SENIORS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
the court.
“My first game was our first game
of my freshman year at Wake Forest
and I still remember to this day the
feeling of excitement for my first
college basketball game. I'll never
forget the few moments before the
ball went into the air. I was so ex
cited to be a part of the game,” Van-
natta said.
A fan from the stands is sad to see
some of the senior players leave the
UNCA court for good because of all
the positive memories the players
have provided. Sophomore drama
student Lea Gilbert said she en
joys going to the basketball games
and will miss seeing Vannatta and
Thomas on the court.
“(Thomas) has made the type
of shots that got you jumping out
of your seat. During the Winthrop
game after one of his shots, he
turned to the student section and
waved his arms up and down and it
got all of us to go crazy. It is cool to
see how our cheering affects them,”
Gilbert said.
With students and fans in the
stands cheering on the team, the
athletes use that extra push to play
harder and better. Both Thomas and
Vannatta said they thrive on the en
couragement their fans bring to the
court.
“They play a huge role during
the games to keep us energized and
focused. Our home record over my
career has been incredible, one of
the best in the country, and that is in
large part due to our great students
and fan base. Sometimes when I
am trying to focus I try my best to
block out all of the specific noise
like who is yelling what but you can
definitely hear the noise and under
stand when the fans are engaged,”
Vannatta said.
Thomas said the cheering fans
help him with his game while on
the court.
“You notice everyone when
you are playing. Even though you
shouldn’t be and be focusing on the
game, you cannot help it but it is all
about the game. Cheering is part of
the game, it helps the team out a lot,
bring out their best,” Thomas said.
During the on-season, the team
practices intensely, while during
the off-season they have regularly
scheduled practices, but their regi
men is less intense or frequent.
“The team practices about six
times per week during the year, and
in the off-season we will have a few
workouts each day and those may
include on-court workouts, weights,
conditioning or pickup. Usually it is
a multiple of those each day,” Van
natta said.
Both Vannatta and Thomas said
their memories from throughout
their college basketball careers will
stick with them for years after they
graduate. They both have played
basketball their whole lives and
they both have always been pas
sionate about playing.
Thomas said his favorite memo
ry from playing here was partici
pating in March Madness with the
team. Vannatta’s favorite memo
ry was one that happened right on
their home court.
“For me, I remember the last few
moments during the Winthrop rival
game my sophomore year to win
the Big South Tournament Champi
onship and receive a start into the
NCAA Tournament,” Vannatta said.
Vannatta and Thomas are gradu
ating not only from UNCA but as
well from the team itself. Playing
basketball in college was both a
huge part of college for the both of
them are going to stay in touch with
the team.
“We are brothers, we have lived
together since freshman year, we
will stay in touch just like any sib
lings do. We talk every single day,
whether we're at school together,
or all at home over the summer.
Therefore, I know we will contin
ue to keep our brotherly bond after
graduation and I start my life,” Van
natta said.
Kevin Vannatta runs onto the court at the start of the semi-final of
the big south conference.