ECU's point guard position battle continues

The East Carolina men’s basketball team is still in the midst of fierce position battles despite its season-opening matchup against Grambling State looming Friday.

“It’s a grind everyday, we’re battling, going at each other. It can go either way of who starts at the point, but it’s definitely more competition and you have to bring it every single day. We just have to keep coming in every day and get ready for the game,” senior Prince Williams said. “I think I’ll start, but it can go either way.”

Williams, in a position battle for the open spot at point guard, only made one start during his junior season, while coming of the bench in a total of 23 games. Last season, Williams averaged 1.6 points, 1.0 rebounds and 10.1 minutes per game. Williams scored a season-high nine points in the Gulf Coast Showcase against Green Bay.

The Raleigh native was ranked ninth in Conference USA in assists-per-game and 11th in assist-to-turnover ratio, leading the Pirates in both categories during his sophomore year.

“I’m definitely taking care of the ball more, which was a weakness for me last year. Having a better season turnover ratio, and just knocking down shots, so it’s going really well for me,” Williams said.

Sophomore guard Lance Tejada played well in his freshman year playing for the Pirates. He played in all 33 games, averaging 4.1 points, 1.7 assists and 13.9 minutes per game.

Tejada was ranked third on the team in total assists, with 55. He scored double figures in three games, dropping 14 points against UNC Asheville and Central Connecticut State. Tejada distributed eight assists and collected six steals in the first round of American Basketball Championship, which was an ECU freshman record.

“It’s going good, we’re just ready for the season to start,” Tejada said. “Taking one day at a time. We’re all working on getting each other better. We’re all trying to contribute in anyway we can. So it’s just about getting each other better and the team better.”

Sophomore B.J. Tyson is also up for the battle of starting at the point this Friday. As a freshman, Tyson was unanimously voted to the American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team by the league’s 11 head coaches.

Tyson is a four-time American Athletic Conference Rookie-of-the-Week, ranking second among all conference freshman in scoring and field goal percentage, leading ECU in both categories. The Wadesboro, North Carolina, native became the third freshman in the school’s Division I history to lead the Pirates in scoring. He led the team with 414 points, and he led in field goals made, free throws made and free throw attempts. Tyson posted a team-best five 20-point games, the most among all AAC freshman.

Williams, Tejada, and Tyson are just a few of the players hoping to start at the point for this season. For Williams, it is his final year to gain the starting position, as Tejada and Tyson have two years left to play for the Pirates.

“It’s nerving as a coach, but I know our guys are ready to play under the lights and hopefully we’ll play well. Anything can happen in college basketball,” head coach Jeff Lebo said.