Top-seeded Morgan State crushes FAMU in MEAC

Morgan State used three big offensive runs, a decided edge in rebounding and a solid effort from point guard Jermaine "Itchy" Bolden to race past Florida A&M 71-41 in a quarterfinal-round game of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament at Joel Coliseum last night. The top-seeded Bears opened the game with a 13-2 run, then posted a 15-0 stretch, which started at the end of the first half, to build a 44-22 lead with 16 minutes remaining.

The Bears held a 52-32 rebounding edge and outscored the Rattlers 26-14 in the paint.
Bolden, a 5-9 senior, finished with 12 points, six assists, six rebounds and two steals for Morgan State (21-11). The Rattlers pulled to 46-31 with a 6-0 run, but Morgan State came right back with a 13-0 burst that delivered the knockout blow in the rout. "Basketball is a game of runs, so it's who makes the most, the longest or the last (run)," Coach Todd Bozeman of Morgan State said. "We wanted to continue to keep playing and I kept telling the guys in timeouts, ‘Do not play the score.' We don't play that way; you want to keep playing the game."

The Bears will face the Coppin State-N.C. A&T winner in a semifinal-round game on Friday at 6 p.m. Reggie Holmes, a 6-4 junior and the Bears' leading scorer at 16.5 points per game, had a game-high 18 points and added nine rebounds, while teammate Marquise Kately chipped in with 10 points. Florida A&M, the tournament's No. 8 seed, finished the season 10-21, and had no players in double-figures scoring. The Rattlers shot a dismal 24.5 percent from the field and made only 12 field goals.

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Photo Gallery: Bears/Rattler Shots
Boxscore

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SWAC tournament full of intriguing matchups

Of the many beautiful things about college basketball in March, one is that teams seem to channel their inner Forrest Gump at the right time. Sure, each conference has its share of dominant teams and standout players, and usually, those favorites prevail in their postseason tournaments. Still, from league to league and game to game, there’s that element of surprise a budding star or an upset no one saw coming. As Gump himself would put it, you never know what you’re gonna get.

Its only fitting, then, that the champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournaments must win three games in Gump’s home state. Both tournaments begin Wednesday at Fair Park Arena in Birmingham, Ala. Here’s a quick look at people, games and teams to watch for when the madness gets under way.

Women

Most intriguing first-round matchup: It’s a little bit of an upset to call a No. 2-No. 7 matchup the best. It might not be the best. But it could be the most intriguing. Second-seeded Southern and seventh-seeded Texas Southern have plenty in common. They split their regular-season series, with each team winning at home. And they both believe in playing defense first.

Most dangerous player: The kneejerk reaction is to go with the highest-ranking scorer left in the tournament which, in this case, is Alabama A&M’s Katrich Williams, who averages 13.8 points per game, but it’s worth noting that Gaati Werema, the 6-foot junior forward from Prairie View, ranks seventh in the SWAC in scoring (11.7 points per game), first in rebounds (7.5 per game) and second in field-goal percentage (47.7).

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2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament Preview

The 38th Annual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament will begin Tuesday March 10th and will come to a conclusion Saturday March 14th. The Morgan State Bears showed their dominance in league play, earning the top spot in the tournament with a 13-3 mark. It is the second consecutive regular- season title for the Bears, who finished with an impressive overall ledger of 20-11. However, Morgan State has not enjoyed much success in this event, winning the title just once, way back in 1977.

Looking to keep the Bears from capturing that long overdue title will be the South Carolina State Bulldogs, who finished the regular-season with a 10-6 mark and the second seed. After Morgan State and SC State there was a log jam in the conference standings, as four teams finished with a 9-7 record. Norfolk State rose above the other 9-7 teams thanks to a three-game win streak down the stretch, including a season-finale victory over North Carolina A&T. The Spartans, who have never won this event, are now the third seed and will also elude opening round action.

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Rams to be host to MEAC party they can't enjoy

Imagine having a party in your own backyard and being unable to get closer than a look through the sliding-glass door. That's the situation Winston-Salem State is in as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournaments roll into Joel Coliseum this week. WSSU is still in transition to Division I, and if it decides to stay on that path, it would be eligible for the tournament in 2011. Nobody said that the transition would be easy, but men's coach Bobby Collins said that having the tournament here makes it tougher on his Rams.

"That's what has made it worse is everybody is coming here for the tournament, and we can't be there to compete in it," Collins said. "We are hosting and are the home team, and it's now hitting home that we aren't invited." At least the WSSU men's team will get to play -- it will meet N.C. Central in a bonus game on Saturday between the women's and men's championship games. But that's just an exhibition to try to draw more fans to Joel Coliseum for the title games.

"It's a party we can't come to, but we are going to crash the party anyway," Collins said, referring to the game against N.C. Central. Adding to the disappointment for the Rams is that WSSU has spring break this week, so friends of players are taking vacations far from campus. The Rams will practice most of the week, and some will venture to Joel Coliseum to watch, said guard Brian Fisher. "We'll sit in the stands and maybe heckle some of the players," Fisher said jokingly. "Nobody wants to just watch, but that's what we'll do until the game with N.C. Central on Saturday."

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FAMU's Ammons believes in Hayes

Entrance to FAMU new on-campus teaching gym will be opened in time to host Spring Graduation with a seating capacity over 9,000 seats.

Through the negotiations that resulted in Bill Hayes being hired as athletic director, Florida A&M President James Ammons knew his choice would be second-guessed. More than anything else, Ammons expected Hayes' years of competing against the Rattlers as a football coach from North Carolina A&T would be an issue. But Ammons could empathize.

When Hayes was athletic director at his alma mater, North Carolina Central, Ammons served as chancellor. Back then, Ammons got an earful about his ties to FAMU, where he had a previous tenure as provost and professor.

Now it's Hayes' turn and he's getting some resistance as FAMU faces tough economic times with a $4.2 million deficit. Ammons said Hayes is the right man to fix financial woes and recently gave him a vote of confidence during an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat. Hayes took over a situation at FAMU that is similar to what he met at NCCU before turning the Eagles into a championship program. He was named Athletic Director of the Year by the the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) the last two years before he came to FAMU.

Florida A & M University President James Ammons, left, presents Eugene Harris a FAMU cap after naming Harris as the new men's head basketball coach on September 20, 2007, in Tallahassee, Florida. Hayes, Harris and Ammons have the gargantuan task of filling 9,000 seats in the new multi-purpose teaching gym due to open next season for Rattler basketball.

Hayes was hired 15 months ago with a three-year contract that pays him an annual salary of $175,000. He spent four years as athletic director at NCCU before coming to FAMU. During his 27 years as football coach at Winston-Salem State and North Carolina A&T, he coached the football teams to multiple championships.

FAMU athletic director William "Bill" Hayes

"Nobody is going to work as hard for Florida A&M athletics as Coach Hayes," Ammons said. "I have the utmost confidence in his ability to get this job done. I would hope that there is nobody out there among the alumni that's questioning my commitment to Florida A&M because he wouldn't be here if I didn't think he could do the best job that I want done."

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Prairie View tops Southern University Lady Jaguars

PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS — Prairie View avenged its only Southwestern Athletic Conference loss of the season by holding off the Southern women’s basketball team 59-51 Saturday night at the William J. Nicks Building. Dominique Smith scored 17 points and Candice Thomas added 15 points, seven rebounds and five steals to lead PV (20-10, 17-1), which has won its third straight SWAC regular-season title, all under former WNBA superstar Cynthia Cooper-Dyke.

The Lady Panthers have won 16 straight games, all since losing 63-58 on Jan. 5 in Baton Rouge. Gaati Werema added 10 points and 10 rebounds and Shondria Combs 11 points. Deidra Jackson scored 17 points and had seven rebounds and three steals to lead SU (14-12, 11-7). Ashley Augerson added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Jamie Floyd had 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Lady Panthers Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke is poised for a breakout post-season in the SWAC and NCAA Tournaments.

“I was really pleased with the kids’ effort,” SU coach Sandy Pugh said. “I thought they played really hard.” PV scored the game’s first 11 points, holding Southern scoreless for nearly four minutes to start the game. SU recovered and eventually led 35-33 after Jackson made a pair of free throws with 14:35 remaining in the game. “I think they were in a tentative mode, and then Deidra took over,” Pugh said. “They made some stops, and their confidence got up.”

“We couldn’t get the stop at the other end,” Pugh said. “We were tired. … We gave it all we had. “Prairie View is solid, playing at the top of its game. We have nothing to be ashamed of.”

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B-CU holds off Michigan State

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Ryan Durrence's three-run homer highlighted an eight-run third inning and Bethune-Cookman hung on to defeat Michigan State 11-9 Saturday night in the Bethune-Cookman Invitational at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. "Sometimes you've got to tip your hat to your opponent," B-CU coach Mervyl Melendez said of Michigan State (1-8), which battled back from a 10-3 deficit. "They never gave up and they kept the ball in play."

It was Durrence's second homer in two nights. He also hit a three-run shot Friday night against Xavier. B-CU's Eric Thomas (1-2) earned his first win of the season, although he allowed seven runs in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out seven, walked two and gave up eight hits. Justin Dahl stranded two baserunners in the ninth to earn his third save.

"I thought (Thomas) did a good job," Melendez said. "Our mentality when we're up by that many runs is to attack the hitters. I thought he commanded the strike zone. He threw hard." The Spartans scored five runs in the seventh against three B-CU pitchers, but the key hits were a bad-hop single and a misjudged fly in center field that fell for an RBI double. Atlantic High grad Chris Brown smacked two RBI doubles for B-CU (7-5). Leadoff batter Jose Ortiz scored three runs on two walks and a double. He scored twice in the decisive third inning.

"I'm very happy with the way we're hitting so far this season," Melendez said. "It's a long season, and we're counting on a lot of guys, and they're coming through for us." The Wildcats sent 12 men to the plate in the third. Durrence hit a towering three-run shot over the left-field fence, while Alejandro Jimenez had an RBI single and Brown ripped his second RBI double of the game.

B-CU 11, Michigan State 9, Final Box Score
Invitational Tournament Central Link - All Game Scores/Highlights

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On a Mission: Aggie women want in NCAA Tournament

The rising tide that is the N.C. A&T women's program has continued under the patient guidance of Coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs. The Aggies, seeded No. 1 for this week's MEAC Tournament, are favorites because everything seems to be pointing in their direction. They have talent galore, senior leaders in Amber Bland and Brittanie Taylor-James, a veteran coach who has been to the NCAA Tournament six times and a pseudo homecourt advantage.

"It's been a tough one," Cage-Bibbs said about the steady rise of her program. "We have just been truly blessed getting these players here who were highly-recruited. People don't really realize it's not automatic because you don't know from Day 1 if one kid might go out or whatever."

Patricia Cage-Bibbs’ Aggies are the No. 1 seed in this week’s MEAC Tournament.

Cage-Bibbs, who is in her fourth season at A&T after stops at Grambling and Hampton, shook up the program pretty well when she was first hired. She got rid of most of the returning players and hit the recruiting trail hard. This season has been one of her best. Earlier this season, she collected her 400th career win. Her six NCAA appearances came at Grambling and Hampton, and in 23 seasons of coaching, Cage-Bibbs has had just four teams finish with losing records.

The Aggies fell short of the NCAA Tournament last season, losing in the MEAC final to Coppin State. Bland, who is the second-leading scorer in school history with more than 1,500 points, says that getting to the NCAA Tournament is something the players have talked about all season. "Seeing how we had a letdown last year losing in the tournament championship game, we all came back with one mission and that's to go forward," Bland said. "Now we want to go to the NCAA Tournament and to do that we have to win the MEAC Tournament, so we want to get that respect from our league."

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Grambling State stockpile top quarterback recruits

Efferlan Williams is hoping to bring the same success he had during his brief time at Greer High to Grambling State University. Williams, Greenville County's player of the year during the only season he played for the Yellow Jackets, has signed a national letter of intent with Grambling. Williams transferred in from Maryland during his junior year and played for the Jackets as a senior. He rushed for 1,844 yards and passed for 734 yards and led Greer to a 10-2 record and the Region 3-AAA championship.

"Efferlan made a huge impact in regards to our offensive production," Greer coach Will Young said. "His ability to throw the ball well and, of course, run the ball made us multi-dimensional."

Efferlan Williams Sr. said North Greenville, Livingstone and North Carolina A&T showed interest in his son, but Grambling was the best fit. "Efferlan could play a number of positions, but his heart was set on playing quarterback, and we told him we wanted him to be happy and play the position where he wants to play," Efferlan Sr. said.

Greer, S.C. QB (#7) Efferlan Williams signs with Grambling State

"At first, there were a lot of smaller schools that were looking at me. I tried to wait it out. Grambling was the last one, and I liked what they had to offer," the younger Williams said. "I like their tradition. They run a similar offense to what we ran. When I came to Greer, I liked the type of offense that we ran."

Tarpon Springs High School (Florida) quarterback Danny Reyes will be continuing his football career at Grambling State University, said Spongers head coach George Kotis. The senior signed his letter of intent on February 20. Reyes led the explosive Spongers offense to the regional quarterfinals this season by throwing for over 2,400 yards and completing 61.6 percent of his attempts. According to stats compiled by maxpreps.com, Reyes threw for the second highest amount of yardage of all Tampa Bay area quaterbacks in 2008.

Reyes and Williams will join incoming Tigers freshmen All-State student-athletes Brendan Crawford and Justin Higgins, who signed their letters of intent on National Signing Day.

Brenda Crawford is a 6-5 205 quarterback from El Paso, Texas Chapin High School. Crawford was an All-State performer who transferred into Chapin High School before the start of the 2007 season and made an immediate impact. He passed for 2,207 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 266 yards and nine touchdowns. The talented Crawford also averaged 40.6 yards per punt with a long of 64 yards.

Justin Higgins is a talented QB from Rayville, Louisiana. The 6-2 185 Rayville High School product is one of the top athletes in the state who’ll play quarterback for Grambling State. He was named to the 2007 Class 3A LSWA All-State Team as an athlete and was named as the LSWA’s Outstanding Offensive Athlete as a junior in 2006. Higgins passed for over 6,000 yards, rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and surpassed the 60-touchdown mark in his high school career. He was also an standout linebacker in high school.

ASU Hornets win SWAC outright

Alabama State University Hornets head coach Louis Jackson wins SWAC Regular Season Championship and number one seed with 19-9, 16-2 record.

GRAMBLING, La. -- The Hornets finished the season with the Southwestern Athletic Conference's best record. Brandon Brooks and Roland Fitch each scored 15 points to help Alabama State beat Gram­bling State 65-58 on Saturday night.

Wesley Jones added 14 points and Andrew Hayles chipped in with 10 for the Hornets (19-9, 16-2 Southwestern Athletic Confer­ence), who won 10 of their final 11 games. Ariece Perkins scored 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting to lead the Tigers (6-23, 4-14). Don­ald Qualls chipped in with 12. Grambling State ended their regular season on a nine-game losing streak. Alabama State shot 50 percent from the field (24-for-48) and outrebounded the Tigers 32-26. The Hornets head into the SWAC tournament, which begins on Wednesday, as the top seed.

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Special Feature: Romona Robinson undaunted by risky solo-anchor format on TV

A six-time Emmy Award winning news anchor, Robinson is one of Cleveland's best-known and admired television Broadcasters. The Lincoln University grad is solo anchor at WKYC Channel 3 Television Station, Cleveland, Ohio.

On a June morning filled with promise, a teenage Romona Robinson stood up in her tiny church in rural Missouri to declare what her future would be. Each graduating senior announced their plans and dreams to the congregation. When it was Romona's turn, she said she was going to college to become a television anchor. The bold statement was her defining moment, a first step in a long career. Afterward, a well-meaning church lady buttonholed Romona's mother, Henrietta Robinson, for some frank talk, with Romona listening in the background.

"You tell that girl to get that notion out of her head. She ain't gonna get no job reading the television news. White people never gonna let black people sit next to them and give the news. Tell that girl to study something sensible." After all, in the 1970s, black news anchors were rare. Years later, as the minutes ticked down to Robinson's debut as Cleveland's first black female evening anchor on WUAB Channel 43's inaugural newscast, she flashed back to that well-meaning but narrow-minded advice. Her mind replayed the steps that had taken her from that Missouri childhood to an anchor desk. I've arrived, she thought. I'm here.

Channel 3's anchor Romona Robinson goes solo on evening news

IN THE SPOTLIGHT, ON THE HOT SEAT

Robinson, a statuesque beauty who radiates the warmth and sincerity of a favorite sister, is the only solo anchor in Cleveland news, the 15th-largest media market in the country. She was named WKYC Channel 3's evening anchor after her longtime co-anchor, Tim White, left in December when he and the station could not agree on a contract. Robinson is the first black woman to be the sole anchor of a weeknight newscast here. She joined Channel 3 in 1997. Channel 3 news director Rita Andolsen said the solo-anchor format is a bit risky but Robinson is a proven talent in the Cleveland market. "I would not have tried it with anybody but Romona," she said.

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Shelby running back signs with N.C. A&T

When Shelby High running back Larry Raper didn't announce immediately where he's going to college to play at the NCAA's early signing date in February, the questions started. "Where's he going ... is he going ... who's after him?" were constant inquiries for him and his coaches. The 5-10, 165-pound Golden Lion running back put all that to rest Wednesday when he signed to play for the North Carolina A&T Aggies. Raper has been a three-year starter for the Golden Lions and raked in numerous honors during his career, one in which he played on a state championship (2006) and runner-up squad (2007).

He was a three-time all-conference selection at running back, was an All-Cleveland County choice and was named to the 2008 North Carolina Shrine Bowl team. Raper, who's been clocked in the 40-yard dash as low as 4.25 at football combines, also has been a track standout for the Golden Lions. "He came (to us) right after Van (Eskridge, now at East Carolina) and was able to step right in and play," Shelby coach Chris Norman said of Raper. "He made a lot of good plays for us." Besides his halfback duties in Shelby's double-wing attack, he also ran back kicks and was pressed into service in the secondary when needed.

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North Carolina A&T Aggie women end regular season with win

NORFOLK, Va. — N.C. A&T played without two starters and two reserves on Thursday, but finished the regular-season with a 97-65 win over Norfolk State at Echols Hall. Brittanie Taylor-James led the Aggies with 30 points. Her performance marked the third time this season she has scored 30 or more points. It also marked the first time an Aggies player has scored 30 points in back-to-back games since Malveata Johnson did during the 2000 season. Taylor-James closes out the regular season as the MEAC's leading scorer.
























Brittanie Taylor-James led the Aggies in scoring with a season average of 19.5 ppg.

Junior Ta'Wuana Cook added a season-high 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting, while junior Reisha Bullock finished with 12 and freshman center Nakia DeBlanc had 10 points and seven rebounds. The Aggies closed out their regular season 23-6 and 15-1 in the MEAC, despite missing All-MEAC performer Amber Bland and starting power forward Jaleesa Sams. Reserves Brittane Neely and Shantar Waddell also missed the game. "We have so many people that are hurt, but we also have so many people that are willing to step up," said A&T head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs.

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Morgan State spoils finale at Coppin Center

Coppin State guard Tywain McKee is going out just as he came in, still hungry, still driven, still looking to refine his game.

Morgan State got a tournament-type atmosphere in its regular-season finale tonight. The Bears responded to their neighborhood rivalry with Coppin State with a frenetic 68-62 victory that brought down the curtain on Coppin Center. The Bears got a game-high 23 points from Reggie Holmes to notch their second straight 20-win season and head into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament with momentum -- they've won 12 of their past 14 -- and the No. 1 seed.

Morgan (20-11, 13-3) trailed only in the opening minutes and led by 12 points in the second half but couldn't put away the Eagles (12-18, 9-7). "We still haven't hit on all cylinders," Bears coach Todd Bozeman said. "We still have a level we want to get to. You just don't want to finish the season without reaching that level. We aren't where we were, but we also aren't quite where we want to be." On an emotional night that saw Tywain McKee played his final regular-season game for the Eagles and the last men's game on this floor, Coppin got within three points with 23 seconds to play.

Attendance: 1,720.

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SLU comes back to beat Southern University in 10th

Joe Sparacino's two-out run-scoring double in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted Southeastern Louisiana to an 8-7 victory against Southern last night in Hammond. The Lions (6-3) overcame a 7-0 deficit to knock off the visiting Jaguars (3-5). Both teams had a chance to win it in the ninth. Two errors and a walk helped the Jaguars load the bases in the top of the inning, but Toddrick Stevenson popped up to the pitcher to end the threat.

In the bottom of the ninth, Ty Summerlin singled with one out and moved to third on Brandon Street's single. Josh Cryer was intentionally walked to load the bases. But Chris Franklin grounded into a double play to force extra innings. Southern had runners on the corners with two out in the top of the 10th, but Gregory Whitfield grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

Southern jumped out to a 7-0 lead after 4 1/2 innings, but SLU pecked away before tying the game in the eighth on Jordan D'Arensbourg's two-run home run. Edmond Morton's two-run homer in the second gave the Jaguars a 2-0 lead. Victor Franklin's one-out solo shot in the third pushed the SU advantage to 3-0.

Box Score and Play-by-Play in .pdf Format

Box Score and Play-by-Play in .html Format

JAGUAR BASEBALL-MARCH 2009
Date Opponent Location Time
3-1 *Prairie View A&M Prairie View, TX 1:00 PM
3-4 Southeastern Louisiana Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 PM
3-10 Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA 6:30 PM
3-14 *+Arkansas Pine Bluff Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 PM
3-15 *Arkansas Pine Bluff Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 PM
3-17 +Alcorn State University Lorman, MS 3:00 PM
3-21 *+Texas Southern Houston, TX 12:00 PM
3-22 *Texas Southern Houston, TX 12:00 PM
3-24 University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA 6:00 PM
3-28 *+Grambling State Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 PM
3-29 *Grambling State Baton Rouge, LA 1:00 PM
3-31 Nicholls State University Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 PM

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Pitching presenting problem for FAMU

Rattlers head baseball Coach Robert Lucas

Coach Robert Lucas realized one of his greatest fears about the FAMU baseball team – that his pitchers might have a disastrous day no matter how much hitting the Rattlers do. That became clear Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field, where the Rattlers lost two seven-inning games to Campbell University. The Camels (8-1) took the first game 7-0 then FAMU's pitching collapsed in a 16-6 loss.

Yes, this is the same team that scored 41 runs in the two previous games. That gave Lucas a bit of optimism just four days ago, but inconsistencies by his pitchers spurred Lucas' ire. Pitching coach Brett Richardson was just as furious over what transpired on the mound. What he saw was enough to begin tinkering with the rotation, Richardson said.

"You can talk a whole bunch about confidence, but confidence is something you can't give a guy," Richardson said. "Either you've got it or you don't." Despite their troubles on the mound, the Rattlers out-hit Campbell in both games (9-8 and 15-10). FAMU never led in the second game and it left nine runners on base for a total of 18 in both games.

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Second-half surge puts Tennessee State in semis

Jasmine Smith, who has been the Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week six times since January, lived up to her reputation Tuesday for Tennessee State. The transfer from Louisville poured in 16 points and helped the Lady Tigers keep their season alive by providing a second-half boost on the way to a 77-66 win over Southeast Missouri. The victory came in the first round of the OVC Tournament at Gentry Center. It moved No. 3 seed TSU (18-12) into Friday's semifinals at Sommet Center against Eastern Illinois, which defeated Tennessee Tech 71-65.

TSU guard Kendra Appling (5) drives past SEMO forward Rachel Blunt (32) during their game at Gentry Center. (GEORGE WALKER IV)

"I told Jasmine at halftime, if we win this game, it's going to depend on her getting involved offensively and defensively,'' TSU Coach Tracee Wells said. Sixth seeded SEMO (15-15) kept Smith contained for the first half. She came into the game averaging 11.1 points and 9.8 rebounds but was held to just two points and three rebounds by halftime. From the start of the second half, however, Smith was nearly unstoppable. She scored seven of TSU's first 11 points and finished with 14 second-half points and five rebounds.

Photo Gallery: Southeast Missouri State vs. TSU

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NSU's basketball recruits are practicing patience

NORFOLK, VA - Rob Hampton was not prepared for how long a college basketball season could be when you're watching it from the sidelines. Then he sat through his first home game at Norfolk State's Echols Hall as a spectator and thought: This is going to take some getting used to. "It took about three hours from the time we walked into the gym to the end of the game," said Hampton, a 6-foot-4 guard who played the previous two seasons at Drexel University. "It felt like three days."

Hampton must sit through such pain one more time - tonight, when the Spartans host North Carolina A&T at 8 to close out their regular season. He's hard to miss. While everyone else is dressed in uniform or warm-ups, Hampton normally sits at the end of the Norfolk State bench wearing gray sweats. He could watch things from the bleachers, as do two other redshirting transfers - Christian Morris, formerly of Rutgers, and Marcos Tamares, formerly of Maryland-Baltimore County. But Hampton prefers to be closer to the action.

For two years at Drexel, Hampton was knee deep in that action. After minimal playing time as a freshman, he averaged 20.7 minutes a game as a sophomore, scoring 4.5 points a game.

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MEAC finally set to welcome Eagles

After almost a two-year wait, N.C. Central University is about to get its wish. On Feb. 23, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference finally lifted its ban on membership expansion. Its Council of Chief Executive Officers has begun the application review process of the Eagles and Savannah (Ga.) State as the 13th and 14th members of the historically black Division I conference. NCCU is in the second year of its five-year reclassification process into Division I. The Eagles have been playing an independent schedule since leaving the Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2006.

But, in reality, there's nothing to review. From the day they made the decision to leave the CIAA, the Eagles' membership was a given. The only question is, what took so long? "We have a process," Commissioner Dennis Thomas said. "First, a strategic and long-range plan was done for the future of our conference, and membership expansion was a part of that. We completed that and the board approved lifting the moratorium in January."

That's executive speak. The bottom line is the MEAC needs N.C. Central just as much as N.C. Central needs it.

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MEAC expansion could bring 2 divisions, football title game

NORFOLK, VA - Fourteen schools. Two divisions. One conference. That's the direction the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has set for itself in announcing last week that the league has lifted a moratorium on expansion. The MEAC, which includes Norfolk State and Hampton, could soon be adding North Carolina Central and Savannah State. Both institutions have submitted applications to join the league, currently comprised of 11 schools, nine of which play football. Winston-Salem State, which also plays football, is working toward inclusion in the MEAC in 2011.

The larger league would likely break down into two divisions. "That would allow us to at least have the flexibility for divisional play," conference commissioner Dennis Thomas said. "Divisional play will give us the flexibility to save on travel costs and missed class time for our athletes. Those are among the reasons to do this." The creation of two divisions also would seemingly invite the possibility of a championship football game - an event that could come at a price: the I-AA playoffs.

That portion of the expansion idea isn't popular with Norfolk State football coach Pete Adrian. He said the overwhelming majority of recruits are looking for the chance to play in a national playoff. "The I-AA playoffs have a lot more exposure," he said. "I don't think going to a championship game will pay off." Hampton athletic director Lonza Hardy, meanwhile, welcomes expansion and is open to exploring both postseason options.

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USC Beaufort knocks around Savannah State, 15-6

The University of South Carolina - Beaufort baseball team wasn't intimidated by its first NCAA Division I opponent -- in fact, the Sand Sharks played the role of bully. Designated hitter Jon Schmidt's grand slam in the first inning set the tone, and the Sand Sharks pounded Savannah State, 15-6, on the road Tuesday, snapping a three-game losing streak and starting a string of five consecutive days with games on the right foot.

Schmidt's third home run of the season was the only hit USCB managed against Tigers starter Mark Sherrod, but knuckleballer Nick Rhodes and three relievers made it stand up until the Sand Sharks could break it open with a seven-run eighth and a three-run ninth. Gabe Torres, T.J. Kemp and DeShontay Berry each drove in two runs, as the Sand Sharks snapped out of an offensive funk after scoring only one run in a doubleheader against Warner University on Saturday. Dustin Britt, Kemp and Rossetti had two hits apiece for USCB.

Rhodes (3-1) had another solid start, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings. Ryan Kroko allowed one run in two innings of relief, Colton Rudd gave up an unearned run in an inning of work and Kyle McCullough allowed one run in pitching the ninth. The Sand Sharks are members of the NAIA Sun Conference and records their first victory against a NCAA Division I program.

Box Score

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Savannah State Releases 2009 Football Schedule

By: Savannah State University Sports Information Department

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Six home games including an October 24 matchup with football newcomer Old Dominion highlight the 2009 Savannah State University football schedule. Four of the first five games will be on the road. Under second-year head coach Robby Wells, the Tigers will open the season playing in two “classics”. On September 5, SSU will take to the road to play Division II Livingstone in Greenville, South Carolina in the HBCU Classic.

SSU plays their home opener at Theodore A. Wright Stadium on September 12 against Alabama State in the 16th annual Joe Turner Classic before embarking on a three-game road swing which will take them to Lake Charles, Louisiana; Selma, Alabama and Charleston, South Carolina. Savannah State will play at McNeese State on Sept. 19, at Concordia on Sept.
26 and at Charleston Southern on October 3.

The Cowboys of McNeese State posted a 7-4 record last year, finished in a second place tie in the Southland Conference standings and were ranked No. 21 in the final Sports Network poll. The Tigers return home the following week to open a five game home stand, starting with North Greenville on Oct. 10. Bethune-Cookman comes to town on Oct. 17 for the 41st meeting between the Tigers and Wildcats and Old Dominion pays a visit on Oct. 24. SSU celebrates Homecoming 2009 on October 31 by hosting NAIA foe Edward Waters in a 2:00 p.m. matchup.

After an open date on November 7, the Tigers close out their home-stand with Webber International on Nov. 14. The Tigers will travel to Durham, North Carolina to close out the season against the Eagles of North Carolina Central on Nov. 21. This will be the second consecutive year the Tigers will end their season in Durham, N.C. First-year opponents on the schedule include Old Dominion, McNeese State and North Greenville. SSU played eight of the teams on the schedule in 2008 and posted a 3-5 record against them.

Savannah State defeated Livingstone (45-10), Concordia (23-7) and Webber (24-7) while losing to Bethune-Cookman (34-9), Charleston Southern (29-20), Edward Waters (26-21) and North Carolina Central (10-7).

SSU 2009 Football Schedule
Sept 5 at Livingstone Greenville, SC (HBCU Classic)
Sept 12 ALABAMA STATE (Joe Turner Classic)
Sept 19 at MeNeese State
Sept 26 at Concordia
Oct 03 at Charleston Southern
Oct 10 NORTH GREENVILLE
Oct 17 BETHUNE-COOKMAN
Oct 24 OLD DOMINION
Oct 31 EDWARD WATERS
Nov 07 OPEN
Nov 14 WEBBER INTERNATIONAL
Nov 21 at North Carolina Central

Trailblazers: From Black Colleges to the NFL

Banks' book teaches history

Oree Banks has stood among giants.

In 30-plus years of coaching football, he has studied and coached with some of the all-time greats. Now, he's written about those giants. His new book, "Trailblazers: From Black Colleges to the NFL," recounts the exploits of the first seven black coaches inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame and some of the players they coached.

In addition to Banks himself, who coached at West Virginia State and South Carolina State, the first coaches to enter the NAIA hall were Alonzo "Jake" Gaither, Florida A&M; Fred "Pop" Long, Paul Quinn College, Wiley College and Prairie View College; Harry Jefferson, Bluefield State, North Carolina A&T, Virginia State and Hampton College; Arnette W. Mumford, Jarvis Christian, Southern, Bishop and Texas College; Billy Nicks, Morris Brown and Prairie View A&M; and Eddie Robinson, Grambling University.

Banks, 67, coached at West Virginia State for seven seasons. He is retired from coaching but still teaches. He also conducts drug awareness seminars and has visited every college in the state to talk with student-athletes about drugs. In his quest to write the book, Banks spent three years doing research and traveling to the various colleges where the coaches worked. He thought it was important to tell the story of the struggles of black athletes and coaches in these historically black colleges in the days before desegregation.

"Today's young people need to learn the history of these coaches," he said. "These men all have a story to tell." He said he was surprised by some of the things he learned.

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Oree Banks is an associate professor, Health and Human Performance at West Virginia State University. The former head football coach is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame and conducts drug awareness seminars for student athletes throughout the United States. Banks was head coach at West Virginia State and South Carolina State. He was one of the first full-time assistant coaches at the University of South Carolina and the University of Virginia. Banks was also an assistant at Wisconsin and at Grambling State University, during a 30 year coaching career.

Rejuvenated Maxey helps Jackson State roll away with big road victory

Tigers bounce back from stunning loss to stay in contention for share of SWAC regular season championship

PINE BLUFF, Ark. -
Jackson State junior forward Grant Maxey was doubtful for Monday night's game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff after being hit in the head last week and then going scoreless for the first time since his freshman year. But the second-leading scorer during SWAC play started and took all of one possession to eclipse that number - hitting a midrange jumper and looking like his normal self.

Maxey's presence plus a heavy dose of Darrion Griffin and Garrison Johnson kept Jackson State in the run for a possible share of the SWAC regular season championship and the No. 1 seed in the tournament with a 75-66 victory at H.O. Clemmons Arena. "We still wanted to let Alabama State know we're a team to be reckoned with," Griffin said. "This was a message to the rest of the conference." JSU hosts the Hornets on Thursday.

The Golden Lions (11-17, 10-7) played the first half like there was blue blood in the water. JSU was coming off its first loss since Jan. 19 with Mississippi Valley State rallying from a 16-point deficit on Saturday. UAPB still could have stolen the No. 2 seed in the SWAC Tournament.

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ASU men on the cusp of SWAC title after win over Texas Southern

As Alabama State senior point guard Brandon Brooks walked off the Acadome floor for the final time in his ASU career, the partisan crowd gave Brooks the expected standing ovation. His coaches and teammates greeted him with hugs and high-fives. The public address announcer asked for more applause. None of those, however, were as telling as the reaction from Texas Southern head coach Tony Harvey.

Harvey, who had just watched Brooks orchestrate a 90-73 thumping of his Tigers, left his bench, walked past mid-court, got Brooks' attention with a slap on the backside and shook his hand. "That means so much -- to know that you've earned the respect of your peers like that," Brooks said. "That was a nice gesture and it meant a lot to me." Harvey's motivation was easy to spot Monday night.

While his numbers -- 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds -- don't jump off the stat sheet, Brooks was clearly in command in ASU's win. He controlled the flow of the game by pushing the ball early, as the Hornets jumped out to a 28-14 lead with seven minutes left in the first half. And he led the charge in the second half, as ASU recovered from a slump that allowed TSU to even the score and pushed its lead out to as many as 23 down the stretch.

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