VIDALIA — Former Vidalia basketball standout Torrey Dixon didn’t anticipate as much time on the court as he’s put in this year.

Dixon said he thought his true freshman status would probably mean more time watching and less time playing for Baton Rouge Community College. But Dixon has been scoring and rebounding too much to sit on the bench.

In the Bears’ most recent game, a Dec. 13 match-up against Hinds Community College, Dixon tallied 21 points and 14 rebounds as the Bears won 70-37.

“I feel like I’ve been a good contributor to my team, both offensively and defensively, and that’s why I think I’ve been playing. I’ve been getting a good number of rebounds for the team as well.”

The Bears are currently at 6-6 on the season. They return to action Jan. 26 against Meridian Community College. Prior to the win against Hinds, the Bears had lost five straight. They began the year 5-1.

“So far, the season’s kind of been back and forth,” Dixon said. “We have good streaks and bad streaks.”

But that hasn’t stopped Dixon from filling a vital role on the team. Dixon said he can play several different positions, and has been getting playing time at each of them.

“My role is to be a scorer for the team,” Dixon said. “I play the two- and three-guard positions, and sometimes even the four-guard.

“They’re all the same to me. I can really contribute in any kind of way, rebounding defensive play or scoring. My length, jumping ability and anticipation of where the ball is going is what makes me a good rebounder.”

Dixon still wants to improve his game in specific areas going forward, he said.

“I’d like to work on my court vision a little bit more,” Dixon said. “My ball handling is better, and I also want to improve on my jumping ability.”

Dixon said he hasn’t had any trouble attending class regularly, and he has his coaching staff to thank for that.

“They come around and check, and see if we’re in class,” Dixon said. “They do a good job keeping us on track and making sure we’re doing what we’re supposed to.”

Adjusting to college both on and off the court is also something Dixon is learning to deal with.

“On the court, the toughest adjustment is probably getting use to playing with my new teammates,” Dixon said.

“Living away from home is really different, but I talk to my family and all of my friends almost every night, just to check up on them and see how everyone’s doing.”

And that includes his former teammates from Vidalia, Dixon said.

“Whenever I come here for weekends, I see all my old teammates,” Dixon said. “The only one I don’t really see is Gary (Stewart).

“I understand the circumstances though. He’s either at school or away for games, but I’ll text him or chat with him on Facebook.”