WSSU Rams Pick Up Second Consecutive Win With 15-7 Drubbing Of The Millersville Marauders

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina --   The Winston-Salem State University Rams baseball team used a seven run fourth inning to sprint past the Marauders of Millersville University, 15-7 Saturday at BB&T Ballpark in downtown Winston-Salem, NC.

The win moved the WSSU Rams to 2-3 on the season, while the Millersville Marauders fall to 0-2 to start the 2013 season.

 

Millersville got on the board early in a big way, pushing across four runs in the top of the second inning, after loading the bases in the first but could not plate a run.

 

WSSU came back in the bottom half of the second with back to back singles from Aaron Jones and Tyler Hickernell, before Rafael Gonzalez reach on an error. Brandon Harrison doubled in two runs to cut the score to 4-2.

 

In the third, the Rams struck again, as Conner Andrus was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Advanced to second on a German Reyes walk. Levi Grassley hit into a fielder's choice and advancing Andrus scored on a throwing error by the second second baseman. Tyler Hickernell doubled in Grassley, and Rafael Gonzalez doubled in Hickernell to give WSSU a 5-4 lead.

 

The Marauders would try to pick up ground on WSSU in the fourth, but could only plate one run on a double by Zach Stone, scoring Evan King.

 

Winston-Salem State would break the game open in the bottom half of the fourth. Paco Martin singled then stole second, followed by Conner Andrus, who reached on an error advancing Martin to third. Levi Grassley singled scoring Martin, and Aaron Jones single down the right field line scoring Andrus. After a walk to Tyler Hickernell, Rafael Gonzalez singled to center scoring Grassley and Jones. Brandon Harrison and Travis Moore would earn a walks, bringing Martin back to plate for his second time up in the inning. He was also walked, scoring Gonzalez, before Hickernell would score on a wild pitch.

 

The Rams picked up three more runs in the fifth, as Grassley singled and Jones doubled, scoring Grassley. Hickernell would double, scoring Jones and Gonzalez would double, scoring Hickernell.

 

Millersville scored twice in the seventh inning to close out the scoring.

 

WSSU scored its 15 runs on 16 hits while having three errors, while the Maruaders scored five runs on 10 hits with three errors.

 

Brandon Harrison was perfect at the plate for WSSU, as he went 3 for 3 with one run scored and two rbi's, and Tyler Hickernell was also hot at the plate going 3 for 4 with four runs scored and two rbi's. Rafael Gonzalez went 3 for 4 with four big rbi's and one run scored. Aaron Jones went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and two rbi's. Levi Grassley finished 2 for 6 with one rbi and three runs scored; Connor Andrus was 1 for our with two runs scored and one rbi and Paco Martin went 1 for 5 with one run scored and one rbi.

 

Scott Wells came in to relieve Jordan Carlton after 1.1 innings, and Wells did not disappoint, going 4.2 innings in picking up the win. He surrendered just four hits and one earned run while picking up a strikeout. Ryan Smith pitched 2.0 innings giving up one hit, one walk and three strikeouts, while Seth Mahaffey pitched 1.0 innings with one walk. Hayden O'Neal gave up two runs on two hits and a walk, before being relieved without getting an out.

 

Millersville was led by Jeff Heisey and Mike Lebo, who each finished 2 for 5. Lebo scored one run and Heisy drove in a run. Tyler McDonald and Tyler Orris were both 1 for 4 with one run scored. Orris also had an rbi. Zach Stone finished 1 for 5 with 3 rbi's.

 

Ted Barton came in to relieve Jim McDade in the third inning, and picked up the loss for MU. McDade gave up six hits and five runs, while Barton surrendered seven runs on four hits with five walks. Pat Kelley gave up three runs on five hits in 1.2 innings pitched. Tanner Rahauser, Dylan Schaeffer and John Brogan each pitched an inning.

 

Winston-Salem State will go for the sweep tomorrow over Millersville at BB&T Ballpark in downtown Winston-Salem. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

Box Score

 

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Mom and Dad are NSU star's biggest cheerleaders

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  Sheri Williams lay in a hospital bed in Germany, mourning the loss of one child and praying she would not lose another.

“Sie benötigen bettruhe,” said the nurses, who spoke little English. “You need bed rest,” a friend interpreted.

Months earlier, she had been told she was pregnant with twins. Then she had a miscarriage. She thought she’d lost both, but tests showed one still clung to life.

Doctors in Frankfurt ordered her to bed for a month and warned it would be a miracle if the second twin survived.



Yet, on Nov. 13, 1991, Pendarvis Lafayette Akim Williams was born – happy and healthy.
“Penny,” as he is known by friends, is an only child, one who was fixated on basketball before he could speak.

“I’d put him down in his carrier in front of a game on television when he was 3 months old and he would watch it,” Sheri Williams said.

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TSU Tigers wins a hard fought contest over Jackson State 61-54

JACKSON, Mississippi - Omar Strong scored 18 points and Texas Southern hit late foul shots to knock off Jackson State 61-54 Saturday night in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

Texas Southern (10-14, 9-2) won its fifth straight game, and eighth in its last nine outings.

Texas Southern led 31-24 at halftime, and went up by as many as nine points in the second half. Jackson State got within 52-49 with 1:37 left, but TSU’s Fred Sturdivant scored a critical bucket late in the game to push Texas Southern over the top.

Strong went 10 for 11 from the foul line overall and converted six straight free throws down the stretch to seal the win in TSU’s favor.

Texas Southern shot 46.7 percent from the field (21 of 45) while holding Jackson State to just 28.8 percent (17 of 59).

TSU travels to face Grambling State on the road on Monday wrapping up a two-game road swing.

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NSU routs Delaware State; stays perfect in MEAC

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  Norfolk State ran its win streak to a Division I record nine straight and moved to 10-0 in the MEAC as the Spartan men's basketball team pulled away from Delaware State in a 74-56 victory Saturday night at Joseph Echols Hall.

The Spartans outscored the Hornets by 12 in the second half after holding a six-point lead at the break, snapping a five-game losing streak to Delaware State that stretched back to January of 2009. Juniors Brandon Goode and Malcolm Hawkins each scored 12 points in the second stanza to help NSU run its overall record to 15-10 on the year.

Hawkins tied his career high with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting, while Goode posted his third double-double of the year with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting with 11 rebounds. NSU shot better than 50 percent in the second half and finished 30-of-63 from the floor (47.6 percent).

The team's nine-game win streak marks the longest since winning 14 in a row during the 1994-95 season. At 10-0, NSU extended its best start in conference play since a 14-0 start in the CIAA to begin the 1989-90 season.

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UAPB men beat Southern to create tie for SWAC lead

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  — For the first time in a long time, the Southern men’s basketball team has company atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings.

Surging Arkansas-Pine Bluff got the best of the Jaguars in a 55-52 victory Saturday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena, scoring its seventh win in eight games while handing SU its second loss in four.
The win bumped the Golden Lions (11-13, 10-2) into a tie with Southern (16-8, 10-2) for the SWAC’s top spot.

After winning its first four SWAC away games by double figures, Southern, which started league action 8-0 after upsetting Texas A&M late in nonconference play, has now lost two in a row on the road.

“We were a timid ball club, looking around and not attacking,” SU coach Roman Banks said. “They’re playing not to lose instead of playing to win.”

As in the 61-57 loss at Alcorn State late last month, when LeAntwan Luckett ripped off 27 points, Southern ran into an opposing shooter with a hot hand. This time, it was UAPB senior Lazabian Jackson, whose game-high 20 points included six 3-pointers. It marked Jackson’s third straight 20-point effort.

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Nuggets escape Philander, give Browder state record

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- It was a record-setting day for Bo Browder but a difficult game for his Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team.

The Gold Nuggets, ranked 11th in NAIA Division I, struggled against Philander Smith, the last-place team in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, before pulling away in the final three minutes for a 61-53 victory.

Xavier (20-4 overall, 8-2 GCAC) and Browder reached 20 victories for the 12th consecutive season, making Browder the Louisiana collegiate women's basketball record-holder. He previously shared the record with hall-of-famer Leon Barmore, who led Louisiana Tech to 11 consecutive 20-win seasons from 1991-2002. The Louisiana men's record-holder is Grambling's Fred Hobdy, whose teams posted 11 straight 20-win seasons from 1956-67.

"That's pretty amazing to break that record," Browder said. "We were just blessed and fortunate to get out of here with a win."

SiMon Franklin scored 22 points, and Carmen Holcombe had eight points and nine rebounds to help Xavier improve its win streak to a season-best eight games. But after Franklin's basket gave the Gold Nuggets a 17-8 advantage in the ninth minute, Philander Smith (11-15, 1-9) rallied to take a 29-28 halftime lead, then kept the pressure on Xavier throughout the second half.

The Lady Panthers led 33-30 with 16:39 remaining after Kanesha Merritt's basket. Then Xavier scored nine of the next 11 points, with Danielle Tucker making 1-of-2 free throws at 13:50 to put the Nuggets ahead to stay, 35-34. But the Lady Panthers never disappeared from Xavier's rear-view mirror, missing a 3-pointer which would have tied the score in the 32nd minute and a 2-pointer in the 36th minute which also would've produced a tie.

Four consecutive Jerricka Scott free throws at 3:23 -- two made after the second of two technical fouls on Xavier -- had Philander Smith within striking distance at 54-51. But Scott committed a turnover on the ensuing possession, and Tucker passed to Franklin for a basket and a 56-51 lead moments later. The Lady Panthers didn't score again until the final 39 seconds. Two late Franklin free throws and another by Talor Hixon clinched the record-setting victory.

"Records have never been about me," said Browder, whose XU teams reached 20 victories 13 times in his 14 seasons as head coach. "It's been about a continuing stream of talented young ladies into a first-class program I inherited from Janice Joseph. We've got great support from our administration -- (president) Dr. (Norman) Francis, our athletic director, Mr. (Dennis) Cousin -- and I've had my top assistant, Darrilyn Broussard, with me for all those 20-win seasons except my first. When you start with good people, great things can happen."

This is the 20th time in 21 seasons that the Xavier women won 20 or more games.

Scott led Philander Smith with 20 points -- she made 18-of-21 free throws, 12-of-15 in the second half -- and Merritt scored 16. But they combined for 13 of the Lady Panthers; 29 turnovers. Xavier, however, was nearly as careless, committing 28 turnovers, eight by Franklin.

The Gold Nuggets will play Fisk at 5:30 p.m. Monday in Nashville, Tenn. The next home game will be the regular-season finale, tipping off at 3 p.m. on Feb. 23 against Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at the Convocation Center.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

TSU Performs Well in Final Regular Season Tune-Up

Murfreesboro, Tennessee - The Tennessee State men's and women's track and field teams each had strong showings in Saturday's MTSU Valentine Invitational.

In the women's dashes, Quanisha Sales and Ashontae Jackson led the Tigerbelles with four top-three finishes. Sales won the 55 meter with a time of 7.13 seconds and also took third place in the 200 meter (25.45). Sales finished behind Jackson who came in second place in the 200 after running the event in 25.23 seconds. Jackson also placed second in the 400 meter with a final time of 56.24 seconds.

During the high jump, Ja'Lyn Burr (1.60 m), Gabrielle Todd (1.55 m), Brielle Moore (1.55 m) and Sharmill Whyatt (1.55 m) placed second through fifth.

Burr also came in second in the triple jump (11.90 m) and fourth in the long jump (5.73 m), placing one spot behind Jackson (5.79 m).

Juniors Brittani Logan (16.29 m) and Cierra Joshua (11.56 m) also had good showings, placing second and fourth, respectively in the weight throw.

For the Flying Tigers, Michael Johnson finished third in the 400 meter dash with a time of 49.24 seconds and Jason Griffin beat everyone in the 55 meter hurdles after completing the event in 7.93 seconds.

In the men's field events, Daryl Rice (1.93 m), Sean Jenkins (1.88 m) and Royce Dates (1.88 m) placed second through fourth in the high jump. Dates also won the long jump with a leap of 7.29 meters and Alex Griffin took home second place in the shot put with a toss of 13.87 meters.

The meet marked the last competition for the Tigerbelles and Flying Tigers before they travel to Charleston, Ill. for the OVC Tournament on Feb. 22.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Welch makes big plays in Livingstone win over Shaw

SALISBURY — When you have teammates like Mark Thomas, Tyler Johnson and Jody Hill, the spotlight is never your’s alone.

 

But Livingstone reserve Anthony Welch did a pretty good job distinguishing himself Saturday night at Trent Gym, where he made a series of pivotal baskets in a feverish 96-89 CIAA victory against Shaw.

 

“Those guys make our team go,” Welch said after leading the Blue Bears (16-5, 8-4) to their third win in the last four games. “My role is to come off the bench and keep that pace up.”

 

Welch — a 6-foot-5 junior college transfer from Chicago — knocked down a couple of late-game 3-pointers that made Shaw (13-9, 7-5) go home empty-handed. He shot 6-for-8 from the field and harvested 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists from just 13 minutes of playing time.

 

“Anthony has always been able to do that,” LC coach James Stinson said. “It’s just a matter of him playing behind some other people. He’s had to be patient and when opportunity arrives, he has to be able to take advantage of it.”

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Philander Smith reduces Xavier lead in GCAC to 1 game

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Juvon Demerson scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half Saturday to rally Philander Smith in a 75-68 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Panrthers (17-8 overall, 7-3 GCAC) reduced the conference lead of the Gold Rush (21-5, 8-2) to one game. Xavier is ranked 11th in NAIA Division I, and Philander Smith is 24th.

Xavier led 31-30 at halftime, but Demerson, a 6-foot-10 junior center, scored six points in an 8-0 run which opened the second half and put the Panthers ahead to stay. Alvin Nance's two free throws with 8:59 remaining gave Philander Smith its biggest lead, 59-43.

Wanto Joseph's 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining trimmed the Panthers' lead to 71-68, but Xavier got no closer. Clayton Busby made two free throws at 0:13, then Nance scored at the buzzer after XU missed a shot, grabbed the rebound and committed a turnover.

Demerson grabbed 10 rebounds in his fifth double-double of the season and fourth in six games. D'Alvin Brown scored 14 points for Philander Smith, Busby and Nance had 13 each, and Damarkus Lipscomb had 10 points, nine assists and six steals.

Denzell Erves had 16 points and 11 rebounds -- his 15th double-double of the season -- for the Gold Rush. Freshman RJ Daniels scored a career-high 15 points, 13 in the second half. Anthony Simmons scored 14 points, and Wanto Joseph had 13 points and eight assists.

Xavier outscored Philander Smith 7-0 in the opening 2:02, but Brown's 3-pointer eight minutes later gave the Panthers their first lead, 16-13.

Xavier outshot Philander Smith 51 to 43.1 percent from the floor -- the second consecutive game and the ninth time this season the Gold Rush reached 50 percent -- but was outscored 21-12 at the line. Xavier committed 25 turnovers, its most in a conference game this season, and gained 15.

Philander Smith ended its three-game losing streak and snapped Xavier's four-game winning streak. Also snapped was Xavier's five-game road winning streak. It's the second time the Gold Rush lost in 12 road games this season.

The Panthers gained a regular-season split with Xavier, which won 84-79 at the Convocation Center on Jan. 19, and defeated the Gold Bfor the first time in 10 all-time meetings.

Xavier will stay on the road and play Fisk -- the only other GCAC team to beat the Gold Rush this season --- at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Nashville, Tenn. The next home game will start at 5 p.m. on Feb. 23 against Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at the Convocation Center.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

WSSU gets payback against St. Aug's

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Collins, who called an earlier loss to St. Aug’s a major disappointment, was all smiles at the Gaines Center after the Rams’ 68-56 victory.
 
As has been the case all season, the victory wasn’t easy. The Rams led by 19 in the second half but survived going more than eight minutes without a field goal.



“We had the big lead, and I don’t want to say we were comfortable, but they picked up their intensity and started trapping us, and we were throwing the ball away,” guard Tyre Desmore of the Rams said. “But we got control, hit our free throws toward the end, and won the game.”

Tweaking his starting lineup, Collins had leading scorer Justin Glover come off the bench, and Glover responded by scoring 18 points. Wakefield Ellison added 17, and Marcus Wells had 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal.

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Benedict Football Team Signs 27

COLUMBIA, South Carolina  --   Benedict College head football coach James Woody announced the signing of 24 players to National Letters of Intent to play for the Tigers in 2013, along with three players who enrolled in January.

"I'm really excited about this recruiting class. I think we addressed a lot of needs,” Woody said. “I think our coaching staff did a phenomenal job of getting out there. I think we increased our overall team speed in the backfield and receiver corps. They look good on paper. We'll see how that transfers onto the field in August.”

The Tigers signed five players from South Carolina, including Juawan Etheredge from nearby Batesburg-Leesville High School.

“I think he's a real steal. He's a power back, real strong,” Woody said.

Another running back Woody is excited to see suit up for the Tigers is Kenneth Hurley from Leesburg, Ga.  Hurley scored 23 touchdowns and had more than 2,000 all-purpose yards. But the bigger schools shied away from him because of his size - 5-9, 165 pounds.

“If this kid was taller and a little bigger, we wouldn't have had a chance. The big schools would have snatched him up. He's a real fast kid,” Woody said.

Four players enrolled in January, including Leroy Hollins III, a transfer quarterback from Arkansas Baptist Junior College who threw for 1,580 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

“He's going to push for that starting spot,” Woody said.

The Tigers also got some national exposure on national signing day. One of the nation's top recruits, Stacy Coley from Northeast High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., made his choice to sign with the University of Miami on ESPNU Wednesday morning. He was one of several players from his school to sign NLI's during the live televised event, including two teammates – running back Jamal Wallace and offensive lineman Kyante Belvin - who wore Benedict caps while signing their papers.

Name	Height	Weight	Position	Hometown/High School	Highlights
Carlos D. Garrett, Jr.	5-8	180	DB/OLB	Ellenwood, Ga. / Martin Luther King Jr. HS	Honorable mention Georgia All-State; First Team All-Region; First Team All-DeKalb County
Kenneth Hurley	5-9	165	RB	Leesburg, Ga. / Lee County HS	Rushed for 1,233 yards and gained 2,160 all-purpose yards. Scored 23 touchdowns. Albany Herald People's Choice Football Player of the Year. First Team All-Region. Honorable Mention All-State.
Bilal Hewitt	6-2	275	DL	Conyers, Ga. / Salem HS	Averaged six tackles per game.
Antone Leonard	5-11	200	LB	Conyers, Ga. / Salem HS	Two-time All-Region.
Ryan Witherspoon	6-3	240	OL	Ellenwood, Ga. / Cedar Grove HS	First Team All-DeKalb County. Honorable Mention All-State.
James Tillman	6-0	280	OL	Dothan, Ala. / Northview HS	Named offensive line MVP at Scout.com showcase. 42 knockdown blocks
Demetrius Pinkett	5-9	165	WR/DB	Ellenwood, Ga. / Cedar Grove HS	First Team All-DeKalb County. All DeKalb All-Star Team. 35 receptions for 600 yards.
Kyante Belvin	6-4	290	OL	Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Northeast HS	Honorable Mention All-Broward County. 29 pancake blocks.
D. Jamal Wallace	5-9	170	RB	Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Northeast HS	Third Team All-Broward County. 3,683 career rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.
Corey Whitehurst	6-3	210	DE	Dothan, Ala. / Northview HS	Had 12 quarterback sacks, 7 quarterback hurries and 5 blocked kicks.
Yusef Howard	5-11	280	DT	Prattville, Ala. / Prattville HS	Named Prattville Player of the Year.
Risati Mapu	5-11	245	LB	Pago Pago, American Samoa / New Mexico Military JC / Leone HS	46 tackles, 4 tackles for loss last season.
Devin Grimes	5-10	170	DB	North Augusta, S.C. / North Augusta HS	Two-time All-State. 46 tackles and 8 interceptions.
Leander Palmer	6-3	295	OL	Jacksonville, Fla. / First Coast HS	Two-time Gateway Conference First Team. Over 100 career pancakes.
Demetrius James Jr.	6-0	220	LB	Dallas, Ga. / East Paulding HS	Two-time First Team All-Region. 120 tackles.
Alexander Bryant Jr.	6-0	210	LB	Savannah, Ga. / Windsor Forest HS	All-Region and All-Coastal Empire. 89 tackles, 7 sacks last season.
Brandon Harrison	5-11	170	WR	Memphis, Tenn. / Westwood HS	First Team All-Conference. Lead the team and conference with 44 receptions for 750 yards.
David Martin	5-10	180	WR	Fountain Inn, S.C. / Hillcrest HS	First Team All-Region. Rushed for more than 900 yards, 300 yards receiving and scored 23 touchdowns.
William Jackson	6-4	275	OL	Montgomery, Ala. / Jefferson Davis HS	First Team All-District.
Ray Louis	6-3	305	OL	Darlington, S.C. / Orangeburg-Calhoun Tech. / Darlington HS	Team's Offensive Lineman of the Year and Team Captain.
Ryan Witherspoon	6-3	240	OL / TE	Stone Mountain, Ga. / Cedar Grove HS	First Team All-DeKalb County. Honor Mention All-State.
Deontavius Hall	5-11	180	WR	Phenix City, Ala. / Central-Phenix City HS	First Team All Tri-City, 52 rushes 824 yards, 24 receptions over 300 yards. Broke single game rushing record with 18 carries for 290 yards.
Juawan Etheredge	5-9	195	RB	Batesburg, S.C. / Batesburg-Leesville HS	All-Conference and All-Region.
Tremayne Trawick	6-3	188	WR	Pooler, Ga. / Windsor Forest HS	All-Region and All-Greater Savannah. Broke school season receiving record as a junior with 704 yards on 35 receptions.
Rodney Hall *	6-1	185	DB	Philadelphia, Penn. / Globe Institute of Technology / Overbrook HS	All-City and All-Conference.
James Strawter Jr. *	6-1	185	WR/KR	Perry, Fla. / Taylor Country HS	40 receptions for 614 yards and seven touchdowns.
Leroy Hollins III *	6-2	190	QB	Baton Rouge, La. / Arkansas Baptist JC / Scotlandville Magnet HS	1,580 yards passing, 14 touchdowns last season.

* January enrolled

COUTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Stillman Tigers National Signing Day

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama  – The Stillman College football program announces its signee class of 2013 as twenty student athletes signed with the Tigers on National Signing Day 2013.

Stillman head football coach Teddy Keaton and staff spent the early morning hours preparing themselves for the incoming paperwork and signatures that will allow several young men to become Stillman Tigers in the 2013 football season.

“We feel real good about the athletes that we recruited during this period,” said Keaton. “I feel good about the work the staff put in during this our third recruiting season. My hats off to them for their diligence.”

Among the positions the Tigers looked immediately were offensive line and offensive skills positions. On the defensive side of the ball, all areas were looking to be upgraded. While junior college transfers will fill some of the positions, the incoming freshmen will definitely get their opportunity this fall.

““We had some immediate positions we needed to fill and we are confident that we have made good choices. Our task now is the put the young men in position to be successful – both in the classroom and on the football field.”

As of 5 pm, twenty young men had submitted the required paperwork:

1.	Treyvian Balcom	Dothan, Ala.	Northview HS	Defensive Line	5-10, 285
2.	Rovanta Johnson	Lakeland, Fla.	Kathleen HS	Running Back	5-8, 162
	Son of Robert Johnson and Latishia Wilson … As a senior, had 107 carries for 900 yards and ten touchdowns … averaged 8.9 yards per carry … was named player of the week twice as a senior … also was a standout in track.
3.	Devin McCaleb	Fort Meade, Fla.	Fort Meade HS	Free Safety	6-0, 170
	Son of Dwayne McCalebb and Stephanie McMillian … played football for coach Jemalle Cornelius … team won district championship … received all-district, all-state and all-county honors and played in the FACA All-Star Game … registered 75 tackles, four fumble recoveries, two defensive touchdowns and two interceptions.
4.	Devon Denson	Lakeland, Fla.	Lakeland HS	Defensive Tackle / Fullback	5-11, 255
	Son of Willie T. and Charlenne Denson … played four years for coach Bill Castle … team was state semifinalist in 2009 and regional semifinalist from 2012 to 2012 … was a FACA and Polk all-county second team selection
5.	Cody Martin	Monroeville, Ala.	Excel HS / Alabama Southern CC	Offensive Line	6-3, 275
6.	Gregory Abrams	Lakeland, Fla.	Kathleen HS	Cornerback	5-9, 170
	Played both football and basketball at Kathleen High
7.	Keivontae Turk	Tampa, Fla.	Jefferson HS	Safety	5-11, 195
	92 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions as one of the leaders of the Dragons' defense this fall … Was been a four-year contributor at Jefferson and was a sophomore starter during the school's undefeated Class 3A state championship run in 2010
8.	Ryan Jackson	Grove Hill, Ala.	Clarke County HS	Linebacker	6-1, 210
	Played baseball and football at Clarke County High
9.	Airion McRae	Grove Hill, Ala.	Clarke County HS	Running Back / Cornerback	5-9, 170
	Performed on both sides of the ball for Clarke County … had touchdown runs of 65 and 74 yards against UMS-Wright.
10.	Bradley Heard	Oxford, Ala.	Munford HS	Running Back / Defensive Back	5-9, 180
11.	Lonnie Edwards	Alexandria, Va.	Edison HS	Fullback / Linebacker	5-10, 200
12.	Marquise Shelton	Linden, Ala.	Linden HS	Running Back / Defensive Back	5-11, 180
	Son of Jacqueline Alston … played four years for Andre Williams at Linden High … in 2011 as a junior, 109 carries for 910 yards 13 touchdowns; 29 catches for 526 yards and five touchdowns for the 1A State Championship runner-up (13-2) … opened 2012 campaign as a senior with a 125-yard, three touchdown effort … also averaged 10.1 yards per carry during second round of Alabama 1A state playoffs … named to the all-county team.
13.	Wilshonn Jefferson	Auburndale, Fla.	Auburndale HS	Defensive End	5-11, 220
	Son of Vivian S. Jefferson … played both football and baseball at Auburndale High … was a starting defensive end for coach Kenneth Grantham … team won 2012 5A district title … a member of the Student Government Association and the Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program, he finished with 91 tackles, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown … was named second-team all-county and all-state honorable mention
14.	Terrance Hyde	Thomasville, Ala.	Thomasville HS	Tight End	6-2, 170
	Son of Terry and Cheryl Hyde … started two of four years at tight end for coach Jack Hankins … team won 2010 state title with 15-0 record … team went a combined 44-7 during his four years as a Tiger … a four-year letter winner in football and basketball … caught two touchdowns as a senior and one as a junior.
15.	Emanuel Cromuel	Tampa, Fla.	Thomas Jefferson HS/Univ. of South Dakota	Defensive Line	6-1, 300
	Son of Marchel and Stephanie Crumel … was a four-year letter winner at Thomas Jefferson High … redshirted at South Dakota during the 2011 season.
16.	Rodney Harper	Demopolis, Ala.	Demopolis HS	Wide Receiver	6-3, 182
	Son of Rodney Harper and Evelyn Robertson … standout in football and track … football team won 2009 5A state championship … 25 catches for 432 yards and six touchdowns
17.	Jordan Barrett	Memphis, Tenn.	Southwind HS	Defensive Line	5-10, 270
18.	Eric Berry II	Memphis, Tenn.	Southwind HS	Kicker	5-10, 165
19.	Charles Corbitt	Dothan, Ala.	Dothan HS	Linebacker	5-10, 195
20.	Terry Toler	Dadeville, Ala.	Dadeville HS	Wide Receiver	6-4, 210

These eighteen young men will join the mid-year signees who joined the program. The twelve young men are athletes who Keaton and the Stillman staff feel could become important components of next season's team.

1.	Jovontae Thurman	Florence, Miss.	Florence HS / Jones County (Miss.) CC	Running Back	5-9, 170
2.	Fabian Simpson	Bartow, Fla.	Bartow HS / Iowa Wesleyan CC	Defensive End	6-2, 220
3.	Ryan Preston	Linden, Ala.	Linden HS / Sequoia (Calif.) College	Defensive Line	6-1, 256
4.	Kevon Cunningham	West Point, Miss.	West Point HS / East Mississippi CC	Offensive Line	6-5, 325
5.	DeAndre Nelson	Los Angeles, Calif.	Dorsey HS / El Camino College	Linebacker	6-0, 210
6.	Xavier Hogan	West Point, Miss.	West Point HS / East Mississippi CC	Running Back	5-9, 180
7.	JeTyson Myers	Petal, Miss.	Perry Central HS/ Jones County (Miss.) CC	Offensive Line	6-2, 310
8.	DeMarcus Nevels	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	Central HS	Cornerback	5-10
9.	James Davis	Thomasville, Ga.	Thomas County HS	Running Back	5-8, 170
10.	Jonathan Esther	Thomasville, Ga.	Thomas County HS	Linebacker	5-9, 180
11.	Cortez DeShazo	Pinson, Ala.	Clay-Chalkville HS	Defensive Line	6-2, 280
12.	Reggie Patrick	Pinson, Ala.	Clay-Chalkville HS	Offensive Line      6-2, 285

COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Slater gives Tuskegee signing day class a C+

TUSKEGEE, Alabama  --  The Tuskegee Golden Tigers signed 15 recruits on national signing day, hoping to build strength in the trenches and help replace the production from star running back Derrick Washington. The Golden Tigers grabbed six defensive linemen and two offensive linemen.

They also signed three running backs.

“I like the group that signed with us,” Tuskegee football coach Willie Slater said. “I think it’s a good group. We got a couple of offensive linemen that I really like, a couple of defensive linemen that I really like, and a couple of running backs.”

Both of the offensive linemen, Jebri Cole and Jamil McKenzie are from junior college and are expected to make immediate impacts. Cole is a 6-foot-3, 310-pounder from Northwest Community College in Meridian, Miss. and McKenzie, listed at 6-2, 290 pounds, is from Louisburg Community College in Greenville, S.C.

“I hope they’re good enough to start ...

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Football recruiting: Tuskegee lands 15 on signing day

The Tuskegee Golden Tigers signed 15 recruits on National Signing Day, hoping to build strength in the trenches and help replace the production from star running back Derrick Washington. The Golden Tigers grabbed six defensive linemen and two offensive linemen.

They also signed three running backs.

“I like the group that signed with us,” Tuskegee football coach Willie Slater said. “I think it’s a good group. We got a couple of offensive linemen that I really like, a couple of defensive linemen that I really like, and a couple of running backs.”

Both of the offensive linemen, Jebri Cole and Jamil McKenzie, are from junior college and are expected to make immediate impacts. Cole is a 6-foot-3, 310-pounder from Northwest Community College in Meridian, Miss. and McKenzie, listed at 6-2, 290 pounds, is from Louisburg Community College in Greenville, S.C.

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ASU Golden Rams Football ink seven new players

ALBANY, Georgia  --  Head coach James “Mike” White and the Albany State Golden Rams signed seven new players on National Football Signing Day. All of the new Golden Rams come from the high school ranks and will join the program for the 2013 season.

“I am very pleased with the guys we signed,” said White. “They will be an asset to our program, and we are looking forward to signing more players to join them soon.

The Golden Rams finished the 2012 season with a 6-4 record and 2^nd in the SIAC Eastern Division.

Golden Rams Signees

Jeremy Johnson RB 5’10 250 Sylvania, Ga. Screven Co. High School

Terrell Flowers TE 6’5 235 Conyers, Ga. Heritage High School

Niles Hamilton TE 6’4 230 Austell, Ga. South Cobb High School

Zavondric Shingleton DB 6’4 195 Millen, Ga. Jenkins Co. High School

Malik Broughton WR 6’5 215 Bonaire, Ga. Veterans High School

Jalen Sneed DL 6’4 270 Boston, Ga. Central Thomasville High School

Stefan Whitehead K 5’9 170 Fairburn, Ga Langston Hughes High CO

 

COURTESY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY (Ga.) SPORTS INFORMATION

Miles Golden Bears signs 42 football student-athletes

FAIRFIELD, AL – Reginald Ruffin, Head Coach of the Miles College Golden Bears football program has added five more signee's making the total so far 42:

Laris Paige OL 6-3 300 Lake Butler, FL (Union County High School)

Willkell Boler OL 6-2 270 Auburn, AL (Auburn High School)
Patrick Perry QB 6-1 180 Montgomery, AL (Sidney Lanier High School)

Jaquan Sanders FB 6-2 240 Montgomery, AL (Sidney Lanier High School)

Jamari Ford DE 6-3 255 Savannah, GA (Atlanta Sports Aca.)   


MILES COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS SIGNS THIRTY-SEVEN FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES

FAIRFIELD, AL - Thirty-seven student athletes signed National Letters of Intent to play football with the Miles College Golden Bears for the 2013 season, during the initial national signing day on February 6, head coach Reginald Ruffin announced on Wednesday.
 
2013 MILES COLLEGE FOOTBALL SIGNEES

Name: Nathaniel Cole

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
DL	6-2	265	Foley, AL	Foley

Accomplishments:, All-County, Pride Award, MVP of the Max Emfinger All – American Bowl
Highlight Link: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8024581


Name: Alontai Adams

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
TE	6-3	218	Foley, AL	Foley

Accomplishments: All- State Honorable Mention, All-County, Played in the Alabama vs. Mississippi All – Star Game
Highlight Link: http://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/videos.aspx?athleteid=ebd60456-b7a2-4a78-bb31-fb48f0148e7e&ssid=37631434-bc40-4d46-a7c5-1042c42e338c&videoid=bd74c57a-1d1e-9ccb-da96-fea61df15903


Name: Deeandra Ervin

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
DB	6-0	185	Fairhope, AL	Fairhope

Accomplishments: All County, Played in the Max Emfinger All – American Bowl
Highlight Link: ttp://www.hudl.com/athlete/1625274/highlights/34105374


Name: Ronnie Stoney

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
OL	6-0	270	Valdosta, GA	Valdosta

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1276319/#highlights/35283447


Name: Quinton Chaney

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
OL	6-4	330	York, AL	Sumter Central

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1003940/#highlights/25480377


Name: Anthony Evans

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
OL	6-1	290	Valdosta, GA	Valdosta

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1294211/#highlights/29700396


Name: Timothy Rutley

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
OL	6-3	254	Tuscaloosa, AL	Northridge

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/503368/#highlights/8491382


Name: Rodriquez McKenney

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
TE	6-3	235	Birmingham, AL	Huffman

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f42l1iKWCtg


Name: Darren Burch

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
HB	5-10	225	Lake City, FL	Columbia

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1258892/#athletics


Name: Ezell Gammage

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
DL	6-2	275	Sebring, FL	Sebring

Accomplishments: All District and All County
Highlight Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFwDuC6pv2Y


Name: Jason Coste

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
K	5-11	165	Tallahassee, FL	Florida State High

Accomplishments: First Team of State Punt (3A FL)

Highlight Link: https://mail.miles.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=8102ce32c8ce4703a871eb2259d2ff74&URL=http%3a%2f%2frecruit-match.ncsasports.org%2fclientrms%2fprofile%2frecruiting_profile%2f1152110


Name: John Thomas

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
OL	6-1	280	Columbus, GA	Carver

Accomplishments:

Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/627920/#athletics


Name: Franklin Jones

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
ATH	6-3	215	Shubuta, MS	Quitman

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/955051/#franklin-jones


Name: Deandre Mitchell

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
ATH	5-11	185	Butler, AL	Choctaw

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1078719/#highlights/30022377


Name: Marquele Benjamin

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
OL	6-4	295	Montgomery, AL	Robert E. Lee

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/205833/#marquele-benjamin


Name: John Robinson

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
OL	6-2	305	Bolton, MS	Raymond

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1300170/#highlights/33694399


Name: Armand Gazda

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
TE	6-3	215	Smyrna, GA	Campbell

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link:


Name: Tyler Jackson

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
WR	5-8	175	Muscle Shoals, AL	Muscle Shoals

Accomplishments: 5A - 1^st Team All-State
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/825869/#highlights/10464381


Name: Jamarcus Nance

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
RB	5-8	175	Muscle Shoals, AL	Muscle Shoals

Accomplishments: 5A - 1^st Team All-State
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/828451/#highlights/8980380


Name: Kyle Shoulders

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
HB	6'0	225	Tanner, AL	Tanner

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1238030/#highlights/26259395


Name: William Walker

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
QB	6-3	190	Sandersville, GA	Washington Co.

Accomplishments: 1^st Team AAA- AJC All- State Athlete, 1^st Team All Region AAA Quarter Back, Augusta Dream 16 Player, 1^st Team All Middle Georgia, 2,550 yds Passing 30 TD's 5 Ints 1363 yds Rushing 11 TD's 7.7 yds a Carry
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2092782/


Name: Deangelo Ballard

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
ATH	6-1	191	Macon, MS	Noxubee

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1129114/#highlights/24337377


Name: Kessy Bell

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
DL	6-3	270	Demopolis, AL	Demopolis

Accomplishments: All Marengo County, Demopolis Times All County Team, All West Alabama Team Junior and Senior Season
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/711347/#highlights/8257379


Name: Markevion Hooks

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
WR	6-3	190	Dry Branch, GA	Twiggs Co.

Accomplishments: All Georgia Honorable Mention 2012, Twiggs County Defensive Back of the year 2012, FS: 5 Int 2 TD's 2 Sacks 85 Tackles 10 PB, WR: 35 Receptions 15 TD's 829 yds
Anchor 4X100 Track Team, State Qualifier (43.8), Long Jump, Triple Jump, and High Jump State Qualifier (6'7)
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2120256/#highlights/26310404


Name: Jamaris Buford

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
DB	5-10	175	Vestavia, AL	Vestavia

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link:


Name: Timothis Williams

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
DB	6-2	175	Huntsville	Lee

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/914651/#highlights/10894372


Name: Dustin Jackson

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
LB	6-0	215	Grayson, GA	Grayson

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://fridaynightlights.us/players/JacksonDustin/index.php


Name: Quendarius Daniels

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
OL	6-1	300	Lithonia, GA	Miller Grove

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2194695/#highlights/26005375


Name: Laris Paige

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
OL	6-3	300	Lake Butler, FL	Union County

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/441391/#highlights/8236405


Name: Willkell Boler

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
OL	6-2	270	Auburn, AL	Auburn

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: https://mail.miles.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=8102ce32c8ce4703a871eb2259d2ff74&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hudl.com%2fathlete%2f657079%2fwillkell-boler%23.UO3Dyq6hbro.email


Name: Patrick Perry

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
QB	6-1	180	Montgomery, AL	Sidney Lanier

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1232965/#highlights/9819383


Name: Jaquan Sanders

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
FB	6-2	240	Montgomery, AL	Sidney Lanier

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1232994/#highlights/8806401


Name: Jamari Ford

Pos	HT	WT	Hometown	High School
DE	6-3	255	Savannah, GA	Atlanta Sports Aca.Union County

Accomplishments:
Highlight Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PczvRG6MY7g


2013 Midyear Signees

Pos Name College Ht. Wt.
TE Kenneth Baldridge (Mississippi State) 6-3 235
QB Demetrice Price (Alabama State) 6-3 210
RB Quendarius McKibben (Alabama State) 5-10 195
LB Winston Bowman (Nicholls State) 5-10 195
OL Paul Holliday (Mississippi Valley State) 6-3 285
DL Roderick McKenny (North Alabama) 6-4 245
DB Kelvin Simmons (Citrus C.C.) 5-10 185
DB Benny Cunningham (Atlanta Sports Academy) 5-10 185
LB Demetrius Allen (Idaho State) 5-11 210

COURTESY MILES COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Holmes goes big on locals

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Earl Holmes didn’t just go heavy on local football players when he was recruiting the first class to begin his era as head coach at FAMU this fall.

He went big, and the size of players in the 2013 class is already getting attention if the comment that came from a fan in the back of the room is any indication.

“I thank you for not getting a lot of midgets,” a fan told Holmes during his signing day press conference, causing laughter from the crowd in the conference room at the Lawson Center on Wednesday afternoon.

Most of the players who boast height and weight will compete for playing time on the offensive and defensive lines. The notable defenders range in height from 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-6 and their weights from 250 to 295 pounds. The three offensive linemen signed weigh 275, 310 and 340 pounds and their heights range from 6-foot-3 to 6-foot-6.




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