DALLAS - After losing 70-60 in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Texas Tech. The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks are already looking forward to next season. Sadly, this will be the last time seniors Leon Gilmore III, Ty Charles, and Ivan Canete will wear a Lumberjack uniform. However, forward Leon Gilmore III sees this loss as a teachable moment.
"We're still upset about the loss but we just have to move on the players that are coming back have to learn from it and chase the same goal next year and try to go further," says Gilmore III.
For many of the players the seniors played a crucial role this season in their tournament run.
"The seniors overcame a lot this season, they're gritty and they've really developed into leaders," says junior forward TJ Holyfield. "Going into my senior year I'm feeding off of that taking notes behind the scenes to try to help SFA."
But even though this loss will be ingrained in their minds, it gives returning players like junior guard Kevon Harris the motivation to make it back to the big dance.
"Every game we play my team is going to give heart and go out there and play with a chip on their shoulder," says Harris. "They just got the win today but like I said we'll be back with vengeance next year."