Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College basketball returns after 16 years

TIFTON, GA – To some, that may look like a regular shot, but for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, that would be one of the first baskets for the stallions in 16 years.

“It’s a dream come true for the young people that are playing, for the community, for our school and for our faculty and staff,” said Stallions athletic director Charles Wimberly. “It’s an amazing thing to know that something that’s been away has come back.”

For decades, the stallions basketball team would dominate the competition, winning multiple titles in their first stint, but in 2008, the men’s and women’s team would be discontinued due to budget cuts.

The main thing right now is just making sure that everybody communicates and understands what we’re trying to do,” Wimberly said. “Being a four -year school and NAIA is a huge thing, and everybody understands the enthusiasm that you can come here and stay for four years. I think that’s a big plus in the ticket to making sure that we’re here.”

In 2023, ABAC would announce the return of Stallions basketball, and in 2024, they would play and host their first game in over a decade, taking on New Rock Prep Academy on Saturday. And the best part? ABAC would get the win, 92 -74.

“Some things were exposed,” said head basketball coach Calvin Sinkfield. “We’ve been working on trying to get our guys to understand as far as our defensive responsibilities the importance of staying in front of your man in team defense, and patience on taking shots. We had several turnovers in transition, and we just kind of got out of character right there. Once we got a lead, we got a handle, the pressure wants to become a rat race.”

The women will not be in action until Saturday, the 26th, where they’ll host Community Christian College at 1pm. As for the men, they’ll also be back in Tifton on Saturday to face Community Christian.