Summer - Lee University

Men’s Basketball Advances toElite Eight; Sets School RecordIn certainly one of the most excitingseasons in the rich history of men’sbasketball at Lee, coach TommyBrown’s Flames will be remembered forthrilling victories over NCAA Division Iopponent East Carolina and the keyNAIA upset over then No. 1-rankedMountain State in Beckley, W.Va.The Flames set a new school recordwith 33 wins against just two defeats.Brown directed his unit to the SouthernStates Athletic Conference regular seasonand tournament championships.Lee advanced to the Elite Eight of theNAIA National Tournament beforebeing defeated by eventual nationalchampion Oklahoma City.While Brown was being named theSSAC Coach of the Year, he was alsoselected as the Victory Sports NationalCoach of the Year. In three seasons atLee, Brown has taken the Flames tothree straight national tournaments inKansas City.The Flames were directed by fiveseniors—Brad Harris, Kellen Pickel, ColeRose, Rick Harper and Jeff Steve. Harriswas named first-team NAIA All-Americanand was picked to play in the CollegeBasketball All-Star Game in Wadsworth,Ohio. Pickel scored 1,500 points (11th onthe all-time scoring list) and also helpedlead the Flames to three straight trips toKansas City and the NAIA National Tour-nament. Rose will be remembered for hisnever-say-die attitude; his tremendoushustle; and the man coach Brown alwayscalled on to defend the opponent’s topplayer. Harper was also a rugged defensiveplayer and became known for hisplaymaking ability. Steve filled whateverrole coach Brown called for, not only ingames, but also in practice.After the superior season ended,assistant coach John Meeks resignedand accepted an assistant’s job at MartinMethodist College. Josh Templetonwas promoted to the No. 2 coachingslot and Matt Sanders, a former assistantcoach and Lee graduate, agreed toreturn to the staff.Lee senior Kellen Pickel firesup a shot against OklahomaCity in the NAIA NationalTournament at Kansas City.TORCH • Summer 200827