Feb 23, 2005 By Jennifer Braum For The 4 min read

Basketball fans from the area have good reason to keep an eye on the Presidents Athletic Conference Tournament, which began last night. Waynesburg College played at Westminster, but there is another reason for local fans to take note. Bethany College, with an impressive 22-3 regular-season record, is in the field and so is Bison sophomore guard Brandon Duncan, a New Salem native who starred at Uniontown High School.

Not only is Duncan a starter for the Bison, he is enjoying his best season on the hardwood.

In a Feb. 1 game against Lake Erie College, Duncan scored a career-high 31 points, but scoring is only part of the story of Duncan’s success.

He may not lead his team in any category, but Duncan ranks among the top four in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.

“Brandon brings so much to this team,” Bethany coach Aaron Huffman said. “He has made himself into a very good defender, a very good shooter – a skill that he has always had – and a good rebounding guard. Also and most importantly, he’s an extremely hard worker, all the time, in every practice and in every game. He comes to work every day and gives his all.”

The 6-3 guard finished the regular season averaging 9.6 points per game, fourth best on the team.

Duncan made 44 percent of his field goal attempts and 38.8 percent of his three-point attempts. He was third on the team with 71 assists and added 67 rebounds.

Duncan credits his teammates’ confidence in him as a major factor for his improved game. “Whenever your teammates have your back with every decision you make out on the court, it really makes a difference when you play because you will never question what you are doing,” he said. “Confidence in my own game now is just about at an all-time high because of the confidence they have in me.”

Huffman agrees. “Brandon is shooting the ball better this year and has matured as a college basketball player over a year ago. He has the confidence that he can make shots when we need them.”

Duncan says that he loves playing for Bethany for many of the same reasons he loved playing for the Red Raiders, reasons that go beyond just winning.

“We are all so close with each other as teammates. It is almost like a brotherhood,” Duncan said.

“Whenever you have teammates who don’t care who scores and just care about the results at the end of the game and whether they had fun or not, that’s when you know you are in the right place.”

Teammate and starting guard Christopher Stephens feels Brandon brings a lot to the team.

“He’s a great player to have on any team. He does a lot of things for the team, shoot, play defense, and he is very unselfish.

“I think to have a great team Brandon needs to be a part of it.”

While playing basketball, Duncan looks to the stands to see the people who have made a difference in his life. “My dad, grandparents, brothers and best friend have been there for me through the thick and the thin. They have been to almost every game with the exception of a handful, and anytime I see them in the crowd I know how lucky I am. They have played a role not only in the player that I am today, but also the person I am.”

And when asked what kind of person Duncan is off the court, his coach and his teammates have nothing but good things to say.

“Off the court he is a very friendly, likeable guy that is just a joy to coach every day. We are extremely blessed at Bethany that he is wearing a Bison uniform and that he is a student here,” Huffman said.

“Brandon is a great person to just be around and hang out with,” Stephens said.

In the off-season, Duncan enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors, as well as watching DVDs.

Duncan is currently working on his Bachelors Degree in physical education, and says would love to teach and coach in the Uniontown School District, where he has attended every school in the district.

Bethany will host the President’s Athletic Conference Final Four beginning Thursday when the Bison take on a team yet to be determined at 7:30 p.m.

The Bison currently are 9-1 in the conference. In addition the team is undefeated this season at home.