ROWLAND — A family.

That's how South Robeson's Tyray Belin describes his teammates this season.

While Belin is the only returning starter from a team that made it to the regional semifinals of the state playoffs last season, he feels confident in the teammates he has known throughout his life.

"The guys we have now were on the team last year," Belin said. "I've played ball with these boys ever since we were little, so we knew each other's game."

After starting the season 1-3 and letting wins slip away at home against Richmond and Flora Macdonald, the 'family' regrouped to win four of their last six, including a victory in the conference opener against Fairmont and a third place finish in the Robeson County Shootout.

More troubling than the early losses were comments made on message boards by fans, some of whom thought that Belin was trying to take on too much of the offense himself.

But like any good team, the players handled the matter internally and Belin feels the team came out playing inspired basketball.

"We don't talk about each other behind our backs, we come to a room and we all talk about it," Belin said. "We've seen the comments, but when we're in here, we are a family, so we erase that and keep on playing."

Mustangs head coach Bryan Grice took a hands-off approach to the situation, allowing his veterans to move the team forward.

"I can't monitor or govern what they read," he said, "They know, as well as the fans know, that he (Belin) is a good leader."

Belin prefers the Mustangs’ answering the critics on the court.

"When people see us play, I don't think they have any other comments," Belin said. "They have seen we play hard and as a team, so they understand."

With opponents keying on Belin, Jarius McIntosh and Leander Vanderhall have stepped up their games to form a strong trio, with both players averaging double figures.

"I like to get my teammates involved first, because I know my game's going to come. So if my teammates are rolling, and I'm rolling, then it's hard to beat South Robeson."

While this experience has pulled the team together going into the rest of their conference schedule, Belin says that playing tough against a 26-1 Weldon team at East Carolina's Minges Coliseum in the state playoffs was great motivation for this year's squad.

"It felt good, going down there and playing a game, a game we should have won. Not winning the game is what it's all about though. But we know how it was last year, and we think we can do it again this year, and go farther."

After playing all four years on the varsity team and as the only starting senior on the squad, Belin is becoming aware that his time with the Mustangs is drawing to a close. Whether Belin plays in college or not, he still wants to remain around the game.

"If I don't play basketball I want to try to be a coach," Belin said. "I'd like to attend East Carolina, South Carolina State and Clemson. I know N.C. Central has been asking too."

"I'm hoping that some college, because he's a division-one player, can get him so he can shine on the next level," Grice said. "That's what we are seeking for him, because he's a good guy, his grades are good, and he motivates the other kids."

Belin's motivation right now though is helping to keep this team on track through the rest of the season and into the playoffs.

"Conference play is coming up so we're going to try to beat those teams and take care of home-court advantage and win the conference championship."