Derek Brown Announces Retirement from Coppin State

COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

BALTIMORE, Maryland --  Derek Brown, the winningest coach in Coppin State women's basketball history, has announced his retirement as the Coppin State women's basketball head coach.
 

He steps down after 30 years of serving as a basketball coach at Coppin State University. Brown was the women's head coach for the last 17 seasons and finished with an overall record of 269-237. Previously he was an assistant on the men's coaching staff beginning in 1986.

 
"It has been an enjoyable ride, all 30 years here at Coppin," Brown said. "To me doing what you love to do as a job was a blessing for 30 years. I hope that everyone gets to do a job that they totally enjoy doing. I woke up every morning wanting to get the guys and then the girls better at their craft of basketball," Brown continued.
 
"On behalf of President Dr. Maria Thompson and the University family we would like to thank Derek Brownfor his many years of loyalty and dedication to the women's program here at Coppin State University," Interim Athletic Director Alecia Shields-Gadson said. "Brown helped elevate the Eagles to national success and molded the team into a MEAC powerhouse during his tenure as head coach. He will be missed."  
 
Coach Brown took over the women's basketball program during the 1999-2000 season. The Eagles accomplished five 20-win seasons, nine different seasons with a winning record, and established the Eagles as one of the premiere programs in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
 
Brown has led Coppin State to three NCAA Tournament appearances, two berths in the WNIT, three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season crowns along with a then-conference record 49-game winning streak against MEAC foes. Individually, he has won two MEAC Coach of the Year honors and has been named the Most Outstanding Coach of the MEAC Tournament on three occasions.
 
Under Brown, a Coppin State player has been named the MEAC Player of the Year on five occasions. Keisha Brooks became the school's first Player of the Year following the 1999-2000 season, and Sherrie Tucker who claimed the award in 2004-05 and again in 2005-06. Rashida Suber won the award in 2006-07 and Shalamar Oakley made it four straight Eagles to win the honor in 2007-08.
 
Brown has placed 22 players on the all-conference list. His teams have put together some remarkable streaks during his tenure including a 41-game MEAC regular season winning streak and a 21-game winning streak in the Coppin Center.
 
Brown's career at Coppin began as an assistant under former men's basketball coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell for his first 15 years. During his tenure with the men's program, he helped guide the Eagles to nine Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season titles, 11 straight winning seasons, two NIT tournament appearances and three NCAA tournament appearances, including a first round upset of No. 2-seed South Carolina in 1997.
 
The Eagles' nine MEAC regular-season crowns equaled the most won by any program in the country during the '90s, and their winning percentage ranked among the top 25 that decade. Prior to coming to Coppin State, Brown and Mitchell were together for eight seasons at Gloucester County (N.J.) College.
 
A native of Camden, New Jersey, Brown and his wife, Joy, have one son, Jordan.

COURTESY COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

2016 & 2017 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Matchups Announced

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- The MEAC/SWAC Challenge – which features teams from two prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) on the opening weekend of the college football season – will originate from Daytona Beach, Fla. in 2016 and Baton Rouge, La. in 2017. The 2016 game will showcase Alcorn State University of the SWAC vs. Bethune-Cookman University of the MEAC. In 2017, South Carolina State University of the MEAC will square off against Southern University of the SWAC. Both games will be aired on an ESPN network.

The 2016 event will be played at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016 on ESPN. Kickoff time as well as ticket information will be announced at a later date.


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

Bethune-Cookman will be making its third appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, previously winning the 2011 and 2012 games. In his first season at the helm of the Wildcats, Terry Sims earned MEAC coach of the year honors after leading the team to a 9-2 overall mark. The Wildcats’ 8-1 conference record gave them at least a share of the MEAC title for the fourth consecutive season.

Alcorn State went 9-4 overall in 2015, 7-2 in the SWAC regular season, winning the SWAC Eastern Division title. The Braves went on to defeat Grambling State in the conference championship game, earning a spot in the inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl in Atlanta. Fred McNair, brother of Alcorn State great and Heisman finalist (1993) Steve McNair, will lead the Braves during the 2016 season, having recently been named the program’s 21st head coach.

The 2017 game will be played at A.W. Mumford Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017.

South Carolina State will play in the annual game for the fourth time (2005, 2009, 2015), the most of any school. Oliver “Buddy” Pough just completed his 14th season as head football coach at his alma mater, leading the Bulldogs to a 7-4 overall record, 6-2 in the MEAC.

Southern is appearing for the third time (2007, 2010) at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The Jaguars, led by fourth-year head coach Dawson Odums, earned a 6-5 overall mark in 2015, 6-3 in SWAC play.

“We are thrilled to continue the MEAC/SWAC Challenge legacy in Florida for the 2016 game featuring two of the strongest returning teams, Alcorn State and Bethune-Cookman from their respective conferences,” said Pete Derzis, senior vice president, ESPN Events. “In 2017, we take this historic game to the campus of Southern University as they will face South Carolina State University.”

“We are excited to have Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State represent the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the 12th and 13th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge, respectively,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas. “The 2016 and 2017 MEAC/SWAC Challenges have been an instrumental event for our conference in continuing to expand our brand on a national platform by playing on ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, as well as, providing our student-athletes, institutions and coaches with an opportunity to participate in a bowl-like, first-class event, which kicks off the football season.”


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

“We are excited to have Alcorn State and Southern represent the Southwestern Athletic Conference in the 12th and 13th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge, respectively,” said Duer Sharp, commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. “The MEAC/SWAC Challenge has been an enormous event for our conference in continuing to expand our league on a national stage, playing on ESPN, all while providing our fans an historical legacy to look back on. We are delighted to have a pair of teams that have finished near the top of our conference the past few years signify the start of college football season for the next two seasons.”

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN. ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris has played a significant role in the event, serving as emcee at various ancillary functions.

For more information about the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, or to join the event’s following on Facebook and Twitter, please visit the event’s official Web site at www.meacswacchallenge.com.

ASU hopes to end spring on right track

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Eight days ago, Alabama State head coach Brian Jenkins walked off the practice field very unhappy with his team.

After watching a mistake-filled practice on that cool Friday, Jenkins said he felt the team “stunk” and they didn’t have much more time to waste.

“I was feeling good until (last Friday),” Jenkins said. “The biggest thing is not to stink it up. We have to keep our focus on the basics and make sure fundamental football becomes habit for us. We are making progress and I hope we continue doing that.”

Today, the Hornets get a chance they didn’t have a season ago: playing a spring game.

Alabama State holds its Black and Gold spring game at 11 a.m. today at ASU Stadium, giving fans a chance to see the last of the 10 practice sessions that began last month. The gate open at 10:30 a.m.

Today’s spring game is the main event of Alabama State’s Black and Gold weekend. It includes a 2 p.m. softball doubleheader against Mississippi Valley State in which ASU could clinch the Southwestern Athletic Conference East title.

CONTINUE READING

Florida A&M Signs Three JUCOs For Rattler Basketball

COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- FAMU Men’s Head Basketball coach Byron Samuels announced Wednesday the signing of a pair of Tennessee junior college front line players to National Letters of Intent for the 2016-17 season.

Joining the resurgent Rattler Basketball Program will be Derrick Dandridge, a 6-8, 230-pound forward from Memphis, Tenn., and Andrew Smith, a 6-10, 260-pound center/forward from Johnson City, Tenn.

Derrick Dandridge, who graduated from White Station High in Memphis, a National Top 25 prep program, and played for East Central Mississippi State Community College last season, where he averaged nearly a double-double every game. He displayed great versatility, showing the capacity to play on the wing, or driving to the basket.

SAMUELS ON DANDRIDGE:

“I am so excited to announce that we have signed Derrick Dandridge. “Derrick brings a maturity to our basketball program that will be invaluable as we continue building towards the standard of excellence we want. Derrick is an excellent student, and was a full qualifier out of high school.

“It is a blessing to welcome him and his family to FAMU. He comes from the basketball rich city of Memphis, and he was a member of a National top 25 high school team at White Station. Derrick’s versatility caught my eye right away. He has the ability to score in and around the basket and the ability to play on the perimeter.

“This inside-outside combination is perfect for how we like to play. He is an excellent rebounder, and he is pretty crafty as a ball handler. Derrick averaged close to a double-double for a 13-10 East Central Mississippi State team this season. “

JUCO COACH: Coach Robert Thompson

Andrew Smith comes to FAMU with three years of eligibility remaining, after averaging 9.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game for Columbia State College, where he shot 80-plus percent from the foul line last season. He is a product of Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tenn.

SAMUELS ON SMITH:

“Andrew Smith is a fantastic basketball player and even better student and young man. He was a full high school qualifier and will have three years of eligibility at Florida A&M.

” It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Andrew and his family to FAMU. Andrew is a very skilled big man who can score in a variety of ways. When I saw him play, right away I knew he could be a difference maker, a franchise type of player for us. Andrew has the ability to use his right and left hand to score inside.

“He shot over 80% from the free throw line, and he has the ability to stretch defenses with his shooting outside. Andrew is an aggressive and smart defender, and is a really an effective rebounder. Andrew averaged 9 points, 8 rebounds and two block shots this season for a 21-8 Columbia State team.

JUCO COACH: Coach Winston Neal.

FAMU Head Men’s Basketball Coach Byron Samuels announced Thursday the signing of Marcus Barham, a 6-4, 185 guard out of Wallace State (Ala.) Community College to a National Letter of Intent.

Barham, who is a Florida native from Melbourne, where he attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, comes to FAMU after averaging 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for Wallace State.

He also shot nearly 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range, and over 80 percent from the free throw line.

SAMUELS ON BARHAM:

“Marcus is an exceptional young man and student. He brings a work ethic and maturity to our program that will help us take another step in building FAMU Basketball.

“Talent wise, Marcus can score. He is a first team All-Conference selection and second team All-Region 22 this season at Wallace State Community College where he averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

“Marcus’s shooting ability made him attractive to us right away…. He is not however just a shooter. Marcus is athletic, handles the ball well and will be a valuable defender for our team next season.

“As a high schooler, Marcus graduated from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, Fl. His HS team was eliminated in the state playoffs by North Carolina’s Joel Berry’s Lake Highland Prep team in 2014.”

JUCO COACH: Barham was coached by John Meeks at Wallace State CC

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

XU's Montrel, Goreau shine in GCAC's weekly spotlight

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana tennis standouts Kyle Montrel and Charlene Goreau are the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Players of the Week for April 11-17.
     
Montrel won for the first time this season and the eighth time in his career, which extends his GCAC record. Goreau was honored for the third time this season.
     
Montrel, from Atlanta, Ga., and a graduate of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, dropped a combined two games against Alcorn State on senior day and clinched the dual with his eighth singles victory in his last nine decisions — 6-0, 6-1 against Nuno Rocha. Xavier won 5-0, set a school record with its fifth dual match victory of the season against an NCAA Division I opponent and improved its two-year home winning streak to 13 duals.
     
Goreau, a freshman from Toulouse, France, and a graduate of Raymond Naves School, defeated Alcorn State's Aida Kelic 6-2, 6-1 for her fourth singles victory against an NCAA Division I opponent.
     
Both XU teams concluded regular-season play this week. Next for the Gold Rush will be an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament May 6-7 at Lawrenceville, Ga. There will be no unaffiliated group tournament for the Gold Nuggets, who hope to parlay their body of work into another berth in the NAIA National Championships.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Lusher standouts Salaam, Riley sign with Gold Nuggets

NEW ORLEANS — Lusher Charter School standouts Hasani Salaam (volleyball) and Ry-Anne Riley (women's track and field) signed athletic scholarships Wednesday with Xavier University of Louisiana.

Both are New Orleans residents, and both will be biology/pre-medical majors at Xavier this fall.

Salaam, a 6-foot middle blocker/right-side hitter, was a three-time first-team all-district player at Lusher. She is playing this year for NOLA Volleyball Club after the playing the previous five years with Cajunland. At her school she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Lusher Scholars Program. She has a 3.8 grade-point average and an ACT composite score of 29.

Riley was the LHSAA Class 3A state champion outdoors in 2015 in the 400-meter dash. Her time at that meet, 56.86 seconds, is 12-hundredths of a second slower than SiMon Franklin's XU school record from 2013. Also at the 2015 state meet, Riley placed third in the long jump (17 feet, 1 3/4 inches) and ran on the 400 (first place) and 1,600 (third place) relay teams.

During the 2016 indoor season, Riley helped Lusher win the LHSAA Division II title in the 800 relay.

Xavier competes in NAIA Division I as a member of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. The Gold Nuggets in 2015 won their fifth consecutive GCAC regular-season and tournament championships in volleyball, and on Saturday XU women's track will pursue a fourth straight team title at the GCAC Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Gold Nuggets lose 7-0 at UNO to close regular season

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's tennis closed its regular season Monday with a 7-0 loss at the University of the New Orleans.
    
It was the fourth consecutive loss for the Gold Nuggets (8-13) — who will compete next on the road in an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament — and the seventh in their last eight dual matches.
     
Xavier, ranked 15th in the NAIA, did not win a set. The most competitive matches were in singles, where Charlene Goreau lost 6-4, 6-4 to Anna Segarra Rius at No. 1 and Sha'Nel Bruins lost 6-4, 6-3 to Hafsa Laraibi at No. 5.
     
UNO (15-5) won its regular-season finale and won its 11th straight at home and eighth this season.
     
The Gold Nuggets are 2-6 this season against NCAA Division I opponents and 0-8 all-time against UNO.

Results

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Chowan Golf Claims 2016 CIAA Championship Title

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Chowan University men's golf team captured the 2016 CIAA Championship crown on Friday afternoon. The Hawks edged Livingstone College by six strokes with a two-day total team score of 634 to claim the program's first CIAA Championship title.

Head Coach Mike Ordnung noted, "The team fought hard in very tough conditions on a difficult course. After last year's runner-up finish, the team worked especially hard to prepare for this moment. I would like to thank my assistant coach and mother, Ellen Ordnung, for putting together this great team and allowing me to guide them to a CIAA Championship." Assistant Coach Ordnung added, "Today was about learning how to win and understanding the value of every shot you make in tournament play. This was a great team win because each player contributed to the victory either through yesterday's performance, or today's, and it all came down to the final putt."

Chowan shot a 315 in the opening round of play, and carded a 319 on Friday. Livingstone College finished runner-up with a two-day round score of 640. Fayetteville State University finished in third place (642) followed by Virginia Union University (669), Elizabeth City State University (689), and Virginia State University (765) in fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. The Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith carded a two-day total of 814 for a seventh place finish. Saint Augustine's University finished in eighth place with a two-round team score of 972.

Phillip Harrison of Livingstone College carded a 73 in the opening round of play and followed with a 78 in the second round to secure individual low medalist honors (151). Jared Chinn of Fayetteville State and Dejuan Powell of Johnson C. Smith finished one-stroke behind (152) to finish tied for second place individually.

Jordan Francis led the Hawks with a team-low second round score of 78. He finished in fifth place individually in the 40-player field with a two-round score of 155. Steven Rhinard shot a 78 on Thursday and carded an 82 for the Hawks on Friday. He concluded play at the CIAA Championship tied for seventh with a two-round score of 160. Rich Edwards finished one stroke behind Rhinard and in ninth place individually. After carding an 85 in the opening round, Edwards showed resilience in the final day of play, carding a 76 for Chowan.

Billy Britton rounded out the scoring for Chowan. He carded an 83 for the Hawks in the final round of play after shooting an 80 on Thursday. Britton's two-day total of 163 was good for 11th place. Christian Fleetwood and Ryan Baker finished in 15th and 20th place overall. Fleetwood posted a two-day score of 166. He carded an opening round score of 80 and followed with an 86 on Friday. Baker shaved ten-strokes off his first round score (90) to card an 80 in the final round.

The field for the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament will be announced via press release by the NCAA on Friday, April 22nd. Release time is slated for 6pm.

COURTESY CHOWAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Xavier Basketball's Dannton Jackson Accepts Assistant Coach Position at Alabama-Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Dannton Jackson, the winningest coach in Xavier men's basketball history, has resigned to take a position as an assistant coach at Alabama-Birmingham, Jackson confirmed Friday.

Jackson, 46, is joining the staff of Rob Ehsan, who was promoted to head coach April 4. Jackson had a 290-130 record in 13 seasons at NAIA Xavier, including 21-13 this past season. He said the chance to join Ehsan at an up-and-coming NCAA Division I program was too hard to pass up.

"I had no intentions of leaving Xavier, but I think UAB is a very good situation," said Jackson, who spent 27 years at Xavier as a student-athlete, assistant coach or head coach. "Rob is an unbelievable guy. (UAB) went 26-7 last year, and they have everybody returning. Those are the things that intrigue me, along with the challenges of the (D-I) level."

The Blazers won the Conference USA regular-season championship after claiming the conference tournament title in 2015. Xavier lost to rival Dillard in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference tournament championship game.

CONTINUE READING

Former 4-Star Wide Receiver Tony Upchurch To Transfer From LSU to TSU

HOUSTON, Texas -- After two years in Baton Rouge, Tony Upchurch will transfer from LSU. Upchurch, a former four-star wide receiver recruit who was eventually moved to fullback after redshirting in 2014, played in eight games for the Tigers but did not record any stats. He has already updated his Twitter bio to reflect his new school, Texas Southern, which competes in the FCS as a member of the SWAC.



CONTINUE READING

HHCA’s Ziaira Doe signs to play basketball at Alabama State

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, South Carolina -- As recently as a month ago, Ziaira Doe wasn’t entirely sure whether she wanted to continue pursuing basketball in college. An Air Force career also intrigued her, and she was studying her options.

On Monday, Hilton Head Christian’s cornerstone unveiled her decision.

Yeah, she’s playing ball.

Doe signed a national letter-of-intent to play for Alabama State, where she’ll join a Lady Hornets squad coming off an NCAA Tournament berth after winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference crown.

“It’s really a blessing,” said Doe, the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year this season. “I’m extremely happy that came along. And I can still serve in the Air Force (afterward) if I want to pursue that.”

Doe scored more than 1,900 points during her HHCA career, including a 24.3 average this season as the lone regular back from the Eagles’ 2015 state championship team. HHCA wound up getting as far as the SCISA Class AA semifinals.

CONTINUE READING

Livingstone turns the page in spring football game

SALISBURY, North Carolina -- It’s only mid-April, but already the 2016 Livingstone football team is a hard story to tell.

Fourth-year coach Daryl Williams and his staff have spent the past three weeks studying the forrest instead of the trees, trying to picture what the Blue Bears will look like in September.

“Good things and bad things,” Williams told his team Saturday at Alumni Memorial Stadium, moments after Livingstone concluded its spring camp with a lively Blue-Black scrimmage. “But I like where we are. It’s just a matter of trusting the system until we put everything together.”

The system has some big shoes to fill. Livingstone has waved good-bye to do-it-all quarterback Drew Powell, receiver/returner Jalen Hendricks and kicker Leonardo Manzo — players who steered the Blue Bears to their first winning season since 1998. A promising core returned this spring for a spirited, getting-to-know-you period.

“We’re working on chemistry,” offensive lineman William Odomes said. “BuCt it’s there. From January until right now, the chemistry has improved tremendously. We’ve got parts to replace, big parts. But I know what to expect from every teammate.”

CONTINUE READING 

Benedict Men Win SIAC Track Championship, Women Are Runners-Up

ROCK HILL. South Carolina – The Benedict College men's track & field team won its first SIAC championship on Saturday, while the Lady Tigers finished second at the Irwin Belk Track & Field Complex at Winthrop University.

The men earned 86.5 points on the final day of events to finish with 193.5 points. Morehouse finished in second with 171 points, while Albany State finished third with 147.5 points. Benedict head coach Frank Hyland was named the Most Outstanding Coach of the men's championship.

The Lady Tigers stormed past Clark Atlanta, which started the day in second place, and held off a hard-charging Claflin team for second place. Benedict earned 101 points on Saturday for 170 total points. Albany State won the championship with 196 points, while Claflin finished third with 155 points.

Benedict finished first and second in the men's 100-meter dash as Andre Watson won with a time of 10.87, while Oshane Burrell was second with a time of 10.93.

The Tigers picked up 18 points in the men's 5,000-meter run as Dessie Demlew won with a time of 15:15.31, while teammate Haregot Gebreyesus was third with a time of 16:20.95 and Ediberto Crisanto was seventh. Crisanto also earned two points with a seventh-place finish in the pole vault.

Demlew finished second in the 1,500-meter run, while Geovanni West was fourth. Alvaro Perdomo finished seventh. West also finished sixth in the 800-meter run.

The Tigers picked up 11 points in the men's 400-meter dash as Lennox Williams finished third with a time of 46.58, while Antonio Locklin Jr. was fourth with a time of 46.75.

Benedict had three runners in the men's 200-meter finals and earned eight points. Williams was fifth, Watson was sixth and Burrell was eighth.

Benedict finished third in the men's 4x400-meter relay race and NaQuan Adams finished third in the high jump.

For the Lady Tigers, Jenella John was named the women's track co-MVP. She won the 1,500-meter run and 800-meter run and finished fourth in the 5,000-meter run and ran the final leg of the 4x400-meter relay race, helping Benedict to a third-place finish.

Karel Ziketh won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.42, was second in the 100-meter dash and finished fourth in the 200-meter dash.

Stephanie Rhoden was second in the 400-meter dash, while Lea Tshikaya finished fourth. Rhoden also finished sixth in the 200-meter dash.

Astacia Watkins finished third in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 21:03.88.

Ruddesha Strachan earned points with a seventh-place finish in the 1,500-meter run and a sixth-place finish in the 800-meter run.

Lea Tshikaya was fourth in the 400-meter hurdles, while Princess Hammett was fifth.

Benedict finished third in the women's 4x100-meter relay race.

COURTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

N.C. A&T Eliminated By Ladyjacks At NCAA Tourney

NORTH BRUNSWICK, New Jersey – North Carolina A&T fell behind 0-2 twice on Saturday. The first time it happened things didn’t turn out so bad. The second time it happened things didn’t turn out so well.

N.C. A&T was eliminated Saturday from national championship contention in the semifinals of the NCAA Women’s Bowling Championships at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes. Stephen F. Austin, the 2015 runner-up at the NCAA championships, swept the Aggies 4-0 (233-180, 199-149, 236-170, 190-168) in a best-of-seven baker play format. As a result of having a total pinfall of 8,552 for the tournament the Aggies finished third nationally.

“That’s not bad for our first time here,” said interim head coach Linda Grace. “Stephen F. Austin and Nebraska have been here a few times, so I’m proud of the way the ladies performed. The fact we made it to Saturday surprised a few people.”

The Ladyjacks got off to a blazing start, posting strikes in the first five frames of Game 1. N.C. A&T failed to pick up spares in two early frames leaving themselves with a huge deficit to overcome. N.C. A&T had a better start to Game 2, but the Ladyjacks’ 3, 4 and 5 bowlers were strong all four games, particularly late. Meanwhile the Aggies top two – All-Americans MacKenzie Robinson (junior) and Emily Strombeck (senior) – were not able to match their scoring.

“We’ve been down 0-2 before but we’re normally knocking down pins and picking up spares on a pretty good pace, so we never get too worried about it,” said Grace. “This time (SFA) got hot early, we were not bowling well early and then we started having a case of the nerves. We started pressing and it became an avalanche from there.”

N.C. A&T sidestepped an avalanche in their first best of seven on Saturday. The Aggies dropped the first two games to Sam Houston State, but the Bearkats had to post a 237 to overcome the Aggies’ 223. The Bearkats posted a 205 to win Game 2 before slowing down considerably in Game 3 with a 147 that was easily surpassed by the Aggies 213. Despite their dismal Game 3, the Bearkats had a chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead by knocking down eight pins in the final frame.

They knocked down six to help the Aggies tie the series at 2-2 with a 197-196 win. The Aggies cruised to victory in the final two games to advance to the semis against SFA.

“We really bowled well that entire match,” said Grace. “I was hoping it would carry over, but it just didn’t. I really wanted to win this title for Strombeck. Her decision to come to A&T got all of this started, so I wanted to see her to walk away with a USBC and NCAA national championship.”

Strombeck, one of the most decorated athletes in N.C. A&T history, will get another chance to win a USBC national title when she and her teammates defend their 2015 USBC title at the Intercollegiate Team Championships, April 20-23 in Wichita, Kan. The Aggies head into the tournament 84-44 on the season.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Albany State Lady Rams capture 12th SIAC Championship

ROCK HILL, South Carolina - The Albany State women's track & field team used a mixture of veterans and valuable newcomers to run away from the SIAC competition. After all 21 events concluded at the 2016 SIAC Women's Track and Field Championships, ASU finished the final day with a flurry to claim its 12^th SIAC title in school history.

The Lady Rams generated 196 points to edge out defending champion Benedict, which scored 170 points. Claflin (155) finished in third place, followed by Clark Atlanta (112), Paine (63.5), Kentucky State (52), Central State (16), Miles (14), Tuskegee (12), Stillman (11) and Fort Valley State (7.5).

On the final day, Albany State received solid performances to pull away from the field. In the running events, Ebone Cobb won the 100-meter title with a time of 12.24. Aaliyah Howard also helped highlight the Lady Rams run to the championship. She finished first in the 5000-meter run after clocking in at 20:48.50.

ASU's two relay teams also made valuable contributions. The 4x400 –meter relay team comprised of Cobb, My'keese Edwards, Irrion Conaler and Yasmine Reynolds won the event with a time of 3:46.75. The 4x100-meter team, which includes Cobb, Reynolds, De'ja Goodine and Elizabeth Folsome, placed second with a 47.86 clip.

In other track action, Philicia Batton (15.30) placed third in the 100-meter hurdles, while Reynolds (57.54) finished third in the 400-meter dash. Conaler took second place honors in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:02.68.

In the 200-meter dash, Reynolds and Cobb finished in second and third place. Reynolds clocked in at 24.54, and Cobb's time registered at 24.62.

Sophomore Anaiah Hopewell recorded the top finish for Albany State in the field events. She earned second place in the pole vault at a height of 7.1 feet.

Albany State head coach Kenneth Taylor received the SIAC Coach of the Year award. Since taking over the women's program in 2006, Taylor has led the Lady Rams to eight of the last 11 SIAC championships.

2016 SIAC Track & Field Championship Final Results

COURTESY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

A&T Blue & Gold Game Ends In A Tie

Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  -- North Carolina A&T stepped back on the football field in competition for the first time in five months on Saturday in the Aggies annual Blue & Gold Spring Game at Aggie Stadium with a few constants. N.C. A&T’s defense is really good. The offense is still a work in progress and the Aggies will have a pretty good quarterback battle on their hands when the practice starts in August.

Five months after winning their second straight MEAC title, the inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl and the school’s third Black College Football National Championship, the Blue & Gold finished in a 14-14 tie. The Blue team featured the Aggies first-team offense and second-team defense while the Gold played with the first-team defense and second-team offense. Both Aggie defenses looked superb even though the Gold did not have to face All-American running back Tarik Cohen who did not play. Without Cohen, the Aggies did had a touchdown on the ground as rising sophomore Keevin Thompson scored on an 18-yard touchdown run for Gold.

Defensively, rising junior outside linebacker Jeremy Taylor and rising sophomore Kiaundric Richardson were swarming to the ball all day for the Gold. Meanwhile rising junior defensive back Jerome Beatty and rising senior Tyree Andrews had some good pursuits to the football for Gold.

“I think it starts with the defensive staff. Everybody is on the same page and have been on the same page defensively as far as what we try to do and how we try to do things,” said N.C. A&T head coach Rod Broadway about an Aggies defense that has been one of the best in FCS play since he arrived in Greensboro in 2011. “I think (defensive coordinator Sam Washington) does a good job with the staff in making sure they know exactly how we want things done.”

There was some offense on Saturday. Rising senior Denzel Keyes looks primed to improve on his second-team All-MEAC season from 2015. Keyes, who became a huge threat inside the opponents’ 20-yard line with his 6-foot-4 frame and leaping ability, looked at little more diverse on Saturday. There were times on Saturday when Keyes looked difficult for smaller defensive backs to deal with in the open field. His day was capped off by a 50-yard touchdown pass from rising senior quarterback Oluwafemi Bamiro for the Blue.

“He’s got to have a big year for us,” said Broadway about Keyes. “His batting average needs to be a little bit better than it is right now because we threw quite a few balls to him last season, and he could not come up with enough of them. My challenge to him would be to improve his hitting. He was a good hitter last year. We need him to be a great hitter.” 

Rising sophomore quarterback Lamar Raynard had two touchdown tosses, a 26-yarder to Virginia Tech transfer Carlis Parker (for Blue) and an 84-yard bomb to rising sophomore receiver Malik Wilson (for Gold).

Raynard started the 2015 season as the starter before rising sophomore Kylil Carter emerged late in the season with a game-winning touchdown pass at S.C. State along with significant playing time in the Aggies remaining three games. The Aggies also have Bamiro and they signed a quarterback during National Signing Day. N.C. A&T played three different QBs last year.

“They all have things that they can do and it’s going to be a heckuva battle come fall,” said Broadway. “I may just have to see how much they progress over the course of the summer. All three of those guys can throw, and all three of them are working hard so it’s going to be a challenge to see which one of them can rise to the top”

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Seniors leading the buy-in at Jackson State

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Shortly after Tony Hughes arrived at Jackson State, he asked All-SWAC defensive end Javancy Jones if he was all in regarding his commitment to the program.

Jones told the Tigers' newly-minted coach yes.

Hughes felt Jones' buy-in to his approach has permeated throughout the program during spring practice, which concluded with the Blue and White Game on Saturday.

"The program is built on the commitment of the players," Hughes said. "The most important players in the program are the seniors. If the seniors buy into the program, then it will work. I would have to say whether it's Javancy and Dan (Williams), two of our top players, they bought into the program. Now the younger players see that and the younger players will follow the seniors."

Jones and Williams are playing for their fourth coach in four years, which includes Derrick McCall's stint as the interim coach last fall. They started their careers off as members of the 2013 team, which nearly won a SWAC title, but haven't enjoyed a winning record since their freshman season.



CONTINUE READING

XU produces 6 team season bests at Southeastern meet

HAMMOND, La. — One week before the conference championships, Xavier University of Louisiana produced six team season bests Saturday at the Southeastern Invitational track and field meet.
     
Lowering XU season marks were:
     •  Chelsea James in the women's 100-meter dash (12.23 seconds, 11th place).
     •  Kayla Quincy in the women's 200 (25.31, 11th).
     •  Tylor Row in the women's 100 hurdles (15.68, 11th).
     •  Ethan Gipson in the men's 100 (11.25, 25th) and 200 (22.97, 23rd).
     •  Erwin Simmons in the men's 400 hurdles (1:05.89, 14th).
     
For the second time this season in the 400, Quincy met the NAIA's B-qualifying standard for next month's national meet. She ran eighth in 57.35.
     
Next Saturday (April 23), Xavier and SUNO will play host to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans. Admission is free. Xavier's women will seek their fourth consecutive team title and fifth in six years. The meet will begin at 8:45 a.m. The bulk of the running events will start at 1 p.m., and presentation of team trophies will begin at 5:15 p.m.
     
Here are all of Xavier's results from the Southeastern Invitational:

Women
     100: Chelsea James, 11th in 12.23; Martina Wright, 22nd in 12.58; Alexis Milton, 26th in 12.72
     200: Kayla Quincy, 11th in 25.31; Clarke Allen, 25th in 26.04; Alexis Milton, 32nd in 26.24; Kailey Williams, tied for 33rd in 26.27; Janelle Jones, 36th in 26.62; Martina Wright, 40th in 26.95
     400: Kayla Quincy, 8th in 57.35; Clarke Allen, 12th in 59.05; Janelle Jones, 20th in 1:00.44; Terri Cunningham, 27th in 1:02.68
     800: Ky'Reon McBride, did not finish
     100 Hurdles: Tylor Row, 17th in 15.68
     400 Relay: Chelsea James, Destini Thomas, Alexis Milton, Martina Wright, 8th in 48.98
     Long Jump: Katelyn McMorris, 21st in 4.85 meters (15 feet, 11 inches); Dorian Hill, 26th in 4.54 meters (14 feet, 10 3/4 inches)

Men
     100: Ethan Gipson, 25th in 11.25
     200: Ethan Gipson, 23rd in 22.97; Langston Adams, 29th in 23.52
     110 Hurdles: Erwin Simmons, did not finish
     400 Hurdles: Erwin Simmons, 14th in 1:05.89
     Long Jump: Christopher Kennie, 15th in 6.15 meters (20 feet, 2 1/4 inches); Keairez Coleman, 16th in 5.94 meters (19 feet, 6 inches)

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold