Xavier to conduct volleyball tryouts for the 2012 season

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will offer free tryouts for the 2012 women's volleyball season from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 3 at The Barn.

Junior college players, 2012 high school graduates and current Xavier students are welcome to try out. Prospects must bring documentation from a physician of a physical examination which cleared them for participation in interscholastic or intercollegiate athletics during the 2011-12 academic year.

Prospects also are encouraged to bring a player profile or resumé, DVDs of volleyball skills and competition, and copies of academic transcripts and ACT and/or SAT scores.

Free water will be provided. Contact XU coach Christabell Hamilton at chamilt5@xula.edu for additional information.

Driving directions to The Barn, Xavier's gymnasium, can be found online by using 3999 Short St. and the 70125 zip code as the destination.

Xavier's Gold Nuggets were 23-7 in 2011, won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and qualified for the NAIA National Championship.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Scores That Matters!!

Tuesday/Wednesday, January 6-7, 2012

MEN'S BASKETBALL

SWAC
Southern 49, Jackson State 44 O.T.
Alcorn State 57, Grambling State 55
Mississippi Valley 78, Alabama A&M 64
Arkansas Pine Bluff 62, Alabama State 61

GCAC

Tougaloo 92, Fisk 69

Xavier 73, Southern-New Orleans 62
Talladega 72, Dillard 68

MEAC

Delaware State 77, Hampton 69

Savannah State 55, Texas A&M-CC 49
South Carolina State 74, Longwood 58
North Carolina Central 81, Bethune Cookman 79
Florida A&M 87, North Carolina A&T 77
Norfolk State 72, Maryland Eastern Shore 60
Howard 54, Morgan State 46

NAIA

Texas College 74, Southwest New Mexico 71 O.T.

Our Lady of the Lake TX 106, Huston-Tillotson TX 84

LSU Shreveport 74, Langley OK 45

Wiley TX 76, Bacone OK 74 O.T.

SAGU Tx 80, Paul Quinn 72

Florida Memorial 72, Embry-Riddle 71

Xavier basketball and volleyball contests in 2012-13 will be played at the 4,500-seat Convocation Academic Center, which is still under construction. Read about the new facility here:  NEW FACILITY

DID YOU KNOW?  XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA ATHLETIC PROGRAM HAS HAD  A  GRADUATION RATE OF 95 PERCENT SINCE 2004. 

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

OVC

Murray State 66, Tennessee State 56

SWAC

Southern 65, Jackson State 60

Alabama State 68, Arkansas Pine Bluff 57

Grambling State 66, Alcorn State 58

Mississippi Valley State 73, Alabama A&M 44

MEAC

Florida A&M 68, North Carolina A&T 63
Howard 64, Morgan State 55
Maryland Eastern Shore 62, Norfolk State 58 OT

Bethune Cookman 63, North Carolina Central 61

Hampton 72, Delaware State 33

Savannah State 53, Longwood 41

SIAC

Albany State 63, Clark Atlanta 61

Tuskegee 76, Claflin 54

Kentucky State 73, Lane 56

Benedict 59, Miles 46

CIAA

Winston Salem State 75, St. Augustine's 63
Lincoln Pa.55, Elizabeth City State 48
Bowie State 63, Chowan 51

Shaw 82, Livingstone 61

Fayetteville State 59, Johnson C. Smith 58

SIAC

Albany State 63, Clark Atlanta 61

Benedict 59, Miles 46

Kentucky State 73, Lane 56

Tuskegee 76, Claflin 54

NAIA

Our Lady of the Lake TX 105, Huston-Tillotson TX 69

Langston OK 72, LSU Shreveport 54
Texas College 92, Southwest New Mexico 90 O.T.
SAGU TX 45, Paul Quinn TX 37
Wiley TX 74, Bacone OK 58

Montreat NC 85, Allen SC 56

FAMU Lady Rattlers Swish 14th Straight Win

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The FAMU Women's basketball team scored their 14th straight victory Monday night in a 5-point game against North Carolina A&T.

FAMU's "Think Pink" game featured a sluggish start by the MEAC leading Lady Rattlers. Coach LeDawn Gibson's squad led by 4 at intermission and then held on for the 68-65 victory Monday at the Al Lawson Center. The 68-point total was 34 points fewer than the Orange & Green total from Saturday's 102-66 beatdown of North Carolina Central.

Monday's game featured Antonio Bennett scoring her 1500th career point for FAMU. It also featured 3 players in double digit scoring (Bennett, 17 Points; Kimberly Sparkman, 19 Points; Tameka McKelton, 13 Points).

The Lady Rattlers improve to (17-5) overall, (10-0) versus the MEAC.

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NSU ends skid, holds lead in MEAC with road win

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland - Losing three of their last four games, the Norfolk State Spartans entered Monday night's game against Maryland Eastern Shore with winning on their minds.

A victory against the Hawks would end a two-game losing streak and keep Savannah State and Bethune-Cookman at bay in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings.

After seeing an 18-point lead dwindle to four, Norfork State held on for a 72-60 win. The Spartans set a new season record for victories at the Division I level.

"It's great to get the record," said Spartans coach Anthony Evans. "I know we tied it a while ago, but it was good to break it. We had a couple of bumps in the road but we rather it have it happen now than later in the season. We just need to rebound a little bit better and play team basketball."

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FSU men and women upset CIAA rival Johnson C. Smith

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- Monday turned out to be a night of clutch moments for the Fayetteville State Broncos.

The FSU women delivered a key defensive steal and game-winning free throw with 2.54 seconds left to stun Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Southern Division leader Johnson C. Smith, 59-58, in the opening game of the evening.

The men followed that dramatic finish with a decisive burst of their own in the final five minutes at Capel Arena to knock off the Golden Bulls, 71-57, and end a seven-game losing streak.

"I can't even explain the feeling right now. I'm just overwhelmed,'' sophomore Je'Lena Robertson said moments after sinking the first of two fouls shots that provided the game-winning point in a second straight triumph for the Fayetteville State women (9-10 overall, 3-7 CIAA).

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Iles on target again; Xavier wins at SUNO

NEW ORLEANS -- Senior point guard Chris Iles continued his torrid shooting and scored a career-high 18 points Monday to lead NAIA No. 25 Xavier University to a 73-62 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against SUNO at The Castle.

The Gold Rush (18-6 overall, 7-2 GCAC) climbed to second place in the conference and dropped the Knights (12-10, 8-3) to third.

Iles was 7-of-11 from the floor and 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Xavier made all seven of its shots from the floor -- including a trio of Iles 3-pointers and another by Kevin Miller -- during a five-minute burst which increased the Gold Rush lead from 48-39 to 66-45 with 3:02 remaining.

Iles is 16-of-24 on 3-pointers during Xavier's four-game win streak. The Gold Rush have won 8-of-9 games -- the loss was at GCAC leader Tougaloo a week ago -- and 11-of-13.

Denzell Erves had 14 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high-tying three blocked shots for Xavier in his fourth double-double of the season. Wanto Joseph had 12 points, three assists and a career-best seven rebounds.

Clyde Moore had 18 points and seven rebounds for SUNO, and Devin White had 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and five blocked shots.

The Knights' only lead was at 6-5 in the third minute. Cordell Hadnot's basket at 17:03 of the half put Xavier ahead to stay. The Gold Rush led 36-29 at halftime.

Xavier outshot the Knights 53.8 to 40 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 40-28. Xavier gained a season split with its city rival after losing 67-64 in overtime on Jan. 10.

The Gold Rush will visit Talladega in a 7 p.m. GCAC game Saturday.

BOX SCORE

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

The Official List of 2012 AAMU Football Signees

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- On Feb. 1, 2012, aamusports.com posted the official list of prospective student-athletes who have signed National Letters of Intent to play football at Alabama A&M in 2012.

Updated Alabama A&M Football Signing List

• Rashad Anderson DB 5-10 160 Hazel Green, AL Hazel Green HS

• Reginald Bailey DE 6-2 230 Picayune, MS Pearl River JC

• Corey Cockrell DB 5-9 170 Bessemer, AL Bessemer HS

• Jonathan Dorsey TE 6-6 205 Tuskegee, AL Booker T. Washington HS

• Jeremy Ford WR 6-2 185 Irvington, AL Alma Bryant HS

• Winston Hunt OL 6-7 310 Wetumpka, AL New Mexico Mil. JC

• Chauncey Hunter RB 6-1 210 Mobile, AL Williamson HS



• Austin Jones DB 6-0 175 Riverwoods, IL Deerfield HS

• Grallen Jones OL 6-1 265 Mobile, AL Blount HS



• Greg Jones DB 6-4 205 Mobile, AL Murphy HS

• Travis Lockhart OL 6-4 325 Mobile, AL Blount HS



• Tevin McKenzie WR 5-10 185 Mobile, AL Murphy HS



• Robert Nelson LB 5-11 205 Cordele, GA Univ. of Tennessee

• Cedric Poole DB 5-10 175 Birmingham, AL Center Point HS



• Nick Richardson WR 6-1 180 Madison, AL Bob Jones HS



• Shaq Scott OL 6-4 350 Jackson, AL Jackson HS

• Embrel Vaughn LB 5-11 220 Jackson, AL Jackson HS



• Chris Walker LB 6-2 245 Mobile, AL Davidson HS

• O’Darius Williams WR 6-0 170 Montgomery, AL Jeff Davis HS

HU Extends Win Streak to Four With Win Over Morgan State

NICOLE DETERVILLE
6'-1" F/C, JUNIOR
HOMETOWN: TORONTO, CANADA
WESTON HIGH SCHOOL

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- The Howard Women's Basketball team (17-7 overall, 9-2 MEAC) finished the game shooting 11-for-15 (73.3 percent) from the charity-stripe to take down the Morgan State Bears, 64-55. HU changed its offense to an inside-outside game after going an entire first-half without touching the free-throw line and shooting 2-of-10 (20 percent) from behind the arc.

Howard was paced by Saadia Doyle, who tallied a game-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Tamoria Holmes recorded 20 points, dished out four assists, and recorded three swipes.

Howard's floor general, Cheyenne Curley-Payne finished with a team-best 10 assists, while Zykia Brown contributed 10 points, five boards, three assists and just one turnover in 31 minutes of action. Inside the paint, Nicole Deterville pulled down seven off the glass for the night.

HU started the game with a 17-8 run over a seven-plus span. At the 9:12 mark, Howard took its largest advantage of the first period at 11 points (24-13) from a three-pointer by Brown.

PORTIA DETERVILLE
6'-1" F/C, JUNIOR
HOMETOWN: TORONTO, CANADA
WESTON HIGH SCHOOL

MSU scored five straight points to cut the spread to three, 24-21 at the 5:11 mark.

From there, both teams battled back and forth, exchanging baskets. HU took a 30-26 advantage into the half.

The Bison turned up their energy in the second half, outscoring the Bears a 11-7. At the 12:40 mark, MSU decreased the margin to three points after a jumper from inside the paint by Omara Parker (41-38).

HU responded with a 12-4 run to achieve its widest margin of the game at 13 points, 53-40.

The Bison held steady, and cruised to the nine-point victory against MSU.

For the game, Morgan State's Parker finished with team-high 21 points (shooting 8-13 from the field) while Amarah Williams had a solid night adding 12 points and seven rebounds to the stat sheet.

Howard will return to Burr Gymnasium to take on the Florida A&M Rattlers at 2pm on Sat. Feb 11.

Follow Coach G's fan page on facebook to get a behind the scenes look at the team as they make their push toward the Big Dance: www.facebook.com/NikiGeckeler.

BOX SCORE

Written by Julee O'Neal, W. Basketball, Broadcast Journalism '13

Jamilah Corbitt, Asst. Director of Sports Information
VISIT: HOWARD-BISON
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Franklin helps XU Gold Nuggets end their Monday road woes

NEW ORLEANS -- SiMon Franklin scored a career-high 17 points Monday to rally NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 67-55 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against SUNO at The Castle.

The Gold Nuggets (18-7 overall, 8-1 GCAC) won for the 11th time in 13 games and maintained their half-game lead over Tougaloo in the conference.  Franklin and Brandi Young scored 10 first-half points apiece. SUNO led 17-6 through the first 6½ minutes, but Xavier gained 14 turnovers thereafter to rally for a 37-28 halftime lead.

"Monee Franklin took over the game for about six minutes and got some key buckets," Xavier coach Bo Browder said. "She's done that several times this season. We needed her to do that tonight because Jasmine Grant was out most of the game."

Young finished with 15 points, and Carmen Holcombe had 14 to match her career best.

Sabrina Scott had 15 points and eight rebounds for SUNO (11-9, 7-4), and April Perry scored 10.

It was the first time in four tries this season that Xavier won a Monday road game. The Nuggets lost at Tougaloo and William Carey the previous two Mondays and at LSU-Shreveport in November.

"All those games were winnable," Browder said. "We didn't close the deal in those losses when we could have. I've said all season that when we bring our passion and energy for 40 minutes, we're a tough out.

"Tonight we got down early but didn't get rattled. We had some nice contributions from our starters and our bench. You've got to have that to win on the road. This was a great team win."

Xavier outshot SUNO 41.4 to 37.3 percent from the floor. The Nuggets committed 19 turnovers and gained 27, 17 by steals. Young had four steals, and Franklin, Holcombe and Jazmoné Kelly had three apiece.

Kelly led all rebounders with nine, six in the second half.

Xavier will travel to Talladega, the GCAC's third-place team, for a 5 p.m. Saturday game.

BOX SCORE

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Seeking an end to hazing deaths

 Drum Major Robert Champion

(CBS News) HAZING is on no college or university's official curriculum. Yet hazing does occur with regularity on a number of campuses, and when things go wrong, it ends up in tragedy - and headlines. Our Cover Story is reported now by Tracy Smith.

CLICK HERE TO PLAY CBS VIDEO REPORT

ORLANDO, Florida - It was a half-time show worthy of the Super Bowl, when Florida A&M's legendary band, the Marching 100, took the field for a college football game last November. Just hours later, 26-year-old drum major Robert Champion lay dying in the band's bus . . . brutally beaten in an alleged hazing ritual.

Champion's senseless death sparked a national outcry over hazing . . . the same outcry as earlier last year after the hazing death of George Desdunes at Cornell . . . and in 2010 after the hazing death of Samuel Mason at Radford University . . . and in 2009 after the hazing death of Arman Partamian at Geneseo State . . . The same outcry that has come with chilling regularity every year, for decades.

Hank Nuwer, a professor at Franklin College in Indiana, has spent the past 40 years documenting every hazing death in the United States. Since 1975, he says, "there's been a death every particular year. Would I be very surprised if 2012 goes by without a death? Yes."

Nuwer says hazing is anything that is required of a newcomer by veterans in a group that you have to go through - it may be silly, demeaning or dangerous. And the record of dangerous, even deadly hazing, stretches back more than a century.

"The first verifiable incident, clearly, is 1873 at Cornell University," said Nuwer ....

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U.S. Navy Discharges 8 Sailors After Alleged Hazing Incident

Discharged Sailor Claims Alleged Hazing Was 'Roughhousing'

SEE VIDEO OF INCIDENT

SAN DIEGO, California - Eight enlisted sailors aboard the San Diego-based amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard have received general discharges from the Navy after being caught in a hazing incident. A young mariner requested medical attention for choking and other injuries from the ship’s doctor. The sailors were in the junior ranks and worked the flight deck and other general duties.

After starting in a new department on the ship, the sailor was involved in an incident that included wrestling, punching, choking and horsing around, according to a senior U.S. Navy official. The young man was reportedly choked out until a black out occurred and he sustained significant bruising.

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Recalling nephew, Rep. Chu says: Military hazing 'must stop'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - For Rep. Judy Chu, the Capitol Hill gathering of lawmakers calling for the Pentagon to crack down on hazing in the military was personal. 

Her nephew, Harry Lew, a 21-year-old Marine who committed suicide in Afghanistan in April, was a victim of hazing, the California Democrat said.

"This must stop," she said, calling for congressional hearings on hazing in the military. "Too many patriotic young people, who only want to serve our country, are being harmed."

Since her nephew’s death, Chu said, she has received letters from others recounting their family’s own experiences with hazing in the military. "What was even more disturbing is the fact that they felt helpless in fighting it," she said, standing by a picture of a uniformed Lew with his family.

Lew underwent three hours and 20 minutes of hazing that included having to do push-ups, crunches and other exercises while wearing full body armor, according to Chu. Fellow Marines, reportedly angry that Lew fell asleep while on watch, poured sand on his face and into his mouth and kicked him and punched him, she added.

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Munks' role expanding in Prairie View offense

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Sophomore guard Louis Munks seems to be warming up to his role as Prairie View A&M's go-to guy, again handling that responsibility against Texas Southern on Saturday.  Munks scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Panthers to a 73-67 victory at the William Nicks Building on the Prairie View campus. It was Munks' eighth consecutive game with double-digit points.

During that span, Munks has averaged 17.8 points on 44.7 percent shooting. He also shot 72.2 percent from the free-throw line.




Munks had plenty of help Saturday. Guard Ryan Gesiakowski had 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including five treys. Swingman Demondre Chapman had 13 points in 31 minutes off the bench, and guard Jourdan DeMuynck had 10 points and seven rebounds.

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North Carolina A&T Aggies Sign 18 In Initial Class

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  --  Rod Broadway announced his first Signing Day Class as the head football coach of North Carolina A&T, on February 1.

It is filled with future playmakers and those who will be assigned to protect them. A&T's 18-man class includes four athletes, four offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, three defensive linemen, two defensive backs, a wide receiver, tight end and linebacker.

Twelve of Broadway's signees are from the state of North Carolina, including five players from the Cape Fear Region, three players from Durham and one player from Greensboro.

"I think it's a good class, but everything is on paper right now," said Broadway. "We will find out in August just how good our class really is. But right now, I feel good about the class we've signed. I think they will help make us a better football team."

The four athletes Broadway signed are Marquis Gorham (Greenville, N.C., Rose, 5-9, 175), Anthony McMinn II (Hendersonville, N.C., Hendersonville, 6-3, 220), Tony McRae (Laurinburg, N.C., Scotland, 5-10, 170) and Kwashaun Quick (Laurinburg, N.C., Scotland, 6-2, 210).

"We need everything," said Broadway. "But we were able to get a little faster with this class. Plus, we brought in some offensive linemen to help us depth wise."

The four offensive linemen signees include Javontay Stewart (Greenville, S.C., JL Mann, 6-3, 210), Major Kay (Lincolnton, N.C., Lincoln, 6-4, 295), Lashon Hudson (Savannah, Ga., Groves, 6-4, 325) and Jahkeem Forrester (Atlanta, Ga., Mt. Zion, 6-2, 290).

The Aggies also picked up two additional quarterbacks after playing a season with their backup quarterback - Ricky Lewis - playing mostly wide receiver. Run and pass threats Dorian Belcher (Durham, N.C., Southern, 6-2, 210) and Oluwafemi Bamiro (Washington, D.C., Coolidge, 6-5, 200) will be Aggies next season.

Belcher's teammate at Southern Durham, wide receiver Darren Bullock (6-0, 180), will be a welcomed addition to Aggieland. He tallied more than 1,200 yards receiving in 2011. Tight end Joel Watson (Four Oaks, N.C., South Johnston, 6-6, 240) rounds out the offensive side of the ball for A&T.

A&T's defensive line received help on Wednesday as Marquis Ragland (Fayetteville, N.C., Seventy-First, 6-3, 246), Marcus Raynor (Fayetteville, N.C., Cape Fear, 6-2, 275) and Thaddeus "TJ" Terrell (Greensville, S.C., JL Mann, 6-4, 250) signed with the Aggies. Reggie Prince (Durham, 6-0, 175) was the third Southern Durham Spartan to sign with A&T. He is listed as a defensive back. Landis Shoffner (6-0, 158), an All-Area honorable mention selection out of Greensboro Grimsley, will join Prince in the secondary.

Linebacker Angelo Keyes (Kinston, N.C., Kinston, 6-0, 225) rounds out the class. He led the Vikings to the Class 2A state championship game in 2011.

2012 A&T SIGNING DAY CLASS

Oluwafemi Bamiro, Quarterback, 6-5, 200, Washington, D.C./Coolidge H.S.

Bamiro led his team to an 8-2 record and a berth in the DCIAA Turkey Bowl (city championship game) in 2011...In the game, Bamiro completed 9 of 22 passes, for 159 passing yards and he threw a 30-yard touchdown pass...Bamiro was named to the DCSportsFan.com second team and was an all-district performer in 2011...As a senior, Bamiro threw for 1,429 yards and 18 touchdowns on 79-for-154 passing...He also rushed for 143 yards and five touchdowns on 55 attempts...Played under Natalie Randolph, who is believed to be the only female in the country coaching a high school varsity football team.



Dorian Belcher, Quarterback, 6-2, 210, Durham, N.C./Southern

Dual threat quarterback who rushed or passed for 36 touchdowns during his senior season...Threw for 2,105 and rushed for 633 yards for the Spartans...Also served as the Spartans' punter and netted 40 yards per punt...As a safety, Belcher intercepted three passes...Threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns against Dunbar.



Darren Bullock, Wide Receiver, 6-0, 180, Durham, N.C./Southern

As a senior, Bullock scored 11 touchdowns, including one punt return, and totaled more than 1,200 receiving yards, becoming the first receiver in Southern Durham history to have a 1,000-yard season...Bullock was named to the PAC Six All-Conference team in 2011...Won the WR MVP award and was named to the All-Camp Team in the Durham Nike Football Training Camp in 2011...As a junior in 2010, recorded 42 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns...Earned team MVP honors three times and was an excellent baseball player for the Spartans.



Jahkeem Forrester, Offensive Lineman, 6-2, 280, Mt. Zion/Atlanta, Ga.

Forrester was considered the most improved player on his Mt. Zion team and graded out the highest of any offensive lineman throughout the 2011 season...Also competed in track and field where he threw the discus and shot put...Forrester earned Atlanta Falcons Captain in the Community presented by Russell Athletic for the week of Oct. 24, 2011...The Captain in the Community program recognizes outstanding high school football student-athletes from the state of Georgia.



Marquis Gorham, Athlete, 5-9, 175, Greenville, N.C./Rose

Outstanding athlete who could play multiple roles for the Aggies...As a senior, he was named All-County Special Teams Player of the Year after he returned 21 kickoffs for 751 yards and four touchdowns...Gorham was also an All-State kickoff and punt returner...Gorham's longest return of the season was a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown...Returned eight punts for 115 yards and a touchdown...His longest return was 51 yards...His other accolades include being named first-team All-Mideastern Conference and first-team All-Pitt County...Rushed for 390 yards and four touchdowns on 48 carries in 2011...Also made 39 catches for 832 yards and nine touchdowns...Defensively, he made 17 tackles, returned two interceptions for 92 yards and a touchdown and he broke up four passes....Named team captain and team MVP in 2011.



Lashon Hudson, Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 325, Savannah, Ga./Groves

Has the tools to be an excellent offensive lineman at North Carolina A&T...Has a combination of quickness and strength...Made nine tackles as a defensive lineman at Groves High School...Also competed in track and field in the shot put.

Major Kay, Offensive Lineman, 6-4, 295, Lincolnton, N.C./North Lincoln

Named to the NCPreps.com 2A All-State Preseason team as a senior...Played left tackle, and served as a blocker on punt situations...He comes off the ball with speed and power...He should be a nice addition to the Aggies offensive line.



Angelo Keyes, Linebacker, 6-0, 225, Kinston, N.C./Kinston

Led the Kinston Vikings to the Class 2A state championship game...Made a total of 20 tackles in the title game with 10 of them being solo...Was named Eastern Plains Conference Defensive Player of the Year after totaling 140 tackles (74 solo)...Also named first-team all-conference and the Kinston Free Press named him to its first team...Earned team MVP honors at the end of the season.



Anthony McMinn II, Athlete, 6-3, 220, Hendersonville, N.C./Hendersonville

McMinn was an all-conference selection his senior year, and carried the ball 95 times for 645 yards and 11 touchdowns...He had 60 tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups, five fumble recoveries and a touchdown on the defensive end...Ranked 108th in the state of North Carolina...Played H-back, fullback and tight end for Hendersonville...Also plays basketball, and has helped his team to an 18-0 start in 2011-12...His father, the Rev. Anthony McMinn, played football at Lees-McRae College, and his sister, Morgan, played basketball at Clemson University.

Tony McRae, Athlete, 5-10, 170, Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland County

McRae led his team to a 15-0 record and a No. 1 ranking in the state (N.C.) and the Class 4A Championship title...McRae ran for 96 yards and three touchdowns in the title game against New Bern High School....Earned honorable mention all-conference honors...Named to the 2011 All-Cape Fear Region team by the Fayetteville Observer.



Reggie Prince, Defensive Back, 6-0, 175, Durham, N.C./Southern

Prince earned a PAC 6 all-conference selection as a senior in 2011...Played defensive back and was a kick return specialist...Made 30 tackles, broke up eight passes and intercepted three in 2011...Also plays basketball for Southern.



Kwashaun Quick, Athlete, 6-2, 210, Laurinburg, N.C./Scotland

Named to the 2011 Shrine Bowl, game that features the best high school players from North Carolina against the best from South Carolina...Led his team to a 15-0 record and the Class 4A state title in 2011...Scotland was also ranked No. 1 in the state (N.C.)...Earned Cape Fear Region Player of the Year honors and named first-team All-Region in 2011.



Marquis Ragland, Defensive Lineman, 6-3, 246, Fayetteville, N.C./Seventy-First

Named first-team Mid-South all-conference on defense...Earned second-team honors as an offensive player.



Marcus Raynor, Defensive Lineman, 6-2, 275, Fayetteville, N.C./Cape Fear

Averaged 4.5 tackles and three sacks per game...Named second-team All-Mid South Conference in 2011...Finished his senior season with 52 tackles.

Landis Shoffner, Defensive Back, 6-0, 158, Greensboro, N.C./Grimsley

Named to the 2011 All-Metro Class 4A all-conference team as a defensive back...Earned honorable mention on the All-Area team during his senior season.

Javontay Stewart, Offensive Lineman, 6-3, 310, Greenville, S.C./JL Mann

Named second-team All-Region II in Class 4A as a senior...Excellent blocker with an attitude and a willingness to block down field...Joins teammate Thaddeus Terrell as a 2012 North Carolina A&T signee.

Thaddeus "TJ" Terrell, Defensive End, 6-4, 250, Greenville, S.C./JL Mann

Played in the prestigious Shrine Bowl, a football game that features the best high school players from South Carolina against the best from North Carolina...His school went from a Class 3A school to a 4A school during his senior season...Finished the 2011 season with 65 tackles, 10 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries...One of his interceptions was returned for a touchdown...He was a two-time all-conference performer, and committed to North Carolina A&T after earning a spot on the All-Region II 4A first team....Played under head coach Brian Strickland.



Joel Watson, Tight End, 6-6, 240, Four Oaks, N.C./South Johnston

Played varsity football under Shane Dular...Caught 21 passes for 279 yards during the 2011 season...Four of his receptions went for touchdowns...Had 55 yards receiving and a touchdown on three receptions against Northern Nash on Sept. 17, 2011...Made four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown against Triton on Nov. 5, 2011...Earned Eastern Carolina Class 3A all-conference honors in the fall.

Courtesy: North Carolina A&T State University Sports Information

Fort Valley State (Ga.) Releases 2012 Football Schedule

FORT VALLEY, Georgia – The Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Department of Athletics has released the ten-game 2012 football schedule. The schedule includes four home games at Wildcat Stadium, five games on the road, and a return to A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia for the 23rd Annual Fountain City Classic.

The Wildcats open the season on Saturday, September 1st against region rival, the Statesmen of Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. The game is a return match between the teams that met last season on the FVSU campus.

On Saturday, September 8th, the Wildcats are on the road again for another regional match-up when they meet the Blazers of Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia.

The first home game for the Wildcats is a conference contest against the Panthers of Clark Atlanta University on Saturday, September 15th in Wildcats Stadium. The following weekend, FVSU is at home again when they face conference foe Benedict College.

The two-game home stand for the Wildcats ends on Saturday, September 29th when FVSU travels to Tuskegee, Alabama for a conference bout with the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University.

The Wildcats begin the month of October with two home games. The first, on October 6th, is against the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University. The second is Homecoming 2012 when the Wildcats host Concordia College Hornets on Saturday, October 13th. The Wildcats conclude the month with two road games. On October 20th, FVSU will be in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for conference play against Stillman College. On October 27th, it’s on to Atlanta, Georgia for a meeting with the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College in B.T. Harvey Stadium.

The Wildcats will conclude the regular season on Saturday, November 3rd in the Fountain City Classic when they meet the Golden Rams of Albany State University.

Those wishing to reserve tickets for the 2012 season can contact the FVSU Cashier’s Office at 478-825-6433 or go to the following link on FVSU’s website: http://www.wildcatticketoffice.com.



Fort Valley State University 2012 Football Schedule

DATE Opponent Location Time

Sept. 01, 2012 Delta State University Cleveland, MS TBA
Sept. 08, 2012 Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA TBA
Sept. 15, 2012 CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY * FORT VALLEY, GA 6:00 PM
Sept. 22, 2012 BENEDICT COLLEGE* FORT VALLEY, GA 6:00 PM
Sept. 29, 2012 Tuskegee University* Tuskegee, AL 6:00 PM

Oct. 06, 2012 KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY* FORT VALLEY, GA 6:00 PM
Oct. 13, 2012 CONCORDIA COLLEGE FORT VALLEY, GA 2:00 PM (Homecoming)
Oct. 20, 2012 Stillman College* Tuscaloosa, AL TBA
Oct. 27, 2012 Morehouse College* Atlanta, GA 2:00 PM
Nov. 03, 2012 ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY* Columbus, GA 2:00 PM (23rd Annual Fountain City Classic)
Nov. 10, 2012 SIAC Championship Atlanta, GA TBA

*-Denotes SIAC Contest
Home Games in all caps

Courtesy: Fort Valley State University Office of Sports Information

Scores That Matters!!

February 4, 2012

MENS BASKETBALL

OVC
Tennessee State 75, SE Missouri State 72

GCAC
Tougaloo 69, Dillard 44
Southern-New Orleans 76, Talladega 71

SWAC
Mississippi Valley State 70, Alabama State 58
Prairie View A&M 73, Texas Southern 67
Alcorn State 57, Jackson State 46
Southern 57, Grambling State 53
Arkansas Pine Bluff 81, Alabama A&M 75

MEAC
North Carolina Central 78, Florida A&M 61
Delaware State 67, Norfolk State 50
Savannah State 73, South Carolina State 60
Bethune-Cookman 92, North Carolina A&T 79
Maryland Eastern Shore 78, Howard 65
Coppin State 88, Morgan State 86

SIAC
Benedict 59, Clark Atlanta 58
Morehouse 64, Claflin 62
Kentucky State 76, Miles 72
Stillman 93, Fort Valley State 82
Albany State 69, Tuskegee 63

CIAA
St. Augustine's 62, Fayetteville State 59
Winston Salem State 74, Livingstone 54
Virginia Union 69, Elizabeth City State 63
Shaw 95, Johnson C. Smith 76
Virginia State 60, Chowan 58

OTHERS
Wiley 62, Langston OK 61
Barber-Scotia 54, Allen SC 44
Paul Quinn 65, Huston-Tillotson 51
Southern Poly GA 98, Morris SC 57
Texas Wesleyan 86, Jarvis Christian 80
Montreat NC 89, Point Ga. 66


WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

OVC
S.E. Missouri State 50, Tennessee State 30

GCAC
Tougaloo 73, Dillard 61
Talladega 73, Southern-New Orleans 60

SWAC
Mississippi Valley 65, Alabama State 50
Prairie View A&M 53, Texas Southern 45
Alabama A&M 61, Arkansas Pine Bluff 55
Jackson State 76, Alcorn State 55
Grambling State 60, Southern 59

MEAC
Florida A&M 102, North Carolina Central 66
Howard 49, Maryland Eastern Shore 36
Coppin State 80, Morgan State 77
Norfolk State 84, Delaware State 66
North Carolina A&T 63, Bethune-Cookman 60 O.T.
South Carolina State 55, Savannah State 48

SIAC
Clark Atlanta 68, Benedict 65
Fort Valley State 77, Stillman 66
Miles 64, Kentucky State 62
Tuskegee 70, Albany State 68  O.T.

CIAA
Winston Salem State 82, Livingstone 68
Fayetteville State 64, St. Augustine's 62
Johnson C. Smith 68, Shaw 66
Virginia Union 60, Elizabeth City State 44
Virginia State 66, Chowan 46

OTHERS
Allen SC 68, Barber-Scotia 57
Paul Quinn 68, Huston-Tillotson 61
Southern Poly 82, Morris SC 61
Langston OK 65, Wiley 59
Harris-Stowe State MO 61, St. Stephens MO 47
Montreat NC 82, Point GA 53
Daemen NY 86, Wiberforce OH 65
Florida Memorial 71, Northwood FL 61

Shaw beats J.C. Smith, takes sole lead of CIAA South

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  -  Shaw's Bears are all alone atop the CIAA South.

Shaw, ranked 14th in Division II, rolled by J.C. Smith 95-76 Saturday at Brayboy Gym in a first-place showdown that was decided in the first half. The Bears (18-2, 4-0) ran wild in the opening half with Division I Binghamton transfer Malik Alvin facilitating Shaw's attack going off for a season-high 36 points on 14-of-20 shooting. Forward Karron Johnson added 18 points and Tony Smith chipped in 14 for the Bears in handing J.C. Smith (10-10, 3-1) its worst loss of the season.

"We did some things we wanted to do over the last three days of practice we felt could affect them, but they're always prepared," Shaw coach Cleo Hill Jr. said. "We just happened to have our night against them tonight."

READ MORE

Jaguars beat XU Nuggets, but Howell breaks through at No. 1

KOURNEY HOWELL
5'-5" Sophomore
Major: Biology/Pre-Medical
Hometown: Cypress, Texas
Transferred from: U.S. Naval Academy
Cypress Woods High School

MOBILE, Ala. -- Sophomore Kourtney Howell scored the first dual-match point of the season for Xavier University of Louisiana's women's tennis team, but South Alabama earned a 6-1 victory Saturday.

It was the second loss in less than 24 hours for the Gold Nuggets (0-3) as they begin their spring semester with five consecutive NCAA Division I opponents. But Howell, after splitting sets against the No. 1 singles players of Tulane and New Orleans, broke through against USA's Chané Hines, a senior and a three-time South African national champion.

Howell defeated Hines 6-1, 2-6, 1-0 (10-5). Xavier had dropped 12 straight No. 1 singles matches against NCAA D-I opponents since April 17, 2010.

"Kourtney's win was huge for her because it was her third straight three-set match," XU coach Alan Green said.

Xavier didn't win any other sets and collected just two games in three doubles matches, but Green also cited senior Ashley McGill, a 6-2, 6-4 loser to Veronika Kalugina at No. 6 singles.

"I was extremely proud of Kourtney and Ashley," Green said. "Everyone played hard, but those two stood out. We faced another tough opponent, but we played better than we did yesterday (in a 9-0 home loss to New Orleans). We're taking baby steps."

South Alabama is 2-0.

Both Xavier teams will visit Prairie View A&M in 3 p.m. duals Friday.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Savannah State Announces 2012 Football Recruiting Class

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Eighteen student-athletes have signed letters of intent to play football at Savannah State University, head coach Steve Davenport announced at a February 1, press conference in the Tiger Arena multipurpose room.

The incoming class is balanced with nine offensive players and nine defensive players.

Four of the offensive players are linemen. SSU inked a pair of quarterbacks and running backs and one wide receiver. On the defensive side of the ball, three players are linemen and three are linebackers, two are cornerbacks and one is a safety.

Ten of the signees come from the high school ranks while six are junior college players and two are transferring from FBS programs.

The newest Tigers hail from ten states as far north as New York, as far south as Florida and as far west as Louisiana. Five come from the Peach state while four are from Alabama, two from Florida and New York, Texas, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland and Louisiana have one each.

SSU 2012 Football Recruiting Class

Darius Allison LB 6-1 205 Brentwood, N.Y./Nassau CC
JUCO: All Conference 1st team North East Conference (Nassau CC) Two-time Conference player of the week. H.S.: All-City Long Island, New York Brentwood High school, Old Spice Player of the Year 2010.
Allison Highlights (VIDEO)

Trevion Ashford LB 6-0 190 Acworth, Ga./Etowah HS
HS: 1st team All-County, 59 tackles, 12 tfls, 2 sacks, 5 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT

Will Broadbent DL 6-1 295 San Antonio, Tex./EarlWarren HS
HS: 48 tackles, 15 tfls, 1 forced fumble, 1 sack. Two-Time 1st Team All-District.
Broadbent Highlights (VIDEO)

Caleb Freeman OL 6-3 300 Arlington, Ga./Georgia Military
JUCO: Two-year starter

Percy Griffin OL 6-3 300 Tallahassee, Fla./Godby HS
HS: Recorded 25 pancake blocks his senior season. He was selected to play in the Georgia/Florida Border Wars All-Star game. Griffin Highlights (VIDEO) (VIDEO 2)

Roosevelt “Tre” Isom WR 6-4 210 Augusta, Ga./Westside HS
HS: Named 2010 Team Offensive Player of the Year. Led the team in receptions… Was the recipient of the Scholar-Athlete of the Week award. Lettered in track, basketball, and football. Member of the National Honor Society. Isom Highlights (VIDEO)

Ronald Johnson DL 6-3 310 Detroit, Mich./Fond Du Lac CC
JUCO: All-State, All Conference, All-Region, 73 tackles, 30 tfls, 4 forced fumbles, nine sacks, and 3 FG blocks. HS: All-State Offensive Lineman

Chris Jones DL 6-5 330 Jacksonville, Fla./Univ. of Illinois
COLL: Most Improved Linemen 2011

Javon Moore CB 6-2 170 Union, N.J./Globe CC
JUCO: All-State, 10 interceptions, 20 tackles, 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown. Third in the State in interceptions (New York). HS: All-State, First Team All-Conference, Most Valuable Player.
Moore Highlights (VIDEO)

Isaiah Nearor RB 5-9 190 Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming HS
COLL: Redshirted at University of Cincinnati. HS: rushed for 1067 yards and recorded 17 touchdowns. First Team Southwest Ohio, Second Team District on Defense.

Leon Prunty QB 6-4 220 Stockbridge, Ga./Stockbridge HS
HS: Played in the Georgia East/West All-Star Game. Prunty Highlights (VIDEO)

Keimon Sanders OL 6-4 300 Ronoake, Ala./Handley HS

Marquis Smith LB 6-4 220 Indian Head, MD/Henry E. Lackey HS
HS: All-County 1st Team, Defensive Player of the Year…137 tackles…Led the State of Maryland in tackles, 4 INTs, 2 PBU’s, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles. Received offer from Old Dominion University.

Somali Smith CB 5-10 180 Birmingham, Ala./Iowa Central CC
HS: 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU, 1 INT. All-Metro Birmingham, 68 tackles, 9 INT
Smith Highlights (VIDEO)

Dominique Stallworth OL 6-5 290 Brunswick, Ga./Brunswick HS

Jacob Thomas S 6-1 185 Birmingham, Ala./Jackson-Olin HS

HS: 78 Tackles, 4 Interceptions, 14 Pass Deflections....61 Punts 2722 Yards, 44.6 Yard Average

Thomas Highlights (VIDEO).

Hunter Vaughn QB 6-2 185 Robertsdale, Ala./Robertsdale HS

HS: Finished his senior season with 1761 passing yards and 15 passing touchdowns… Rushed for 403 yards and five touchdowns… Named to the AB Honor Roll. Vaughn Highlights (VIDEO).

Johnell Wortham RB 6-2 220 Saint Rose, La.
JUCO: Was named NJCAA Player of the Week for the week ending Oct. 19 2011 we he recorded 14 carries for 294 yards, and seven catches for 95 yards. Wortham Highlights (VIDEO).

Courtesy: Savannah State University Sports Information

Second Half Run Gives TSU 75-72 Victory over SEMO

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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri - Tennessee State overcame an eight point second half deficit and outscored Southeast Missouri by 10 points in the second half to seal a 75-72 victory over the Redhawks at the Show Me Center.

Trailing by eight early in the second half, The Tigers (15-10, 8-4 Ohio Valley) battled back with a 10-5 run to tie the game. From there, SEMO (12-11, 7-4 OVC) took brief leads, but TSU used a strong run in the final seven minutes to seal their fifth consecutive win.

The 15th victory was the most under third-year head Coach John Cooper. TSU is now just one win away from securing a winning season for the first time since 1995-96.

Offensively, TSU shot 42 percent (25-of-59) from the field, despite being out-rebounded 49-to-35. The Tigers managed 10 steals and forced 17 turnovers. TSU had only five miscues and dished out seven assists.

Robert Covington pulled in his 17th career double-double with a game-best 23 points and 13 rebounds. The junior from Bellwood, Ill., picked up four steals and shot 9-of-17 from the field in 31 minutes. Covington has now scored double-figure points in 24 straight games.

Kellen Thornton tied a season-high knocking down 15 points and pulling in six rebounds in 25 minutes. Kenny Moore reached 11 points with two rebounds.

Jordan Cyphers inked nine points, making all five free throw attempts. M.J. Rhett and Patrick Miller each added six points. Rhett pulled in six rebounds and a career-high three blocks. Miller dished out three assists alongside teammate Wil Peters.

Tennessee State trailed 35-30 at the halftime intermission. The Tigers were out-rebounded 29-to-15 and shot just 38 percent (12-of-32) from the field. Kenny Moore led TSU with nine points, while Covington had six points. SEMO's Corey Wilford led the team with 10 points.

To start the game the two teams went back and forth at nine points. Covington notched a basket and Moore hit two consecutive treys to give the Tigers a 19-9 lead with 10:59 remaining in the first half.

The Tigers stretched their lead to 25-16 when Southeast Missouri then proceeded on a 19-to-5 run to close the half. For the final 3:47, Tennessee State was held scoreless.

In the second half, Tennessee State started an 11-to-5 run and took a 41-40 lead with 15:51 on the clock. However, the Redhawks used a 12-6 run to stretch the advantage to 52-47.

Tennessee State tied the game at 58 with Covington free throw at 6:51. TSU then added four points to take a 62-58 lead at 5:07.

A Covington dunk at 3:20 extended TSU's lead to 66-58. SEMO answered with a Corey Wilford triple, his fourth of the game, to make it a 66-61 contest.

The Tigers stretched a lead to 69-61, but Lucas Nutt hit a basket with less than a minute to pull within three.

On the very next possession, Rhett made a layup and connected on the and-one to put TSU up 72-66. From there, it was another three free throws for TSU that sealed the win 75-72.

Tennessee State visits No. 9/10 Murray State in a one versus two battle on Thursday, Feb. 9. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Sports Information