Wednesday Dec. 16, 2009

Graniteville, SC-It's been a while since Midland Valley has been a contender on the boys basketball court. But with a big group of seniors, the Mustangs are off to a flying start.

For the Mustangs, they are a vastly improved team from years gone by. Now in his fourth year, Mark Snelgrove has taken a program that was winless five years ago to a team that's off to a four and one start. Plenty of seniors make up the roster and that has confidence high on this group.

"Last year our biggest winning streak was just two wins and this year we've already had a four game winning streak so we're off to a good start," said Nolan Meyer.

"Great teams play all 32 minutes, that's what we've got to do," said Marquette Carr. "There's been three or four games where we've had to come from behind to win and if we keep doing that, we can win."

"They've gained confidence over the course of time," said coach Mark Snelgrove. "It hasn't been something that's come all of a sudden. I feel like we've lost games in the past that we shouldn't have lost but now I think we're starting to win some of those close games. We're finding ways to win, not finding ways to lose."

Another big reason for the early season success is 6'8 senior Byron Coleman. He's had disciplinary problems in the past and is still a work in progress but on the defensive end, he's a game changer, averaging six blocks a game