VSU Men's Basketball 2018-2019 Season Outlook

VSU 2018-19 MBB SCHEDULE

ETTRICK, Virginia -- The Virginia State University men's basketball program is coming off the best season in school history with a 26-5 overall record. The Trojans were ranked number team in the Atlantic Region, and hosted the 2018 NCAA Atlantic Region Men's Basketball tournament, where they advanced to the Regional Semi-Finals. During the past season at one point the Trojans were 17-1 and ranked eighth in the nation.
 
This year's 2018-2019 program returns nine players including starters Cyonte Melvin (6-3/Guard/Hampton, Va.) and Walter Williams (6-4/Guard/Richmond, Va.), who have started and played significant minutes since they were freshmen. VSU also returns sharp-shooter Brandon Holley (6-2/Guard/Richmond, Va.), who was injured a large part of the season, junior Andrew Corum (6-7/Forward/Leesburg, Va.), sophomore William Vedder (6-9/Forward/Washington. DC), who came up huge for us in some big games a freshman, senior Philip Owens (5-11/Combo Guard/Virginia Beach, Va.), sophomore Lual Rahama (6-5/Forward/Khartoum, Sudan), sophomore James Smith (6-1/Guard/South Boston, Va.). The Trojans also return two players who sat out the past year senior Jalen Jackson (6-2/Combo Guard/Cleveland, OH) and senior Tony Richardson(6-9/Center/Sterling, Va.).
 
We also have an outstanding recruiting class coming in the 2018-19 season that includes Kevin Holmes (6-9/Forward/Virginia Beach, Va.) a transfer from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Azariah Sykes (6-8/Forward/Richmond, Va.) a transfer from Morgan State University, Cedric Wiggins (6-0/Guard/Richmond, Va.) a transfer from North Carolina Central, and Armond Griebe (6-7/Forward/Woodbridge, Va.) a transfer from the University of Mount Olive. Also added to the roster is freshman Dallas Wilson (6-7/Forward/Portsmouth, Va.) and All-State, 3A Player of the Year (Antwan Miles (6-0/guard/Hampton, Va.) who has a chance of having a tremendous career here at Virginia State University.
 
Virginia State University has always been an extremely balanced team, with size and depth. We take pride in competing at an extremely high level. We are always one of the best defensive teams in the country, while attacking in transition, and being dominate on the glass.
 
We fell that the 2018-19 season could be an even better year for us, if we can get the new guys up to speed on the system quickly. Our size, athleticism and depth will give us a chance to be really good. Also I think our guard play will be much improved.  Our basketball program is here to stay. We consider ourselves one of the best programs in our region and in the nation.

For the most up-to-date information on VSU men's basketball please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

FSU Broncos Claim Back-to-Back Women’s Cross-Country Titles

SALEM, Virginia – Fayetteville State University has done it again in women's cross-country with its second CIAA Championship Title in two years.
 
The Broncos held a 22-point lead over the competition with 70 points and had three runners, Nelly Kandie, Aleena Cruz, and Destiny Stevons, finish in the top 15 for All-Conference Honors. Head Coach Inez Turnerreceived her second CIAA Women's XC Coach the Year during the awards ceremony.
 
Charles Pumba led the men's team with an All-Conference performance, while the Broncos finished ninth overall. Pumba finished 11th overall in an 8K time of 28:58.9.
 
Days prior to the championship race, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association proclaimed Nelly Kandiethe 2018 Runner of the Year. Today from start to finish, Kandie (a junior from Eldoret, Kenya) proved why she deserved the honor. After the pop of the starter gun, Kandie took command of the race and won the 5-kilometer course in a time of 19:27.2; 45.7 seconds better than the second-place runner Kyla Frank of Virginia State University.
 
Last year's Runner of the Year Aleena Cruz earned her second All-CIAA Honor with a sixth-place finish in a time of 20:37.5; just a minute and ten seconds behind her teammate Kandie. Destiny Stevons was announced to the awards stage after finishing tenth overall with a mark of 21:03.5. Carissa Leonard missed All-Conference honors by three spots. Her 21:41.2 time helped the team with 18 points. Mylasia Pratt secured the championship title with a 36-place finish in a time of 22:56. Shanae Ingram finished 37th in 23:01.8.
 
Saint Augustine's received the runner-up trophy with 92 points while Bowie State finished third in the 13-team field with 98 points.
 Senior Richard Prudente-Bernal was just one position shy of receiving his second all-conference award after crossing the line with a season-best 29:22.4.
 
Fayetteville State will continue making marks in the record books with a new chapter of indoor track and field. The Broncos will compete in the JDL November Tune-up Meet on November 17th in Winston-Salem, NC.

FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY BRONCOS SPORTS INFORMATION 

Broncos and Trojans Repeat as the CIAA Cross Country Champions

SALEM, Virginia -- The Fayetteville State women captured their second consecutive CIAA Women’s Cr
oss Country Championship while Virginia State University captured their second consecutive Men’s Cross Country Championship Thursday afternoon at Green Hill Park in Salem, Virginia.

Full Results

The Broncos placed three women in the top ten overall as they captured the title with 70 points, defeating St. Augustine’s (92) and Bowie State (98).  The remaining order of finish included Virginia State (115), Winston-Salem State (137), Lincoln (142), Livingstone (151), Virginia Union (195), Shaw (206), Chowan (241), Claflin (257), Elizabeth City State (304), and Johnson C. Smith (324)

Fayetteville State Head Coach Inez Turner was named the 2018 CIAA Women’s Cross Country Coach of 

the Year, marking the second consecutive year she has earned the honor.

On the men’s side, the Trojans placed their first five runners in the top 15 overall as they cruised to victory with 56 points. St. Augustine’s was second with (86) points. Virginia Union placed third with 103 points.  The remaining order of finish included Lincoln (119); Bowie State (160); Livingstone (166); Claflin (189); Shaw (194); Fayetteville State (199); Elizabeth City State (214); Chowan (234); Johnson C. Smith (294); and Winston Salem State (332).

Virginia State Head Coach Wilbert Johnson was named the 2018 CIAA Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year, mar
king the second consecutive year he has earned the honor.

Fayetteville State junior Nelly Kandie captured her first CIAA Championship, jumping out in front of the pack. She completed the 5,000-meter course in 19:27.2.  Virginia State sophomore Kyla Frank was second with a time of 20:12.7 and Nazirah Purnell, a sophomore from Lincoln was third with a time of 20:14.4

The All-CIAA Team includes Kandie, Frank and Purnell in addition to Amanda Crawford (SAU); Sarah Adam (VUU); Aleena Cruz (FSU); Angel Well (LC); Florence Fields (SAU); Tamia McLean (WSSU); Destiny Stevons (FSU); Clonne Gourrier (BSU);  Kaydi Ann Wint (SU); Asia Green (LU); Lela Knight (CU); and Zuwena Johnson (BSU).

Freshman Baron Freeman cruised to victory in his first CIAA Cross Country Championship event, outdistancing runner-up Tyreece Huff of Virginia State by 44 seconds, completing the 8,000-meter course in 25:52.6.  Huff finished in 26:36.5. Third place went to Mike Lagat of Shaw University with a time of 27:12.6.

The All-CIAA team includes Freeman, Huff and Lagat in addition to Torotich Kiplagat (SU); Enos Rotich (VUU); Anthony Wimbush (VUU); Dominic Samuel (CLAF); Kyuande Johnson (LU); Charles Whitelead-Tillery (VUU); Robert Edwards Jr. (SAU); Charles Pumbu (FSU); Steven Murdock (VSU); Nickolas Stackfield (VSU); Tyron Evans (VSU); and Louis Andrews (VSU)

Kandie and Freeman were named the CIAA Women’s and Men’s Cross Country Athletes of the Year based on their regular season performances, voted by the 2018 CIAA Cross Country Coaches Association.

CIAA MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Bethune-Cookman Picked as MEAC Favorites,Three Earn Accolades

COURTESY: BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
JASMINE ALSTON

NORFOLK, Virginia --The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has announced its 2018 preseason men's basketball all-conference teams and predicted order of finish. For the first time in program history, Bethune-Cookman has been tabbed as the preseason favorite; in addition, senior forwards Shawntrez Davis and Soufiyane Diakite were named to the First Team, and senior guard/forward Isaiah Bailey to the Second Team.
 
All awards are voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
Bethune-Cookman captured a share of the MEAC Championship last season under then first-year head coach Ryan Ridder. The Wildcats finished 12-4 in MEAC play and 18-14 overall. They return nine players and four starters from last year's squad. Back-to-back MEAC Tournament Champion North Carolina Central was picked second followed by Norfolk State.
 
Diakite was named BCU's second-ever Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year last spring after he pulled in a conference-best 313 rebounds (28th nationally) and averaged 9.8 per-game. He led the MEAC with a 6.59 defensive rebounding average and a 3.19 offensive board average. In the regular season finale at FAMU (3/1) led BCU to a share of its second ever MEAC regular season title with 27 points on 13-13 shooting and became the only player in the 2018 season to go 13-13 from the floor in the NCAA. Diakite finished third in the MEAC with 11 double-doubles, and shot 57.3% from the floor to set a new BCU single-season record.
 
Davis was named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Second Team and First Team NABC District 15 after finishing second in the MEAC with 1.22 blocks per-game. The Atlanta native was second on the team in offensive, defense, and total rebounding, as well as field goal percentage. His 8.7 rebounding average was third in the conference, and his 277 total boards placed him fourth in the MEAC. The forward was dependable as the only Wildcat to start all 32 games, and he averaged 27 minutes per-game. Davis led the team with a 37.7% success rate from three and was second in the MEAC with 13 double-doubles.


 
Bailey was named Third Team All-MEAC after leading team with 4.8 assists-per-game, which also ranked fifth in the MEAC. He posted BCU's first-ever triple-double against D1 competition, and third overall, when he went off for 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists vs. SSU (Feb. 24). Bailey broke the 20-point mark seven times in 2018, and reached double-figures in 22 consecutive outings until the season finale tournament loss to Morgan State. The senior also scored 10+ and in 28 of his 31 games played. His 172 made free throws was third in Wildcat single-season records, and  his 219 free throw attempts finished tied for third with C.J. Reed (2011).


 
Howard's sophomore R.J. Cole was chosen as the Player of the Year.
 
BCU opens its season on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at DePaul in a game televised on FS1.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Men's Basketball on Twitter (@BCUHoops) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Tennessee State Tia Wooten Named a Candidate for the 2019 Cheryl Miller Award

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today the 20 watch list candidates for the 2019 Cheryl Miller Award.

Named after the three-time Naismith Player of the Year and Class of 1995 Hall of Famer, the annual award in its second year recognizes the top small forwards in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball. 

Tennessee State redshirt senior Tia Wooten was named to the list.

Wooten finished last season ranked 15th in the nation in points per game and 20th in made free-throws. She was the second leading scorer in the Ohio Valley Conference with 21.2 ppg while averaging 8.9 rebounds per outing. She was named to the 2017-18 All-OVC First Team while ranking 2nd in the conference in offensive rebounds and 3rd in defensive rebounds. She was recently named to the 2018-19 Preseason All-OVC Team.

The Selection Committee for the Cheryl Miller Award is composed of top women’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers. By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2019 Cheryl Miller Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Miller and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist at www.hoophallawards.com. 

The winner of the 2019 Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award will be revealed on an ESPN platform during the 2019 Women’s Final Four in Tampa, Florida. Additional awards being presented and recognized at the WBCA Convention include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award, and the Lisa Leslie Center Award. Also being awarded is the Wade Trophy, the sport’s oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award which is presented annually by the WBCA’s community of coaches to the best player in college women’s basketball. 

Last season, Gabby Williams of Connecticut was named the inaugural winner of the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award. 

For more information and the latest updates on the 2019 Cheryl Miller Award, log onto www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #MillerAward on Twitter and Instagram.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

2018-19 TSU Men's Basketball Preview - Post Players

PHOTO GALLERY

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- First-year Head Coach Brian “Penny” Collins will have multiple options for post players during the 2018-19 season.

Stokley Chaffee Jr., who appeared in 28 games last season, returns for his senior season with another year of experience. Starting the last two games of the season in 2017-18, Chaffee put up nine points in both the regular season finale and the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

Among the post players, DaJion Henderson and Demarcus Mitchell attended TSU last year but did not play in a game. Henderson earned All-Conference honors at El Camino College Compton Center, a junior college in California, during the 2016-17 season. Mitchell secured All-Metro honors from The Commercial Appeal as a senior in high school.

The newcomer to the group is Emmanuel Egbuta, who starred at Navarro College in Texas for the last two seasons. Egbuta brings length and athleticism to the frontcourt after earning NJCAA Region XIV Second Team All-North Zone accolades a year ago for Navarro.  

Jy’lan Washington, a Smyrna, Tenn. native, will sit out the 2018-19 season after transferring from Louisiana Tech. Washington played in 97 games in three seasons for the Bulldogs. He will have one year of eligibility left in 2019-20.

POST PLAYER BREAKDOWN

NAME	CL	HT	WT	NOTE
Stokley Chaffee Jr.	Sr.	6'8	215	Played in 28 games with two starts; Averaged 2.7 ppg and 3.1 rpg
DaJion Henderson	R-Jr.	6'7	275	Missed 2017-18 season with injury; All-Conference at El Camino College Compton Center
Demarcus Mitchell	R-Fr.	6'7	220	Redshirted in 2017-18; AAA All-Metro from Commercial Appeal as a senior
Emmanuel Egbuta	Jr.	6'7	230	NJCAA Region XIV 2nd Team All-North Zone at Navarro College (Texas)
Jy'lan Washington	Sr.	6'9	195	Will sit out the 2018-19 season after transferring from Louisiana Tech

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

TSU Heads to the OVC Cross Country Championship

MEET INFORMATION

OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP

Date: Saturday, Oct. 27
Location: Osage Center – Cape Girardeau, Mo. 
Time: WOMEN – 9 a.m. / MEN – 10 a.m. 
Distance: WOMEN – 5K / MEN – 8K
Live Results:  CFPI Timing
Course Map:  WOMEN / MEN

STARTING LINE: With three weeks in between competitions, the Tennessee State men’s and women’s cross country teams head to Cape Girardeau, Mo. for the Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Championship. The event, held at the Osage Center, will kick off with the women’s 5K at 9 a.m. followed by the men’s 8K at 10 a.m.

THE FIELD: Austin Peay, Belmont, Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Morehead State, Murray State, Southeast Missouri, SIUE, TSU, Tennessee Tech, UT Martin

LAST TIME OUT: At the Fast Cats Classic on Oct. 6 in Owensboro, Ky., sophomore Larry McNary paced the men’s team with an 8K time of 30:34 to help TSU place 15th. On the women’s side, sophomore Rebekah Wynn clocked in at 22:06 in the 5K put the Tigerbelles 14th overall.

LAST YEAR’S EVENT: Larry McNary and Rebekah Wynn were TSU’s top finishers a year ago at the OVC Cross Country Championship in Charleston, Ill. Both the men’s and women’s team earned 12th place.

OVC CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY: The Tigerbelles have had one top-10 individual finisher at the OVC Cross Country Championship – Candice Simon (9th in 2000). TSU had placed 12th at the OVC Cross Country Championship in each of the last six seasons.

UP NEXT: TSU heads into the indoor track and field season with the Blue and White Meet at the Gentry Center on Nov. 12 to unofficially kick off the season. The first official meet of the indoor season is Dec. 1 – the Vanderbilt Opener in Nashville.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Xavier's Horn promoted to Assistant VP for Student Affairs

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has promoted Jason Horn to assistant vice president for student affairs, effective immediately.
     
Horn, hired in 2014 as XULA's director of athletics and recreation, will continue to have primary oversight of those departments. He has been given additional responsibilities which include exploration of the addition of new sports and programs, the management of XULA's trademarking and licensing endeavors as well as other strategic university initiatives.
     
XULA also announced that Dr. Ashley Baker, the department's associate athletics director and senior woman administrator, will assume additional responsibilities that include direct oversight of some sports programs.
    
Horn's and Baker's new responsibilities were part of nearly a dozen changes within the Office of Student Affairs announced Wednesday by Vice President Curtis Wright.
     
"Jason Horn is an innovative, student-centered athletics director," Wright said. "Jason's leadership and ingenuity have positioned Xavier University as a standard-bearer in our conference and among HBCUs athletic programs. I'm looking forward to the great, good work that he'll produce as assistant vice president as we grow our sports programs and create services which continue to support our brilliantly talented student-athletes."
     
During Horn's XULA tenure, he has successfully negotiated several multi-year partnerships — with Ochsner Health System's sports medicine division, apparel provider adidas, website provider SIDEARM Sports, UniversityTickets to provide online ticketing for athletics competitions, concerts and other events, and Follett Advanced-Online to provide an official athletics online store featuring XULA products.
     
Said Horn, "I feel very privileged and honored to continue to lead Xavier's athletics and recreation teams. This promotion would not be possible if it weren't for the dedicated staff we have in both areas. I enjoy being at Xavier and look forward to continue implementing innovative methods that support the university's service excellence initiatives."
     
Horn is a Detroit native and a graduate of the University of Michigan. He is on the board of directors of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. Horn is a member of the NAIA's National Administrative Council (NAC) and the Competitive Experience Committee, and he serves the NAIA's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference as chair of the athletic directors and as vice president of the league.
     
XULA is a longtime member of the NAIA and the GCAC. XULA sponsors intercollegiate teams in women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's tennis and men's and women's outdoor track and field.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
XULAgold.com
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XULA promotes Mitchell to associate head coach

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has promoted Tyrone Mitchell to associate head coach of men's basketball, effective immediately.
     
Mitchell is in his fourth season on the staff. Since his hiring at XULA as assistant coach in August 2015, the Gold Rush qualified for the NAIA Division I National Championship tournament 2-of-3 times: 2016 and 2018. Last season the Gold Rush earned a share of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship and ranked 25th in the final national coaches poll.
     
"Tyrone Mitchell has continued to grow and develop as he begins his fourth season," head coach Alfred Williams said. "Every year, we've had a better recruiting class since our first year together. Tyrone's relationships in the state of Louisiana have helped Xavier to recruit and keep local talent home. He has been a great addition to our program."
     
A native of New Iberia, La., Mitchell was an assistant coach at Baton Rouge (La.) Community College during the 2014-15 season. He was a standout point guard at Northwestern State University from 2002-06 and played seven years professionally in Europe.
     
"I'm extremely grateful for this vote of confidence from Xavier's athletic administration and coach Williams," Mitchell said. "It's really a testament to the awesome student-athletes and coaching staff who are building a culture of success and excellence. I'm humbled to play a role in helping build a first-class, winning team, and I am looking forward to what's ahead."
     
The XULA men will open their 81st season with games at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, against Keiser Friday (7 p.m. AST/6 p.m. New Orleans time) and Virgin Islands Sunday (2 p.m. AST/1 p.m. New Orleans time). The home opener will tip off at 7 p.m. next Thursday against Carver in the Convocation Center.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
XULAgold.com
twitter.com/xulagold
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Hampton Pirates Tabbed Third in Big South Conference Men's Basketball Poll -- Marrow First Team

PIRATES TABBED THIRD IN MEN'S POLL - MARROW FIRST TEAM https://t.co/iD64cODhi3

— Hampton Athletics (@HUAthletics1868) October 23, 2018

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The 2018-19 Big South Conference Preseason Polls and All-Conference teams were announced on Tuesday at Media Day and the men's basketball team was selected third in the poll and junior Jermaine Marrow was selected to the first team.

Defending champion Radford earned 28 of the 33 first-place votes to lead the preseason poll with 357 points. Winthrop had two first-place votes and picked second with 280 points while Hampton was third with 253 points and two first place votes.
 

Marrow earned Preseason All-Conference honors along with Chris Clemons (Campbell), Ed Polite (Radford), Christian Keeling (Charleston Southern) and David Efianayi (Gardner-Webb). Clemons was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year.
 

After a season where he averaged 19.1 points, 5.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds, Marrow nearly recorded a triple-double against Bethune-Cookman with 35 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. He had a career high 11 assists against Mid-Atlantic Christian.

2018-19 Big South Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team

First-Team
Chris Clemons, Campbell, Sr., G (Raleigh, N.C.)
Ed Polite Jr., Radford, Sr., F (Lanham, Md.)
Christian Keeling, Charleston Southern, Jr., G (Augusta, Ga.)
David Efianayi, Gardner-Webb, R-Sr., G (Orlando, Fla.)
Jermaine Marrow, Hampton, Jr., G (Newport News, Va.)

Second-Team
Carlik Jones, Radford, R-So., G (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Jahaad Proctor, High Point, R-Jr., G (Harrisburg, Pa.)
Josh Ferguson, Winthrop, Jr., F (Miami, Fla.)
Isaiah Walton, Longwood, R-Sr., G (Oberlin, Ohio)
Deion Holmes, USC Upstate, Sr., G (Chesnee, S.C.)

For more information on Hampton University men's basketball please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

Showtime #BSCMediaDay pic.twitter.com/JxGbpGsJt3

— Hampton Athletics (@HUAthletics1868) October 23, 2018

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS STRATEGIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Hampton University Athletics: Respect the "H" Show EP9 - 7

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Big South Selects K'Lynn Willis Preseason First Team All-Conference, Hampton Lady Pirates Picked Fourth

PHOTO COURTESY: CODY CLIFTON/HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The 2018-19 Big South Conference Preseason Polls and All-Conference teams were announced on Tuesday at Media Day and Hampton was picked fourth along with earning a first team selection in K'lynn Willis.

Radford earned nine of the 11 first place votes to take the top spot with 116 points, followed by High Point with the other two first place votes and 102 points. UNC Asheville was third with 100 points and Hampton was selected fourth with 89 points.

Willis joins the first team after averaging 9.1 points, 3.7 assists and had a team high 50 steals. She had a season-high 20 points against Florida A&M and dished out a season high seven assists in the same game. Against nationally-ranked Oregon she had a season-best six steals.

Emma Bockrath of High Point was the Preseason Player of the Year and joined on the team by Destinee Walker (Radford), Jessica Wall (UNC Asheville) and Kacie Hall (Presbyterian).

For more information on Hampton University women's basketball please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

One of the goals for @Hampton_MBB and @Hampton_WBB #BSCMediaDay pic.twitter.com/P51erPaN3s

— Hampton Athletics (@HUAthletics1868) October 23, 2018

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Everything Husker fans need to know about the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

Bethune-Cookman at Nebraska, 12 PM EDT, TV: Big Ten Network (BTN)

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Bethune-Cookman is already a winner considering the $800,000 payout it’s receiving to come to Lincoln, but Nebraska represents perhaps the biggest challenge Sims has faced in his fourth year as coach.

The Wildcats lost 49-28 to FBS foe Florida Atlantic last month and had a pair of defeats to Miami in recent seasons. The Huskers are the first Big Ten foe to face Bethune-Cookman in the 93-year history of the program, which is 2-9 against FBS teams — both wins against Florida International. Once a player at Knoxville in the early 1990s, Sims has been with the school in Daytona Beach, Florida, for nine years.

Coach Terry Sims (24-16 at Bethune-Cookman)



CONTINUE READING

Bethune-Cookman has one of nation's best marching bands, but it won't make trip to Nebraska

Bethune-Cookman at Nebraska, 12 PM EDT, TV: Big Ten Network (BTN)

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Bethune-Cookman’s football team is visiting Nebraska for the first time this weekend. The school’s famous marching band — which has its own Netflix series — will not be coming, though.

A Nebraska official said Monday that BCU’s band — known as “The Pride” — is not accompanying the football team to Lincoln. An administrative assistant for the BCU band said it was “not financially able” to make the trip.

BCU was a bye-week replacement opponent for the Huskers after thunderstorms canceled the season-opening game against Akron.

CONTINUE READING

HBCU Play Ep. 12 - Willie Simmons, Head Coach Florida A&M Rattlers Football

ATLANTA, Georgia -- HBCU PLAY is a prime source for the latest information on historically black colleges and university athletics. The weekly program breaks down impact games throughout the various conferences, includes feature stories, interviews, and recognizes student-athletes for their work within the community.

Episode 12 = Willie Simmons - the head coach of the Florida A&M Rattlers football team - joins HBCU PLAY.

SHC Badgers Sweep University of Mobile

MOBILE, Alabama -- The Spring Hill College (SHC) volleyball team completed the season sweep of arch rival the University of Mobile on the road Wednesday night. The Badgers claimed the victory by scores of 25-14, 25-17, and 26-24. The win runs SHC's current winning streak to 15 games.

Spring Hill controlled play in the first two sets by dominating at the net against a much taller Ram front row. The Badgers outhit Mobile .139 to -.045 in the first set and followed up with a .367 to .111 advantage in set number two. Mobile would regroup at the second intermission and played SHC to a tight third set that was back and forth. However, the Badgers would not be outdone as they closed out the win 26-24.

The Badger offensive attack was led by Allison Weimer and Kassandra Fairly who each knocked down 10 kills. Taylor Hurst had 9 kills and Sarah Senft and Bentley Odom 4 apiece. As a team, the Badgers produced a workman like .231 attack percentage to outpace Mobile which could manage only a .072 overall. The Badger offense was keyed by another solid setting performance Emmarose Neibert who dished out 34 assists.

Cassidi Sterrett led the way in thwarting the Ram attack with 21 digs from the back line. The Badger front line also out blocked Mobile 7-4 led by Bentley Odem's 1 solo block and 4 block assists.

"Great effort from whole squad, played really well in first two sets," said Head Coach Peggy Martin. "Mobile played much better in Set 3 and we made some unforced errors we hadn't made all night. We were able to come from behind in the closely contested last set. Cassidi Sterrett played great in the backcourt in all phases, serve, pass and digging. Emmarose Neibert ran the offense very well. Looking forward to a few days off to re-energize for a strong finish."

The Badgers (25-3, 16-0 SIAC) will host Jesuit rival Loyola University on October 31 at 6:00 PM and close out the regular season at home against SIAC foe Tuskegee for senior night on November 2 at 6:00 PM.

By Jim Stennett
SPRING HILL COLLEGE BADGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

Spring Hill Volleyball Debuts at No. 10 South Region Rankings

ATLANTA, Georgia – With only two weeks remaining until their first opportunity to debut in the 2018 SIAC Volleyball Championship Tournament, Spring Hill has debuted in the NCAA Volleyball Regional Rankings at number 10.

The Spring Hill Badgers are excelling on the court as they are 25-3, 16-0 SIAC. In last week's matchups, the Lady Badgers finished the South Region Crossover Classic 3-0 after defeating regional teams including Union University (Tenn.), Mississippi College, and Auburn University Montgomery.

Under the direction of head coach, Peggy Martin, the Badgers are currently on a 21-game winning streak and remain undefeated in conference after sweeping both Western Division Clusters and the SIAC Crossover Tournament.

Leading the Badgers are Kassandra Fairly who leads the conference in hitting percentage (.401), Emmarose Neibert who leads in assists (10.55/set), Randi De'Armitt who leads in service aces (0.55/set), and Cassidi Sterrett who leads in digs (5.17/set).

The Badgers will travel to face University of Mobile before returning home to finish the regular season facing Loyola University and Tuskegee.

For more information on the 2018 SIAC Volleyball Tournament, click here.

By Jim Stennett
SPRING HILL COLLEGE BADGERS SPORTS INFORMATION