Guilford doesn't have the most prominent men's basketball program in North Carolina, but over the last four seasons, it has had one of the most successful.
The Quakers made the NCAA Division III Final Four last season, have the best four-year winning percentage among four-year programs in the state (according to Guilford sports-information research) and again have one of the best D-III teams in the country, thanks to several local players playing major roles.
Point guard Rhett Bonner (North Forsyth), center Tyler Sanborn (Elkin) and guard Gabe Lowder (North Forsyth) have been key contributors in a 21-2 season.
"We've had our ups and downs but things are going pretty well for us," said Bonner, a senior who transferred from Presbyterian 2½ years ago. "We know we kind of have the target on our backs for what we did last year."
The Quakers, ranked No. 4 by D3hoops.com, attained the top ranking for a while earlier this season. It was believed to be the first time the team was No. 1 since the 1970 glory years, when Guilford featured M.L. Carr and World B. Free and played in the NAIA.
The Quakers -- 95-18 in the past four seasons for a winning percentage of 84.1 -- improved to 12-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference with Monday's 91-80 win over Washington & Lee. They'll play their final home game of the regular season tonight, taking on Emory & Henry at 7 at Ragan-Brown Field House.
For a school such as Guilford (enrollment is about 2,800) there are no ESPN appearances or athletics scholarships, but players have a passion for the game that's always on display.
"It's as pure as it gets," Bonner said of playing in Division III.
Many players receive academic scholarships, but there's a catch.
"With our guys if they are on those academic scholarships, you have to keep your grades up or you lose that scholarship money," said Coach Tom Palombo, who is in his seventh season.
"It's a different environment. There's no ESPN, and these guys aren't going to the NBA, and the academic demands in the classroom are tough. A lot of people just see the game days, but there's so much commitment that goes on behind the scenes for us to be successful."
Some of the keys to this season's success, said Bonner, have been unselfish play, a desire to keep improving and the steady hand of Palombo, who built his program by recruiting players who don't mind doing the little things and staying within the team concept.
Bonner, Sanborn, Clay Henson, the team's No. 2 scorer, are senior starters, and Palombo says that the Quakers have the experience to make another NCAA Tournament run after reaching last season's national semifinals. First up, though, will be the always-competitive ODAC Tournament.
Sanborn, who averages a team-best 20.3 points and 13.9 rebounds and has 42 blocked shots, says there's no reason the Quakers can't get back to the Final Four in Salem, Va.
"Like Rhett said, there's a big target on our backs, but we have good experience with what we did last year," said Sanborn, who is a die-hard North Carolina basketball fan.
Sanborn, like Bonner and Lowder, all had Division I dreams in high school. Bonner (14.6 ppg, 3.0 apg) did sign with Presbyterian, which was moving from Division II to Division I, but eventually wanted more playing time. He found Guilford to be the perfect fit.
"I had an offer to maybe walk on at UNCG," said Sanborn, a sturdy 6-9, 260 pounds. "But I really wanted to play right away, and I don't regret for one minute my decision to come here."
During last season's NCAA Tournament, the Quakers bussed to Danville, Ky., and Cleveland for games. There's no money in the budget for plane trips or stays at the nicest hotels, but the players don't seem to mind.
"We all love the game and wanted to keep playing after high school," Bonner said. "I can't say enough about what Guilford has done for me both academically and with basketball."
What makes the experience that much better for local players on the team (Justin Stafford is a reserve from Calvary Baptist) is that friends and families can easily attend games.
"I know my family wants to see all our games and have come to the home games and traveled on the road," said Lowder, a sophomore. "That is a big bonus, and I think that's added a lot to our fan support."
Palombo says it's nice having local players, but they're also players who can play.
"I'll tell you what I'm going to miss the most about Tyler and Rhett," Palombo said. "Rhett's a big Alabama football fan, and Tyler loves the Tar Heels' basketball team. And being around those two and just talking about that kind of stuff, that's what you miss the most as a coach."
jdell@wsjournal.com
727-4081
Four-year run
A list of the top winning percentages over the past four years at four-year men's programs in North Carolina (records do not include last night's games)
Team W-L Pct. '09-10
Guilford 95-18 84.1 21-2
North Carolina 115-25 82.1 14-11
Duke 101-27 78.9 21-4
Davidson 98-32 75.4 13-12
Mount Olive 84-30 73.7 18-5
Barton 86-34 71.7 11-12
J. C. Smith 82-36 69.5 16-9
Wingate 73-43 62.9 12-11
SOURCE: Guilford Sports Information
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