Staff Reports

Tyler Sanborn (Elkin ‘06) got to do more than cut down the nets when Guilford College swept Randolph-Macon, Virginia Wesleyan and Lynchburg College in last week’s Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament in Salem, Va.

Sanborn, a 6-10 senior center, also collected conference player of the year honors and was named MVP of the conference tournament.

Sanborn earned his 25th double-double of the season in Guilford’s 81-65 win over Randolph-Macon in Sunday’s title game. He scored 12 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, along with two blocks.

The victory gave Guilford the ODAC’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III tournament, which starts this weekend. Guilford advanced to the D3 Final Four a year ago, losing in the semifinals but winning the third-place game.

The Quakers (26-2) are ranked No. 4 in the nation in the latest D3Hoops.com poll.

“All the work we’ve put in all year finally paid off,” Sanborn said after Sunday’s win. “This is one step closer to where we want to get to. We have to keep working hard and get ready for what’s coming up.”

Sanborn scored 11 points with 15 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in the semifinals. He netted 17 points — including 13 in the second half — and pulled down 15 boards in the opening round. He also blocked five shots in that contest.

Rhett Bonner of Yadkinville (North Forsyth ‘06) joined Sanborn on the all-tournament team. Bonner had a huge game against Virginia Wesleyan, scoring 21 points to lead Guilford. He swished six of his nine three-point attempts and had 15 points by halftime.

Bonner scored 13 points in the title game.

“I get a lot of accolades and a lot of points and rebounds,” Sanborn said. “But if it wasn’t for Rhett and Clay (Hensen of Glen Alpine) and what they do, and how everybody else plays around me, there’s no way I would be able to do what I do. It’s a really good feeling to have this off our backs. We got it done.”

Guilford will host a four-team regional this weekend. The Quakers play Christopher Newport (15-12) on Friday night at 8 p.m.. Friday’s winner will face either Maryville College (23-4) or John Carroll University (20-6) on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Guilford is making its fourth straight appearance in the D3 tournament. Eric High of Dobson (Surry Central ‘08) and Gabriel Lowder of Yadkinville (North Forsyth ‘08) also are on the Quakers roster.