As college coaches, former Pinecrest teammates Bobby Collins and Ken Spencer don't get many chances to return home to watch basketball games on their old home court.

Collins is in his third year as the head men's basketball coach at Winston-Salem State. Spencer is the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, helping the Rams transition to Division I.

Both earned all-conference and all-state honorable mention at Pinecrest, playing under current Charlotte Bobcats assistant coach Jeff Capel in the mid-1980s.

In Monday night's opening game at James Moore Gym, Collins watched his niece, Shaniqua Collins, lead the Patriot girls' jayvee team with 12 points in its 57-37 victory over Lee County.

Spencer's daughter, Karmen, a sophomore guard, also had a big night, scoring 19 in the varsity squad's 53-36 win.

"My dad gets to as many games as he can," Spencer says. "When he's here, I'm really excited and want to show him I can play."

Bobby Collins has held basketball camps in the community each of the last four summers. His niece, also a sophomore, has attended all of them. She says they helped improve her shot and free throw shooting.

"I felt very nervous," Shaniqua said about having her distinguished uncle watching her. "I had to show him a little of what I've got."

Collins was a part of two NCAA teams as an assistant and later the head coach at Hampton University. He won MEAC Coach of the Year honors in his final year at the Virginia school.

Ken Spencer compiled a record of 173-51 at Marlboro County (S.C.) and won a state title before joining Collins in the college ranks.

After an 0-6 start that included losses against Georgia Tech and Wake Forest, Collins was encouraged by the Rams' 68-65 road win at South Carolina State last Saturday. The team plays N.C. State in Raleigh Saturday.