NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Normally in big-game situations, experience matters. In the sense of Christopher Newport University men’s basketball, it’s almost the exact opposite.

We know that senior guard Jahn Hines is still the go-to scoring option on the team as well as one of the biggest leaders in the locker room. The former Norview star is averaging 15.5 points-per-game in the 2023-2024 season and recently won Coast-to-Coast Conference Player of the Year.

The Captains have dealt with a lot of injuries this season, and they started the year out losing two of their first three games. However, the freshman class stepped up this year, especially former Grassfield standout Toa Hollenbeck.

Hollenbeck is one of the leading scorers in the C2C, has averaged 11.2 ppg (10th in the conference), and has shot 36% from 3-point range. He’s only one of a handful of freshmen who has been able to stand out this season and help the Captains push into a position to go back-to-back.

Tipoff for CNU’s Sweet 16 matchup against Williams is 4:15 p.m. Friday.