The IVCC Men’s Basketball team is off to a 5-2 start this season, highlighted by a four-game win streak snapped by Illinois Central College on Nov. 29.
“When the team follows the game plan we play well,” said head coach Tommy Canale, “Both games we’ve lost so far this season, the team didn’t follow the game plan. If you told me before the season started that we’d be 5-2, I’d take that and run.”
The biggest difference this season over last is the addition of Perry Adams, a 6’9” sophomore transfer from Weatherford C.C.
“Perry’s getting a lot of attention because of his size,” said Canale, “He’s a guy getting the attention as an inside threat, giving other players the opportunity to put up some points. I felt last season I was a big man away from getting to the next level and that’s been the goal all season. I won’t feel like I’ve done my job until I get this team to the Regional Championship.”
Last season, the Eagles used a high-tempo, fast-paced offense to make up for a lack of size. This year, opposing teams have been employing that same tactic to get Adams off of the court, but according to Canale, Adams’s conditioning and shape have been up to the task to stay on the court.
North Iowa Area Community College defeated IVCC 82-54 on Nov. 9. JoVonn Griffin led the team with 14 points, Adamas had 11, and McCrary had 7 points. The Eagles were down by three at halftime, but gave up 52 poitns in the second half, allowing NIACC’s Chris Davis to put up 19 points, David Humprhries added 16, and Mohamed Mohamed had 15.
IVCC beat Ellsworth Community College (Iowa) on Nov. 10 to start that win streak 81-75. Adams led the team with 24 points and 8 rebounds. Michael Murray added 15 points and Corey McCrary chipped in 14. Malcom Canada of Ellsworth had 23 points, Darvel Brown had 12 points off the bench, and Tonnie Collier added 11. Ellsworth was in foul trouble, as Brown and David Weathers each had 5 fouls.
The Eagles hosted the IVCC Classic tournament on Nov. 16 and defeated Oakton 82-70. Adams again led the team with 20 points, Murray added 18, McCrary 11, and Alec Schwab had 9. McCrary hit all three of his attempts behind the three-point line and Murray was accurate from the foul line, hitting seven of nine free throws. Murray had 10 rebounds and four steals to lead the way defensively for the Eagles.
In the final game of the tournament, IVCC beat Waubonsee 60-51 on Nov. 17. Schwab led the way with 14 points, Adams had 12, and Murray added 10. The Eagles out-rebounded the opponents 30 to 19 and held the opponents to only 20 points in the first half.  Waubonsee got more points from their bench (34) than their starters (17), as Tremell Weatherby led them with 13 points. Derrick Johnson added 10.
Against McHenry College on Nov. 20, IVCC lost 76-64 to break their four-game winning streak. Murray had 23 points, Adams put up 20, and Schwab had 12. Tyrone Linder of McHenry had 18 points and  Justin Kennedy had 12 points off the bench. IVCC’s bench only was able to put up 7 points.
IVCC has three straight away games against Lincoln College on Dec. 8, Wright College on Dec. 11, and Ancilla on Dec. 14. They return home to play Aurora JV on Dec. 17 to end the first half of the season before Christmas Break.