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Showing posts with label Claflin University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Claflin University. Show all posts
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina - The Lady Panthers of Claflin University (2-7, 2-6) entered this afternoon's contest needing a win to begin the New Year on a winning note. LaQuandra Williams with 18 points and 10 rebounds and LaTreshia Lymon-Finlea who added 14 points to go along with 13 rebounds made it hard for the visitors of LeMoyne-Owen to escape Tulis Arena with a victory. Their effort helped snap a six-game losing skid for the Lady Panthers, with a 68-62 SIAC victory. Defense was the name of the game for Claflin University as they would not allow the Lady Magicians to go on any long runs during the game.
Things did not start out very promising for Claflin as they fell behind by as many as 12 points 17-5 early in the contest. But by the 5:00 mark in the first half Claflin had cut the Lady Magicians lead to 4 points 25-21. The Lady Magicians outscored Claflin 9-8 the rest of the half and enjoyed a 5 point halftime lead 34-29.
Orangeburg, S.C. - The mood wasn't a very cheerful one in Tullis Arena following Claflin's SIAC opener Saturday against Paine ... at least not in the home locker room.
Mario Jordan, on the other hand, was all smiles. The Lions junior guard, who finished with 18 points, six rebounds and three assists, was one of three visiting players to finish in doubie figures as Paine put a slight damper on Claflin's Homecoming game by picking up a 70-61 win.
"This win was very important," Jordan said. "We played three scrimmages against Auburn, Georgia Southern and USC-Aiken. Auburn and Georgia Southern were to exhibition games and we lost both of those. Really, we just wanted to get this win and get that winning feeling to know what that winning feeling feels like. Now, we just want to keep it up."
Orangeburg, South Carolina - The surreal scene around Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center spoke for itself Friday.
Cars filled the parking spaces both outside the gymnasium and stretching all along the fences adjacent to the football practice field. Posted on the entrance door window was a white paper with the words "Sold Out" while streaming fans from South Carolina State and Claflin brimmed with excitement and anticipation as they filled the 3,100-plus gymnasium seats.
After a 10-year hiatus, the Garden City Basketball Classic was welcomed back with open arms. While the public response pleased organizers, it was S.C. State which came away all smiles as the men's and women's teams swept Claflin to earn college bragging rights in Orangeburg and season-opening victories.
The Lady Bulldogs opened the doubleheader with a 76-59 victory, while the Bulldogs pulled away in the second half with a 70-53 win over the Panthers.
The road to NCAA All-American for Laquan Priest was long and hard to say the least. The Georgetown native and three-time NCAA Championship qualifier won All-American status after finishing 5th, at the NCAA National Indoor Track and Field Championships, in Albuquerque, NM.
After winning the State Championship in the triple-jump his senior year at Georgetown High School, the only school to recruit Priest was Claflin University. And for that I will be eternally grateful.
“I came to Claflin to prove a point to those schools who did not recruit me,” said Priest. “I used that as motivation to make a mark on the Track and Field world here at Claflin, the SIAC and the NCAA.”
Making a mark is exactly what he did in just three years Priest has been a National qualifier for indoor and outdoor track for three years. He was named ALL-SOUTH REGION Male Field Athlete of the Year in 2009, and 2010. Priest was also ALL SOUTH REGION outdoor Male Field Athlete of the Year 2010. Laquan was also SIAC triple-jump Champion, SIAC Field Athlete of the Year 2010.
Laquan started his track career his junior year in high school when the track coach observed him in the gym playing basketball, and asked him about track.
“The coach had me run the 200 and 400. But I started jumping in the pit and found out that I enjoyed it and was really pretty good at it,” remembered Priest.
“I began to jump my senior year and was fortunate enough to win a State championship in the event.” And the rest of his story we all know. Priest says “that the road to becoming an All-American took a lot of hard work and practice.” And this would be the advice he would share with any young athlete who dreams of becoming an All-American in any sport.
After graduation and his track career is chronicled in the history of Claflin University, Laquan is aspiring to become an athletic trainer, which he is an intern at Claflin, in the Athletics Training Department. “I do not have any aspirations of furthering my track career after I have graduated, but I do know I will be involved in track and field, for thirty years. I am looking forward to helping my 12 year old brother who has competed in track and field for the past three years.”
Knowing the determination and work ethic that Priest possesses, there is no doubt that he will become an All-American in whatever he sets his mind to do. Look to see Laquan write an article in a sports medicine journal, or becoming one of the nations’ best track and field coaches. He is an All-American, All-American…..
Claflin head baseball coach James Randall couldn't help but to think about what could have been. With his team just two games away from the 2010 SIAC Baseball Tournament's championship game, the Panthers saw their quest to be the conference's best team dashed at the hands of eventual champion Stillman College. Now that the season is here, Randall and his squad are ready to set their sights on a title run once again.
"Our mindset going in is to win our conference championship," Randall said. "From day one, our goal is to put ourselves in a position to win the conference championship."
Led by preseason All-SIAC selections Julius McDougal, Donald Smith, Leonard Williams and Fedor Herrera, the Panthers return a number of players from their 2010 campaign in hopes of winning a title and earning a bid in the NCAA Division II Championship tournament.
Tuesday proved to be a long day for James Randall. The Claflin University head baseball coach arrived at historic Mirmow Field at 3:30 a.m. to work on a soggy infield, ensuring that the surface was playable for his team and the visiting USC Beaufort Sandsharks. About 15 hours later, Randall's hands were tied as he could only watch as the Sandsharks capitalized on critical infield miscues, handing his Panthers a season-opening 9-3 loss.
Claflin (0-1) wasted no time taking a 1-0 lead when Chauncey Davis, who reached thanks to a leadoff walk, scored on a sacrifice fly by Randolph Brown in the bottom of the first inning.
USC Beaufort (1-0) responded in the top of the second with two runs of their own. After reaching on a 1-out walk and stealing second, Keifer Youmans tied the game 1-1 on an RBI double by Brett Martin. Two batters later, David O'Neal drove in Martin on a single, giving the Sandsharks a 2-1 lead.
OPPONENT DATE DAY GAME TIME SITE
USC-BEAUFORT FEB. 8 TUESDAY S 2:00 PM HOME
BREWTON-PARKER FEB. 12 SATURDAY D/H 1:00 PM HOME
COKER COLLEGE FEB. 15 TUESDAY S 2:30 PM HARTSVILLE, SC
DAVIS & ELKINS FEB. 19 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM HOME
DAVIS & ELKINS FEB. 20 SUNDAY S 2:00 PM HOME
SAVANNAH STATE FEB. 23 WEDNESDAY S 2:00 PM SAVANNAH, GA
PAINE COLLEGE FEB. 25 FRIDAY S 1:00 PM HOME
VOORHEES COLLEGE MAR. 2 WEDNESDAY D/H 12:00 PM DENMARK, SC
USC-BEAUFORT MAR. 8 TUESDAY S 4:00 PM BLUFFTON, SC
PAINE COLLEGE MAR. 12 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM AUGUSTA, GA
PAINE COLLEGE MAR. 13 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM AUGUSTA, GA
ELIZABETH CITY ST. MAR. 15 TUESDAY D/H 1:00 PM HOME
ST. AUGUSTINE'S MAR. 16 WEDNESDAY S 5:00 PM HOME
ALBANY STATE MAR. 19 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM ALBANY, GA
ALBANY STATE MAR. 20 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM ALBANY, GA
ST. AUGUSTINE'S MAR. 23 WEDNESDAY D/H 2:00 PM RALEIGH, NC
TUSKEGEE MAR. 26 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM TUSKEGEE, AL
TUSKEGEE MAR. 27 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM TUSKEGEE, AL
MORRIS COLLEGE MAR. 30 WEDNESDAY S 5:00 PM HOME
STILLMAN COLLEGE APR. 2 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM HOME
STILLMAN COLLEGE APR. 2 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM HOME
MORRIS COLLEGE APR. 5 TUESDAY S 5:00 PM SUMTER, SC
CLARK-ATLANTA APR. 9 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM ATLANTA, GA
CLARK-ATLANTA APR. 10 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM ATLANTA, GA
COKER COLLEGE APR. 12 TUESDAY S 6:00 PM HOME
MOREHOUSE APR. 16 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM HOME
MOREHOUSE APR. 17 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM HOME
VOORHEES COLLEGE APR. 19 TUESDAY D/H 4:00 PM HOME
BENEDICT COLLEGE APR. 23 SATURDAY D/H 12:00 PM HOME
BENEDICT COLLEGE APR. 24 SUNDAY S 1:00 PM HOME
SIAC TOURNAMENT APR. 27-30 WEDNESDAY TBA ALBANY, GA
Videographer: Checkpoint2010; prod. by: Racardo Davis
Albany State University Golden Rams: President Everette Freeman announced administrative and organizational changes as a result of former ASU executive Joshua Murfree taking the reins of the Dougherty County School System as its new superintendent. Murfree, who had worked for ASU since 1999, served in four positions at ASU — executive assistant, administrative chief of staff, athletic director and interim vice president for enrollment management and student affairs. Murfree left ASU June 7 and became the 14th superintendent of Dougherty County since 1885 when he started work June 8. Richard Williams, the third-year chair of the department of health, physical education and recreation, was named ASU’s interim athletic director. The Thomasville native will supervise the management of the university’s 11-sport program which includes football, baseball, softball, women’s volleyball and tennis, and men’s and women’s basketball, cross country and track and field.
“The opportunity to serve as the interim athletics director at ASU is a very exciting and rewarding opportunity,” Williams said in a news release. “Having a grandmother and father (who played football, baseball, basketball and ran track) who are both alumnus, I consider this a huge honor to assist in the great Golden Rams legacy here at Albany State University.”
Williams previously served two years as a professor and chair of the health, physical education and recreation department at Langston University in Langston, Okla. He earned a doctorate of education degree in exercise science/muscle physiology in 2002, master’s degree in education in 1997 and bachelor’s degree in education in 1995, all from the University of Georgia.
Morehouse College Maroon Tigers: The college is mourning the loss of a rising sophomore English major who had recently been named the school's freshman of the year. Police said 18-year-old Khalifah Muhammad and his 20-year-old brother, Idris, were in a car that veered off the southbound lane of Layhill Road (Silver Spring, Maryland) and hit a utility pole Wednesday night in Montgomery County. Idris had been driving, and officials said he and his brother were wearing seat belts. Officials said two women in the back seat did not suffer severe injuries. The men are the sons of Ward 8 ANC Commissioner Anthony Muhammad, a D.C. advisory neighborhood commissioner.
Morehouse College released a statement that said, "The Morehouse family is greatly saddened by the news of the sudden and tragic death of Morehouse sophomore Khalifah Muhammad and his brother, Idris. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."
Claflin University Panthers: Woodland High School (Dorchester, S.C.) valedictorian Bobbie Blake made her college choice after landing honors scholarships with the Claflin Honors College and a volleyball scholarship. She has about $94,000 in scholarships as she will seek two degrees in biology and accounting. Having all her college expenses paid for "feels awesome," she said. Throughout her process of applying for scholarships, Blake said writing essays was the most difficult part.
"Basically, you have to convince someone to give you their money," said Blake, who received about half of the 20 scholarships she applied for. Blake, 18, said she also was keeping in mind her three younger sisters, who also will need college funds. "I'm really doing my parents a favor," she said. "We won't have to pull out loans." Blake said she and her family finally will get to see all her hard work she's put forth in high school come to fruition. "Everything paid off in the end," she said.
Former FAMU men's Track and Field coach and Olympian sprinter Rey Robinson inducted into Polk County All Sports Hall of Fame.
Florida A&M University Rattlers: Former Sneads High School Pirates (Sneads, FL) running back Mark Lawson, who originally signed with Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., has instead decided to walk on for the Florida A&M Rattlers for the 2010 season. Lawson, who compiled three 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the Pirates from 2008-10, originally signed a scholarship to play for Benedict College.
But the speedy running back has since changed his mind. Lawson said location had much to do with his change of heart. “I really didn’t want to go that far, all the way to South Carolina,” he said. “I wanted to go to FAMU before I signed. I just wanted to stay close to home.” There isn’t currently a scholarship available for Lawson at FAMU, or even a guaranteed roster spot. However, he said the Rattlers coaches told him that the next spot that became open would be his. Lawson said the decision to stay in state was a family decision he made with his mother and father.
Jacksonville Mandarin 6-0/225 linebacker Larry Mitchell has signed with Rattlers football program. Mitchell broke former NFL player Sam Cowart's school record for tackles in a season with 104, despite playing in only seven games because of injuries. He also had 3.5 sacks for the 3-7 Mustangs.
Wakulla High School War Eagles (Crawfordville, FL) baseball teammates Jose Linton and Shay Barwick have signed NLT to play for the Rattlers next season. The pair of left-handed pitchers could help bring stability and wins to Rattlers team next season. Barwick and Linton had a major role in helping the War Eagles reach the elite eight in the state high school playoffs this past season. Barwick also has been accepted to FAMU's school of pharmacy. Both have played continuously together since their T-ball days as tiny tots.
Former FAMU Track and Field coach and the one time "world's fastest man" Reynaud "Rey" Robinson was inducted into Florida's Polk County All Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday night at the Lakeland Center. Robinson came to FAMU from Lakeland High School and participated in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, but he was disqualified from the 100-meter competition after a schedule mix-up (by his coach) had him late to the qualifying race. Robinson, then a 20-year-old sprinter was considered a co-favorite with U.S. teammate Eddie Hart to win the 100-meter gold medal in 1972. The three qualifying races to the final were considered formalities for the duo, who months earlier had tied the world record by each running the 100 in 9.95 seconds.
North Carolina Central University Eagles: NCCU Marching Sound Machine's 2010 Car Raffle Fundraiser--You can Win a new 2010 Nissan Versa automobile while helping the NCCU Marching Sound Machine to participate in the 2011 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. For more information, visit The NCCU Sound Machine Booster Club at: http://NCCUsmbc.com
Want to help get the NCCU Marching Sound Machine to Pasadena for the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade? There are a number of ways to contribute.
- You can send a text message to (NCCU) 50555. Each text will mean an automatic $10 contribution to the parade fundraising campaign, which will be added to your phone bill.
- You can call (919) 530-7784 and make a contribution by credit card.
- Finally, you can mail a contribution to NCCU Foundation, P.O. Box 25111, Durham, NC 27702-25111. On the memo line, put TORP (for Tournament of Roses Parade).
Grambling State University Tigers:Athletic director Lin Dawson would prefer to remove baseball head coach James Cooper's interim title immediately, but university policy prevents him from doing so. Cooper was named interim coach in early August 2009 as a replacement for the departed Barret Rey, who accepted the head coaching job at Alcorn State University. But, according to university policy, when an interim coach is in place the position must be advertised to other candidates. Cooper led the Tigers to a SWAC title in the 2010 season and was named SWAC Coach of the Year. The position is his to keep, but Dawson can't make it official until around August 1, when Cooper will have been on the job for a full year.
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina - The Lady Panthers of Claflin University (2-7, 2-6) entered this afternoon's contest needing a win to begin the New Year on a winning note. LaQuandra Williams with 18 points and 10 rebounds and LaTreshia Lymon-Finlea who added 14 points to go along with 13 rebounds made it hard for the visitors of LeMoyne-Owen to escape Tulis Arena with a victory. Their effort helped snap a six-game losing skid for the Lady Panthers, with a 68-62 SIAC victory. Defense was the name of the game for Claflin University as they would not allow the Lady Magicians to go on any long runs during the game.
