SCSU tennis teams hope for happier ending at Chapel Hill

The postseason plans for the South Carolina State tennis teams might as well been scripted by a wedding planner - something old, something new and something (powder) blue.

On Thursday, the men’s and women’s teams learned their reward for winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles was another trip down Tobacco Road to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For the second time in three years, the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs will face the University of North Carolina on its homecourt at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center next weekend.

The SCSU women (13-3), will face the 15th-seed Lady Tar Heels (17-8) on May 9 starting at 10 a.m. The following day, the SCSU men (18-3) will face 12th-seed UNC (19-5) at the same time.

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Coppin State Lady Eagles reloads with Endia Word

Photo: Endia Word (photo: courtesy Danville Register & Bee)

CHATHAM, Virginia — Chatham’s Endia Word has found her new family. A day after teammate Kelly Montgomery committed to Gardner-Webb University to play softball, the second of the Cavaliers’ five senior basketball players put pen to paper on Wednesday. Word signed a full scholarship to play basketball for Coppin State University in Baltimore.

The 6-foot-2 center averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game and blocked 41 shots for Chatham in 2007-08. And now she takes her size and low post ability to the Eagles (23-12), who were knocked out of the first round of the NCAA tournament last month by Maryland. “I am elated,” Word said. “This has pretty much been all excitement for me.”

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Grambling signs Missouri's Darwin Price

Photo: Normandy's Darwin Price competes in the 1600-meter run at last Saturday's Marion Freeman Invitational. (photo: Paul Kopsky/STLtoday Prep Sports)

It's hard to know where to start when writing an article about Saint Louis, Missouri Normandy High School senior Darwin Price.

Price, one of the top amateur boxers in the country, is competing in track and field. Perhaps it's more accurate to say he's dominating track and field - at least the long-distance events.Heading into this past weekend, Price, the North Suburban Journals Athlete of the Week, had the best St. Louis area times in the 800 meters (1:54.57), 1600 meters (4:17.50) and the 3,200 meters (9:24.66).

His next big challenge will be college. Thanks to his 3.875 grade point average, Price earned a scholarship to Grambling State University in Louisiana, where he plans to compete in cross country, track and field and somehow also try to keep his boxing skills up. "I'm very excited," he said of going to Grambling. "I'm ready to go. No offense to my family, but I'm ready for something new."

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FAMU's Joe Taylor announce expected football starters

Photo: FAMU head football coach Joe Taylor.

Potential players are still calling FAMU football coach Joe Taylor, but they'll have to wait in line unless they bring what it takes to upend projected starters. But for now, Taylor is comfortable with the two players he's determined fit the play each position on defense and offense.

On Tuesday, Taylor released a two-deep chart which he hopes will stay intact when his players return in August (see below). "I'm excited," he said. "When you see them bonding and pushing each other that's a sign that they're making progress.

He also said there are about 35 players who are attempting to join the team. Most of them will be competing for just under three remaining scholarships this fall.

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FAMU’S TWO-DEEP TEAM CHART

Offense

LT -(a) #51 Kwame Akkebela, 6-4/255, JR, Orlando, FL - Jones HS
(b) #76 DeWayne Lanier, 6-7/315, RS JR, Aurora, CO - Grandview HS

LG -(a) #60 Anthony Collins, 6-3/355, RS JR, Miami, FL - Pace HS
(b) #78 Franklin Carter, 6-3/370, SO, Orlando, FL - Dr. Philips HS

C - (a) #64 Steve Brazzle, 6-4 /328 SR, Coatesville,PA - Coatesville HS
(b) #51 Kwame Akkebela, 6-4/255, JR, Orlando, FL - Jones HS

RG – (a) #61 Javier Wallace, 6-3/270, SR, Austin, TX - LBJ HS
(b) #79 Gerald Poke, 6-6/270, RS SO, Orlando, FL - Boone HS

RT – (a) #75 Robert Okeafor, 6-4/295, JR, Jacksonville, FL - Wolfson HS
(b) #73 Christopher Sands, 6-8/315, RS SO, Tallahassee, FL - Leon HS

X – (a) #80 Isaac West, 6-2/200 SO, Tallahassee, FL - Lincoln HS
(b)#15 Javares Knight, 6-4/190 RS JR, Tallahassee, FL - FAMU DRS

QB- (a) #8 Eddie Battle, 6-2/215, RS SO, Titusville, FL - Astronaut HS
(b) #6 Robert Love, 5-11/190 RS SO, Pahokee, FL - Pahokee HS

Z – (a) #5 Kevin Elliott, 6-3/195, SO, Orlando, FL - Colonial HS
(b) #87 Adrian Smith, 6-2/175 RS JR, Lakeland, FL - Kathleen HS

TB – (a) #30 Philip Sylvester, 5-10/185, SO, Marianna, FL - Marianna HS
(b) #23 Demitric Henry, 5-9/175, JR, Gifford, FL - Vero Beach HS

FB – (a) #43 Mykel Benson, 6-0/240, JR, Palm Bay, FL - Bayside HS
(b) #39 Kalum Harris, 5-10/215, SR, Miami, FL - Southridge HS

TE –(a) #82 Taj Jenkines, 6-4/225, SR, Jacksonville, FL - Clarksville HS
(b) #11Tobias Lee, 6-4/215, SO, Troy, AL - Pike County HS


Defense

DE – (a) #99 Joseph Wims, 6-5/250, RS JR, Miami, FL - Carol City HS
(b) #81 Max Purcel, 6-2/240, SO, Orlando, FL - Edgewater HS

NT – (a) #71 Cameron Houston, 6-0/285, SO, Rockledge, FL - Rockledge HS
(b) Ronald Jackson

OT – (a) #63 Demetris Lane, 6-2/295, RS JR, Hollywood, FL - Pace HS
(b) #93 Lymon Reed, 5-11/271, RS JR, Tampa, FL - Chamberlain HS

DE – (a) #97 Kendrick Washington, 6-5/245, SO, Sebastion River (HS), FL
(b) #91 Marquiste Ramos, 6-5/245, JR, Bayside, FL - Bayside HS

CB – (a) #1 Qier Hall, 6-2/175, SO, Cocoa Beach, FL - Cocoa HS
(b) #18 Gregory Clark, 5-8/180, RS SO, Tampa, FL - Durant HS

S – (a) #57 Bryan Parker, 6-3/220, RS JR, Randlestown (HS), MD - Ariz. Western JC
(b) #94 Dozell Varner, 6-1/225, RS JR, Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Plantation HS

MLB –(a) #44 Vernon Wilder, 6-0/248, RS SR, Miami, FL - Carol City HS
(b) #41 Alvis Graham, 6-2/225, SO, Orlando, FL - Colonial HS

MLB – (a) #55 Alphonso Walker III, 6-2/215, SO, Eustis, FL -Eustis HS
(b) #51 Darious Nobles, 6-2/210, JR, Lynn Haven, FL - Mosley HS

CB – (a) #24 Curtis Holcomb, 5-10/170, SO, Miami, FL - Southridge HS
(b) #12 Donovan Johnson, 5-11/181, SR, Miami, FL - B. T. Washington HS

FS – (a) #38 Fabian Wilson, 5-11/180, SR, Bushnell, FL - South Sumter HS
(b) #48 Victoriano Arboleda, 5-10/190, SR, Tampa, FL - Middleton HS

SS – (a) #31 Greg Harvey, 5-10/185 SO, Largo, FL -Largo HS
(b) #21 Michael McCreary, 5-9/180, JR, Deerfield Beach, FL - Deerfield Beach HS


Rattlers fans: Each player class ranking shown is projected for Fall 2008. We are currently seeking information on NT Ronald Jackson as he is not showing on previous Rattlers football rosters. This should give you a little more insight on our size for next season for the (a) starters and (b) back ups.

-beepbeep

Atlantic hoops star, C.J. Reed to play for father at BCU

PORT ORANGE, Florida -- The son has officially joined his father's program.

C.J. Reed, the three-year starting guard from Atlantic's boys basketball team, signed to play for Bethune-Cookman. He will suit up for his father, Clifford Reed, who just happens to be the Wildcats' head coach. The younger Reed's final decision came down to either B-CU, Wofford or Mercer.

"It had nothing to do with staying home, it was just that I wanted to help my dad win and put (Bethune-Cookman) over the top," C.J. Reed said. "I would love the idea of being the first Cookman team in history to win the MEAC and make the NCAAs."

While visiting Wofford, Reed had a chance to watch some of Davidson's run through the NCAA tournament. Since Wofford actually plays in the same conference as Davidson -- and its national star, Stephen Curry -- it was tantalizing to Reed, but in the end, family ties helped make the decision for him.

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Bethune Cookman signs N.J. combo guard, Stanley Elliot

Stanley Elliot had lost some promising offers for unspecified reasons, but never lost hope. His faith and persistence will be rewarded today when the the 6-3 guard from Science Park in Newark signs a national letter of intent to attend Bethune-Cookman in Daytona, Fla., on a basketball scholarship.

Elliot, a forward at Science Park but projected as a combo guard in college, had been passed over in recent months by the likes of LaSalle, Bowling Green, Hofstra and LIU. Elliot chose Bethune-Cookman ahead of Central Arkansas, Western Illinois and Lock Haven after making an official visit to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference school last weekend.

Elliot averaged almost 12 points a game last season to help Science Park (29-3) win the Group 1 championship and reach the Tournament of Champions final, where it bowed to St. Anthony of Jersey City. Colleges likely backed off once they'd signed bigger guards and forwards. But once Bethune-Cookman coach Clifford Reed saw tapes, he continued to reach out to Elliot because of his versatility and athleticism.

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NFL After-Party Signings

Photo: Morgan State University All-American RB, Chad Simpson signs a free agent contract with the Colts.

The 2008 NFL Draft is not an exact science; the reason for all the free agency signings after the big two day draft party. Like always, the majority of the MEAC and SWAC players that are provided an opportunity to make the league are picked up on the cheap at the day after signing party. This year is no different than prior years, with the exception that a few of these players will make the final rosters.

The 2008 free agent signings that will be reporting to mini-camps this Friday are:

Jacksonville Jaguars
Clyde Edwards, WR; Grambling State University
Brian Witherspoon, CB, Stillman College

Arizona Cardinals
Thaddeus Coleman, T, Mississippi Valley State University
Jason Banks, DT, Grambling State University

Seattle Seahawks
DeMichael Dizer, CB, Grambling State University

Dallas Cowboys
Marcus Dixon, DE, Hampton University

Indianapolis Colts
Curtis Johnson, DE, Clark-Atlanta University
Chad Simpson, RB/KR, Morgan State University

Cleveland Browns
James Lee, OT, South Carolina State University
DeShawn Baker, RB, South Carolina State University

Detroit Lions
Rudy Hardie, DE, Howard University
Bobbie Williams, DB, Bethune Cookman University

Philadelphia Eagles
Shaheer McBride, WR, Delaware State University

Buffalo Bills
Jason Jones, WR, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

St. Louis Rams
Vernon Bryant, DT, Hampton University

Washington Redskins
Bryan Wilson, LB, Morgan State University

Tennessee Titans
Eddie Williams, WR, Lane College

San Diego Chargers
Lamar Divens, DT, Tennessee State University