Claflin Baseball Captures SIAC Title

OZARK, Alabama — With two runners on base and two outs, Reginald Rogers singled through the left side to score Jeturi Brown in the bottom of 10^th inning as the Claflin University baseball team defeated Stillman College, 8-7, to capture the 2016 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Title.  The Panthers won four straight games in the tournament in route to capturing the school's first-ever SIAC baseball title.
 
With the championship, Claflin (23-28) receives the SIAC automatic berth into the 2016 NCAA Division II Baseball Regionals scheduled for May 19-23.  Pairings for the tournament will be announced via the NCAA.com website on Sunday, May 15 at 10 p.m.
 

Jeturi Brown, Dillion Parker and Lyndale Morley were all named to the All-Tournament Team.  Morley earned Most Outstanding Player honors while head coach James Randall was named the Outstanding Coach.

 
"The guys really played inspiring baseball all weekend," head coach James Randall said.  "We played every game like champions.  We hit the ball well and caught all the balls that we needed too."
 
The championship is the first in an 11 year career for Randall, who spent three years as head coach at Grambling prior to coming to Claflin eight years ago. 
 
"It's a relief to finally get the first championship of my career," said Randall.
 
Jabari Brown scored four runs while Jeturi Brown had three hits and the game winning run in the contest.  Rogers, Bivens, Hilton and Thompson all scored two runs apiece in the win.
 
Dillion Thompson, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, was credited to with the win.
 
Stillman was led by Hank Parker who had two runs with two hits and four RBI's in the game.  John Hutto was credited with the loss.
 
Claflin jumped out to 2-0 lead at the end of two.  Parker hit a grand slam for Stillman in the top of the third to give the Tigers the 4-2 advantage.
 
The Panthers added one run in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to one, 4-3.
 
After neither team crossed the plate in the fourth, the Tigers offense picked up once again.  Stillman scored three runs off three hits to push its lead to four, 7-3, but Claflin remained poised.
 
Jabari Brown led off the fifth inning with a walk followed Rogers single that advanced Brown to third.  With no outs,Rashad Bivens hit into a double play that scored Brown for the Panthers fourth run.
 
The Panthers continued to chip away at the Tigers lead.  Elliott Melton reached base on an error by the Tigers shortstop to start the seventh inning.  Brown singled through the right side to advance Melton to third and consequently advanced to second with Melton scoring on a failed pickoff attempt by the Tigers pitcher.  With no outs, Rashad Hilton singled to left field and Jalen Thompson had a RBI single through the left side to score Brown to cut the lead to one, 7-6.  With bases load and one out, Johnny Stevenson singled up the middle to bring home Hilton to tie the game at 7-7.
 
Neither team scored over the final two innings of regulations, sending the game in to extra innings.
 
The Panthers defense was solid in the top of the 10^th, forcing Stillman into a three up-three down inning en route to the championship.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Morgan State Bears Spring Game Recap: Khalil Trotman tosses 3 TDs, Defense posts win

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Quarterback Khalil Trotman tossed three touchdown passes, including a pair of deep bombs to wide receiver Thomas Martin to highlight the Morgan State football team's 95-play Blue-Orange Spring Game on Saturday (April 30) before a spring-game crowd in Hughes Stadium. Despite brilliant flashes by the offense, it was the defense who pulled away with a 67-50 win.

Trotman hit 11-of-24 passes for 269 yards and 3 scores, including 76-yard TD on the game's third play to wide receiver Thomas Martin,  while Chris Clack Jr. was 9-of-22 for 73 yards. Trotman's other scoring tosses were 66 and a 1-yarder to Jerrod Reed.

In addition to touchdowns and PATs, points were also awarded on offense for explosive plays, while the defenders gained points for sacks, tackles for loss, three and outs, and turnovers.

Interim head coach Fred Farrier was pleased about the overall performance of his team.

"For the most part I thought we were competitive and did some really good things," said Farrier. "You get a chance to see guys compete on offense and defense. I think Thomas Martin had a good day. I thought Khalil Trotman had a good day throwing the ball, especially early. And in these games you're going to try and avoid injury, so we're going to keep our fingers crossed for Orlando Johnson who tweaked his knee there late in the practice. Outside of that I thought guys ran around and were competing and it was really good day." 

Martin led the receivers with 234 yards on five catches, while Maurice Lewis (23 yards), Ladarious Spearman (14 yards) and Reed (5 yards) each had a pair of receptions overall.

"I felt good," said Martin, who returns after missing last season. "My goal was to come out and just focus. We're a young offense and we've come a long way this spring."

Martin also noted the play of the quarterbacks.

"I felt like our quarterbacks did great job and they've come a long way. They came in and a lot of people were doubting them, but those boys worked hard and after awhile we rallied around them. They played great."

Tailback Orlando Johnson rushed for 47 yards on 13 carries, including a long of 23 yards before leaving the field early in the third quarter with an injury. Marcolm Banks ran for 26 yards on eight tries.

Safety Carl Garnes seemed to be everywhere and led the defense with 6 tackles and also intercepted a pass by Trotman and raced down the sideline to score points for the defense. Linebackers Brandon Griffen and Damare Whitaker each added 6 stops, while D-linemen Isaiah Mclin (2 sacks) and DeMarkus Bullock (2 TFL) combined for five of the defense's 12 tackles for loss. 

"I felt that the team did very well today," said Garnes. "We tackled, we ran to the ball and we all got 11 heads on the ball on every play. We did what we had to do most of the time, I just feel like we can get better too."

The game, which concluded MSU's 15 days of spring practice, included portions of a regular practice in addition to situational scrimmage plays.  Placekicker Chris Moller was a perfect 3-for-3 in point after attempts.

"Overall we just have to play faster and play tougher and play smart," added Farrier. "Football is a game about blocking and tackling. It is really a physical sport and I want to play a more physical brand of football, but we have to also play smart and understand football situations. I think if we can just get better at understanding what's coming in certain situations and scenarios, that'll give us a chance to be successful." 

Morgan State opens its 2016 season with a home-opener against Holy Cross on Sept. 3 before traveling to take on Marshall on Sept. 10. The Bears  2016 schedule features five home games in Hughes Stadium, including a meeting with Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) co-champion Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 5 in Baltimore.

Fans can keep up-to-date with all MSU Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/MorganStBears. You can also become a fan of the Bears on Facebook at Facebook.com/MorganStateBears.

2016 FOOTBALL TICKETS CAN BE YOURS! 
Contact the Sports Marketing Department for season tickets, premium seating, group rates and general admission ticket information:  443.885.3344.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Golfer Erin Kopinak Signs With Alcorn State

ERIN KOPINAK

TILBURY ONTARIO, Canada
– As Erin Kopinak's scores plummeted last summer, her ambitions soared.

She sensed after shooting 89 for an early-season tournament win that golf could take her places.

"It kind of opened my eyes and I thought maybe I do have the potential to do something with it and make it far," said the 18-year-old from Wheatley.

Kopinak will be going all the way to Lorman, Miss., after signing with Alcorn State University.

The Tilbury District High School student never expected an NCAA Division I scholarship after joining a recruiting service last year. Division III maybe, but not Division I.

"Even last year, if you'd asked me if I thought I'd get a scholarship, full-ride to Mississippi, I'd have said you were crazy. You have the wrong girl," she said after a signing ceremony Tuesday. "It's all happened so quick."

Kopinak captured the Southland Insurance Junior Tour's overall championship last year. It was her third year on the tour and by far her best.

She won six of nine tour stops, lowering her best score at several courses by double-digits. Her scoring average was 89.44.

"A couple years ago I was shooting 120 and I was hitting the ball for fun," she said. "Now I'm shooting 88 and having as much fun. Probably more fun because I'm not taking eight strokes on a hole."

Alcorn State Braves head coach Andrew MacBean heard about Kopinak from her swing coach, Don Harrison. She spoke with other colleges but felt at home during her visit to Lorman.

"After my evaluation, I would classify Erin as the total package," MacBean wrote in an e-mail. "She is bright, hungry, coachable and has the playing background we look for here at ASU.

"She also comes from a great family. After having Erin and her parents, Karri and John, visit campus, it's easy to see why Erin is a quality person."

Kopinak plays out of Tilbury Golf Club and Talbot Trail Golf Club.

She began when she was eight, but she only got competitive three years ago. That's also when she began working with Harrison.

She knew how to hit, but not much else, when they met. She had to learn how to prepare for a round and study a course.

"My coach, Don, he really decided to push me," she said about last year. "I didn't think I was gaining as much knowledge as I was. Then I got out on the course and put a tee down. I didn't think it would work as much as he said it would. But everything was clicking. I didn't expect to be playing that well."

There's still plenty of room for improvement, Harrison said, and Mississippi is a great venue for that to happen.

"She has all the learning potential to be an even better player this summer," he said. "Then she'll be in a position where she can golf 11, 12 months a year. … You automatically can become better because you're hitting balls all the time."

Harrison wants to add four or five shots to her bag before she leaves for school, where she'll major in biology. She'll also try to defend her Southland tour championship this summer.

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

JSU's Porter reaches UDFA agreement with Chicago Bears

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Robert Porter, a former Jackson State defensive back, became the second Tigers player in the span of 24 hours to reach an undrafted free agent agreement with an NFL team.

Porter, who was second-team All-SWAC last season, tweeted out that he’s headed to the Chicago Bears. Porter played corner at JSU the past two seasons and was the Tigers’ most consistent defensive back in 2015.

He finished with one interception, but defended 12 passes and recorded 38 tackles. Porter is a Detroit, Michigan native and joined the Tigers from Northland Community and Technical College in Minnesota.

Porter did well at Jackson State's pro day, which was highlighted by his 22 reps on the bench press.

CONTINUE READING

NSU's King signs with Dallas Cowboys

NORFOLK, Virginia – Norfolk State University All-American linebacker Deon King signed a free agent contract with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys following this weekend's NFL Draft.

The Cowboys were one of several NFL teams to host King on pre-draft visits. The three-time All-MEAC linebacker had the opportunity to visit team headquarters and meet with Dallas front office personnel and coaches last month. King will report to the team for rookie training camp later this month.

"I'm excited to get a chance to play for the Cowboys," King said. "But I'm still hungry to prove myself and make the 53-man roster."

King is the third Spartan player in the last two years to sign as a free agent with an NFL team. Last spring, safety Keenan Lambert (Seahawks) and linebacker Lynden Trail (Texans) inked deals with teams immediately following the draft. After being cut by Seattle, Lambert went on to play in five games with the Oakland Raiders last season before being released. Trail finished the 2015 NFL season on the Washington Redskins' practice squad and remains under contract with the team.

As a senior in 2015, King led all of Division I (FCS and FBS) with 163 total tackles after moving from outside to inside linebacker. King also tallied 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.

A slew of accolades came King's way following his senior season. He became NSU's first-ever winner of the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the top FCS defensive player in the country. He also became the Spartans' first-ever consensus FCS first-team All-American, earning honors from STATS, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press (AP) and the Walter Camp Foundation. King was also selected as the 2015-16 Norfolk State Male Athlete of the Year.

Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

B-CU hit seven home runs in Sunday rout of North Carolina A&T

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Bethune-Cookman hit seven home runs on Sunday afternoon, powering themselves to a series sweep of North Carolina A&T by a 23-2 decision in the series finale in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) baseball action at War Memorial Stadium. For the Wildcats, the win moves their streak to a season-best seven in a row.

Bethune-Cookman (23-22, 15-6 MEAC) produced a variety of season-high performances on Sunday. It was a season-high for runs (23), hits (21) and home runs (7).

The Wildcats began the game with four runs in the opening inning and never looked back.

Freshman first baseman Danny Rodriguez drove in the game’s opening run, plating sophomore third baseman Jameel Edney with a sacrifice fly to right field. Moments later, senior right fielder Nathan Bond tallied his third home run of the year, lifting a three-run scoring shot to right field that also scored Clay Middleton and Demetrius Sims.

CONTINUE READING 

WSSU's Michael Bloomfield signs with Oakland Raiders

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Defensive end Michael Bloomfield of Winston-Salem State was not drafted by an NFL team but he’ll get his chance with the Oakland Raiders.

Bloomfield said he’s been signed to a contract with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent and he’ll fly to California this week for a three-day minicamp.

If Bloomfield, who is 6-2 and 250 pounds, does enough at the minicamp he could stick around and compete at another rookie camp later this summer.

Bloomfield, a fifth-year senior, had his best season for the Rams and made several Division II All-America lists.

He helped the Rams to a 6-5 record which included the CIAA championship game, a 17-14 win over Bowie State. Bloomfield had his best game of his career with four sacks and a forced fumble. He was also in on six tackles.

Bloomfield is the lone player on the Rams who was part of all three of their CIAA titles over the last five seasons.

CONTINUE READING

Tuskegee wins third consecutive conference championship

HAMPTON, Georgia --  After missing out on the opportunity to drench their coaching staff during the 2015 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championship, the Tuskegee University Lady Golden Tigers wasted little time in getting to head coach Edward Colvin on Saturday afternoon.

Following the final out of a 10-8 victory in the championship game, the 2016 version of the Lady Golden Tigers made the most of the opportunity on Saturday afternoon after winning their third consecutive conference championship – defeating Miles at Lovejoy Regional Park.

Colvin turned to senior Karisa Foye (6-5) in the circle on Saturday and she did not disappoint. The tournament’s Most Valuable Player struck out five out of the first six batters she faced and recorded the win after the Lady Golden Tigers took the lead in the fourth inning. The senior allowed five runs – just one earned – all in the fourth inning.

After Miles took a 5-2 lead and looked poised to push the tournament to an “if” game, Tuskegee turned to their bats that came into the tournament hitting over .300. The Lady Golden Tigers answered the five-spot from Miles with a six-spot of their own to take an 8-5 lead heading down the stretch.

Sharde Thomas drove home Cari Driver in the bottom of the fourth inning to trim the deficit to a pair, and later scored on a throwing error from Miles to trim the deficit to 5-4. From there, the rally was on for the Lady Golden Tigers.

Tuskegee tied the game on a single by Kenyah Smith to right scoring Chante Warner, and took the lead when Foye reached on an infield single that scored Kaylin Finch. Tuskegee scored their last two runs of the inning when Roneshia Rudolph doubled to the left field corner to put the Lady Golden Tigers ahead 8-5.

Colvin turned to Toni Beth Garner in the fifth inning, picking up a three-inning save; the first of her career. The junior, who defeated Miles Friday, allowed three runs off of four hits, while striking out three and keeping the bats of Miles at bay.

After Miles scored a run in the fifth to make it a two-run game, Tuskegee scored a pair of runs in the sixth for insurance – building a 10-6 lead.

The celebration began in the dugout in the bottom of the sixth inning, but had t
o wait as Miles scored a pair of runs in the seventh inning. However, with a runner at second and two strikes on the batter, a high fly ball was squeezed by senior first baseman Haley Plato in foul territory sending off the jubilation from the Lady Golden Tigers and their fans.

Dating back to 2004, Tuskegee is the first team to win three consecutive Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championships. The Lady Golden Tigers had four players on the All-Tournament team, which included Foye, Thomas, Garner and Finch.

Tuskegee will find out their opponent and site for the upcoming NCAA Division II Regional next week on Monday morning. The NCAA Selection Show is at 10 am (est) on NCAA.com.

For more information on Tuskegee athletics, follow us on Twitter/Snapchat/Instagram (@MyTUAthletics) and like us on Facebook.

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Buddy Ball Puts Two S.C. State Bulldogs In the NFL Draf

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- A major weekend for South Carolina State at the NFL Draft continued on Saturday.

All-America tight end Temarrick Hemingway was selected by the Los Angeles Rams, formerly of St. Louis, in the sixth round of the 2016 National Football League Draft.

The Rams selected Hemingway with the 177th pick overall. The 6-foot-5, 244-pound Loris, S.C. native was the second player from South Carolina State University and third player drafted from an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in this year's draft.

On Friday, two-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Javon Hargrave was chosen with the 89th selection of the NFL Draft.

Head coach Buddy Pough says this weekend will be a major boost for his program going forward as he sells Buddy Ball to high school prospects.

"Well, anytime you can go out and tell kids you've had guys drafted that high, it's a star in your crown of sorts," Pough said.

The coach added with Hargrave being a third-round selection, that is something his program can use not only in recruiting but marketing as well.

CONTINUE READING 

JSU's Fosselman signs undrafted free agent deal

SEATTLE, Washington -- Jackson State receiver Devin Fosselman agreed to an undrafted free agent deal with the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night.

osselman ranked second in the SWAC with 872 receiving yards. He led JSU with 58 receptions. The senior did most of his damage in the middle of the field, working out of the slot.

Seattle has had success undrafted receivers in the past few years. Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse were the Seahawks' top two receivers in terms of yardage in 2014 and 2015 and both were undrafted.

Fosselman started his career at Mississippi State. He was a three-star prospect and ranked as the No.11 prospect in the state of Mississippi coming out of high school.

CONTINUE READING

Montgomery talent eluding Jenkins, ASU

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Tarvaris Jackson has a problem with this.

Alabama State University head football coach Brian Jenkins hasn’t signed a high school player from Montgomery in his first two recruiting classes on national signing day.

That’s a no-no to Jackson, a Montgomery native who starred at quarterback at ASU, became a second-round pick in 2006, won a Super Bowl and has played 10 NFL seasons.

“You’ve got to get the Montgomery kids,” Jackson said.

ASU has inked 32 players on NSD under Jenkins — and none have been from here. When asked how many scholarships he offered local kids, Jenkins said “20 or more” — but he’s come up empty-handed.

“Some of the things that have come into play has been grades,” Jenkins said. “We lost some guys late. We had several kids that we really liked that we lost to some bigger schools.”



CONTINUE READING

Southern's Roman Banks honored as LABC's Coach of the Year

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana --  Southern University head coach Roman Banks became the eleventh head coach to win the Tommy Joe Eagles Memorial Award for Louisiana's top collegiate head coach at the major level in the awards 42-year history.

Banks received the award during Saturday’s 42nd Annual Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Awards Banquet held at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

Banks joins a distinguished group of coaches which included former Southern head coach Ben Jobe, who won the award in 1988 and 1993. Dale Brown and John Brady of LSU, Andy Russo of Louisiana Tech, Mike Vining of UL-Monroe, Rickey Broussard of Nicholls State, George "Tic" Price of New Orleans, Mike McConathy of Northwestern State, Billy Kennedy of Southeastern Louisiana and Dave Simmons of McNeese State serve as the only state coaches who have earned the award on multiple occasions.

Banks, who also served as an assistant on Kennedy's staff at Southeastern during the 2004 and 2005 season, led the Jaguars to the program's second Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament championship under Banks and to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in three years with a 22-13 record.

After leaving Southeastern in 2011 to become the head coach at Southern, Banks quickly transformed the Jaguars to an immediate winner and by the 2012-13 season, he had guided the Jaguars to a 23-10 record and produced Southern's first SWAC tournament title and NCAA Tournament bid since 2006.

Inducted into the Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame was Nicholls State’s Rickey Broussard.

The other major honoree was former LSU radio announcer Jim Hawthorne, who received the LABC’s Mr. Louisiana Basketball award. This award is given annually to someone who has made a significant, long-term contribution to the game of basketball at any level in the State of Louisiana.

Also honored at the banquet were Louisiana’s major college, small college, junior college and high school basketball players and coaches of the year, along with the top pro player from the state.

Broussard coached at Nicholls State from 1990 to 2002, where he won 150 games and finished his career as the second winningest coach in school history. He was a three-time Southland Conference Coach of the Year, two-time Louisiana Coach of the Year and once an NABC District Coach of the Year.

Broussard led the Colonels to two SLC regular season and tournament championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances, including seasons of 24-6, 19-9 and 19-10.

Hawthorne retired this year as the radio announcer for LSU basketball after a distinguished 36-year career as one of the top play-by-play men in all of collegiate athletics. He called some of the greatest moments in the history of Tigers basketball, including LSU’s Final Four appearances in 1981, 1986 and 2006 along with six SEC championships.

Hawthorne also introduced basketball fans to some of the best players to ever wear the LSU uniform in Shaquille O'Neal, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (then Chris Jackson), Rudy Macklin, Stromile Swift, Glen Davis and Brandon Bass. This summer he will receive the Louisiana Sports Writers Association's Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism.

The LABC also presented the Pete Maravich Memorial Award, honoring Louisiana’s Major College Player of the Year, to freshman forward Ben Simmons of LSU. This season Simmons was a first team NABC and USBWA All-American and the consensus National Freshman of the Year. He averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds (1st in SEC and 7th in nation) and 4.79 assists and had 23 double-double games (1st in SEC and 5th in nation). He scored in double figures in 32 of 33 games, including eighteen 20-point games, and had single game highs of 43 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 7 steals.

The Bob Pettit Award, which is given to Louisiana's Professional Player of the Year, was presented to forward Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks. In his tenth year in the NBA, the former Louisiana Tech star averaged 17.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Millsap had 32 double-double games and single game highs of 31 points, 18 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 blocks. He was also selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game for the third straight season.

Senior point guard DeAngelo Coleman of LSU-Alexandria received the Louisiana Small College Player of the Year award after being named a first team NAIA All-American and the Red River Athletic Conference Player of the Year, while averaging 14.0 points and 3.90 assists and shooting 44.9% behind the three-point line.

Second year coach Larry Cordaro of LSU-Alexandria, who was named the Louisiana Small College Coach of the Year, guided the Generals to a No. 2 ranking in the final regular season national poll, to the Red River Athletic Conference regular season championship and to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament with a 29-4 record in the school’s second season of competition. Cordaro was the HoopDirt NAIA National Coach of the Year and the RRAC Coach of the Year.

D’Angelo McClinton and Coach David Francis of Southern-Shreveport were honored as the Louisiana Junior College Player and Coach of the Year, respectively. McClinton, a sophomore guard, averaged 18 points, 6 assists and 4 steals and was an NJCAA Region 23 All-Tournament selection. Francis led the Port City Jags to the Miss-Lou Conference championship and to the semifinals of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament with a 19-9 record. This was Francis’ 12th conference championship in 16 seasons.


2016 LABC Honorees:

Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: Rickey Broussard, Nicholls St.

Mr. Louisiana Basketball: Jim Hawthorne, LSU

Bob Pettit Award for the Louisiana Professional Player of the Year: Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Pete Maravich Memorial Award for the Louisiana Major College Player of the Year: Ben Simmons, LSU

Tommy Joe Eagles Memorial Award for the Louisiana Major College Coach of the Year: Roman Banks, Southern

Louisiana Small College Player of the Year: DeAngelo Coleman, LSU-Alexandria

Louisiana Small College Coach of the Year: Larry Cordaro, LSU-Alexandria

Louisiana Junior College Player of the Year: D’Angelo McClinton, Southern-Shreveport

Louisiana Junior College Coach of the Year: David Francis, Southern-Shreveport

Louisiana High School Players of the Year:
Class AAAAA: Ja’Vonte Smart, Scotlandville
Class AAAA: De’Jon Jarreau, McDonogh 35
Class AAA: Jalen Johnson, University
Class AA: Robert Williams, North Caddo
Class A: Kalob LeDoux, Lafayette Christian
Class B: Will Reese, Anacoco
Class C: Paul Corbin, Summerfield

Louisiana High School Coaches of the Year:
Class AAAAA: Barry Whittington, East Ascension
Class AAAA: Albert Hartwell, Washington-Marion
Class AAA: Casey Jones, Wossman
Class AA: Damon West, Rayville
Class A: Marcus Jackson, Arcadia
Class B: Martin Ramirez, Grace Christian
Class C: Randy Carlisle, Summerfield

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Xavier's Salwan ties teammates' GCAC awards record

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Karan Salwan tied a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's tennis season record when he was named GCAC Player of the Week for April 18-24.
     
It's the fourth GCAC award for Salwan, a junior from New Delhi, India, and a graduate of Modern School. He shares the conference award record with teammates Kyle Montrel, who did it in 2013, and Thomas Setodji, who also has four awards this year.
     
Salwan improved to 21-3 in singles and 20-4 in doubles (including fall tournaments) after winning both his matches at the University of New Orleans. He defeated Giacomo Adoncecchi 6-2, 6-0 in singles and teamed with Kevin Chaouat to beat Luis Albuquerque and Jeffrey Hsu 6-4 in doubles. Salwan this semester has five singles victories and seven doubles victories against NCAA Division I opponents.
     
The Gold Rush, 13-6 and ranked third in the NAIA, will compete next Friday (May 6) in an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament at Lawrenceville, Ga.

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

FAMU's Blount signs as free agent, gives Miami 2 Washington County players

MIAMI, Florida -- Canon-McMillan High School graduate Mike Hull is going to have some added competition with the Miami Dolphins. And it will come from another Washington County native.

Florida A&M linebacker Akil Blount, who attended The Linsly School but lives in Taylorstown, signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent following the draft. He also had offers from San Francisco, Seattle, Pittsburgh and Denver.

“Time to go to work. #DolphinsNation #2GodBeTheGlory,” Blount Tweeted Saturday night.

“As soon as the draft was over, they called me to see if I was interested,” said Blount. “They talked to my agent and worked things out and then called me back to welcome me to the team.”

Blount (6-3, 240) led Florida A&M in tackles in each of the past two seasons and added three interceptions and 14 1/2 tackles for loss.

He is the son of former Steelers Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount.

CONTINUE READING 

Buccaneers Select NCCU’s Ryan Smith in NFL Draft

TAMPA, Florida – Legendary sports broadcaster Dick Vitale announced North Carolina Central University cornerback Ryan Smith as the 108th pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.

Smith becomes NCCU's second NFL draft pick in the last 25 years. Smith and defensive end Greg Peterson, who was also chosen by Tampa Bay in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, are the only Eagles selected in the draft since defensive back Robert Massey went in the second round to the Saints in 1989.

Prior to his announcement, Smith received multiple calls from NFL teams while at his home in Upper Marlboro, Maryland on Saturday, but then came the call that changed his life from a representative of the Buccaneers. "'Ryan, we are going to make you a Buc,'" Smith remembers the caller saying. "My heart dropped. It's amazing."



During Smith's visit to Tampa, Florida prior to the draft, he was impressed, saying "I can see myself playing here for these coaches." Then Smith added, "They have the best facilities I have ever seen."

He said the Buccaneers "like my quickness, my burst and my attitude on the field."

As far as what Buccaneers fans should expect from Smith, he said "I have a chip on my shoulder. I have been doubted my whole life. I am going to give it my all and 10 times more. All my life I've been doubted. All my life I've had to work hard and prove myself. There's nothing new here. I still have something to prove. They are going to see why I should have gone earlier in this draft."

Smith is looking forward to the opportunity to learn in the NFL. "I know there's a lot to learn. I know I'm raw and I'm nowhere near my best ability," he said. "I want to see how great I can be."

Mark Dulgerian of the NFL Network provided this analysis of Smith: "One of Tampa's biggest needs was cornerback and they've addressed it again with one of the 'sleepers' in this draft. Smith is a quicker-than-fast cover corner with flashy ball skills. With some of their current CBs nearing contract years, Smith has long-term starting potential."

Smith is slated to leave Maryland for Florida on Thursday as his NFL journey continues.

Smith capped his standout NCCU tenure from 2012-15 with a school career record 168 solo tackles, while finishing sixth in career tackles with 263 and 11th in passes defended with 31 (seven interceptions and 24 pass break-ups).

As a senior, he ranked third in MEAC with team-best 11 passes defended (two interceptions and nine pass break-ups), while adding 52 tackles (38 solo). Smith also led conference and ranked 10th in the nation with an average of 28.1 yards per kickoff return (14 for 394 yards, 1 TD).

After helping to lead the Eagles to their second straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship, Smith graduated from NCCU on Dec. 12, 2015, with a degree in criminal justice.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Former SCSU standout Hemingway drafted by L.A. Rams

COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina -- All every child wants is to make their mother smile.

Mere mention of his name making his mother beam with joy, Temarrick Hemingway certainly knew his accomplishments – chief among them finishing his education at South Carolina State and becoming a well-rounded young man – made her proud.

However, the depths to which her pride dwelled were unveiled Saturday afternoon, a day for which the Loris native will file in his memory bank for the rest of his life.

Hemingway was selected by the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, taken in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. The former South Carolina State tight end was the draft’s overall 177th pick.

The accomplishment warranted a phone call from his mother, who was so overtaken with emotion she had to hang up and call back, according to the local gridiron star.

“All I heard was her crying, and how proud she was of me,” Hemingway said. “It’s a step into a new situation, a pretty neat one at that.”

Hemingway wavered during his time at North Myrtle Beach High School as to which sport he should play in college, finding it tough deciding between football or basketball.

CONTINUE READING

Nuggets' Goreau chosen regional rookie of the year

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Charlene Goreau has been named the NAIA Region IV (South) Rookie of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
     
Goreau, a freshman from Toulouse, France, and a graduate of Raymond Naves School, had a tough act to follow: replace two-time All-American Nour Abbes, who transferred from Xavier to the University of Washington, at No. 1 singles. But Goreau sparkled, winning 15-of-20 decisions, including 10 in a row, and earning a No. 18 national ranking.
     
Goreau has four singles victories vs. NCAA Division I players, two against nationally ranked NAIA opponents and two against regionally ranked NAIA players. Goreau is a three-time Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week and has led the Gold Nuggets to a No. 16 national team ranking.
     
The Gold Nuggets (8-13) have concluded their regular season and are not scheduled to play in a conference or unaffiliated group tournament. They'll learn May 9 if they qualified for the NAIA National Championship at Mobile, Ala.

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

Gold Rush garner three ITA/NAIA awards in Region IV

NEW ORLEANS — For the first time in the history of the Xavier University of Louisiana men's program, the Gold Rush have earned three Intercollegiate Tennis Association/NAIA Region IV (South) awards in one season.
     
Xavier's honorees are:
     •  Alan Green, Coach of the Year.
     •  Loic Didavi, Assistant Coach of the Year.
     •  Kyle Montrel, Senior Player of the Year.
     
This is Green's third ITA men's regional award in the last five seasons. His Gold Rush are 13-6 this season with a school-record five victories against NCAA Division I opponents. Xavier's No. 3 national ranking is its highest ever.
     
Didavi, in his second season as an XU assistant, was the ITA/NAIA National and Regional Senior Player of the Year for Xavier in 2012-13.
     
"Loic has been instrumental in player development, and he has been a good mentor for our new players this season," Green said. "His overall input in our success has been crucial."
     
Montrel, a three-time ITA/NAIA All-American, is ranked 10th nationally in singles and 19th in doubles. Last season he received the ITA/NAIA Region IV Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship. Montrel is from Atlanta and a graduate of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy.
     
The Gold Rush will compete next Friday (May 6) in an NAIA unaffiliated group qualifying tournament at Lawrenceville, Ga.

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

Search begins for next Head Men's Basketball Coach at XULA

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has posted online its job description for head men's basketball coach.

     
The job description, in a PDF format, is available here. Applicants can apply for the job online by creating a profile at the XU Human Resources web page.
     
Link to XU staff openings.
    
Recommendations for the position may be sent to XU Director of Athletics and Recreation Jason Horn by email (jhorn1@xula.edu) or phone (504-520-7329).
     
Xavier seeks to replace Dannton Jackson, recently hired as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
     
Xavier was 21-12 in 2015-16 and qualified for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship for a school-record sixth consecutive time. The Gold Rush were runner-up in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament each of the past two seasons.

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

Maroon wins Bethune-Cookman spring game

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – Redshirt freshman quarterback Akevious Williams manufactured a last-minute scoring drive to help Maroon to a 20-17 come-from-behind victory over Gold in the sixth annual Maroon and Gold Spring Showcase at Municipal Stadium on Saturday, April 30.

The 16-yard touchdown from Williams to Jaymonte McLeod with 44 seconds remaining capped off an 80-yard march that allowed the Madison, Florida native to rebound from two early interceptions and end both the game and spring practice on a positive note.

From the start of spring practices, a friendly rivalry between quarterbacks Williams and redshirt sophomore Larry Brihm, Jr. has developed with a good-natured talk between the two Sunshine State products.

“I’m going to until I can’t talk anymore,” said Williams, who finished 11 of 18 for 147 yards, including a 6-yard score to Karim Bryant in the second quarter. “All I heard was Gold was going to do this, and Gold was going to do that. Now I have bragging rights.”



Williams, who might have had the better luck of draw when the Wildcats’ loaded receiving corps was dispersed among the two teams, set the tone on the final drive with a 50-yard strike to Jawill Davis. A 14-yarder to Jaime Wilson followed, then McLeod bounced off a Gold defender and found the right side of the end zone for the score.

“When I went back, I didn’t think I was going to hit Jawill [Davis]”, Williams said. “Then I saw he had 1-on-1 coverage and I just took my chances. Once he caught it, I knew it was going to be a big play.

“Finishing the game like that is a big confidence booster,” Williams added. “But I know it’s about getting better each and every drive.”

Brihm, the only returning quarterback with game experience from the 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title season, completed 14 of 28 passes for 167 yards for the Gold team in a consistent effort.

The Gold squad scored on all three red zone possessions, the first two off a turnover and short punt, then a solid 80-yard match in which Brihm connected with Ja-Quan Lumas for 35 yards and Courtney Lowery for 22.

“He [Williams] pushes me every day, I push him,” said Brihm, whose touchdown pass was a tipped 5-yarder to Kendon Davis in the first quarter. “I feel like he’s going to be good and I’m going to be good for the upcoming season.”

A slow start from both teams’ offense gave early attention to the defense, most notably Diquan Richardson, who registered the two picks of Williams for the Gold.

Richardson’s coming off a solid season – he was the fourth leading tackler. But with the secondary needing to replace two starters, he’s trying to elevate himself as a playmaker.

“I’ve had some goals, and today was about showing my work,” Richardson said. “My line got pressure on the quarterback, so I’m grateful for my teammates.”

Other game highlights include the following:
- Uriel Hernandez handled kicking duties for both teams and went 3-3 on field goals and 4-4 on PATs
- Wilson had 88 yards on three catches
- Romary Corneille had an interception that set up the first Gold touchdown.
- Taivion Butler had two sacks

Other than the slow start, head coach Terry Sims, recently completing his first year at the helm in Daytona Beach, liked what he saw.

“There was a lot of enthusiasm, and a lot of guys trying to make plays,” Sims said. “That fourth quarter was Wildcats football.”

The official Bethune-Cookman football schedule is now available at BCUathletics.com.

The 2016 B-CU Football schedule includes five (5) home games at Municipal Stadium, including the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The Wildcats welcome Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opponent Alcorn State for the annual event presented by ESPN. The date is set for Sunday, Sept. 4, with a time to be determined later. The schedule also includes home games against Tennessee State (Sept. 17), North Carolina Central (Oct. 1), North Carolina A&T (Oct. 15) and Delaware State (Oct. 29). The regular season concludes November 19, with the Florida Blue Florida Classic.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BCUGridIron) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/BCUathletics) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including specialE offers and giveaways throughout the year, via the social media outlets or www.BCUathletics.com.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

ASU Baseball Eludes Weather, Tops Braves In Seven, Wins 30 For Fourth Straight Year

LORMAN, Mississippi –  Alabama State defeated Alcorn St. 16-1 in seven innings in a game to earn their 30th win of the season.

The contest, which started at 11 a.m., was delayed just before noon due to lightning, which preceded the rain. The Hornets led 6-0 in the bottom of the second and, after the game was called and scheduled to resume at 11 a.m. Sunday, the weather cleared and the game resumed after about a 5 ½-hour delay.

Tyler Howe (8-2) pitched six innings, allowed four hits, one unearned run, walked none and struck out seven as the Hornets (30-14) reached the 30-win mark for the fourth straight season and improved to 20-0 in SWAC play. Howe threw 80 pitches, 62 for strikes in the victory, as the teams will play the final game of the series Sunday at 11 a.m.

Every Hornet position starter had at least one hit in the 14-hit attack. Carlos Ocasio scored four times and drove in two, Yamil Pagan scored three runs, and Chris Biocic and Ray Hernandez each drove in three runs as the Hornets won their seventh straight game.

Alabama State took advantage of being hit by pitch seven times, four in the five-run third that broke the game open. The only hit in the inning was an Oscar Prioleau single to right. Pagan and Ocasio were each hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force home runs in the inning.

The Hornets scored in the first as Dillon Cooper was hit by pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Pagan. After an RBI on a fielder's choice by Chris Biocic, an RBI single by Hernandez scored Ocasio for a 3-0 lead.

Pagan led off the second with a double to left center, and advanced to third on a groundout. Ocasio then singled to right field, scoring Pagan. Cooper then doubled to left field, as Ocasio moved to third. That set the table for Biocic, who's two-run single to right cleared the bases for a 6-0 lead.
That was more than enough for Howe who, following the weather delay, pitched out of a two-on, one out situation against the Braves (14-27, 9-12). In his last three starts, Howe has allowed eight singles, one unearned run and struck out 23 batters.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

The SWAC remembers former TSU lineman Winston Hill

DENVER, Colorado -- Winston Hill, a former New York Jets offensive lineman who made eight All-Pro teams and protected the blindside of quarterback Joe Namath during the team’s only Super Bowl victory, in 1969, died on earlier this week in Denver. He was 74.

His death was announced by the Jets. His sister Sharon Hill Cranford said the cause was heart failure.

Hill joined the Jets in 1963, the first year they played under that name. (The previous name was the Titans.) In his rookie year, he began a streak of 195 consecutive games played, including 174 consecutive starts. Both streaks remain Jets records.



Playing left tackle, right tackle and center, Hill was responsible for keeping Namath’s jersey clean from attacking defenders. He was part of a line that helped Matt Snell run for 121 yards and a touchdown in the Jets’ underdog win over Baltimore in Super Bowl III, still remembered for Namath’s brash guarantee of victory.

Baltimore drafted Hill in the 11th round in 1963 out of Texas Southern University, where he was an all-American, but he was released by the Colts before ever playing for them and signed with the Jets. After 14 seasons with the Jets, Hill played his final one in 1977 with the Los Angeles Rams.

“Winston is a very analytical person, always searching for a better method of doing things,” Wimp Hewgley, the Jets’ offensive coach, said in 1971. “He’s always asking if he’s doing the correct thing. If not, he wants to know why. It’s the kind of thing you would expect from a rookie, not someone who has been around all these years.”

Hill was born on Oct. 23, 1941, in Joaquin, Tex., and was a high school tennis champion in Gladewater, Tex.

In addition to his sister Ms. Cranford, he is survived by his mother, Eulalia Hill Allen; his daughters, Hovlyn Hill May and Heather Hill; his son, Marc-Arthur Hill; two other sisters, Brenda Cole and Rhonda Saldivar; and three grandchildren.

After retiring in 1977, Hill opened a barbecue restaurant in Denver. In 1991, he opened another one with Ron Mitchell, naming it Winston Hill’s Ribs and Stuff, which remains open. He continued to work there, often sitting down and chatting with customers, until health problems emerged in recent years, Mitchell said.

Hill was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and often discussed the power of meditation and prayer. Heather Hill said he had coached and mentored young football players at the Joe Namath Football Camp for 44 years.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

SCSU's Hargrave drafted by NFL Steelers

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State senior defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, a native of Salisbury, N.C., who played at North Rowan High School, was drafted 89th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the National Football League Draft on Friday evening.

Hargrave was the anchor of South Carolina State’s top-ranked Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference defensive unit the past two seasons. He is the MEAC’s two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time first-team FCS All-American.

Hargrave played in the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl, before impressing scouts in his NFL Combine workout and interview sessions.

After the 2015 season, Hargrave was awarded his second consecutive SBN/Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year award at the BCF Hall of Fame and Sheridan Broadcasting Network College Football Awards Ceremony in Atlanta.

The 6-foot-2, 295-pound lineman collected 43 solo tackles, 16 assisted tackles and 13.5 sacks in an 11-game senior season.

CONTINUE READING