Hampton Pirates put clamps on Norfolk State Spartans

Photo: Rashad West, 6-1/175 senior guard, Raleigh, N.C., Maine Central Institute, led the second place MEAC Pirates in scoring with 18 points over NSU.

NORFOLK - Coming off its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference loss this season Monday against Morgan State, Hampton University decided to make itself at home in Echols Hall Saturday night. The Pirates used their signature defensive intensity to hold down high-scoring Norfolk State for a 62-58 victory in a matchup of one-loss teams in the MEAC.

The sellout crowd of 7,000 was the largest at home for NSU since March 2, 2002. Hampton (12-7, 6-1 MEAC) was powered by guard Rashad West's 18 points and 11 from Vinny Simpson off the bench. Forward Mike Freeman scored nine points, and post Matt Pilgrim had 10 rebounds.

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Grambling State makes recruiting moves in Florida

Grambling is pursuing linebacker Ellis St. John (5-11, 195) — a teammate at Robinson (Tampa, Fla.) High with quarterback Justin Le, who is considering Grambling, as well. St. John had 98 tackles last season, including four sacks, according to MaxPreps. Cornerbacks Nick Greene (5-7, 150) and Justin Williams (5-11, 171), both from Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) High, are also interested in Grambling. Greene, named honorable-mention All-Hillsborough County, is also interested Florida A&M, while Williams is also considering Colorado State.

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TSU Lady Tigers beat Austin Peay State University

A furious, late charge fell just short as Austin Peay State University women’s basketball team dropped a 74-72 Ohio Valley Conference decision to Tennessee State, Saturday night, at the Dunn Center. Down 12 points with 2:57 remaining, Austin Peay (5-16, 2-10 OVC) put together an 18-8 run over the final three minutes to nearly escape with the victory. They had one last possession following a jump ball with 2.2 seconds remaining, but sophomore Janay Armstrong’s full-court throw went uncaught and time expired.

Tennessee State (10-12, 7-6 OVC) nearly ran away from Austin Peay just before the final three minutes as they used a 21-4 run over an eight-minute stretch to erase a three-point APSU lead to build a 14-point, 61-47, advantage with 5:44 remaining. Kendra Appling led Tennessee State with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals. Obi Okafor added 18 points and Tiffany Jackson chipped in 16 points.

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FAMU Lady Rattlers rout 1-16 Winston Salem State

Photo: FAMU Q'Vaunda Curry led the Rattlers in scoring with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists. The 5-6 senior guard is from Quincy, FL East Gadsden H.S.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Florida A&M University used 28 Winston-Salem State turnovers and converted them into 25 points on Saturday evening at the Joel Coliseum Annex in Winston-Salem, NC as the Lady Rattlers downed the Lady Rams 67-36 in MEAC women's college basketball action. The Lady Rattlers struck fast, jumping out to an 8-0 advantage only four minutes into the contest as a part of an 11-2 run that opened up a lead that they would never surrender.

WSSU shot 36.4% from the field during the game's first 20 minutes and committed 15 turnovers as FAMU led by as many as 10 points during the first period of play. The Lady Rattlers closed the contest on an 18-6 run as they held WSSU without a field goal for the final 3:31 of play, earning a 31-point victory along the way as they snapped an eight-game losing streak.

Pacing the Lady Rattlers was Q'Vaundra Curry who recorded a game-high 17 points. Joining Curry in double-digits was Stephanie Foster who tallied 12 points and 16 rebounds in the win. Leading the way for WSSU was Corbin Bradford who tallied 12 points in 35 minutes of work.

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WSSU struggles past FAMU Rattlers

Winston-Salem State broke its three-game losing streak, but by no means was it easy. The Rams stumbled out of the Joel Coliseum Annex last night with a 59-57 victory over Florida A&M. Missed free throws and bad decisions down the stretch nearly cost the Rams. Clinging to a two-point lead with nine seconds left, Roy Peake of the Rams missed a front end of a one-and-one opportunity. The Rattlers got the rebound, went down the court and Leslie Robinson, their best shooter, had a chance to win the game with a wide open 3-point attempt from the left baseline.

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Jackson State and Alcorn State still debating Capital City Classic

Jackson State president Ronald Mason Jr. said talks regarding the future of the Capital City Classic are ongoing. JSU and Alcorn State are discussing whether or not to change the current format of the game, in which a board appointed by the two presidents runs the event. The contract with the Capital City Classic board is up for renewal.

"It's a classic, but an unusual classic," Mason said. "A usual classic, you have a promoter that guarantees the schools a certain amount of money. Then they use the game to hold events and make money for themselves." Mason said the two schools usually bring in about $200,000 apiece from the game. Under the current setup, the two schools cover the expenses of the board and split the gate 50-50.

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Southern U. Jaguars’ commitment list continues to grow

The Jaguars have at least 16 commitments covering a wide array of skills and geography. The latest to commit are offensive tackle Lee Almanza of Madison High-Houston, linebacker Demetrius Bentley of Akron (Ohio) East, offensive tackle Chris Browne of Shaker Heights (Ohio), wide receiver Ryan Broussard of Northside-Lafayette, linebacker John Dees of Hillcrest (Evergreen, Ala.), guard Byron Jones of Garden City Community College, running back Jerry Joseph of Ville Platte, tight end/defensive end Darryl Scott of O.P. Walker-New Orleans, guard Jeremy Robinson of Greenville, Ala., and running back Byron Williams of Clinton.

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SCSU football gains more commitments

Defensive lineman Sam Hammond of Union County was the latest prospect to give a verbal commitment. The 6-3, 300-pound Shrine Bowl participant played on both sides of the football for the Yellow Jackets this past season, tallying 46 tackles and seven quarterback hurries on defense and 22 pancake blocks and an 86 percent grade in six games on the offensive line.

Also committing to SCSU were quarterback Ronald Holiday Jr. (6-3, 230) of Douglass High School in Atlanta, Ga. and running back Chris Merrill (5-9, 180) of Hillcrest, who rushed for 1,287 yards and 11 TDs this season.

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List of Bulldog 2008 Oral Commitments

1. Dyrell Porcha, 6-3/260, DT
2. Derek Belin, 6-0/180, DB
3. C.J. Missick, 5-10/200, LB
4. Ronell Ferguson, 6-2/240, DE
5. Arnett James, 6-3/240, DE
6. Gary Grace, 5-11/225, RB
7. Larry Patterson, 6-5/260, OL
8. Justin Garrick, 6-4/280, OL
9. Yari King, 5-9/170, DB
10. Marquel Goodman, 6-2/175, DB
11. Ronald Holiday Jr., 6-3/230 QB
12. Chris Merrill 5-9/180 RB
13. Sam Hammond,6-3/300 OL/DL

Mackey to resign as South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs head coach

Photo: SCSU Head Women Basketball Coach Tonya Mackey.

South Carolina State head women's basketball coach Tonya Mackey has resigned her duties effective June 30th, Bulldog athletics director Charlene Johnson announced Friday. Mackey, who is in her fourth season as Lady Bulldog head coach, will coach the team through the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament at Raleigh, NC Mar. 10-15, and will then be placed on administrative leave until June 30th, according to Johnson.

Mackey, an SC State graduate, has a career record of 36-67 at her alma mater. The current team is 6-11 overall and 3-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

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Battle of the Bay: Hampton at Norfolk State in major MEAC battle

Photo: NSU Tony Murphy #5, senior guard, 6-4/220, Eastside HS., Paterson, NJ.

The Spartans are seeking their eighth win in nine games and a chance to maintain their chase of first-place Morgan State. NSU has handed the Bears their only league loss this season. Tony Murphy is the team's top offensive threat at 17.9 ppg, but guard Corey Lyons (15.1 ppg) and Michael Deloach (12.4 ppg) provide balance. Lyons has reached double figures in scoring nine straight games and is shooting 50 percent from the field in that span. NSU is perfect at home this season in six games.

Both teams enter the game with 5-1 MEAC records, one-half game behind first-place Morgan State (6-1) in the conference standings. The game can be heard live on WNSB Hot 91.1 FM in the Hampton Roads area. WNSB's audio stream and live stats are available at the NSU official website, www.nsuspartans.com


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Alabama State on road to face TSU and PVAMU

Photo: Alabama State University head men basketball coach Lewis Jackson.

There will be no easy games for the Alabama State basketball team from here on out. The Hornets won't catch any team off-guard. They won't face any uninspired opponents. And they won't be able to sleepwalk through any games. This is what happens when you win five of your first six conference games and outscore your fellow SWAC opponents by an average of 14 points per game.

"We know the target is there," ASU head coach Lewis Jackson said. "Teams always want to knock off the No. 1 team. And that's us right now. We know that the other teams in the conference will be gunning for us. We've been fortunate enough to win some games and get to the top."

For ASU women's coach Freda Freeman-Jackson, pushing seems to be all she's doing lately. Following the loss of forward Tanika Jackson to a season-ending knee injury (the fifth ASU player to be lost to a knee injury this season), the Lady Hornets have struggled badly.

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SWAC announces '08 preseason baseball honors

Photo: PVAMU's Wrandal Taylor is named Pre-season SWAC Pitcher of the year. The senior is from Ozen HS., Beumont, Texas

MVSU’s Bard, PVAM’s Taylor tabbed for All-Conference selections.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The ballots have been tallied and Mississippi Valley State’s Sean Bard was selected as the 2008 SWAC Baseball Preseason Player of the Year. Wrandal Taylor of Prairie View A&M University, the defending SWAC champions, was named Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

Taylor, a 5-foot-11, 195 pound senior from Beaumont, Texas, helped lead the Panthers to the 2007 SWAC championship. He led the conference in strikeouts with 89 and was second with 92 innings pitched. He was ranked second in the SWAC in wins with nine and fifth in the SWAC with a 4.11 earned run average. Taylor was named Pitcher of the Year in 2006 when he threw 78.1 innings with 75 strikeouts with an average of 8.62 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.

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UMES women's hoops begins important stretch in MEAC

Photo: Corin Adams, sophomore point guard, leads Morgan State with 17.6 points per game (third in the MEAC), 4.7 assists (leading the MEAC) and 4.2 steals (leading the MEAC). Adams is arguably the quickest guard in the league. The 5-7 star is from Madison High School, Brooklyn, NY.

The Hawks could make a big move either way in the next five days, as they take on three of the top five teams, beginning with a trip today to Morgan State, where the Bears (11-7, 5-2 MEAC) are undefeated. Morgan was the first team on the 2007-08 schedule for the Hawks this season, and while UMES (10-8, 3-2) was still trying to find its timing, they had a chance to win, falling 77-71 in a non conference tilt.

"I'm really looking forward to going up and playing Morgan at Morgan," UMES coach Fred Batchelor said. "This is a game that I'm excited about and I believe we're a much better team and a much different team than we were when we first played them. I'm sure that they've improved, as well, but I'm looking forward to getting a chance to play against one of the better teams in the league on their home floor, and I feel very confident that we're going to play well."

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Today's game is at 2 p.m., while the Hawks will head to Coppin on Monday at 5:30 p.m. Both of those games are parts of doubleheaders with the men's team. Wednesday, without the men's team, UMES will begin its game against Delaware State Hornets at 6 p.m. at the Hytche Center.

Delaware State expects Coppin State's best shot

Photo: DSU senior Roy Bright leads the MEAC in scoring with 18.9 ppg. The 6-6/225 all-star is from Durham, NC (Garden City CC), (Mt. Zion Christian Academy).

Hornets approach conference's last-place, first-place teams equally.

DOVER -- Who's more dangerous, last-place Coppin State or first-place Morgan State? For the Delaware State men's basketball team, that answer comes over the next three days with a game at each Baltimore school.

The Hornets begin the series today at 4 p.m. at Coppin State, which has a 4-18 record, 0-7 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. DSU plays Monday night at Morgan State (11-8, 6-1), off to its best start in 29 years. "I think we all have the mindset that we can't lose from here out," DSU junior forward Donald Johnson said. "We have to play both teams like they're No. 1 in our conference."

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Tennessee State University's Dent among Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists

Photo: Atlanta native, Richard Dent #95 is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The former TSU star was selected in the 1983 NFL Draft, Round 8, Pick 203 by the Chicago Bears.

PHOENIX — Richard Dent knows he can’t go back and change anything. So he’s hoping what he did in his 15 NFL seasons is enough to get him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame when voters meet here Saturday.

The former Tennessee State and Chicago Bears star, the Super Bowl XX Most Valuable Player, is among 15 modern era finalists. “I look forward to the opportunity, I think I am deserving,’’ Dent said. “I feel support from people, people who felt like I should be there and can’t understand why I’m not. “But I’ve done all I can do. My work is done; I can’t come back and make it any better than it is." At the time of his retirement following the 1997 season, Dent ranked third all-time in sacks with 137.5, trailing only Reggie White and Bruce Smith.

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FAMU coach Clark says she has fond memories of WSSU

Photo: Lady Rattler Jarquella Woods, 5-1 freshman guard, Hardaway HS, Columbus, GA.

She had a 111-85 record in seven seasons on the Rams' sideline.

Coach Debra Clark said she will allow herself to be a little nostalgic when she leads the Florida A&M women against Winston-Salem State at 5:30 today at the Joel Coliseum Annex. Clark, who is in her seventh season at FAMU, was WSSU’s coach for seven seasons, from 1994 through 2001. “It’s kind of ironic that I’m coming back to Winston to play them; it’s going to be interesting,” she said. “I look forward to seeing a lot of folks that I know, so it will be a nice trip.”

“We’ve been hurt by injuries and everything else,” said Clark, whose Rattlers are 9-9 overall and 1-6 in the MEAC. “While it’s nice to be playing Winston, we are trying to get a win and get some momentum.”

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Memory of former Charleston Rocket surfaces at Super Bowl

Photo: Former Texas Southen University great--Michael Strahan, Defensive End, New York Giants.

IF you were a kid growing up in Charleston, West Virginia in the 1960s, chances are you loved the old Charleston Rockets. For us, it was our taste of pro football as we headed to old Laidley Field to watch the Rockets. Coached by Perry Moss, the Rockets competed in the United and Continental Football Leagues with such personalities as linebacker Sam Fernandez, defensive end Coy Bacon, wide receiver Sammy Weir, running back Millard Fleming, wide receiver Darrell Elam and punter Jim Hollingsworth.

To prove the impact that the Rockets continue to have on the football world, the memory of a former Rocket great surfaced in one of the Super Bowl's biggest stars this weekend. In an interview this week, Michael Strahan, the veteran leader of the New York Giants defense, gave credit for his NFL success to his former head coach at Texas Southern University.

That coach was none other than a former Charleston Rocket - standout center Walter Highsmith.

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Dang! We didn't know Walter Highsmith played for the old Charleston Rockets with Coy Bacon. Bacon got famous playing for "the future is now" Washington Redskins coach George Allen. Highsmith would later coach at Florida A&M University, among other stops in his career. Great to see a 15 year veteran and future Pro Football Hall of Famer give credit to his Alma mater, Texas Southern University and his coach (Walter Highsmith) for developing him into the star that he is today.

Highsmith son, Alonzo Walter Highsmith is currently a scout for the Green Bay Packers. He was selected in the first round, 3rd pick overall in the 1987 NFL Draft from the University of Miami (FL) and played six NFL seasons. He also won a national championship during his four years at Miami.

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Super Bowl to salute Doug Williams' feat

Photo: #17 Doug Williams, first African-American to start and win a Super Bowl at Quarterback. The former Grambling State University quarterback is currently employed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a personnel executive.

GLENDALE, Ariz. - We think little of it today, what with Warren Moon in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with Donovan McNabb and Steve McNair having started in Super Bowls. But there was a time when the words "black" and "quarterback" didn't go so well together.

Doug Williams was the pioneer, at least in regards to the Super Bowl if not in all regards. He wasn't the first black quarterback to start a game in NFL history, but he was the first to become a regular and the first to star on the game's greatest stage.

The NFL will note the 20th anniversary of his MVP performance on Sunday when Williams takes part in the Vince Lombardi Trophy presentation after Super Bowl XLII here between New England and the New York Giants.

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SWAC picks Southern University softball 1st, baseball 2nd

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its preseason baseball and softball predictions and all-conference teams Thursday, with the Southern men picked to finish second in Western Division and the SU softball team picked to win the West.

In baseball, Southern was picked behind Prairie View in the West. Prairie View got 12first-place votes and 90 points, while Southern got the remaining eight first-place votes and 85 points. Despite not being tabbed the favorite in the West, Southern baseball players dominated the preseason All-SWAC team.

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Growing Brown has big plans at Jackson State

Meco Brown met Ben this winter. He became very familiar with his buddy Jerry, too. "I gained six pounds," Brown said. "After the season I was eating a lot of ice cream. "But I didn't want to get too fat. I wanted to get solid. Now I'm going get lean, nice abs, ripped."

Brown currently stands as the most recognized high school recruit verbally committed to Jackson State, choosing JSU over Northern Illinois. His 1,313 rushing yards, 2,042 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns were pivotal in Moss Point's run to the 4A semifinals - a loss to eventual state champion Laurel. The 5-foot-7, (and now) 185-pounder will have every opportunity to start for the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions.

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Mississippi Valley State climbs into SWAC contention

Photo: MVSU point guard Mike Davis, 5-8/160 senior, Los Angeles, CA, Panola J.C.

The Mississippi Valley State men's basketball program didn't get a whole lot of love from its peers entering the 2007-08 season.

The Delta Devils were fresh off a first-place Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season finish. In fact, they were a poor first half away from beating Jackson State in the SWAC Tournament and playing eventual national champion Florida in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

But MVSU was still predicted to finish fourth in the league's preseason poll. The squad may be currently sitting in that No. 4 slot, but the Delta Devils have won four of their last five.

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Florida A&M (8-11) travels to Winston-Salem State to face Rams (7-11)

Photo: Lamar Twitty, completed a double-double Monday against Delaware State, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. The 6-4/200 junior guard is from Boyd Anderson HS., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem State University Rams return home to Winston-Salem, NC to face the Florida A&M Rattlers on Saturday evening at the Joel Coliseum Annex at 7:30 pm in MEAC men's basketball action as WSSU looks to snap a three-game losing streak. The match-up between the two teams, the second ever meeting, marks the first action between the two proud HBCU's in over a year.

Florida A&M enters into the contest riding a three-game win streak as the Rattlers look to extend their consecutive games won streak to a season-high four games.

The Rams will be broadcast the contest versus the Rattlers live on the radio on WSNC 90.5 FM. WSNC is the flagship station of the Rams Radio Broadcasting Network and will carry all WSSU games live on the radio in the greater Winston-Salem, NC area and worldwide on the Internet at www.WSSU.edu. Alan Chavous will provide all the play-by-play action with Kim Spears providing the color analysis.

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SCSU up to nine commitments

Photo: Oliver "Buddy" Pough, head football coach, South Carolina State University Bulldogs.

As National Signing Day draws closer, the list of verbal commitments gained by South Carolina State continues to grow. Currently, a total of nine high school seniors have indicated their intentions to sign with the Bulldogs this Wednesday. Joining Carvers Bay defensive tackle Dyrell Porcha (6-3, 260) on the list Thursday was Shrine Bowl and Associated Press All-State defensive back Derek Belin of Class 3-A champion Wilson. A 6-0, 180-pound senior, Belin tallied 87 tackles and had three interceptions for the 12-3 Tigers.

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Short List of Bulldog Oral Commitments

1. Dyrell Porcha, 6-3/260, DT
2. Derek Belin, 6-0/180, DB
3. C.J. Missick, 5-10/200, LB
4. Ronell Ferguson, 6-2/240, DE
5. Arnett James, 6-3/240, DE
6. Gary Grace, 5-11/225, RB
7. Larry Patterson, 6-5/260, OL
8. Justin Garrick, 6-4/280, OL
9. Yari King, 5-9/170, DB
10. Marquel Goodman, 6-2/175, DB

MSU Coach Todd Bozeman featured in latest "ESPN The Magazine"

Photo: Coach Todd Bozeman (in black shirt).

BALTIMORE, Md. – Morgan State men’s basketball coach Todd Bozeman is featured in the recent (Jan. 28th) issue of ESPN The Magazine in an article by Jerry Bembry entitled “Older and Wiser.” The article talks about Bozeman’s coaching success at the University of California and his excitement about building something special at Morgan State from the ground up.

Bozeman's Morgan State Bears are currently leading the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 6-1 conference record, 11-8 overall, ahead of Hampton University (5-1, 11-7), Norfolk State University (5-1, 9-9) and North Carolina A&T State University (4-2, 10-9).

Delaware State runners to attend Millrose Games tonight

DOVER -- Six members of Delaware State's indoor track and field team have been invited to compete in the Millrose Games tonight. DSU sprinters Larrone Moore and Lee Barnes will join women's 1,600-meter relay team members Nekisha Franklin, Cuquie Melville, Tiffany Green and Kendra Mayer in the event at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Millrose Games attract top collegiate track and field athletes and potential Olympians. Moore and Barnes will compete in the men's 60-meter dash. Moore has two first-place finishes this indoor season, with a best time of 6.84 seconds in the 60. Barnes ran a season-best 6.95 in the 60 in the Great Dane Classic in New York last weekend. Moore and Barnes have qualified for next month's IC4A championships in the 60-meter dash.

ESPN is scheduled to provide live coverage of some Milrose Games events.

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