her own individual and nuanced identity. Her character even has a daughter that she rarely sees. The film is set in a small town in Middle America with a small police force. It’s cool is to see the characters interact with each other since each adds their own unique angle to the story. “Destroyer” is a worthwhile movie that shows Kidman in a new light, although she is known for her beauty and grace as exemplified in Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge” (2001). She also displayed her charm in 1998’s “Practical Magic” with co-star Sandra Bullock as the younger sister of the pair. “Destroyer” does what it’s supposed to do in showing that Kidman, known as a great actor and versatile performer, can carry her weight with the best of them. Grade: B-
Image courtesy IMDb
Sebastian Stan and Nicole Kidman in “Destroyer.”
l ob e G n de G ol inners w
“Green Book” -– Supporting actor Mahershala Ali won a Golden Globe for his role as pianist Dr. Don Shirley who faces opposition while touring the South in the mid-1960s. Viggo Mortensen was also nominated for his role as Shirley’s driver, Tony Lip.
A+
Hailee Steinfeld shares the screen with her robot in “Bumblebee.”
Photo courtesy IMDb
‘Bumblebee’ delivers the goods Ricky Miller Entertainment Editor
America should rejoice. Why, you ask? Because “Bumblebee” is a “Transformers”-related movie that does not stink to high heaven. I give part of that credit to Michael Bay. His name is not at the top as director. With “Bumblebee,” Bay serves in a producer capacity. Director Travis Knight actually brings some credibility to the film since he has already made an Oscar-nominated movie with the release of 2016’s “Kubo and the Two Strings,” which was nominated in the Best Animated Feature category of the Academy Awards. The main star in this one, save for “Bumblebee,” is Hailee Steinfeld, the Oscar-nominated star of the Coen brothers’ film “True Grit” in 2010. Even as a 12-year-old girl in that tale, one can see that she was beyond her years as a top-notch performer. Despite her age, (22 as of this writing) Steinfeld is still able to pull off the despondent teenager persona. In “Bumblebee,” Steinfeld portrays Charlie Watson, a vendor who sells corny dogs on a local beach in California. Fate steps in when she finds a rundown car in the junkyard she peruses every day after her restaurant job. Her Watson character deals with the
“Roma” -- Director Alfonso Cuarón won Best Director and Best Foreign film honors in this ode to his caregiver growing up in the late 1960s in Mexico City. Cuaron previously won the “Best Director” Oscar for “Gravity.”
B
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” -– This gem puts a feather in the cap of the Marvel brand. The animated story concerns a boy who gets bitten by a spider and acquires the powers of a super hero. It stars Jake Johnson and Hailee Steinfield.
A
daily grind of going to school, living for the weekend and, as the cliché goes, taking it “one day at a time.” Part of the plot involves Jon Cena’s army colonel, Agent Burns, who notes that the robots are a bunch of connivers, since they are called “Decepticons.” Cena, like Hulk Hogan, as well as Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock), has made a nifty post-wrestling transition to the movie world, leaving behind his caricature from the wrestling industry. “Bumblebee” takes place during the presmart phone days of 1980s America. The movie also offers a nod to “The Breakfast Club,” which Bumblebee watches on an old VHS videotape player. Also involved in the story is Pamela Adlon as Watson’s mother. Returning to do voice work is Peter Cullen, who voiced Autobot leader Optimus Prime in the other “Transformers” movie entries, from 2007’s “The Transformers” to 2017’s “The Last Knight.” The main bonus with “Bumblebee” is that there is not an abundance of locations being blown up. Knight knows how to spin a tale that does not adhere to “snap, crackle and pop” destruction. This entry is by far the best in the series. I liked it, but can’t give it a higher rating. Grade: B
“A Star is Born” -- This sentimental tale won Best Song for “The Shallow,” written by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt. It was directed by co-star Bradley Cooper. This is the fifth incarnation of this tale.
B
“Bohemian Rhapsody” -– Lead actor Rami Malek received a trophy for playing singer Freddie Mercury in this slice-oflife tale about the rock group Queen. Director Bryan Singer excelled at making the cast likable in their own ways. —Ricky Miller
A
CAMPUS 5
January 22, 2019
Sesay and Worley; player and coach of the year Kammonke Obase-Wotta Managing Editor
The third time is a charm for the Richland soccer program. Men’s coach Sean Worley won the National Junior College Coach of the Year Award for the third time in his tenure at Richland. James Sesay won the Junior College National Player of the Year, making him the third player in Richland’s history to win the award at the United Soccer Coaches convention in Chicago Jan. 12. The Richland Thunderducks remain the only college in National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Div. III history to win the national championship in both men and women’s competition. They’ve achieved that feat in 2004, 2006 and 2018. The men’s team, under the tutelage of Worley and the mercilessness of Sesay capped a sensational season with a 6-1 blowout of Nassau Lions in the finals last year Nov. Sesay etched his name in Richland history alongside Jesus Rodriguez (2002) and Mikkel Rohde (2016) as the only players to win the Junior College National Player of the Year. Sesay finished as the top goal scorer for the Thunderducks last season with 28 goals and a total of 52 goals in his two years at Richland. He led the team to two national finals and one national championship. “I feel good. It’s a dream come true to be able to win an award like that. It’s a memorable award that I would never forget about,” Sesay said.
Worley described Sesay as an extraordinary player and believes Sesay can make a mark in the next stage of his soccer career as a college or professional player. “He [Sesay] is a player that leads by example. He always has a positive attitude. And in good and bad times he is always positive,” Worley said. “He encourages everyone to do their best, he’s a natural team leader and he’s a genuinely a good person. He has a heart of gold and it’s a wonderful experience having to coach him for two years,” Worley has been the coach at Richland since the fall of 1994. He won led Richland to its first national championship in 2002 and 2003. He garnered national attention, and this earned him successive national junior college coach of the year awards in those years. Worley led Richland to further national glory in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2016 and most recently, in 2018. He contributes this win to the superiority and relentlessness the team. “Our team in 2018 was dominant. Everyone who watched us, and looked at our scores, and watched us play were impressed. We had clearly the best team in the country,” Worley said. “This was one of the top teams I’ve coached at Richland college in my 23 years here.” Worley hopes to replicate the fortunes of the last season, but for the moment he is isn’t Photo courtesy Raul Herrera looking too far into the future. James Sesay, left, and Sean Worley are honored at the United Soccer Coaches convention. “The only reason why I’ve been able to last this long is because I just work day-to-day. everything,” Worley said. “Right now, I’m try- practice next week and we are going to have a If I start thinking too much in the future, I ing to make our schedule for 2019. That’s all bunch of spring games.” start getting stressed out and worried about I’m going to do. We’re going to start spring
Time to dance: auditions open Ola Sawalhi
Auditions for the spring dance concert are being held Jan. 25.
File photos
Auditions take place this week for students who are interested in performing in the spring dance concert. Gina Sawyer, dance director at Richland, said the theme this semester is “Illumination.” “The reason why I chose the theme to be ‘Illumination’ is because of the magical transformation and change from winter, the season of ice and snow, to spring, the season of flowers and breezes,” she said. “It is similar to an awakening of some sort, a rebirth if you will.” Jazz, hip-hop and other dance styles will be featured in the program. Auditions will be held from noon to 2 p.m., Jan. 25 in Guadalupe Hall, Room G027. They are open to all students. Those interested in auditioning should wear clothing that allows for free movement. Dancers will be categorized based on their abilities, dance style and individual physicality. “Come out. Give yourself a chance to learn different things about arts,” Sawyer said. She added that by attending, students can learn something about others and maybe about themselves as well.
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Staff Writer
6 STATE
January 22, 2019
CHRONICLE Richland
STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS
Outgoing Editor-in-Chief Acting Editor-In-Chief Managing Editor Assistant Mng. Editor Online Editor Copy Editor Entertainment Editor Layout Editor Photo Editor Social Media Editor
Aly Rodrigues Adrienne Aguilar Kammonke Obase-Wotta Trace Miller Kaelyn Bradley Joyce Jackson Ricky Miller Dara Jones Muyideen Ogunbunmi Kobloh-Obase Kammonke
ON THE COVER Barrington Hunter blocks a shot during the game on Nov.13 Staff photo Mirco Daniel Mbega Ndoumou
COVER AND FONTS Certain cover fonts are provided by the following www.nymfont.com – www.bvfonts.com
STUDENT MEDIA STAFF
Photo The Associated Press
New House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, strikes the gavel during the first day of the 86th Texas Legislative session, Jan. 8.
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Social issues could take a back seat in new Texas Legislature The Texas Legislature opened Jan. 8 with Republicans having smaller majorities in both chambers as a result of electoral defeats, which suggests that hot-button social issues could take a back seat to such matters as fixing the state’s flawed school finance system, cutting property taxes and paying for Hurricane Harvey recovery. That might mean fewer culture clashes over immigration and a “bathroom bill” targeting transgender people, but making progress on lowering taxes and overhauling school funding won’t be easy. And while both Republicans and Democrats agree the state will have to cover many post-Harvey expenses, how much of the expected $15 billion in its rainy day fund will be tapped for that purpose is unclear. Here’s what to watch for as the session progresses. NEW HOUSE SPEAKER For years, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and top conservatives in the Senate he oversees blamed moderate Republican House Speaker Joe Straus for blocking bills championed by the tea party and other activists. Straus, who held the post since 2009, has retired but is being replaced by Dennis Bonnen, a veteran Republican who was a key lieutenant of the previous speaker. If Bonnen sticks to the more businessminded conservativism favored by Straus, that could lead to new clashes with Patrick. So far, though, the two have played nice. In a joint statement in November, Patrick said working with Bonnen should “lead to better and bold policy” while Bonnen called chamber unity his “utmost goal.” PROPERTY TAX CUTS VS. SCHOOL FUNDING Gov. Greg Abbott is promising to cut property taxes. But that may be impossible without
tackling how Texas pays for public schools, which depends heavily on local property taxes. Something’s got to give. Or, more likely given the Legislature’s history, this session could come and go without major headway on either issue. Both chambers were unable to compromise on competing property tax proposals and ended 2017 largely empty-handed. Meanwhile, the all-Republican state Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that the school finance system was deeply flawed but also minimally constitutional, sparing lawmakers from being forced to devise a fix. Longtime Republican Rep. Charlie Geren has proposed a constitutional amendment mandating that the state cover half of all public school costs, up from the less than 40 percent currently. That could drastically reduce local property tax burdens, but would also mean having to find billions more for education elsewhere in the state budget. HARVEY RECOVERY State lawmakers adjourned their special session on Aug. 15, 2017, 10 days before Harvey hit Texas. Since then, the federal government has steered billions to the state for recovery while Texas has spent comparatively little. The rainy day fund is expected to be worth $15 billion, but lawmakers already have set limits, meaning only about half of it likely can be spent. How much of that will go on postHarvey expenses remains to be seen — and every penny could spark ferocious debate. BORDER SECURITY Texas has spent $800 million in each of its last two budget cycles on border security and may do so again, as a fight over funding on the issue that has shut down the federal government for the foreseeable future hasn’t sparked as much state-level derision.
The Legislature has instead battled over immigration policy, especially last session while approving the nation’s toughest anti”sanctuary cities” law. Another major immigration crackdown isn’t expected this session, though there could be a renewed push to repeal a law that passed with bipartisan support in 2001 offering in-state tuition at Texas universities for some students in the country illegally. BATHROOM BILL A bathroom bill requiring transgender Texans to use public bathrooms according to the gender on their birth certificates was the most contentious issue of the 2017 session, prompting the NFL and some of the nation’s most powerful companies to threaten to boycott Texas should it pass. After the measure failed during the regular session, Abbott revived it during the special session only to watch it die again. Now the governor says the issue is no longer on his agenda and no lawmaker has yet filed legislation on it for 2019 —though they have until March 8 to do so and some conservative activists are clamoring to try again. MARIJUANA In 2015, Texas legalized the use of a lowTHC cannabis oil to treat “intractable epilepsy” but the state’s restrictive distribution laws mean fewer than 600 out of 150,000 potentially eligible Texas patients have purchased it . There will be efforts this session to expand who can qualify for use under that law, and now that nearly two-thirds of U.S. states have legalized some form of marijuana — including Texas’ conservative neighbors Arkansas and Oklahoma — advocates see chances for an opening. But proposals calling for broader legalization almost certainly remain unattainable.
- The Associated Press
Gloria Agbogla Ryan Duff André Duncan Kene Enemo Emily Escamilla Mirco Daniel Mbega Ndoumou Nick Medlock
Everett Newson Jack Ramirez Bernal Mike Sokolski Pete Shannon Ola Sawalhi Isabelle Tchoungang Jerry Weiss
STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS Erica Edwards
Tim Jones
Jack Fletcher
Larry Ratliff
Meg Fullwood
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STUDENT MEDIA AWARDS CMA Pinnacle Two-Year TV Station Award 2018 CMA Two-Year Radio Station Award 2018 ACP Newspaper Pacemaker Winner Award, 2016 ACP Best of Show Award 2015 ACP Photo Excellence Award 2015 CMA Newspaper of the Year Finalist, 2014 1st Place – TCCJA Overall General Excellence, 2014 2nd Place – Pinnacle College Media Award, 2014 1st Place – TIPA Sweepstakes, 2005 3rd Place – TIPA Online, 2005 & 2006 ACP Pacemaker Winner, 2000, 2001, 2007 ACP Pacemaker Finalist, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 ACP Online Pacemaker finalist, 2007, 2008 Over 270 Texas college journalism awards since 2000
CONTACT INFORMATION El Paso Hall, Room E020, 12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas 75243 Newsroom: 972-238-6079; richlandchronicle@gmail.com Advertising: 972-238-6068 Email: Advertise@dcccd.edu Staff meetings: Monday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. in E020 Letter Policy Letters to the editor may be edited for space. They will be edited for spelling, grammar and malicious or libelous statements. Letters must be the work of the writer and must be signed. For identification and verification purposes, letters also must include the writer’s classification (grade level), full name, address and telephone number, although address and telephone number will not be published. Editorial Policy The Chronicle is the official student-produced newspaper of Richland College. Editorials, cartoons, columns and letters are the opinions of individual students and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other individual student writers, editors, advisers or the college administration. © Richland Chronicle 2018
SPORTS
January 22, 2019
T-Ducks basketball strives for supremacy André Duncan Staff Writer
UPCOMING EVENTS All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.
January 22: classes begin 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. i
Music department orientation and transfer seminar Fannin Performance Hall, F108
January 22-23 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. i
Hot cocoa and cookies El Paso Hall
January 23 3 to 5 p.m. i
Sixty colleges and universities at the Spring Transfer Fair El Paso Hall
January 24 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Winter Welcome event Thunderduck Hall, T219
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El Paso Hall
January 25 Noon to 2 p.m. Staff Photo Mirco Daniel Mbega Ndoumou
Malcolm Greene takes a shot against Randall University JV Nov. 29.
Thunderducks is not to be taken lightly. The team receives scoring contributions from talent found deep within the roster. Coach Havens returned seven players, had two transfers, a slew of freshman and has kept a core nucleus intact to maintain the culture of the program. With several returning players and freshmen who fit the scheme, Williams believes the Thunderducks can be the best team in the conference. Key games to watch The Thunderducks ended their 20172018 basketball campaign with a DCCCD
conference loss to North Lake. The first meeting between Richland and North Lake since the tournament encounter will be Jan. 26 when Richland travels to North Lake for a rematch. If Richland is looking to prove they are one of the elite teams in the conference, they will have that chance in their upcoming game against Eastfield, which has started this season 17-3 averaging 104.8 points per game. Richland needs to make a statement against a high-scoring team and they will get that chance when Richland hosts Eastfield Jan. 23 in a rematch.
MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE January 23 vs. Eastfield 7:00 p.m. (H) January 26 vs. North Lake 2:00 p.m. (A) February 2 vs. Cedar Valley 2:00 p.m. (H) February 6 vs. Mountain View 7:00 p.m. (H)
Richland dance auditions for Spring Dance Concert
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Guadalupe Hall, G027
January 28 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Your name on a license plate
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El Paso Hall
January 29 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. i
Thunderduck Hall, T110
February 9 vs. Brookhaven 2:00 p.m. (A) February 13 vs. Eastfield 2:00 p.m. (A) February 16 vs. Northlake 2:00 p.m. (H)
Free HIV testing Health Center, 18 years or older, with picture ID
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. i
Photo balloons El Paso Hall
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Spring semester is underway and so is the second half of Richland basketball season. The Thunderducks are currently 12-5 since the beginning of the season and have established a 3-1 record after returning from winter break. Coach Jon Havens is taking the season one game at a time. “I believe we have the talent, but I do not like to set preconceived expectations. When you become great, you can get complacent, and I will never let my guys not make steps to get better,” Havens said. The T-Ducks ended the fall semester with a loss to Weatherford College but quickly got their revenge with a win on Jan. 9 in what was described by score keeper Phil Keys as “one of the best defensive efforts seen in college basketball.” The Thunderducks continued their dominance on Jan. 12 with the routing of Cedar Valley 85-64 in which Richland displayed a perfect shooting output from the free throw line. The T-Ducks lapsed in their winning ways Jan. 15 with a tough loss to Mountain View College. An uncharacteristically poor shooting night coupled with questionable calls saw the Thunderducks lose to the Lions 86-73. Richland will continue their trek to the national tournament with a game against Eastfield on Jan. 23. The Thunderducks offense is one of “lights out” shooting, efficiency and volume. They currently average 88.5 points per game (third in conference) at a 52.2 percent Field Goal percentage (first in conference). Caleb Williams, sophomore guard, currently leads the scoring load at by 17.0 points per game. Joining Williams in making a big impact is sophomore guard Davon Berry, who currently averages 11.9 points per game. “I feel like we’re the best team in our conference. We have a lot of players returning from last year and a lot of freshmen who fit our scheme well. As long as we can stick to the basics and execute coach’s game plan we’ll be fine,” Williams said. Another key marksman for the Thunderducks is freshman guard, Rashad Perkins, who averages 11.8 points per game. While Williams, Perkins and Berry are key for the future successes of Richland as they progress through the season, the depth of the
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January 22, 2019 A - Alamito Hall B - Bonham Hall C - Crockett Hall D - Del Rio Hall E - El Paso Hall F - Fannin Hall G - Guadalupe Hall H - Hondo Hall K - Kiowa Hall L - Lavaca Hall
M - Medina Hall N - Neches Hall P - Pecos Hall R - LeCroy Center S - Sabine Hall T - Thunderduck Hall U - Uvalde W - Wichita Hall Y - Yegua
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