XU Gold Nuggets, Gold Rush roll into finals at NAIA qualifier

JONESBORO, Ga. -- The women's and men's teams of Xavier University of Louisiana won every contested match Saturday and advanced to the championship duals of an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament.

The Gold Nuggets, playing for the first time since being voted No. 1 in the NAIA on Tuesday, defeated Fisk 5-0 in the quarterfinals and Tennessee Wesleyan 5-0 in the semifinals. The Gold Rush, ranked fifth, had a bye in the quarterfinals, then defeated SCAD Atlanta 6-2 in the semifinals.

Xavier (12-7) will play Milligan (9-11) for the men's championship at 10 a.m. EDT Sunday at Clayton County Tennis Center, then the Gold Nuggets (16-7) will play 19th-ranked SCAD Atlanta (7-2) for the women's title no sooner than 1 p.m. Winners will receive automatic bids to next month's NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala.

The Gold Nuggets extended their win streak to eight duals, their longest streak since 2005. Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers, named this week as the ITA's top-ranked NAIA doubles team, extended their win streak to eight by defeating Fisk's De'Erin Rogan and Raven Ward 8-0 and Tennessee Wesleyan's Ekaterina Vezhenkova and Tatum McMahon 8-0. Teammate Amanda Materre also was in a zero-tolerance mood; she defeated Fisk's Latrice Cooper 6-0, 6-0, then beat Tennessee Wesleyan's Bridget Malone 6-0, 6-0.

Amber Brown won 6-0, 6-0 against Jayden Morrison to clinch the Tennessee Wesleyan dual. It was Brown's fourth consecutive singles victory, a season best for her.

The Gold Rush again defaulted at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles because of five available players but won the other two doubles matches and four times in singles. Viktor Svoboda and Nikita Soifer won for the 12th time in their last 13 doubles matches with an 8-1 decision against Denzel Hollis and David Paull, and Kyle Montrel beat Alex Maeda 6-0, 6-1 for his 12th victory in his last 14 singles matches.

Soifer clinched the dual with a 6-4, 6-2 singles victory against Michael Vea. The XU men have won three straight and 11 of their last 14 duals.

The Rush reached the championship round of a conference/unaffiliated group tournament for the 11th consecutive season. The Nuggets reached the final for the 11th time in 12 seasons. Both Xavier teams won this event a year ago.

Results: Men vs. SCAD Atlanta Women vs. Fisk Women vs. Tennessee Wesleyan


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

Spring Football: At Livingstone, it’s Williams’ team now

SALISBURY, North Carolina  —   First-year Livingstone football coach Darryl Williams has turned Alumni Stadium into a classroom.

And in this class, 65 players have learned over the past three weeks, you’d better pay attention.

 

“The standard has changed,” Williams said in a quiet, matter-of-fact tone on Saturday, shortly after LC completed spring practice with an insightful offense-defense scrimmage. “We’re trying to build a program where we can win year in and year out. And consistency is the hallmark of a champion. We’re trying to lay one brick each day. We’ll present the finished product on Sept. 7.”

 

That’s the day the Blue Bears kick off their 2013 season against Johnson C. Smith. Whether Livingstone has learned enough to right the rudderless ship that went 2-8 and dropped its last five games in 2012 is unknown.

 

This much is certain: the Blue Bears will be different, beginning with the all-white helmets with powder-blue stripes and block numbers on the side they’ll strap on.

 

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New Fayetteville State football coach developed a love for the game early in life

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina  -- Football is like a childhood friend to Lawrence Kershaw.

The game has been there for him through times good and bad. It was there as Kershaw achieved two college degrees, and it eventually inspired a career path that brought him to Fayetteville State in January as the NCAA Division II school's 15th head football coach.

Kershaw, 41, has been working feverishly to once again make the Broncos a force in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Fayetteville State football experienced its most successful era from 2000-12 under Kershaw's predecessor, Kenny Phillips. Phillips won 75 games and three CIAA championships during that era, but was removed as head coach in November after consecutive finishes of 4-6 and 2-8.

Enter Kershaw, a former CIAA offensive lineman at Virginia State and veteran offensive coordinator from Florida A&M. In a hectic three months since his arrival ...

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WSSU Rams Claim 2013 CIAA Tennis Championship with 5-0 Win Over Chowan

PETERSBURG, VA – The Winston-Salem State Rams (18-11) finished their unlikely run winning the 2013 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men's Tennis Championship with a 5-0 win over the Chowan Hawks. After entering the tournament as the lowest seed, the Rams took control early and finished their run to the championship with a dominant effort in the championship match.

"I'm proud of these guys. The 6:00 a.m. practices, they complained, but they fought through and that's what it's all about," WSSU tennis head coach Brian Coxton said. "It's the championship and everybody has to come hard and that's what they did today and I'm proud of them."

The Rams opened the day with an impressive 8-0 win at #3 doubles with the duo of junior Chris Jeter and sophomore Drew Dunzweiler taking the win. The team continued to roll in #2 doubles when freshmen Corey Bonnette and Josh Aubrey took an 8-4 win and completed the effort with a #1 doubles win by junior Creighton Jones and sophomore Jonathan Aubrey.

In singles play, it was Jonathan Aubrey who set the stage with a 6-1, 6-0 win at #3 singles while Jeter completed the win with a 6-4, 6-0 win to finish the 5-0 win for the Rams.

"It's about heart and pride and after every practice, that's what I told them," Coxton added. "I made sure that we realized that that's what it would take to get the win today."

With the win, the Rams claim the 2013 CIAA Men's Tennis Championship. Bonnette was honored as the 2013 CIAA Men't Championship Tournament MVP. For more information on WSSU Tennis, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.

Box Score


COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

St. Aug wins 16th straight CIAA men's outdoor track & field title

Petersburg, Va. — Saint Augustine’s University won its 16th consecutive men’s title on the final day of the CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at Rogers Stadium on the Virginia State University campus on Saturday, April 20, 2013.

In the men’s events, St. Aug scored 213 points to run away with the championship. Virginia State was second with 123 points and Virginia Union was third with 101 points. The Falcons trailed Virginia Union 59-41 after the first day on Friday, but scored 172 points on Saturday to distance itself from the field.

In the women’s events, Johnson C. Smith scored 146.50 points to claim first place. Winston-Salem State was second with 108 points and Virginia State was third with 101 points. St. Aug placed fourth with 92 points.

Jermaine Jones (So./Wilmington, N.C.) of the Falcons was named men’s track most outstanding performer after winning the 100 dash, 200 dash and anchoring the 4x100 relay team to victory. He ran a time of 10.37 seconds in the 100 and 21.26 seconds in the 200. He helped the 4x100 team which included Ramaan Ansley (Sr./Philadelphia, Pa.), Taffawee Johnson and Burkheart Ellis, Jr. (Fr./Raleigh, N.C.) run a winning time of 40.22 seconds.

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Williams Named CIAA Outdoor Men's Track & Field Top Coach

Coach Williams (center) Poses With CIAA Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter and
WSSU AD Bill Hayes,  the CIAA Track Committee Co-Chair Along With Williams.
(Click photo to enlarge)

PETERSBURG, Va. - George Williams of Saint Augustine's University was named CIAA outdoor men's track & field coach of the year at the Spring Sports Festival Track & Field Banquet on the campus of Virginia State University on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

Williams, the legendary St. Aug track & field coach and athletic director, has guided the men's track team to a No. 1 national ranking in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II poll for the third straight week. His squad is a prohibitive favorite to win their 16th consecutive CIAA outdoor men's crown this weekend.

Williams directed the men's team to the CIAA indoor title and the NCAA Division II indoor title earlier in 2013. Overall, his men's and women's teams at St. Aug have won 32 NCAA titles and approximately 150 CIAA championships. He has won over 200 coach of the year awards, including the 2013 USTFCCCA men's Division II indoor coach of the year award, and he was the head coach of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. His scholarship student-athletes have a 95 percent graduation rate.


COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU wins third-straight CIAA baseball title

PETERSBURG, Va. —Tyler Hickernell pitched eight strong innings and drove in two runs to help Winston-Salem State beat Chowan 9-1 on Saturday to win the CIAA baseball championship for the third consecutive season.

WSSU clinched a spot in next month’s NCAA Division II regionals by winning the conference title.

Hickernell (7-4), a senior from Thomasville, gave up just one run on six hits. He walked two and struck out five. He also went 2 for 4 with a double at the plate.

The Rams (37-9) scored three runs in the bottom of the first. Chowan scored its only run in the top of the fourth, but WSSU pulled away with two runs in the fifth and four more runs in the sixth.

First baseman Aaron Jones went 4 for 5 with a double, three runs and an RBI for WSSU. Travis Moore and Paco Martin added two hits each for the Rams.

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Stillman grabs SIAC track honors

ATLANTA | Stillman College made a clean sweep of SIAC track and field honors in the men’s West Division and added one award in the women’s West Division.

Stillman sprinter Jeffrey Henderson is SIAC West Division Track Athlete of the Year and Field Athlete of the Year. On the track, Henderson ran a 10.29 in the 100-meter event last weekend at the Ole Miss Invitational. His time ranks second overall in Division II and 11th overall among all NCAA 100-meter athletes.

Stillman won the West Division team championship, while coach Pierre Goode is West Division Coach of the Year for the ...

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Big, athletic NCCU DT John Drew waits to dip toe into NFL waters

DURHAM, North Carolina  — Something as small as John Drew’s big toe almost stepped on his opportunity for a shot at the NFL.

“You never know how a toe could make a 330-pound guy not be able to play for the rest of the season,” Drew said. “You never really know when it’s your last play.”

Drew’s toe let him down when he hurt it in the first quarter against eventual MEAC champion Bethune-Cookman late in the season.

The teams were tied for the MEAC lead at the time, but the loss dropped the Eagles to second. Without Drew anchoring the middle of the defensive line and drawing the double-team blocking that freed up his linemates, NCCU finished the MEAC season tied for third.

Since the injury, Drew has concerned ...

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WSSU baseball team beats Virginia State in 10 innings

PETERSBURG, Va. — Shortstop Nick Christopher’s error in the bottom of the 10th allowed German Reyes to score the winning run with one out as Winston-Salem State beat Virginia State 6-5 in the CIAA baseball tournament today.

 

The Rams (36-9) advanced to the championship game, which will be played on Saturday. The Rams, the two-time defending champions, will play Virginia State or Chowan on Saturday at 1 p.m. Chowan and Virginia State played in an elimination game later this afternoon.

 

Reyes led off the bottom of the 10th with a walk and Levi Grassley was then hit by a pitch. Rafael Gonzalez grounded out as both runners moved up. Chris Constantine was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out.

 

Brandon Harrison then hit a ground ball to shortstop and Christopher’s error allowed Reyes to score the winning run.

 

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No. 1 Xavier tennis team eyes national title

 NEW ORLEANS  --  There's something awfully special about being number one, and the Xavier women's tennis team now has its sights set on a national championship.

Wet forecast pushes back NAIA tournament start to Saturday

NEW ORLEANS — A 90-percent chance of rain has postponed Friday's tennis matches — including those of Xavier University of Louisiana's men and women — in an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament at Jonesboro, Ga.

Intellicast.com predicts showers and thundershowers Friday morning, then cloudy with rain likely in the afternoon, perhaps with thunder. But sunny skies are expected for the weekend, with highs of 67 on Saturday and 70 on Sunday. Overnight lows will be 42 and 45.

Friday's first-day schedule at Clayton County Tennis Center was moved to Saturday. For the Gold Rush, ranked fifth in the NAIA and two-time defending champion of this event, that still means a bye in the quarterfinals and a semifinal dual against fourth-seeded SCAD Atlanta or fifth-seeded Reinhardt no sooner than 2 p.m. EDT. Xavier's women, ranked first in the NAIA and the 2012 champion of this event, will play no sooner than 11:30 a.m. EDT against Fisk in the quarterfinals. If the Nuggets advance, they'll play Columbia (S.C.) or Tennessee Wesleyan in the semifinals no sooner than 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

The championship duals will be played Sunday. Meet director Glen Hill, the SCAD Atlanta men's and women's tennis coach, wrote in an email to participating schools that an early simultaneous start of the men's and women's finals is possible to help with return travel. That could be a blessing for the Rush and Nuggets, who will try to make it home in time for Xavier's athletics award banquet Sunday night.

The men's and women's tournament champions will receive automatic berths in the NAIA National Championship, which will be played May 14-18 at Mobile, Ala.

NAIA Unaffiliated Group Tournament WOMEN Clayton County Tennis Center, Jonesboro, Ga. . . . all times Eastern Quarterfinals — Saturday, April 20 #1 Xavier vs. #8 Fisk, not before 11:30 a.m. #4 Columbia (S.C.) vs. #5 Tennessee Wesleyan, not before 11:30 a.m. #3 Milligan vs. #6 Reinhardt, not before 11:30 a.m. #2 SCAD Atlanta vs. #7 Tougaloo, not before 11:30 a.m. Semifinals — Saturday, April 20 Xavier-Fisk winner vs. Columbia (S.C.)-Tennessee Wesleyan winner, not before 4:30 p.m. Milligan-Reinhardt winner vs. SCAD Atlanta-Tougaloo winner, not before 4:30 p.m. Championship — Sunday, April 21 Semifinal winners, TBA

NAIA Unaffiliated Group Tournament MEN Clayton County Tennis Center, Jonesboro, Ga. . . . all times Eastern Quarterfinals — Saturday, April 20 #1 Xavier has a bye #4 SCAD Atlanta vs. #5 Reinhardt, 9 a.m. #3 Tennessee Wesleyan vs. #6 Tougaloo, 9 a.m. #2 Milligan vs. #7 Fisk, 9 a.m. Semifinals — Saturday, April 20 Xavier vs. SCAD Atlanta-Reinhardt winner, not before 2 p.m. Milligan-Fisk winner vs. Tennessee Wesleyan-Tougaloo winner, not before 2 p.m. Championship — Sunday, April 21 Semifinal winners, TBA

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSIY OF LOUISIANA

Robinson to play football at South Carolina State

ELIZABETHTOWN, North Carolina — Two-way lineman Latyson Robinson will continue his football career at South Carolina State in Orangeburg, S.C.

Robinson made the official announcement on Thursday morning.

The Eagles’ 6-foot, 2-inch, 270-pound lineman was a first-team All-Waccamaw Conference player as a junior and senior. He was also listed as an All-Area lineman by the Wilmington StarNews. he was also a pre-season and post-season all-state selection by NCpreps.

“He’s a good kid, and I’m excited for him to get this opportunity,” said east Bladen football coach Robby Priest. “He’s a hard worker, not a character risk by any means with a lot of upside and potential.

“I think South Carolina State will be a really good fit for him,” Priest added.

Robinson was one of Priest’s picks prior to the 2012 season as a player to watch.

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MEAC Champs A&T Announce Additional Signees

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The 2013 MEAC men’s basketball champions, the North Carolina A&T Aggies, announced the signing of four additional players to a recruiting class that started with the signing of three players in November.

Steven Burrough (6-9, 220, Charlotte, N.C., Harding), Nicholas Reese (6-7, 190, Los Angeles, Westchester), Jerome Simmons (6-8, 230, Jacksonville, N.C., Massanutten Military Academy) and James Whitaker (6-5, 180, Portsmouth, Va., Norcom) will wear blue and gold for the Aggies in 2013-14.

In November, the Aggies signed Maurice Taylor (6-7, 200, Chestnut, Mass., Beaver Country Day), Bryan Akinkugbe (6-9, 225, Bowie, Md., Columbia State College) and Khary Doby (6-7, 195, Upper Marlboro, Md., Riverside).

On football’s National Signing Day, the Aggies football staff announced Denzel Keyes (6-4, 210, Kinston, N.C., Kinston) will double as a football and a basketball player at A&T. Keyes led the Vikings to consecutive North Carolina Class 2A state titles in basketball. He was named game MVP in 2013 after posting 18 points and 10 rebounds in the 56-53 win over Waxhaw Cuthbertson at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

“The thing I like about all these guys is that they come from winning high school programs,” said A&T head men’s basketball coach Cy Alexander. “I think it is huge in the development of building a program, to get guys in your program, who understand what it takes to not only win, but win championships.”

Burrough led Harding to the N.C. 3A regional semifinals this past season after averaging 10.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.4 blocks per game. Burrough ended his career as the Rams’ all-time leading shot blocker. He earned All-MEGA 7 conference honors two straight seasons, and he earned a spot on the Charlotte Observer’s All-Area team. In December, Burrough posted a triple-double against West Mecklenburg with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 12 blocked shots.

“He is a really skilled young man who will need to learn how to compete at the collegiate level,” Alexander said about Burrough. “He needs to get stronger in his upper body, but he already has a college lower body. He has a nice jump hook, and had the ability in high school to block shots. Hopefully, he can bring that to the collegiate level.”

Reese’s Westchester team went 29-7 last season and finished 12-0 in the Western League. Reese led the Comets to the California Interscholastic Federation Los Angeles City Championship, and they earned a spot in the state championship game. He was ranked as one of the best players in the state of California, earning first-team All-City honors, after averaging 14.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game as a senior.

“He is a good all-around athlete who obviously played in a terrific league in Los Angeles and competed against high-quality athletes on a daily basis,” said Alexander. “Any time you can make first team in the city of Los Angeles, it probably means you’re a pretty good player.”

Alexander described Simmons as a “rebounding machine.” “He’s going to go get it. He has a nose for the ball,” Alexander added.

Simmons attended the same high school as Adrian Powell, a player who helped Alexander win the 2013 MEAC title by being named Most Outstanding Performer of the MEAC tournament. Simmons averaged 13.9 points and 8.9 rebounds at Oakwood High School before transferring to Massanutten Military Academy as a senior, where he averaged 7.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Whitaker comes from a solid basketball background. His father played at Virginia Tech and his uncle played at Seton Hall. His coach, Leon Goolsby, is an A&T graduate. Whitaker was second-team All-Tidewater after the Greyhounds claimed the Eastern District regular-season and tournament titles. He also earned all-district and All-Eastern Region honors. Whitaker’s senior season ended with him averaging 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

“He will compete for playing time at the big guard position,” said Alexander. “He probably needs to get stronger, but he knows how to score the basketball. He has a real good basketball IQ.”

Alexander said he is looking to sign one more player to this recruiting class. The Aggies said farewell to seven seniors after losing to eventual national champions Louisville in the second round of the NCAA tournament. They will return two starters, guard Lamont Middleton and center Bruce Beckford, and one key reserve, guard Jeremy Underwood, next season.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

North Carolina A&T Alexander Wins Coaching Honor

COACH CY ALEXANDER

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Cy Alexander added to his legacy when he was named District 15 Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The 2013 NABC Division I All-District coaches were selected by their peers. Alexander earned the honor after completing his first season as A&T’s head men’s basketball coach.

District 15 represents the coaches from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Alexander led the Aggies to the 2013 MEAC title by winning four straight in the conference tournament, including three wins over teams who were seeded higher. Alexander, who just completed his 23^rd season as a collegiate head coach, also led the Aggies to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 18 years. It was an appearance that yielded the Aggies their first-ever NCAA tournament win as they defeated Liberty 73-72 in the first round of the Midwest region on March 19.

The Aggies would lose to eventual Final Four team Louisville two days later, ending the Aggies’ season at 20-17. It was A&T’s first winning season in 15 years and its first 20-win season since 1987-88. In leading the Aggies to the MEAC title, Alexander became the conference’s all-time leader in tournament wins with 31.

“You know, I feel really blessed,” said Alexander, who won 27 MEAC tournament games as the head coach of S.C. State from 1987-2003. “I have to thank my assistant coaches for their hard work, and I have to thank this team for buying into what I was trying to sell when I took over this job last May. I want to particularly thank our seven seniors who are on track to graduate. Hopefully getting (to the NCAA tournament) will enhance our university’s visibility as well as enhance our basketball recruiting.”

Alexander will enter the 2013-2014 season with 370 wins, two returning starters and a key returning reserve in point guard Jeremy Underwood. Only Coppin State’s Ron “Fang” Mitchell has more coaching wins among active MEAC coaches. Alexander is the owner of six MEAC titles, five as the head coach of S.C. State. He only trails Don Corbett for most MEAC titles with one fewer than the legendary former Aggies head coach. Alexander won three MEAC Coach of the Year awards at S.C. State and was named American Sports Wire National Coach of the Year in 1996.

Located in Kansas City, Mo., the NABC was founded in 1927 by Phog Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game.

The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men’s basketball coaches.

2013 NABC DIVISION I ALL-DISTRICT COACHES
District 1: Joe Mihalich, Niagara
District 2: Jim Larranaga, Miami
District 3: Chris Holtmann, Gardner-Webb
District 4: Jim Crews, St. Louis
District 5: John Thompson III, Georgetown
District 6: Michael White, Louisiana Tech
District 7: Tom Crean, Indiana
District 8: Bruce Weber, Kansas State
District 9: Mark Few, Gonzaga
Co-District 10: Matt Brady, James Madison
Co-District 10: Bill Coen, Northeastern
District 11: Donnie Tyndall, Southern Mississippi
District 12: Jim Molinari, Western Illinois
Co-District 13: Tommy Amaker, Harvard
Co-District 13: Dave Paulsen, Bucknell
District 14: Jim Christian, Ohio
District 15: Cy Alexander, North Carolina A&T
Co-District 16: Greg McDermott, Creighton
Co-District 16: Gregg Marshall, Wichita State
District 17: Steve Alford, New Mexico
District 18: Tim O’Shea, Bryant
District 19: Jeff Neubauer, Eastern Kentucky
District 20: Dana Altman, Oregon
District 21: Billy Donovan, Florida
District 22: Bob McKillop, Davidson
District 23: Danny Kaspar, Stephen F. Austin
District 24: Kermit Davis, Middle Tennessee State

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU men’s basketball team signs four

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina --  Coach Bobby Collins of the Winston-Salem State’s men’s basketball team had plenty of scholarships available after losing seven seniors from this past season.

“We had a lot of room, that’s for sure,” Collins said after announcing the signing of four players for next season

The players signed were: Jamison Jeffers, a 5-10 point guard from Burlington; 6-4 forward Jaelan Kennedy of Gastonia; 6-foot guard Sean Deniton (Guilford Tech); and Western Carolina transfer Preston Ross, a 6-4 forward from Fayetteville.

“All of these guys can be impact players,” Collins said. “So, we’re happy with who we have signed so far.”

One player who hasn’t signed is guard Terrell Leach of Southwest Guilford, who committed last month. Leach, a 6-foot guard, averaged 30 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists this past season.

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FOOTBALL: Hill heading to Chowan

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina  --  As a junior, Naquandre Hill learned from fellow defensive linemen Carter Roberts and Calvin Pate.

Once they departed, Hill sprouted into a leader on New Bern’s defensive front.

On Thursday, Hill signed to play college football at Division II Chowan. He was joined by parents Nikki Hill and Irving Glenn, along with New Bern football coach Bobby Curlings.

“When Chowan called and wanted me to come check out the campus, I loved it,” Hill said. “It is small and I can meet everybody. You are not just a number in a class. The teachers and professors know you by name.”



Hill will start his college career as a preferred walk-on, with an opportunity to earn a scholarship later
on.

The 5-foot-10 nose guard will be the first person in his family to play sports in college.

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Lincoln closing in on new football coach

LOWER OXFORD, PA – The 2013 football schedule was released in late March and spring practice concluded late last week -- but Lincoln University still doesn’t have a head coach. That could change very soon, however, perhaps as early as today.

According to athletic director Dianthia Ford-Kee, Lincoln has offered the job to one of three unnamed finalists but is still awaiting a decision.

 

“We made an offer Tuesday and we are giving that person a few days to think about it and get back with us,” said Ford-Kee, who is in Petersburg, Va., attending the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Spring Sports Championships. “We have not gotten a written response back yet. I am hoping we will get a response by (today).”   

 

Last January, Ford-Kee said that the university hoped to have a head coach in place for the start of spring practice in late March. The process has taken much longer, but Ford-Kee said that finding the right candidate superseded any immediate timetable.

 

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WSSU baseball team wins tourney opener

PETERSBURG, Virginia — Winston-Salem State, the two-defending CIAA champion, defeated Chowan 8-3 on Thursday in the first round of the CIAA baseball tournament at Whaley Colbert Field.

The Rams (35-9) will play Virginia State on Friday in a winner’s-bracket game in the double-elimination format.

Coach Kevin Ritsche, who was named coach of the year in the CIAA on Thursday, won his 100th career game. Ritsche is 100-65 in his three seasons with the Rams.

The Rams had 11 hits, led by Rafael Gonzalez, who went 3 for 5. Travis Moore and Paco Martin each had two hits.

Conner Andrus and Levi Grassley each had two RBIs for the Rams, who trailed 1-0 but scored two in the second inning to take the lead for good.

Freshman Jordan Carlton went ...

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Holmes, FAMU football staff staying busy

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  All week long, FAMU football coach Earl Holmes has been holding exit interviews with players.

Just a few doors down from Holmes, offensive coordinator Quinn Gray spends most of his days in a dark office, his eyes glued to a computer screen as he evaluate potential recruits.

Across the hall inside the Galimore Fieldhouse, defensive coordinator Levon Kirkland’s office is just as dark, as he reviews videos of future opponents for the Rattlers.

There is little down time and that won’t change as Holmes and his new staff head into the summer months before the start of fall practice in August.

“There is no such thing as ...

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(Courtesy FAMU Athletics)

Adversity? It's just fuel for NCCU coach LeVelle Moton's inner fire

LeVelle Moton
Head Men's Basketball Cioach
North Carolina Central University
(Photo Courtesy: NCCU Athletics)

 DURHAM, North Carolina  — There is a bicycle in the shed at the home of LeVelle Moton’s mother. It’s from his father, and Moton told the Durham Sports Club on Wednesday that he’s never ridden it.

The bike was a birthday gift, and Moton, 9 or 10 at the time, said he wouldn’t have anything to do with it because it was from his father.

“I never accepted it,” Moton told the gathering at Croasdaile Country Club. “I always felt like if I ever rode that bike it would be me accepting him leaving, and I never did that.”

Years before the bike showed up adorned with a bow and a letter, Moton said his father had come home one day and asked everyone what they wanted from the store.

“He walked out the door, and we never saw him again,” Moton said. “I was abandoned by my father.”

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Claflin’s Track & Field, Softball march toward 2013 SIAC Spring Championships

ATLANTA, Georgia  - The SIAC’s spring sports of track and field as well as softball, will conduct their 2013 Spring Championships this weekend at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, for track and field and Hampton, GA will host the softball championships, April 18-20.

The Lady Panthers softball team prepares to march toward their first SIAC Championship since entering the conference in 2008. The Lady Panthers come into the championship the #2 seed in the East with a record of (27-13, 16-6), behind #1 seed in the East Albany State University (29-23, 22-2). Claflin will look to ride the talents of Markea Sheppard who has led the team in batting with a .533 average, with 65 hits, 47 runs batted in, with 8 home runs. Chelsea Edior second leading batter with a .485 average, 54 hits, and 31 runs batted in and 3 home runs. Amanda Evans was the third leading hitter with a 364 average, with 48 hits, 33 runs batted in, and 4 home runs. Claflin will receive a first round bye and play the Clark Atlanta/Lane winner, Thursday.

Claflin’s softball team has one of the best winning percentages in the conference, and ap

pears to be a strong contender for the 2013 SIAC Softball Championship.

In track and field Coach Christopher Woods will ...

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Hakeem Baxter chooses Maryland Eastern Shore

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  --  Philadelphia Electric and Technology Charter guard Hakeem Baxter has committed to the Unviersity of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The 6-foot-2 guard was one of the top scorers in the Public League, averaging 22.6 points per game in the Public League and 18.8 points per game overall. Baxter was a First Team All-Public League selection.

Even though he waited to decide until mid-April, Baxter was relived to have finally committed, and said the decision to attend UMES was a no-brainer for him.



“There was really no one else in the running. I didn’t have anybody else in mind. Nobody else that was recruiting me had that relationship with me,” Baxter told CoBL over the phone earlier today.

“They’ve been recruiting me all year. I like the coaching staff. I went on an official visit and met the whole administration, coaching staff, everybody at the school, I liked the school, the coaches kept it real with me about everything and what’s going to happen. I liked everything about it.”

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Southern unveils Spring 2013 signees

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- Southern University received several National Letters of Intent from prospective student-athletes who will continue their athletic careers in Baton Rouge.

On the heels of an NCAA Tournament appearance that garnered wide-spread national acclaim, men's basketball signed six student-athletes, including three from Baton Rouge and four from the state of Louisiana.

Among head coach Roman Banks third signing class are Tre'Lun Banks - Roman's son - and Jared Sam of Scotlandville. Banks also signed East St. John's Elex Carter, who chose to play at Southern over Tulane and UNO.

Christopher Thomas, a Glen Oaks produce and Baton Rouge native, joins Rashad Andrews of Jamaica, N.Y. and Da'Monte McFarland of Arlington, Texas to complete men's basketball signees from Wednesday.

Nancy Marshall's softball program also receive an NLI for Amanda Pacheco of Highland, Calif. Pacheco, a second baseman and outfielder, prepped at Redlands East Valley High.

Winter Haven, Fla. native Zenekia Willix will join head coach Sandy Pugh's women's basketball program in the fall after signing her NLI to committ to Southern. Willix, a 5-10 guard who prepped at Winter Haven High School, averaged 19.1 points per game, earned first team All-County and finished her career as the third leading rebounder in Winter Haven school history.

Joining Willix on Pugh's team is Cortnei Purnell of Glenda Dawson High School. Purnell, a native of Pearland, Texas, earned first and second team All-District honor while at Glenda Dawson and was named Newcomer of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. 

SOUTHERN U. JAGUARS SPRING 2013 SIGNEES

Men’s Basketball

Rashad Andrew 6-5 G Jamaica, N.Y./Boy’s and Girl’s Club (NY)
Tre’Lun Banks 6-1 G Baton Rouge, La./Scotlandville
Elex Carter 6-8 F Reserve, La./East St. John
Da’Monte McFarland 6-9 C Arlington, Texas/Arlington Heights
Jared Sam 6-9 F Baton Rouge, La./Scotlandville
Christopher Thomas 6-4 G Baton Rouge, La./Glen Oaks

Softball
Amanda Pacheco 5-9 OF Highland, Calif./Redlands East Valley

Women’s Basketball           
Cortnei Purnell 5-10 F Pearland, Texas/Glenda Dawson
Zenekia Willix 5-10 G Winter Haven, Fla./Winter Haven

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

WSSU’s Carrothers has shoulder surgery

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Anthony Carrothers — expected to be the starting quarterback at Winston-Salem State this fall — underwent shoulder surgery on Wednesday morning at Baptist Hospital.

Carrothers, who hurt the shoulder during the Rams’ playoff run last November, had surgery on his left labrum. The surgery was performed on his non-throwing shoulder and had been put off so that Carrothers could go through spring football practice last month.

Carrothers’ father, Anthony Carrothers Sr., said on Wednesday afternoon that his son was doing well.

“It was a long day for him,” Anthony Sr. said. “They found that the tear was a little bigger then they had thought, but they fixed everything and the doctor said the surgery went well.”

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