Making the move
Pair from FTCC basketball make jump to four-year programs
By Monica Holland
Sports editor
Heading into his fifth season as men’s basketball coach at Fayetteville Technical Community College, Brian Hurd has seen at least a dozen of his players move on to four-year college programs, according to the school’s athletic department.
The most recent moves came last month when guards Josh Haymer and Gabe Harbison announced they were joining squads at Methodist and St. Andrews, respectively.
Both players from Fayetteville helped the Trojans reach the National Junior College Athletic Association’s regional quarterfinals as sophomores last season.
Team success is a target for Hurd, but seeing his players take their talents into four-year college programs is a goal that goes beyond basketball.
“We try to bridge the gap between high school and the next level,” Hurd said in an interview Monday. “The ultimate goal is to make sure they get an education and get opportunities at the next level. This a springboard to the next level.”
Haymer and Harbison appear to be ready for the jump
Haymer was part of two North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 2-A champion teams at Village Christian. He went on to average 7.3 points and a team-high 2.8 assists while grabbing 3.5 rebounds in 24.8 minutes with a 44.2 shooting percentage from the field and 80.2 shooting percentage from the foul line — also a team high.
He chose the Monarchs, who are coming off a USA South tournament championship and NCAA Division III tournament appearance, over an offer from Division II Ohio Valley.
“He stayed home because he’s more about family than level,” Hurd said.
Haymer suffered a torn ACL and had reconstructive surgery in 2018, forcing him to redshirt for his sophomore year and pushing this season’s start on the court into October when the team had already begun scrimmages. Hurd credits his work ethic with getting him back into playing shape quickly.
“He’s probably the best onball defender I had,” Hurd said. “Methodist is getting a gem. He’s going to come in and t
Hurd says players like Haymer and Harbison who build on their JUCO experience to land at a four-year college set a good example for other athletes in his program, or those who might be considering FTCC. The Trojans intend to take the court with hopes of adding to the more than 300 JUCO athletes who have already committed to Division I programs this year. “The biggest thing is for them to figure out what it takes to be a college athlete,” Hurd said.
“They have it good in a lot of ways but they’re required to do a lot that regular students don’t do: maintain GPA, study hall hours, practice hours and regular class hours. They have to learn to do that efficiently to go to the next level, and then there will be more.
“We just try to bridge that gap.”
Sports editor Monica Holland can be reached at mholland@ fayobserver.
Pair from FTCC basketball make jump to four-year programs
By Monica Holland
Sports editor
Heading into his fifth season as men’s basketball coach at Fayetteville Technical Community College, Brian Hurd has seen at least a dozen of his players move on to four-year college programs, according to the school’s athletic department.
The most recent moves came last month when guards Josh Haymer and Gabe Harbison announced they were joining squads at Methodist and St. Andrews, respectively.
Both players from Fayetteville helped the Trojans reach the National Junior College Athletic Association’s regional quarterfinals as sophomores last season.
Team success is a target for Hurd, but seeing his players take their talents into four-year college programs is a goal that goes beyond basketball.
“We try to bridge the gap between high school and the next level,” Hurd said in an interview Monday. “The ultimate goal is to make sure they get an education and get opportunities at the next level. This a springboard to the next level.”
Haymer and Harbison appear to be ready for the jump
Haymer was part of two North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 2-A champion teams at Village Christian. He went on to average 7.3 points and a team-high 2.8 assists while grabbing 3.5 rebounds in 24.8 minutes with a 44.2 shooting percentage from the field and 80.2 shooting percentage from the foul line — also a team high.
He chose the Monarchs, who are coming off a USA South tournament championship and NCAA Division III tournament appearance, over an offer from Division II Ohio Valley.
“He stayed home because he’s more about family than level,” Hurd said.
Haymer suffered a torn ACL and had reconstructive surgery in 2018, forcing him to redshirt for his sophomore year and pushing this season’s start on the court into October when the team had already begun scrimmages. Hurd credits his work ethic with getting him back into playing shape quickly.
“He’s probably the best onball defender I had,” Hurd said. “Methodist is getting a gem. He’s going to come in and t
Hurd says players like Haymer and Harbison who build on their JUCO experience to land at a four-year college set a good example for other athletes in his program, or those who might be considering FTCC. The Trojans intend to take the court with hopes of adding to the more than 300 JUCO athletes who have already committed to Division I programs this year. “The biggest thing is for them to figure out what it takes to be a college athlete,” Hurd said.
“They have it good in a lot of ways but they’re required to do a lot that regular students don’t do: maintain GPA, study hall hours, practice hours and regular class hours. They have to learn to do that efficiently to go to the next level, and then there will be more.
“We just try to bridge that gap.”
Sports editor Monica Holland can be reached at mholland@ fayobserver.
