Former Southern star Jose De Leon rising from 24th-round pick to top prospect

Deceptive fastball, knock-out changeup keeping hitters at bay

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma -- For a pitcher selected in the 24th round from Southern University in 2013, Jose De Leon finds himself being handled like a high-pick bonus baby by the Los Angeles Dodgers of late.

De Leon had an ankle sprain in March that was considered minor, yet he went through extended spring training and didn’t make his Triple-A debut with Oklahoma City until May 4. He “felt something” in his right, pitching shoulder after a start, was placed on the disabled list on May 16 and wasn’t activated until June 7.

“He was just another guy in the organization who could pitch when he was drafted,” Oklahoma City pitching coach Matt Herges. “He made himself into ‘the guy.’ It made us say, ‘OK, we have something here. Let’s keep him healthy.’ So really, it’s just him getting the innings under his belt to where he can handle a major league work load.”

Stunningly, De Leon has become the No. 2 prospect in the Los Angeles organization. The top prospect — Julio Urias, the No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball — is already with the Dodgers, having been called up May 27.

De Leon said his rise began during his second professional season, in 2015. He’d done well in his first year in the Rookie League and Class A. But the next year, in Advanced A with Rancho Cucamunga, he had a 1.67 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 37.2 innings in going 4-1. Promoted to the Double A Tulsa Drillers, he struck out 105 in 76.2 innings over 16 games with a 3.64 ERA.



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Hanson’s John Guienze the 2 inks with Southern University

NEW IBERIA, Louisiana -- A baseball showcase held May 25 at Southern University proved to be just that for Hanson graduate John Guienze — a chance to showcase his baseball talents and earn an invitation to play for the Jaguars.

“Me and my mom decided to go (to the showcase),” Guienze said this week after signing a letter of intent to play baseball at SU. “I was a pitcher there and I did fairly well. The coach pulled me aside and told me he wanted me to be a part of the team.”

Though he took a little time to make up his mind, Guienze said that after a vacation he took a visit to the north Baton Rouge campus and liked what he saw, including a nice new indoor practice facility that’s under construction.



“I think it’s a real good place for John,” Hanson head baseball coach Ryan Stoute said. “I was excited when things came full circle for him. He has a chance to play at a Division I school. Southern wins the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) year in and year out, and they have a chance to be in the playoffs every year.”

Guienze had visited Centenary College in Shreveport the week before the showcase at Southern, and liked the campus there as well. But he felt Southern was a better place for him, he said, not least becaCONuse it’s closer to home — less than two hours away from home as opposed to nearly four hours away.

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Former B-CU Wildcat Ronnie Ash Earns a Trip to the 2016 Olympics

EUGENE, Oregon -- A year ago, Ronnie Ash qualified on the Hayward Field track for the IAAF World Championships, then was disqualified in his first race in Beijing on a controversial ruling. When he finished running the 110-meter hurdle final Saturday afternoon in the U.S. Olympic Trials, he called it “a redemption race.” What he can truly call it is a trip to the Olympics.

After posting the best time in the qualifying and semifinal round of the hurdles, Ash finished second with a 13.21 in the final and promptly added Olympic qualifier to his growing résumé. In the photo finish of the race, Ash got second by .001 seconds.

A former OU All-American, Ash earned the honors in the indoor 60 hurdles and outdoor 110 hurdles in 2010, his only year as a Sooner. He owns the school records in the 60 hurdles (7.55) and the 110 hurdles (13.19) and won Big 12 titles in both of those events. Ash transferred to OU from Bethune Cookman.

In addition to his trip to the IAAF World in Beijing last August, Ash has a bronze and a gold medal from the NACAC Under-23 Championships and a silver medal from the IAAF Continental Cup.

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Stillman will retain baseball and softball

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- After what was thought to be the final seasons for the Stillman College baseball and softball programs, Stillman athletic director Donte Jackson has announced that the school will retain both programs and continue play next season.

“We looked at softball and baseball as two of the traditional sports that have always been here at Stillman College, and two of the traditional sports that we’ve had a lot of success with,” Jackson said. “So in our efforts to boost enrollment, it was a good to retain softball and baseball.”

In December, Stillman announced the move from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in NCAA division II to the Gulf South Athletic Conference in the NAIA. Stillman made the move to drop all of its athletic programs except men’s and women’s basketball following the 2015-2016 school year. With the new addition of junior varsity teams for both the softball and baseball teams, Stillman will have the financial capabilities to keep both varsity teams.

Rumblings of both the baseball and softball programs being retained began in the late spring, especially after both finished well in the SIAC conference with limited rosters. The softball team finished 14-10 in the conference, while the baseball team finished with 16-5 conference record and made it to the conference championship game.

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Jackson 'ecstatic' with new opportunity at Kentucky State

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia — It has been a productive few weeks for Jamaal Jackson. It started with the city of Cleveland finally winning a championship and followed with him being offered his dream job.

It promises to get even better in the near future.

“The last four to six weeks have been great. I am from Ohio and my father is in Cleveland so me and him went to Game 6 of the Cavs series (with the Golden State Warriors) together where they won,” Jackson said. “Then on Sunday on Father’s Day we spent the day together and watched them win the NBA championship.

“Then our basketball camp (at Bluefield State) was really successful. We had a lot of kids there that did a great job and then this happened and then my anniversary is around the corner and my birthday is around the corner so I am on Cloud 9.

For good reason. Jackson has been hired as the new men’s basketball coach at Kentucky State, which is where he graduated from in 2004 and later continued on as an assistant coach through 2008.

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New book tells story of HBCU legends of the American Football League

University of Mississippi professor and author Charles K. Ross earned his bachelor’s degree from Stillman College, an historically black college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, before completing his graduate studies at Ohio State.

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- Buck Buchanan, a mountain of a man, was at the top of his class in 1963.

The star defensive tackle from Grambling State was selected No. 1 overall in the American Football League draft that year by the Kansas City Chiefs. He became the first black player from any college — HBCU or predominantly white — to accomplish that feat.

Buchanan, 6-foot-7, 245 pounds at the time, captured the eye of progressive Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt and head coach Hank Stram during a time when selecting players from HBCUs that high in a draft was a foreign concept.

But this was the fledgling AFL — the new kid with new ideas on the new block that went toe-to-toe with the more traditional and staid NFL. The year 1963 was a bellwether time in U.S. history.

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated that year in Dallas. A volatile climate of national racial issues was on the frontburner — from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic March on Washington to the assassination of highly respected NAACP leader Medgar Evers to the four black girls killed in the horrific church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. Civil rights marches, especially in the South, were as common as hit records from Motown.

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Local stars Manning, Eave inducted into GSU Hall of Fame

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Billy Manning stopped for a brief moment from shaking hands and looked around a room of more than 200 people.

The West Monroe native couldn't help but notice the legendary ensemble and cast of characters Saturday at Grambling's assembly center that had strong enough credentials to start their own NFL, MLB or NBA team.

The group, eloquently known as the Grambling Legends, looked on as Manning and 10 others were inducted as part of the 2016 Grambling Hall of Fame class.



"Got some legends in this room, some great legends — Willis Reed, Shack Harris, Doug Williams. I'm just happy to be a part of it," said Manning, who played football and later coached football at Grambling. "I ain't getting no younger so coming back is a good time."

Manning was one of two local stars honored at the eighth annual event on Grambling's campus, joining Bastrop's Gary Eave, who excelled for Grambling's baseball team in the 1980s.

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Virginia State Trojans Basketball Signs Granberry and Corum

ETTRICK, Virginia -- After tallying several accolades during the 2015-16 season, to include the 2016 CIAA Men's Basketball Championship Title, Head Coach Lonnie Blow, Jr. has begun the process of adding A1 talent to his team.

A transfer from Neosho Country Community College in Chanute, KS, Richard Granberry is a 6-8 forward from Chester, PA. Last season, Granberry was a key player for his team in regular and post season play, earning him a spot on the All-KJCCC (Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference) and All-Region 1st Team. Along with averaging 15.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, Granberry helped make history for the Neosho Country Panthers by advancing to the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) National Tournament.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how well Granberry's talent jells with the returners," said Coach Blow. "He is accustomed to being a team player, which helps in not only securing baskets but executing plays."

Coach Blow has also signed true freshman Andrew Corum, a Middleburg, VA native from Middleburg Academy. Last season, the 6-6 forward averaged 12 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Tallying several player of the game honors and the 2014-15 VISAA (Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association) D-III Player of the Year Award, Corum will help solidify the Trojans 2016-17 roster. "Corum has fresh talent that will assist us in playing great basketball this season," said Coach Blow. "The overall objective is to focus on one game at a time and work smart on the court. Corum will surely help the Trojans do just that!"



Both student-athletes will also bring academic and community service enrichment to men's basketball and VSU Athletics as the Trojans continue to build academic and athletic champions.

"These two gentlemen are well rounded and will be a great addition to the team and the department," said Coach Blow. "After losing three seniors from last seasonCs championship team, Granberry and Corum will add depth to our 2016-17 roster."

For more information on VSU Trojans men's basketball, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.

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From Player to Hall of Famer: ‘Cy’ McClairen retires after 55 years of service to Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- When it comes to history, legacy and tradition at Bethune-Cookman University, only the school’s founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, ranks higher than 85-year-old Jack “Cy’’ McClairen.

The longtime Wildcat retired on June 30 after 55 years of service with the institution serving in various capacities.

A small get together was held for him at B-CU’s Center for Civic Engagement last week with both current and former staff, faculty and alumni in attendance.

“It’s just time. I figured it’s time that I take my butt home,” quipped McClairen.

During his time at Bethune-Cookman, he touched many lives.

“I came back to coach football but ended up coaching basketball and being athletic director. I met regular students. I got in contact with not just athletes but students. I decided to use this to influence all students to get an education. I talked with them and let them know the position that they are in, they can do something for their lives,” McClairen told the Daytona Times last week about his long tenure at Bethune-Cookman.



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Bluefield State Coach Jackson Accepts Job at Kentucky State

Head Men's Basketball Coach Jamaal Jackson 

BLUEFIELD, West Virginia -- The Big Blues Athletic Department has announced that Head Men's Basketball Coach Jamaal Jackson has left Bluefield State College to become the Head Coach at Kentucky State University. Kentucky State is a Division II institution located in Frankfurt, KY and plays out of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

Coach Jackson moves on from Bluefield State after 5 seasons of dedicated service. While here he coached the team to their highest win total during the 2014-2015 since 1995-1996. He also coached the 2015-2016 ECAC Rookie of the Year while at Bluefield State. The Department spokesperson says, "While we are saddened to see Coach Jackson leave, it is always great to see someone get the opportunity to coach at their Alma Mater. We wish him all the best at Kentucky State."

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Auburn adds in-state FCS opponent Alabama State to 2021 schedule

AUBURN, Alabama -- Auburn's 2021 schedule took another step toward completion on Friday.

The Tigers scheduled a nonconference game with Alabama State for the 2021 season, ASU announced on its official site on Friday afternoon. The Hornets will face the Tigers on Nov. 20, 2021.

The two in-state schools have never met on the football field but now have two future games scheduled. The Hornets will visit Jordan-Hare Stadium for the first time during the 2018 season when the two teams square off on Nov. 17 that year.



The 2021 meeting now gives Auburn two nonconference games scheduled for that season. The Tigers will also play against California in Berkley, Calif., in 2021 to complete a scheduled home-and-home series with the Bears.

With the scheduled game against the Hornets that season, Auburn has room for two more non-SEC games that year.

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New look on The Bluff: Defensive coordinator Trei Oliver handles one of many reworked roles for the Southern Jaguars

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- First-year Southern defensive coordinator Trei Oliver is in the unusual position of working for the man he replaced.

Jaguars head coach Dawson Odums decided to relinquish defensive coordinator duties after last season, then hired Oliver away from North Carolina A&T to take over.

When asked recently about that unusual dynamic, Oliver quipped, “The one thing you’re not going to do is talk about the last guy that was in your position.”

Actually, the new defensive coordinator is a lot like the old defensive coordinator. Odums and Oliver were teammates at North Carolina Central, and they were assistant coaches together at their alma mater under current North Carolina A&T defensive coordinator Sam Washington.

“We’re not reinventing the wheel,” Odums said. “He’s got a mindset like mine in that he’s going to put an emphasis on stopping the run, be simple and have guys flying around to the football.”

The one difference is that Odums’ background is up front, having played defensive end, nose guard and linebacker, while Oliver’s is on the back end, having been a safety and a standout punter.

“He’s a genius when it comes to the fronts; I’m more of a secondary guy,” Oliver said. “We’re not going to change a whole lot of what they did last year up front per se, but we’re going to do a lot more on the back end as far as coverages.”



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North Carolina A&T Men's Basketball Brings In 10 Newcomers

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- The look of the North Carolina A&T men’s basketball team will be drastically different than it was in 2015-16. Entering his first full season as the Aggies head coach, Jay Joyner announced the arrival of 10 new players on Thursday. 

The Aggies have eight returning players inSam Hunt (6-foot-2, 175-pound guard, Greensboro, N.C.), Nick Reese (6-7, 210, forward, Los Angeles), Jamin Lackey (6-8, 200, F, Los Angeles), James Whitaker (6-5, 180, G, Portsmouth, Va.), Austin Williams (6-1, 175, G, Queens, N.Y.), Amari Hamilton (6-1, 165, G, Durham, N.C.), Mike Owona (6-9, 250, center, Bel Air, Md.) and Martin Jones (6-1, 171, G, Cincinnati, Ohio).

Three of the Aggies signees will sit out next season, giving the Aggies a roster of 15 players.

The Aggies focused on getting immediate experience for the 2016-17 season. Aaron Scales (6-9, 233, C, American Basketball Institute, High Point, N.C.), a graduate transfer out of Cleveland State, will play one season for the Aggies.

Joyner pulled heavily from the junior college ranks as well with signing of Eliel Gonzalez (6-2, 170, guard, Florida Air HS, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Cayey, Puerto Rico), Donte Watson(6-6, 185, F/G, Riverdale HS, Copiah Lincoln CC, New Orleans) and Davaris McGowens (6-6, 230, F, Gary Military Academy, Gulf Coast State College, Taylors, S.C.). The three high school signees are Raymon Pratt (6-3, 197, G, Ben L. Smith HS, Greensboro, N.C.), Josh Mullins (6-2, 180, G, Nash Central HS, Nashville, N.C.) and Dalen Datson (5-11, 160, G, Moravian Prep, Matthews, N.C.).

Aaren Edmead (5-10, 165, G, Deer Park HS, Deer Park, N.Y.) and Japhet Kadji (6-7, 205, F, Gulliver Prep, Douala, Cameroon), both transfers from Wagner, and Olufemi Olujobi (6-8, 233, F, Brentwood HS, Long Island, N.Y.), a transfer from Oakland (Mich.), will all sit out next season. Each player has two years of eligibility remaining. Two players the Aggies signed in December, Antanee Pickard (6-4, 190, Lancaster, Pa.) and Markques Houston (6-5, 195, Houston, Texas), have de-committed.

“Our recruiting class gives a chance to compete and win. In this business that is all you can ask for,” said Joyner. “In the short period of time I had to recruit, I think we have players who fit into the way we want to play this year. We are a little more versatile offensively. We have some enforcers down low and we were able to bring in scoring and experience. But again, we have to stake our reputation on playing defense. If we do that, we have a chance.”

Graduate Transfer Scales is a local product out of High Point. Scales played 72 games at Cleveland State before graduating with a communications degree. Joyner called Scales a back-to-the basket player who will be difficult to handle in the post. “We expect him to play physical and tough,” said Joyner. “We’ve needed toughness in the paint around here, and I think he is going to bring it to us.”

Junior College Signees Gonzalez will compete for the starting point guard position in 2016-17. He started his collegiate career at Division I Hofstra before transferring to Mississippi Gulf Coast CC. During the 2014-15 season at Hofstra, he played in 19 games and averaged 4.1 minutes. Last season for the Bulldogs, he posted 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He knocked down 27 of 64 3-pointers (.422). Joyner says he is a good passer who sees the floor well and makes good decision.

The Aggies are looking for Watson, a left-hander, to provide some scoring from the wing. Watson played two seasons at the junior college level where he averaged 15.3 points per game as a sophomore. He also averaged 4.6 rebounds and shot 41 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line. As a freshman he averaged 11.3 points and 6.0 rebounds on 45 percent shooting. Joyner says Watson is good at getting to the basket, but he can also knock down perimeter shots with consistency.

McGowens will add some physicality to the Aggies lineup. He shot 53 percent from the floor as a freshman at Gulf Coast State College while averaging 9.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in 29 games played. As a sophomore, he was a 59 percent shooter from the floor and averaged 10.1 points and 7.6 rebounds in 28 games played. Joyner says he is a player the Aggies can give the ball to in the post and feel confident in coming away with points. “I don’t think we have to live and die by jump shots every night with him on the floor,” Joyner added.

Prep Signees
Pratt will join junior Sam Hunt as a Greensboro native on the Aggies roster. Pratt was a do-it all player at Smith where he averaged 21.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game as a senior. He was also a 1,000-point scorer for the Golden Eagles. He scored 18 points to lead the Golden Eagles to the Metro 4-A conference championship. Joyner says Pratt is a perfect defensive fit for the Aggies because he has a build that will allow him to guard point guards, power forwards and wings.

“He is going to bring a lot of intensity from day one,” said Joyner. “You need guys out there with high motors defensively, and he definitely has a high motor.”

 Before his career is over Mullins could be considered a steal for the Aggies at the point guard position. Joyner said he was surprised someone with his upside was not signed. Mullins is another guard who could be good for the Aggies defensively with his long arms and athleticism. He averaged 24.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a senior at Nash Central. He also shot 44 percent from 3-point range.

Dotson gives the Aggies a speedy guard who loves to attack the basket. He is also a good passer. He attended Providence High School before the 2015-16 when he played for Moravian Prep in Lenoir, N.C. Dotson averaged 10.0 points and 6.0 assists at Moravian Prep but was hampered by a hand injury. As a senior at Providence, he averaged 15.4 points and 3.3 assists. Joyner called him an underrated player for his skill set. “I think he is going to come in motivated because he feels like he was overlooked,” said Joyner.

Division I transfers who will sit out the 2016-17 season

In two seasons at Wagner, Edmead scored 285 points and dished out 83 assists in 62 games played. Edmead started five times in over his first two seasons including both of the Seahawks’ NIT games last season as they advanced to the second round. He posted a career-high 16 points on 4-for-6 shooting from 3-point range against St. Brooklyn Francis on Jan. 28, 2016. He scored in double figures six times at Wagner.

Newsday and LongIslandBasketball.Com named him Long Island Player of the Year when he was a prep star at Deer Park. “He is not a flashy guy, but he gets the job done. He runs the show extremely well, and he has a knack for hitting big shots,” Joyner said.

Kadji will join Edmead at N.C. A&T as a transfer from Wagner. Kadji played 51 games in a Wagner uniform with 14 starts. He scored 196 points and grabbed 120 rebounds during his time as a Seahawk. Kadji also knocked down 29 3-pointers. As a freshman he posted 10 points and nine rebounds at Fairleigh Dickinson. He had a career-best 14 points at St. John’s during the 2015-16 season.  Joyner described as pick-and-pop shooter who can also put the ball on the floor to score.

Olujobi played 56 games with nine starts during his time at Oakland. He posted 76 points and 85 rebounds. He had a career-high nine rebounds last season at Milwaukee. As a high school standout at Brentwood he helped his team win the Long Island championship. He was named All-Long Island and had a pair of triple doubles as a senior. Joyner says Olujobi will be a big active body in the post that will cause opponents problems offensively and defensively. 

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Central State returning to Circle City Classic

XENIA, Ohio -- Central State University and Kentucky State University will continue their longstanding rivalry at the 33rd Circle City Classic this September. This year’s game will take place at 3 p.m. on Sept. 24 in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“It is truly an honor to be playing in one of the premier HBCU football classics. This will be our third year playing on this stage and we can’t wait for another opportunity to showcase our talent,” CSU head coach Cedric Pearl said. “We continue to show our appreciation to the Indiana Black Expo and the city of Indianapolis for allowing Central State to continue to be a part of this great event.”

The game will be the third straight year the Circle City Classic has played host to the CSU-KSU rivalry, which dates back to 1947. CSU currently owns a 35-20-1 advantage in the all-time series with the only tie coming in 1957. KSU has found recent success in the series, including last year’s 21-14 win. CSU senior defensive back Clim Robbins talked about the team’s mindset about the 2016 rematch.

“KSU edged us last season on the final drive of the game and we are determined to come back to Lucas Oil Stadium and deliver our best performance and hopefully we can come out on top.” Robbins said. “It is truly a blessing to be a part of this game and our team is working extremely hard this offseason to get better and build on last season’s 5-5 record. We all believe that the harder we work, the harder it is to lose.”

With CSU joining the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2013, the game has also held significant implications in the SIAC West Division standings. SIAC Commissioner Greg Moore expressed the conference’s excitement about two of its teams playing on a great stage.



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VUU's Kiana Johnson to Play Pro Ball in Finland

DUBLIN, Ohio -- The reigning NCAA Div. II Player of the Year, Kiana Johnson, will travel to Forssa, Finland later this summer to play professionally for the Forssan Alku club of the top Finnish league for women. Forssan Alku finished fourth in the league last season and has a rich history, winning nine league titles in a row in the 1990s.

Kiana's agent, Matthew C. Krejci, Esq., of MK Sports and Entertainment LLC (Dublin, OH) said, "The Finnish league is good competition with 25 or more American players spread around the 9 teams in any given year. It will be a good test for Kiana, but I believe she will shine on the court and put up big numbers as she did last year at Virginia Union." Kiana led all of NCAA women's basketball last season in scoring average at 29.2 points/game. She was also second in NCAA Div. II in total assists (268) and shot 40% from 3-point range. Kiana headlined the WBCA All America First Team, was CIAA Player of the Year, and was named the VaSID Player of the Year and the Virginia Player of the Year by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. She led the Virginia Union Panthers to a 28-3 record and an Elite 8 appearance in the NCAA Div. II Tournament.

Jari Marjamaki, coach of Forssan Alku said, "We are happy to have signed Kiana as our first American player this season and look forward to building the team around such a talented player."

Kiana will graduate from Virginia Union later this year with a degree in psychology. She played her first three years at Michigan State University, starting in 58 games. Kiana is a product of Whitney Young High School, Chicago, Illinois.



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Benedict Lady Tigers Sign Latta Star Ta'Keria Legette

COLUMBIA, South Carolina – Benedict College head women's basketball coach James Rice has announced the addition of guard Ta'Keria Legette from Latta, S.C. (Latta High School).

Legette, a 5-foot-9 guard, signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Lady Tigers. She will enroll at Benedict in the fall as a freshman and will have four years of eligibility.

"Ta'Keria committing to our Tiger family has us overwhelmed with excitement," Rice said. "She is a versatile guard who has the ability to play and defend multiple positions on the floor. She has the necessary offensive skills to make an immediate impact on any college level. She has great court vision and loves to pass but her ability to get to the basket and accuracy shooting the long ball will set her apart."

During her high school career, Legette led Latta to the 2014 Class A State Championship, a runner-up finish in 2015, and into the Lower State semi-finals in 2016 under coach Curtis Jackson. She averaged 23.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 8.6 assists during her senior year.

"Numbers don't lie and she has been known to fill up the stat sheet," Rice said. "We are so happy about her officially becoming a part of our Tiger family. What's satisfying is that we were able to sign a big-time player from the state of South Carolina. We are definitely heading in the right direction towards competing for a national championship with the addition of Ta'Keria to the program."

Benedict finished 29-3 overall last season, won the SIAC championship for the second time in three years, and advanced to the NCAA DII South Region championship game. Benedict will open the 2016-17 season at home against USC-Aiken on Nov. 16.



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Claflin University Softball Earn Third Straight National Statistical Award

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina — For the second straight season, the Claflin University softball team has earned the national award for stolen bases per game. This is the third straight season that the Lady Panthers have earned a national statistical title. During the 2014 season, Claflin was crowned softball statistical champions in runs per game and doubles per game.

The national awards were released by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Friday (July 8).

Claflin finished the 2016 season averaging 3.67 stolen bases per game. The Lady Panthers earned its second straight Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Eastern Division Title and finished third overall in the conference this past season.

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Kentucky State stays close to home with hirings for men’s and women’s basketball

FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- In front of a crowd filled with family and alumni Friday, Kentucky State University interim president Aaron Thompson introduced the two coaches who will look to guide the school’s basketball programs.

For the women’s team, Thompson announced the move of assistant coach Terrance Slater to the new head coach of the Thorobrettes. For the men’s team, the university stayed close to home again with the hiring of KSU graduate Jamaal Jackson.

Slater served under previous head coach Serena King-Coleman, who had been at KSU since the start of the 2010-11 season. With King-Coleman leaving for Fayetteville State University, Slater will be able to come right in and build on the Thorobrettes’ recent success.

Slater arrived at KSU with an already-impressive résumé. He was a standout player at Western Michigan University, and before coming to KSU served as director and coach of the Illinois MeanStreets AAU program in Chicago where he worked with the likes of Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis and Tyler Ulis.

The KSU women are coming off a 24-5 season and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.



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Rio Bound, Coppin State Christina Epps Leaps Personal Best to Qualify for U.S. Olympic Team

EUGENE, Oregon -- On Thursday, July 7, Coppin State University graduate Christina Epps (Morristown, NJ) punched her ticket to Rio when she placed second at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the women's triple jump at the historic Hayward Field with a mark of 14.17 meters (46-6).

Epps, a 2014 graduate was more than ecstatic, "I really can't describe this feeling, it's so unreal. Happy doesn't do my level of excitement justice. I've been through so much throughout my career. I'm just grateful God has given me this opportunity to pursue my dreams."

After fouling her first two attempts, Epps landed a 45-5 in round three, earning three more attempts. Again with the pressure mounting, and opportunities dwindling, Epps came through on her fifth jump.

After her fifth attempt, Epps commented on the tension on waiting for the announcement. "Oh man, my stomach was dropping. I had butterflies and I was just like, 'Please just let it be 14.15m.' I think I can go further. I'm excited."



It's been 20 years since the United States has sent three ladies at one time to compete in the triple jump in the Olympics. Keturah Orji from New Jersey and Andrea Geubelle also qualified in the triple jump for the US Olympic Team. Olympic triple jump competition is currently scheduled to start August 13 at 9:40am.

"Being the first Olympian of the best HBCU on the planet, my alma mater, Coppin State means the world to me. I hope I've not only made my school proud but have inspired my fellow Coppinites to know that it doesn't matter where you come from or what other people are doing, but with God, the right mindset, hard work, and dedication anything is possible!"

"My experience at the US Olympic trials was an amazing experience, something I can't describe in words. It was my first trials and definitely one I will never forget!" Epps added, "I've been chasing the dream of making an Olympic Team since 2012, when I tore my ACL. Watching the 2012 Olympic Trials at home when I was injured made me realize how much I had taken my talent for granted and motivated me to work harder to achieve my goal of making an Olympic Team!"

Christina Epps is an academic advisor within the Coppin State athletic department. Epps continues to train at Coppin State where she is guided by her former collegiate coach, and Interim Athletic Director of Coppin State University Alecia Shields-Gadson. "She showed up and God showed out! It is such an honor to represent your country, your family and Coppin State University," said Shields-Gadson.

Shields-Gadson added, "This has truly been a journey and Christina has persevered and is reaping the benefits of the hard work, sacrifices, and discipline it takes to be a world class athlete. We are still taking it all in, but that will be short lived as its back to Coppin to resume training."

For more information on Coppin State University track & field, please visit www.coppinstatesports.com.

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Douglas County alum Johnson prepares for sophomore season at FAMU

HIRAM, Georgia -- Following a solid freshman season at Florida A&M, Douglas County graduate and point guard K’Ja Johnson is aiming to add to that success during his sophomore campaign.

Last season in 24 games, Johnson averaged 28 minutes of playing time, eight points, three assists, three rebounds and one steal for the 8-21 Rattlers of Tallahassee, Fla.



“My freshman year was terrific — I liked it,” Johnson said. “The campus was great. The people there were friendly and supportive. Basketball-wise it was fantastic. We didn’t have the season we thought we would have but we bonded as a team.

“We bonded with our coaches and community,” Johnson said. “We did a lot of community service. My freshman year was pretty much a success. I got a lot of playing time. A lot of freshmen don’t do that around the country at D-I colleges. I was very proud of that accomplishment and I’m just ready for next season.”

To prepare for the 2016-17 campaign, Johnson is spending some of his time at the gym at Jesse Davis Park.

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Top 5 skill players JSU will face in 2016

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Earlier this week, The Clarion-Ledger examined the top five quarterbacks who will face Jackson State this fall.

Some of those quarterbacks will be able to distribute the ball to some pretty talented skill players.

Here's a look at the five best skill players who will line up against the Tigers in 2016.

Honorable mention

Martez Carter, Grambling: Martez Carter, a running back, posted 1,663 all-purpose yards last season, which is the top mark among any returning player in the conference this season. He's a big-play threat, who is capable of scoring nearly every time he touches the ball.

Top five

5. Marquis Warford, Alcorn State: Whether it was through the air or on the ground, Marquis Warford made his presence felt toward the end of last season. Warford rushed for 120 yards in the SWAC title game and caught two touchdown passes. He hurt Jackson State in the regular season finale with a kickoff-return touchdown. In total, Warford amassed 1,431 all-purpose yards. Alcorn State's coaching staff decided to move Warford to running back this offseason, so he'll tote the ball a bit more out of the backfield in the fall.

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Howard's James Daniel is going for another national scoring title, but for him, that's not enough

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The nation’s scoring champion was quietly absent from the NCAA Tournament last year. Actually, Howard’s James Daniel, who averaged 27.0 points per game, didn’t hoist a shot in any postseason tournament. That didn’t sit well with the soon-to-be senior guard.

"We’re trying to build something that’s going to last a long time," Daniel told the Las Vegas Review-Journal back in November, when his name had shot to the top of the national scoring list to begin the season. "Nobody likes to lose. But we’ve got a group of guys who really get along and care about each other. We all want to make this team successful and that’s more important to me than leading the country in scoring."



Unfortunately for Daniel and coach Kevin Nickelberry, nothing was built last season, at least in terms of postseason appearances. The Bison went 12-20, including 6-10 in MEAC play, and lost in the first round of the conference tournament to North Carolina Central. This was a step back from a 16-16 (10-6) campaign the year before, and showed that despite Daniel’s scoring, losing James Carlton to graduation was too much.

Yet Daniel makes Howard a team to watch next season, and history has placed an exciting opportunity in front of him. No player has repeated as the country’s leading scorer since Saint Peter’s Keydren Clark did so in 2003-04 and 2004-05. And here sits Daniel, who is perfectly positioned to make the repeat a reality in a league that registered the lowest conference RPI in 2015-16.

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Grambling Legends return to help induct 2016 class

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State is amid trying times both institutionally and as an athletic department with the revolving door of presidents that have come through the university of late.

The most recent news came when Willie Larkin resigned as president last month, a move that signified more uncertainty for the Grambling faithful.

This weekend, dozens of prominent former athletes will be on campus in hopes of providing a bit of positive reinforcement to the legacy of Grambling. A star-studded cast of the likes of Doug Williams, Willis Reed, Willie Brown and Shack Harris, to name a few, will all be in attendance Saturday to help introduce new members of the 2016 Grambling Legends Hall of Fame class.

"It's important we come together and try to have a positive reflection on Grambling regardless of what we're going through. If we remain strong, we got a chance of hopefully ending up with a stronger administration that can keep growing like it's been going since 1901," Williams said Thursday before he left for north Louisiana.

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ASU's Jackson Announces Men's Basketball Signing Class

MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Alabama State University men's basketball coach Lewis Jackson has announced the signing class for the 2016-17 Hornets.

Of the seven signees, two are incoming freshmen while the other five are transfers. Four of the seven are from the state of Alabama.

The two freshmen are from here in Montgomery. Reginald Gee (6-3, 205) is a guard from Edgewood Academy. He averaged 25 points and nine rebounds per game in leading Edgewood to a state title. He also averaged three assists and two steals during his senior season.

Following the season he was named Third Team All State and First Team All-Metro.



The other freshman is Austin Rogers, also a guard. At 6'4" and 185 pounds the Brew Tech graduate averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds per game. He was named All State and All Metro following the season.

Rogers name is a familiar one around the ASU campus and the SWAC. His father Steve, Sr., is currently a member of the Hornets coaching staff and a 2015 SWAC Hall of Fame Inductee. His older brother Steve, Jr., will enter his junior campaign with the Hornets and was the 2014-15 SWAC Freshman of the Year.

The Hornets have also signed a talented shooting guard in Rodney Simeon (6-5, 195) from Lawson State Community College. The Miami native averaged 15 points, five rebounds and two assists per game. The sharp-shooter shot 45 percent from beyond the three point line.

ASU signed another guard in Mehdy Ngouama (6-1, 175) from Chipola Community College. He is from LeBlanc Mesnil, France and averaged eight points, three assists and two rebounds per game.



Artis Cleveland (6-11, 220) will add some nice size to the ASU lineup. He played at Lawson State Community College the past two years and hails from Birmingham. He averaged six points, six rebounds and two blocks per game.

Forward Demetrius Houston (6-7, 210) will transfer to ASU from Mississippi State. Houston is a Montgomery native and played at nearby Carver High School. He averaged just over three points and two rebounds at Mississippi State when he played during the 2014-15 season.

At Carver he averaged 19 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals during his senior season. He was named the 6A Alabama Player of the Year and the Metro MVP. He was selected to play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game and finished with nine points and three rebounds.

A player who can play at forward or center is Amir Warnock (6-8, 240). The Suwannee, Georgia native will transfer to ASU from South Georgia Tech College. As a sophomore he averaged seven points and six rebounds per game. He played his high school basketball at Peachtree Ridge High School.



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