And if it’s true that a team takes on the characteristics of its coach, then it looks like Jeff Capel has brought some fire to the eyes of the members of the National Basketball Developmental League team.
Monday, playing in front of 3,693 fans and a national television audience on ESPN 2, the Patriots overcame a 19-point first-half deficit to get their third win in the last four games, giving Capel a 6-3 mark since taking over from Tiny Archibald as the first-year team’s head coach.
The Patriots’ rally started after teammates Terrell McIntyre and 7-foot-1 center Darrell Johns collided going for a loose ball, leaving Johns with a gash on his forehead and blood on the floor.
Trailing 45-28 at the time, the Patriots roared back to get the 88-85 win over the first-place North Charleston Lowgaters, improving to 11-20 overall this season.
Capel took the Patriots job in early January, and has been busy familiarizing himself with the team. He doesn’t have to familiarize himself with coaching, however. Capel, a graduate of and former head coach of Pinecrest High School, has climbed the coaching ladder, moving from high school to college and now to the D-League, an NBA-sponsored minor league with the expressed purpose of developing future NBA players.
He is the son of area businessman Felton Capel and his wife Jean. He is also the father of Jeff Capel Jr., former Duke standout, and Jason Capel, current starter for the North Carolina Tar Heels. In other words, the man has deep basketball roots.
The Patriots are acknowledging his Moore County roots by holding a Moore County Night on Feb. 9. Coordinated by the four county Rotary clubs, the night features an opportunity for Moore County children to attend a game for free. Adults can get in for $5.
With flyers being distributed in the area by the Rotary clubs and all the local parks and recreation departments, there are several ways to get tickets to see the Patriots take on the Asheville Altitude.
Orders are being taken by phone, by fax, by mail or simply by showing up at the Crown Coliseum’s North Box Office voucher window after 5 p.m. on the day of the game (7 p.m. starting time).
For more information, call (910) 213-1013, or contact a Rotary Club member or any of the area rec departments.
