Men's basketball team heads to championships

More than two dozen Commerce community members, A&M-Commerce students and faculty gathered behind the Field House at noon Tuesday to give the men's basketball team a send off to the Lone Star Conference Championship in Bartlesville, Okla.

Banners, goodie bags and fans lined the sidewalk leading from the back of the Field House to the bus.

"I can't do anything but smile," sophomore forward Anthony Henry said when he exited the Field House. "Now we have to go out and get a win."

A&M-Commerce alumna Ann Julian was one of the organizers of the event.

"We have a winning team, and they need to know that everyone in the town and the university is supportive," she said. "We wanted to surprise them and express how much they mean to use because we all love basketball."

Commerce Mayor Quay Throgmorton was behind the Field House to support the basketball players and the university.

"Anytime that we can show some support for not only the athletic department but all of the departments in the university it's great for [the community] to come out and do that," he said. "We're proud of the basketball team and wish them luck in the tournament."

A&M-Commerce basketball players were surprised and thankful for the community's showing of support.

"I'm glad we have community support," junior forward Austin Brown said. "It's been good for us throughout the season, having love from the community and students on campus gives us the extra push to support the Lion on the front of our jerseys."

Sophomore guard Esteban Arriola wants to bring a championship trophy back to A&M-Commerce.

"I've been here for two years, and they haven't done anything like this before, so this shows how much they really support us," he said. "We have to give them something to cheer about and bring a trophy home."