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Showing posts with label Winston Salem State University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winston Salem State University. Show all posts
Cary, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State is off to another good start as it tries to collect more CIAA championship hardware. The Rams women’s cross-country team, led by Brittney Killebrew, Manuela Rigaud, Tyrah Winfrey and Kristi Baptiste, won their second straight CIAA title on Thursday in Cary. All four runners finished in the top 10.
Coach Inez Turner said she was thrilled with how the Rams came through. “We displayed big heart and the right attitude,” Turner said. “The ladies were tough.” For Killebrew, a sophomore, it was her second straight CIAA team and individual championship. She won for the second straight year running the 5-K course in 19:11.2
“We focused on running in a pack, staying together, and not letting anyone pass us,” Killebrew said. “This feels great. It's never going to get old.”
Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State will try to remain undefeated today with a game at last-place Livingstone. The Rams (6-0, 5-0 CIAA), ranked No. 13 in the NCAA Division II poll, can clinch the Southern Division title with a win over the Blue Bears (1-5, 0-3). Game time is 6 p.m.
After doing just enough in a 35-28 win over St. Augustine's last week, the Rams should have an easier time against the Blue Bears, who average a CIAA-worst 10.8 points a game. The Rams allowed 464 passing yards last week. Of course, the Falcons did throw the ball 65 times, something that coach Connell Maynor of the Rams pointed out.
"We have to address it," Maynor said about the pass defense. "But they threw the ball 65 times. Most teams don't throw it that much in two games. When you throw the ball that many times and have 37 completions, you should have 400-something yards. "But we still won the game."
Raleigh, North Carolina - Saint Augustine's College will host Winston-Salem State University in a CIAA Southern Division football game Saturday (Oct. 8) at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on North Carolina Central University's campus in Durham, N.C. Game time is 1:30 p.m.
The Falcons (2-3 overall, 1-2 CIAA) are shooting for their second consecutive win over the unbeaten Rams (5-0, 4-0 CIAA), ranked 16th in the latest AFCA Division II Coaches' Poll. In 2010, the Falcons won a 40-35 thriller in Winston-Salem, N.C., en route to a record 9-2 season and a Pioneer Bowl title. The Rams were undefeated and nationally-ranked at the time.
The Falcons are 2-0 at home in Durham, N.C., this season. They are averaging 32 points in home games.
Tickets are $20 for the general public. They can be purchased online at www.saintaugfalcons.com and www.st-aug.edu. Gates open at 11:30 a.m.
By Saint Augustine's College Sports Information Office
WINSTON SALEM, NC - Winston-Salem State, riding high after three straight lopsided victories, was brought back to earth Saturday by pesky Johnson C. Smith. Nonetheless, the Rams stayed unbeaten, winning 28-10 in front of more than 20,000 at Bowman Gray Stadium and surviving what coach Connell Maynor called a week of distractions.
"All the distractions with homecoming, the CP3 All-Star Game and the dances and everything else," Maynor said. "Everything is going on, and it's hard to stay focused."
The Rams, ranked No. 21 in Division II, averaged 50 points in their first four games, but the Bulls' defense was effective in harassing quarterback Kameron Smith.
Running back Nic Cooper was the workhorse again for the Rams (5-0, 4-0 CIAA) with 203 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 28 carries. The Rams finished with 401 yards of offense, but they also made three turnovers that kept giving the Bulls (2-3, 1-1) new life.
Winston Salem, NC - Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State knows a lot about his football team, except for one small detail. He isn't sure how the Rams will respond once they fall behind.
Winston-Salem State has been rolling through opponents and hasn't trailed in any of its four games. The Rams, ranked No. 21 in the AFCA Division II poll, will play Johnson C. Smith on Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium. It's not a concern to Maynor that the Rams, who have outscored their opponents 200-77, haven't been behind.
"I haven't even thought about that," Maynor said. "I have noticed that when we are up by a touchdown or two, the defense can lay back a little bit and they can afford to play a little more conservative."
Winston Salem, NC - In case nobody was paying attention, Winston-Salem State also has a pretty good running game. Led by fifth-year senior Nic Cooper, the Rams plowed through the Fayetteville State Broncos 56-20 on Saturday night in front of about 9,000 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Cooper had a career-high 257 yards on 16 carries and also scored a career-high four touchdowns.
"Some of those holes you could drive a tractor-trailer through," Cooper said of his offensive line that once again dominated an opponent. "It's a credit to the O-line and it's nothing I did."
The Rams had won their previous two games by relying mostly on quarterback Kameron Smith as they rolled up 122 points. But on Saturday night it was Cooper right, Cooper left or Cooper up the middle. "Nic Cooper busted out today and hit them with some big plays," said coach Connell Maynor of the Rams. "They were kind of overloading to one side and we were able to cut it back a few times."
Coach Kenny Phillips of the Broncos, whose team fell to 0-4, heaped praise on Cooper.
Winston Salem, NC - "The Block Squad" wanted to look its best for the big moment.
That's why all members of the group — Winston-Salem State's starting offensive linemen — showed up Wednesday at coach Connell Maynor's media conference well dressed and wearing ties. Keenly aware that offensive linemen rarely get exposure, they also were ready to talk.
The Rams are 3-0 and averaging 503 yards a game, and production like that requires more than just talent at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. It also requires talent on the line.
Starters Winston Hill, Markus Lawrence, Darrell Billiott, Devan Gray and Terrence Thomas — and reserves Chris Beardon and Corey Morris — acknowledge that playing in the trenches isn't glamorous.
"I've been playing offensive line since I was 13," said Lawrence, the center. "I would love to score touchdowns and all of that, but you just have to love it when your running back scores or your quarterback throws for a touchdown."
The powerful Bill Hayes, who is WSSU’s energetic athletics director, can control a lot of things as a top-flight administrator. But the one thing he can’t control is the weather, and he’ll be watching the forecast with keen interest for Saturday’s 6 p.m. home game at Bowman Gray Stadium against Fayetteville State (0-3).
The Rams fans have traveled in bunches for their first three road games. They traveled so well, in fact, that I estimate the Rams had more fans in the stands at all three games at Elizabeth City State, Virginia Union and Chowan.
Hayes made sure to seek me out last week to let me know that for the program to truly be successful seats have to be occupied at home games. That’s one of the ways the athletics program generates money and it’s a big resource.
MURFREESBORO, NC -- Different opponent, similar result. Winston-Salem State rolled to its second straight lopsided win Saturday night, 55-24 against Chowan. It followed a 67-16 victory at Virginia Union and although this game wasn't as lopsided, it was just as impressive.
As quarterback Kameron Smith rested on the bench in the waning minutes, his left knee wrapped in ice, he gave a thumbs up to some of the WSSU fans who braved the wet weather.
"We tried to keep it going from our previous game," said Smith, who had career highs for touchdown passes (6) and yards passing (355). "We tried to come out focus and play our game."
The Rams racked up 619 yards and scored all of their points on offense. Against Virginia Union, they scored twice on special teams.
"I give this to the O-line and my coaches," said Smith, who was 17 of 31 passing but did have one interception, his lone mistake.
Winston Salem, NC - Quarterback Anthony Carrothers, a high-profile transfer at Winston-Salem State, will be redshirted this season. Coach Connell Maynor said on Wednesday that Carrothers, who started last season for Grambling State as a freshman before transferring to WSSU, will sit out this season and will have three seasons of eligibility.
"I'm always going to make decisions based on what's good for the team," Maynor said. "I think its best that Anthony redshirts."
The play of backup Jamie DeGeare, a fifth-year senior, helped Maynor make the decision to redshirt Carrothers. DeGeare came on in relief Saturday night in a 67-16 win over Virginia Union and threw two touchdown passes. This is DeGeare's final season; starter Kameron Smith, a redshirt junior, has one more season of eligibility.
Winston Salem, NC - Not only is the WSSU football team debuting this weekend but the WSSU volleyball team will open its season this afternoon. The Rams volleyball team, coached by Edric Poitier, were decent in the CIAA last season going 13-8. Overall, however, it was just 13-15.
This afternoon the Rams will take on Coker College at the Queens Invitational in Charlotte.
Poitier, who begins his second season at WSSU, says that part of is plan is to play tougher non-conference teams to prepare for the CIAA. Last year the Rams were third in the CIAA.
“I am a little different in my approach, because I don't want my girls to get a false sense of security by playing a weaker teams and building up wins early,” he said in a press release. “We are going to play some tough completion, so hopefully they will see what it takes to win against that kind of team, so when we get to CIAA conference play, and at the end of the season come tournament time, we will know what it takes to win against that tougher kind of competition.”
Winston Salem, NC - Winston-Salem State is expecting to contend for the CIAA football title and will find out starting today if its expectations are realistic. WSSU will open with a CIAA game at Elizabeth City State's Roebuck Stadium at 6 p.m.
Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU seems to have it all — depth, speed and experience after an 8-2 finish in his debut season. But he's quick to point out that, despite how things look on paper, it's what's done on the field that counts.
"We have a veteran team coming back, and we'll be ready to go," said Maynor, who returns 18 starters. Quarterback Kameron Smith, running back Nic Cooper and wide receivers Tehvyn Brantley and Dominique Fitzgerald are weapons on offense.
"I'm so excited about the season getting started," Brantley said. "We are tired of playing against our defense. I mean, it's hard when we have the best offense and the best defense and you have to play against each other all the time in practice. It gets old…."
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Winston Salem, NC - Winston-Salem State felt very much at home last season in its re-entry into the CIAA. This season, it wants more.
"It's championship or bust this season," wide receiver Dominique Fitzgerald said. "We are deep at every position, and our mindset is championship or bust."
To win their first CIAA title since 2000, the Rams will need to cut down on turnovers and avoid key injuries. One luxury coach Connell Maynor has is more depth. The Rams have 13 players with Division I experience, including two newcomers who graduated from D-I schools and have a final year of eligibility.
"We are deeper," said Maynor, whose Rams went 8-2 in his first season but were knocked out of CIAA title contention after losses to St. Augustine's and Shaw. "We have more guys for both the offensive and defensive lines, and we've got ...
Winston Salem, N.C. - Akeem Ward smiles at his new nickname — Slim. "Thanks," he said when told about it, "I appreciate that." However, Winston-Salem State's opponents this football season might not appreciate that Ward is 30 pounds lighter.
Ward, a senior defensive end from Holly Springs, helped WSSU lead the CIAA last season in sacks, contributing 4½ of the team's 32, and in total defense (245 yards a game allowed). He also had a team-best 11½ tackles for losses.
"This is the best I've felt coming into a season and I really feel like I'm in great shape," Ward said.
For his first three years at WSSU, the 6-foot-4 Ward weighed about 285 pounds. He's now at 255 pounds and feeling less like an interior lineman. Ward, a four-year starter, has 25 career tackles for losses and is drawing the attention of NFL scouts.
Winston Salem, N.C. - During Winston-Salem State's first preseason camp under coach Connell Maynor, there was plenty of trial by error because Maynor didn't know his personnel that well.
This time around, things seem to be going a lot smoother.
"I think we are ahead of the game where we were at this point last year," said Maynor, now in his second season. "We expect the team to get better, and we'll be ready for that first game on Sept. 3."
Maynor and the Rams — who are going through two-a-days this week — have had nine practices and will have a scrimmage at 9 a.m. Saturday. The annual "Meet the Rams Day" will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, near the clock tower on campus. "We have to come back bigger, stronger and faster than we were last year," Maynor said.
The Rams finished 8-2 last season, with two key CIAA losses that eliminated them from the Southern Division berth for the championship game.
Winston Salem, N.C. - The offseason has been long for coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State. He helped turn the football program around in his first season, taking the Rams to an 8-2 record and keeping them in contention for the CIAA title.
Fans were happy, alumni were thrilled, and wins over rivals N.C. Central and N.C. A&T — both Football Championship Subdivision teams — were icing on the cake. But all the success, after a 1-10 finish the season before he took over, wasn't enough for the ultra-competitive Maynor.
Close losses to Shaw and St. Augustine's left the Rams 11 points short of a perfect regular season and the chance to play for the CIAA championship.
Winston Salem, N.C. - Anthony Carrothers Jr. — the starting quarterback at Grambling State last season as a freshman — has transferred to Winston-Salem State. Carrothers, a dual threat, guided Grambling to a 9-2 record in his first season out of Charlotte's Independence High School.
"There's no quarterback controversy," coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said Friday after announcing the Carrothers' transfer. "Kam (Kameron Smith) is still our starter, but he's got to keep his job just like every starter who is coming back."
Smith helped the Rams to an 8-2 record last season but missed spring practice because of surgery for Crohn's disease. Maynor said Smith will start practice next week 100 percent healthy.
Last season, Carrothers (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) passed for 1,443 yards (93 for 170) and seven touchdowns, with eight interceptions. He also rushed for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Carrothers' father, Anthony Sr., played for WSSU in the early 1980s.
Winston Salem, N.C. - Winston-Salem State, heading into its second season back in the CIAA, is predicted to finish second in the league's Southern Division in football. The CIAA coaches' preseason poll has defending champion Shaw predicted to finish in front of the Rams in the division.
"That's about where I thought we'd end up," said coach Connell Maynor of the Rams. WSSU was 8-2 last season and finished second behind Shaw in the division. "I mean, Shaw's won three out of the last four championships, so I knew they would be picked to win the division," Maynor said.
Maynor said he doesn't put much stock in preseason polls because the competition still has to be decided on the field. "We played them pretty good last year, but came up short and lost," Maynor said. "We know it's going to be another good game with them this year, so it's a natural rivalry and we'll do our best to be prepared."
Asheville, N.C. - As a young boy growing up, Wakefield Ellison used to marvel at the grand stage of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament each year that his parents took him to the event.
This coming spring, he’ll play in it. The former Asheville High standout announced on Friday that he’ll play for Winston-Salem State this year after requesting and receiving his full release from Division I East Carolina in March. Though Winston-Salem State competes at the NCAA Division II level, Ellison knows well that the talent level is quite high.
“The CIAA speaks for itself,” Ellison said. “That conference tournament is one of the biggest events in the country year in and year out. A lot of great players have played in the CIAA. My father (Gene Ellison) played in the CIAA (for Virginia Union). It’s a real good conference.”
South Riding, VA - Dionna Scott, Freedom High School's all-time leader in points scored, steals and assists, is heading to Winston-Salem State University after leading the Eagles to two state titles in her prep career.
Scott finished with 1,752 points along with 282 steals and 211 assists and helped Freedom win a VHSL Division 3 state title in 2008-09 and a Division 4 state title in 2009-10.
“It was a pleasure having the opportunity to coach Dionna over her entire high school career," said Freedom girls coach Joe Crawford. "Her dedication on the court and in the classroom enabled her to grow into a well rounded young lady. She will be missed by all, but I’m really grateful that she has the opportunity to further her education and basketball career at such a fine university.”
Winston-Salem State is a NCAA Division II school of 6,442 and plays in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Senior Dionna Scott became Freedom High School’s career scoring leader in girls’ basketball during the Eagles’ 47-30 victory over host Potomac Falls on Jan. 21 in Sterling, Virginia. Scott scored 23 points in the win to push her career total to 1,544 points, surpassing the previous mark of 1,540 held by 2010 graduate Kelsey Buchanan, who now plays at the University of Delaware.
“I can shoot and I can drive,” said Scott, explaining what makes her a potent scorer. “So most of the time if people are too late coming [to defend] I can shoot the ball or if they are right there, I feel like I can pump fake and go around them. We do a lot of picks and a lot of cutting so that also helps.”
Scott, a 5-foot-11 forward, also holds Freedom records for converted 3-pointers, converted free throws and steals in her career. As a sophomore, Scott set season records for points, steals and free throws to help the Eagles’ win their first of two consecutive state championships.
Despite her lofty numbers, Scott was not considered the team’s focal point until this year. Meixandra Porter, now playing for Colorado State, and Buchanan held that distinction in recent seasons.
ADVANCE, N.C. -- Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, as busy now as ever because of his career in the film and entertainment business, always finds time to honor the late Big House Gaines.
Monroe was at Oak Valley Golf Club on Friday, swinging his clubs in the Big House Gaines Scholarship Fund Tournament. And he had three former teammates from Winston-Salem State's 1967 Division II championship basketball team with him.
"Quite frankly, we can't do enough to honor coach Gaines," said Monroe, 66. "I always make time to come back for this because it's something Big House always stressed to us and that was getting your education."
Three others from the national-title team — Eugene Smiley, Ernest Brown and Johnny Latham — also attended the fundraiser organized by the Reynolda Rotary Club.
The tournament, in its sixth year, raised more than $10,000 on Friday, proceeds that will go toward a college scholarship for a student from Cook Elementary School. The first scholarship recipient selected six years ago, as a fifth-grader at Cook, will enroll at Winston-Salem State in 2012.
Sorry I missed this ya'll, but Earl still looks great for his age--66.
Cary, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State is off to another good start as it tries to collect more CIAA championship hardware. The Rams women’s cross-country team, led by Brittney Killebrew, Manuela Rigaud, Tyrah Winfrey and Kristi Baptiste, won their second straight CIAA title on Thursday in Cary. All four runners finished in the top 10.
