By Randy King
The Roanoke Times
SALEM - When asked Thursday about the origin of his unique first name, Virginia Wesleyan guard TonTon Balenga smiled.
"Oh, TonTon is an African name that means 'uncle' in French," a grinning Balenga explained.
At the 2006 NCAA Division III men's basketball title game, Balenga made the Marlins' opponent cry uncle.
Balenga's 3-pointer from the top of the key with two seconds left gave the Marlins a 59-56 victory over Wittenburg.
Fast forward the calendar 12 months. Balenga and the Marlins are back at the Salem Civic Center and they're hungry for another crown.
"We're pretty confident in our abilities and we feel like we're prepared for anybody we'll face," said Balenga, following Thursday's practice for Wesleyan's game with Washington University of St. Louis (24-4) in today's 8 p.m. semifinal.
"We want another trophy. Two is a lot better than one and that's been our goal since Oct. 15."
Virginia Wesleyan was the first Old Dominion Athletic Conference team to win a men's basketball national title.
"This is where we wanted to get when the season started," coach Dave Macedo said. "This is a new season, though. We haven't even talked about last season. I don't wear the ring."
"Maybe we'll get him to smile a little bit after this weekend," Marlins standout Brandon Adair said of his coach. "Coming into this year we could all have been easily satisfied and resting on our laurels. Coach didn't let that happen. He kept stressing that last year is poison, so to speak."
The Marlins (24-4) face Washington, making its first Final Four appearance. The Bears are confident coming off a second-round upset at 2004-05 national champ Wisconsin-Stevens Point a week ago.
"We got out feet wet there and this is another big game," said Troy Ruths, the Bears' leading scorer and rebounder. "The three other teams have been here before and we haven't, so we're definitely the underdogs. Our women's team has been real successful... they've won like five national titles and are in the Final Four again. So it's about time the men step up, I think."
The first semifinal, which tips at 6 p.m., pits 29-3 Wooster (Ohio) vs. 28-2 Amherst (Mass.). Both are looking for their first national crown. In its only other previous Final Four appearance in 2003, Wooster lost to eventual national champ Williams 74-72 in overtime in the semis. Amherst is in its third Final Four in four years. The Lord Jeffs lost in the semifinals in 2004 and again last year.
"If I had a nickel for every time I've heard the third time is the charm, I would retire... and richly," quipped Amherst coach David Hixon, who is wearing a walking cast after tearing his Achilles tendon Dec. 24 in a family basketball game.
Leading scorer James Cooper (18.6 ppg) said the Fighting Scots are more prepared than a year ago.
"I think we can do some damage," he said. "We're ready and we're confident. I'm ready to play."
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