FAMU Lady Rattlers Sign Seven Recruits For 2016-17

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Florida A&M Women’s basketball coach Ledawn Gibson announced recently the signing of seven new players for the 2016-2017 season.

The septet of newcomers include Kennedy Burks (5’11 G/F Grand Prairie, TX, Jamella Smith (5’10 G Chapel Hill, NC) , Ny’Asia Davis (6’3 C Starke, FL) , Dy’Manee Royal (6’0 F Savannah ,GA ) , Ecenur Yurdakul (5’7 PG, Eyup, Turkey), Shakeyrra Morrison (6’0 G/F, and DI transfer Taylor Darks (5’11 W Cincinnati, OH) .

"We are rebuilding this year after losing 72% of our scoring in Khadejra Young and Olivia Antilla, but my staff and I have done a remarkable job in selecting the kind of student athletes we need here at Florida A&M University. I am EXCITED to introduce the new additions to the Orange and Green family.”

Ecenur “E” Yurdakul- 5-7 PG/G

Yurdakul is a 5-7 point guard from St. Fair Community College.

The Istanbul, Turkey, native helped the Lady Roadrunners to a 22-8 record and a Region 16 tournament championship in her one season in Sedalia. Yurdakul shot a team-high 82.6 percent from the free-throw line. Yurdakul missed six games in the second half of the season due to injury, but battled her way back to contribute for SFCC.

GIBSON ON YURDAKUL: “Yurdakul enters FAMU with a lot of experience playing basketball on the international level. While in Turkey she had the opportunity to play against some of the best basketball players in the world. She will play the point guard position but also has the ability to stretch the defense by hitting 3pt shots.”

Shakerrya Morrison- 6-0 G/F

She played high school ball at East Wake High School in North Carolina and Junior College at East Central Community

College and was coached by Crandel Porter.



GIBSON ON MORRISON: “Morrison is a high energy aggressive player. She is a great defender and relentless rebounder who will make an immediate impact on this program. She’s been sitting out a year but there is no doubt she will give us all she has to give.”

Jamella Smith- 5-10 G

At Pensacola State College Smith averaged 13 pts, 4 rbs. A tar heel native with many different accolades, the most memorable is when she led her high school team to an undefeated record (32-0 season).



GIBSON ON SMITH: “She possesses a scorer’s mentality with the ability to perform for us in 3 different positions. She’s a rebounding taller guard who doesn’t mind getting gritty with the post players.”

Kennedy Burks- 5-11 SG

Played for Mansfield Lake Ridge High school averaging 12.4 pts, 5 rbs.



GIBSON ON BURKS: “Burks is a long athletic guard that can score in multiple ways and play multiple different positions. Although she is a freshman, she will be expected to develop beyond her years. Which is fine because she has the ability to do so.”

Ny’Asia Davis- 6-3 C

The 6’3 center played for Bradford High School where she averaged 16 pts and 12 rebs.

GIBSON ON DAVIS: “Davis is a very physical post player that can finish around the rim. Davis has great hands, great court vision for a post player and is relentless on the glass. She will add the extra GURTH that we’ve needed over the years.”

Dy’Manee Royal- 6-1 Forward

The Beach senior led the Bulldogs (18-4) with 12.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. The 6-foot forward also participates on the Bulldog volleyball and track and field teams.

GIBSON ON ROYAL: “Royal is a player that likes to get up and down the court. She is an aggressive defender and rebounder that has a very high motor. For her size and position, she has unique scoring capabilities. She is a native of Savannah Ga and wishes to show the conference what Ga has to offer.”

Taylor Darks 5’11 W

Darks appeared in a total of 18 games as a freshman. She was a standout at Walnut Hills High School. She is a two-time All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) first team selection, ECC player of the year averaging 16.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Ranked the No.88 guard ESPNW and led her team in scoring. Per NCAA transfer rules, Darks will sit out the 2016-2017 season.

GIBSON ON DARKS: “Darks is a high energy caliber player who could've also obtained a track scholarship because of her athletic abilities. She is the type of player that just keeps going and going and going! She is an over achiever, not just on the court but also in the classroom and we are excited to see her mature in this upcoming year.”

In addition to a seven-woman recruiting class, the Rattlers also return eight players from the 2015-2016 squad, headed key veterans Victoria Nguyen and Alicia McCray.

Redshirt guard Florence Outtara, a 5’10 G (Tiassale, Ivory Coast), who sat out last season, is also scheduled to play.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Most important JSU Tigers: No. 10 Keontre Anderson

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Seven months have passed since Jackson State ended its 2015 season against in-state rival Alcorn State.

The Tigers will kick off the 2016 regular season in less than two months, and will open training camp in about three weeks. Not to mention, SWAC Media Day is this Friday.

In preparation for that, The Clarion-Ledger will count down the 10 most important Tigers in 2016.

This list isn't ranking JSU's best players or most talented, but the importance of the role they'll play this fall.

In 2015: As a sophomore, Anderson was the third defensive end in JSU’s defensive line rotation last season, behind standouts Javancy Jones and Teddrick Terrell.

Anderson started plenty of games, though, and recorded 46 tackles, with 10.5 of those coming for a loss. He finished fourth on the team with four sacks, but led the Tigers with 13 quarterback hurries.

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North Caddo’s Williams makes college choice -- JSU

VIVIAN, Louisiana -- As one of the driving forces behind North Caddo’s run to three consecutive LHSAA Class 2A state basketball titles, Sumer Williams opted to wait a while before choosing a college.

She made that decision recently when she inked with Jackson State in a ceremony at the school.

“I went over there for a visit, watched them practice and I felt like it was a perfect fit for me,” Williams told The Times. “I like the campus, the coaches and what they were about as a program.”



The Times All-City selection and Times Best of Preps honoree averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds this past season for coach Sandra Dennis. Williams was also coached by Rickey Evans and Angela Channell, who was her counselor for four years.

“Sumer is a hard worker both on the court and in the classroom. She is a very determined young lady who has yet to reach her full potential athletically, so she has the chance to offer some depth in multiple positions,” Channell said. With a coaching staff similar to what she's experienced in high school and an opportunity to continue to develop as a player, she will be an asset in any position at Jackson State.”

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Morgan State Bears to face Howard University Bison under the lights in Beltway Showdown

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- It's official!

Morgan State's football program will not only have its first home night game since 2010, but it will also mark the Bears first home matchup against the Howard Bison in seven years.

The Bears will open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play when they host Beltway rival on Sept. 24 at Hughes Stadium. The actual kickoff time is set for 7 p.m.

Morgan State defeated the Bison in their last outing during a 21-13 victory at the 18th annual Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field. Redshirt senior quarterback Moses Skillon threw two touchdowns and MSU's offense compiled 419 yards against the Bison to help post the Bears first win of the 2015 season.

Lamont Brown III was named the Chicago Football Classic MVP. The redshirt junior led the Bears on the ground with 11 carries for 75 yards (6.8 avg).

The Bears lead the series against Howard with an overall record of 40-33-3. Morgan State has won 9 of the last 11 meetings against the Bison since 2005, including a stretch of 7-straight from 2005 to 2011.

The last time the Bears hosted Howard at Hughes Stadium was on October 15, 2009 in an ESPNU televised contest. Morgan State put its defense on display for the country as the Bears knocked off Howard 14-7. Devan James led the Bears on the ground with 103 yards on 22 carries and Carlton Jackson completed 10-of-28 passes for 150 yards, including a pair of touchdown passes.

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 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 MSU FOOTBALL TICKETS CAN BE YOURS! For ticket information click here.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

The STORM Experience: PVAMU High School Band Camp 2016

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The 2016 PVAMU High School Band Camp, this is the 1st High School camp under the administration of Dr. Zachery. Huge thanks to Prairie View A&M University for allowing us to bring it back. Storm members, Sodexo, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma and everyone else for the help provided.

The Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm under the direction of Dr. Tim Zachery. Follow The Storm's social media pages for updates and information!

Here is our brand new website, everything from history, directors, auditions, scholarships, contact information is on there, make sure you check it out. http://www.pvmarchingstorm.com,

Former Southern star Jose De Leon rising from 24th-round pick to top prospect

Deceptive fastball, knock-out changeup keeping hitters at bay

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma -- For a pitcher selected in the 24th round from Southern University in 2013, Jose De Leon finds himself being handled like a high-pick bonus baby by the Los Angeles Dodgers of late.

De Leon had an ankle sprain in March that was considered minor, yet he went through extended spring training and didn’t make his Triple-A debut with Oklahoma City until May 4. He “felt something” in his right, pitching shoulder after a start, was placed on the disabled list on May 16 and wasn’t activated until June 7.

“He was just another guy in the organization who could pitch when he was drafted,” Oklahoma City pitching coach Matt Herges. “He made himself into ‘the guy.’ It made us say, ‘OK, we have something here. Let’s keep him healthy.’ So really, it’s just him getting the innings under his belt to where he can handle a major league work load.”

Stunningly, De Leon has become the No. 2 prospect in the Los Angeles organization. The top prospect — Julio Urias, the No. 1 pitching prospect in baseball — is already with the Dodgers, having been called up May 27.

De Leon said his rise began during his second professional season, in 2015. He’d done well in his first year in the Rookie League and Class A. But the next year, in Advanced A with Rancho Cucamunga, he had a 1.67 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 37.2 innings in going 4-1. Promoted to the Double A Tulsa Drillers, he struck out 105 in 76.2 innings over 16 games with a 3.64 ERA.



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Hanson’s John Guienze the 2 inks with Southern University

NEW IBERIA, Louisiana -- A baseball showcase held May 25 at Southern University proved to be just that for Hanson graduate John Guienze — a chance to showcase his baseball talents and earn an invitation to play for the Jaguars.

“Me and my mom decided to go (to the showcase),” Guienze said this week after signing a letter of intent to play baseball at SU. “I was a pitcher there and I did fairly well. The coach pulled me aside and told me he wanted me to be a part of the team.”

Though he took a little time to make up his mind, Guienze said that after a vacation he took a visit to the north Baton Rouge campus and liked what he saw, including a nice new indoor practice facility that’s under construction.



“I think it’s a real good place for John,” Hanson head baseball coach Ryan Stoute said. “I was excited when things came full circle for him. He has a chance to play at a Division I school. Southern wins the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) year in and year out, and they have a chance to be in the playoffs every year.”

Guienze had visited Centenary College in Shreveport the week before the showcase at Southern, and liked the campus there as well. But he felt Southern was a better place for him, he said, not least becaCONuse it’s closer to home — less than two hours away from home as opposed to nearly four hours away.

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