Grambling using spring football as teaching tool

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — For the two first two years of Broderick Fobbs' tenure, Grambling football players did what they were asked without fully grasping the underlying theme.

The results were more than acceptable — 16 wins and a Southwestern Athletic Conference title berth — but the Tigers are looking to take the next step, and year three is beginning with an emphasis on learning why the program operates the way it operates.

"Our focus this spring is to teach. It's not a blood and guts spring for us," Fobbs said last week. "It's about teaching and getting people in the right place and understanding why they're doing what they're doing.

"I think they're starting to understand that."

Grambling is amid a near two-week long hiatus of practice for spring break, and the Tigers have just had one week of practice due to flooding that hit the area earlier this month.

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Hargrave, Hemingway head up SCSU's Pro Day prospects

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- History has already been made. But more is in the making just around the corner.

When South Carolina State football players Javon Hargrave and Temarrick Hemingway attended the NFL Combine in Indianapolis a month ago, they were the first Bulldogs teammates to be invited to the event with other top draft-eligible college players in the same year.

Both had strong performances there and are in town training for Wednesday’s SCSU Pro Day workouts inside Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg. If they have solid showings in the pro day workouts, both could hear their names called higher than previously projected during the 2016 NFL Draft, which starts on April 28 in Chicago.

Couple that with fact that the interest they’ve received from NFL team scouts could mean a large turnout of scouts on SCSU’s campus to see them and some of their former teammates (including Jalen “Scoot” Simmons, Antonio Hamilton and Dondre Lewis-Freeman) work out, and it’s obvious that this could be the most pro football consideration one group of SCSU players has ever garnered.

“Both guys (Hargrave and Hemingway) had a plan when they got here; a plan to get better at football and a plan to graduate early, so they wouldn’t have to worry about this time of year and trying to get prepared for the pro guys along with classes,” South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough said. “That plan was as impressive as anything they’ve done here. “Antonio Hamilton did the same deal; so I can say this is a good, smart group of guys representing our program and our university.”



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XU's Quincy qualifies for NAIA nationals in women's 400

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana's Kayla Quincy ran the women's 400-meter dash in 57.06 seconds Saturday to place fifth at the Louisiana Classics track and field meet and qualify for the NAIA National Championships.
    
Quincy, a junior, is XU's first this year to qualify for the national meet May 26-28 at Gulf Shores, Ala. She met the NAIA's B-qualifying standard of 57.36 seconds.
    
Also recording team-leading season-best times for the Gold Nuggets were Chelsea James in the 100 (12.34), Maliya Vaughan in the 800 (2:28.88) and 1,500 (5:07.61), Dionysia Love in the 5,000 (20:17.18) and Tylor Row in the 400 hurdles (1:11.86).
    
The Gold Rush got team-leading season-best times from Ethan Gipson in the 100 (11.32), Ammiel Williams in the 400 (53.46), Erwin Simmons in the 110 hurdles (17.36) and 400 hurdles (1:08.98) and Christopher Kennie in the long jump (6.57 meters / 21 feet, 6 3/4 inches).
    
Vaughan placed 10th in the 1,500, and Clarke Allen was seventh in the triple jump (10.62 meters / 34-10 1/4). For the Gold Rush, Darrick Williams ran seventh in the 5,000 (19:42.79), and Kennie was 10th in the long jump and matched the longest distance of his XU career.
    
The meet was Xavier's third of the outdoor season. Louisiana-Lafayette was the host school. Next for the Rush and Nuggets will be the Mississippi College Twilight Invitational at Clinton, Miss., on Friday.
    
Here are all of Xavier's Saturday results from the Louisiana Classics:

Women
    
100: Chelsea James, 15th in 12.34; Destini Thomas, 22nd in 12.66; Martina Wright, 23rd in 12.67; Alexis Milton, 27th in 12.85; Katelynn McMorris, 28th in 12.87; Kailey Williams, 30th in 12.93; Kee-Myah Henderson, 35th in 13.27
  
400: Kayla Quincy, 5th in 57.06; Chinyere Jones, 27th in 1:01.30; Janelle Jones, 28th in 1:01.48; Ky'Reon McBride, 30th in 1:02.62; Terri Cunningham, 31st in 1:03.98
    
800: Maliya Vaughan, 21st in 2:28.88; Chinyere Jones, 25th in 2:31.74; Brianna Pace, 31st in 2:35.50
    
1,500: Maliya Vaughan, 10th in 5:07.61
   
5,000: Dionysia Love, 11th in 20:17.18; Brianna Pace, 14th in 22:02.20; Hannah Finnegan, 15th in 22:32.15; Maliya Vaughan, 16th in 22:51.76
    
400 Relay: Martina Wright, Destini Thomas, Clarke Allen, Chelsea James, 9th in 48.90.
    
1,600 Relay: Chinyere Jones, Kailey Williams, Ky'Reon McBride, Kayla Quincy, 5th in 4:01.84
    
100 Hurdles: Tylor Row, 26th in 21.16
    
400 Hurdles: Tylor Row, 20th in 1:11.86
    
 Triple Jump: Clarke Allen, 7th in 10.62 meters (34 feet, 10 1/4 inches)

Men
    
100: Ethan Gipson, 37th in 11.32
    
400: Ammiel Williams, 28th in 53.46; Langston Adams, 30th in 54.71
   
 800: Ammiel Williams, 29th in 2:04.77
    
1,500: Christopher August, 17th in 4:15.10; 29th in 4:38.57; Darrick Williams, 31st in 5:00.86
    
5,000: Darrick Williams, 7th in 19:42.79; Christopher August, did not finish
    
110 Hurdles: Erwin Simmons, 29th in 17.36
    
400 Hurdles: Erwin Simmons, 24th in 1:08.98
    
Long Jump: Christopher Kennie, 10th in 6.57 meters (21 feet, 6 3/4 inches); Keairez Coleman, 16th in 6.04 meters (19 feet, 9 3/4 inches)
    
Triple Jump: Keairez Coleman, 7th in 13.01 meters (42 feet, 8 1/4 inches)

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Williams, Gipson lead Xavier at Louisiana Classics

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana  -- Senior Kailey Williams and freshman Ethan Gipson produced Xavier University of Louisiana's best times Friday in the 200-meter dash at the Louisiana Classics track and field meet.
    
Williams placed 26th in the women's division with a season-best time of 26.06 seconds. Gipson was 32nd in the men's race in 23.36.
    
There is no team scoring in the two-day meet, which will conclude Saturday. The Gold Nuggets are scheduled to compete in the 100, 400, 800, 1,500, 5,000, 100 hurdles, 400 and 1,600 relays, long jump and triple jump. The Gold Rush will compete in the 100, 400, 800, 1,500, 5,000, 110 hurdles, 400 hurdles, long jump, shot put and triple jump.
    
The meet is Xavier's third of the outdoor season. Louisiana-Lafayette is the host school.
    
Here are all of Xavier's Friday results from the Louisiana Classics:

Women
    
200: Kailey Williams, 26th in 26.06; Janelle Jones, 33rd in 26.30; Alexis Milton, 34th in 26.33; Martina Wright, 35th in 26.46; Destini Thomas, 38th in 26.56; Katelyn McMorris, 40th in 26.97; Kee-Myah Henderson, 41st in 27.13.

Men
    
200: Ethan Gipson, 32nd in 23.36; Langston Adams, 37th in 23.86.

Results:  Men    Women


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Four from Xavier receive GCAC's weekly awards

NEW ORLEANS — Four from Xavier University of Louisiana received Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player or Performer of the Week awards for March 14-20.
    
The GCAC honored Sha'Nel Bruins in women's tennis, Clarke Allen in women's field, Ammiel Wi
lliams in men's track and Keairez Coleman in men's field.
    
Bruins, a junior from Colfax, La., and a graduate of Grant High School, won in doubles and singles in a 7-2 home victory against Schreiner of NCAA Division III. Bruins clinched the dual with a 6-1, 6-2 victory against Abby Knedlik at No. 3 singles. She won 8-3 at No. 2 doubles with Dasia Harris against Kelsey Buczkowski and Katie Watts.
    
Allen, a sophomore from Mendenhall, Miss., and a graduate of Mendenhall High School, placed sixth in the triple jump in the Rhodes Invitational at Memphis, Tenn., and barely missed breaking the XU record for the second time this season. Her best mark of 10.84 meters (35 feet, 6 3/4 inches) was two-hundredths of a meter less than her best mark. The following day she posted top-10 finishes in the 400 relay and 200.
    
Williams, a sophomore from Los Angeles and a graduate of Hamilton High School, placed 42nd in the 800-meter run at Rhodes in 2 minutes, 7.38 seconds and 64th in the mile in 5:17.23.
    
Coleman — a freshman from Harrisville, Miss., and, like Allen, a Mendenhall graduate — produced a pair of top-10 finishes at Rhodes. He was seventh in the long jump in 6.07 meters (19-11) and 10th in the triple jump in 12.35 (40-6 1/4).
    
The GCAC award is Bruins' third this season and fourth of her career. Allen and Coleman are two-time GCAC field winners this season, and Williams' award is his first. Allen also won a GCAC track award in 2015.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Death of Danny Johnson saddens Alabama A&M University

DANNY JOHNSON
COURTESY AAMU ATHLETICS

HUNTSVILLE -- Alabama A&M student-athlete Danny Johnson died Thursday from injuries sustained in an auto wreck.

"This is a tragic loss for the Alabama A&M University family," said Director of Athletics Bryan Hicks. "Danny was a fine young man, a hard worker on the field and off.

"Our condolences go out to the Johnson family."

A sophomore, he was a two-year starter for the Bulldogs football team.

"It is with great sadness that we share the tragic news of Danny's passing," said Head Coach James Spady. "He and his brother
Devon were two of our first signees.

"Danny was an important member of our football family and a fine student. We ask everyone to join us in prayer for his family and keep them in your thoughts in this time of sadness."

Last season, Johnson was second on the team with 30 solo tackles and he broke up four passes.

In 2014, his freshman year, Johnson received an honorable mention as Defensive Back Performer of the Week by College Football Performance Awards.

He blocked a point-after try which proved to be the margin of victory in Alabama A&M's 37-36 win over Alabama State in the Magic City Classic. Johnson also had an endzone interception and 5 tackles for the Bulldogs in the game.

Funeral arrangements will be announced.
 
COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Garvin Named NABC District 15 Coach of the Year, Eaves Selected To All-District Team

KANSAS CITY, Missouri  – South Carolina State head men's basketball coach Murray Garvin was named the 2016 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) District 15 Coach of the Year, while junior guard Eric Eaves was selected to the Division I All-District Second team, announced by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

 

All award winners were selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC, which highlights and represent the finest basketball players and coaches across America.

 

"It's an honor to be selected by the NABC as District 15 Coach of the Year. When I look at the list of coaches that represent their particular district and who have earned this award, I am truly appreciative to be recognized along with them," said Garvin. "I am also proud of E.J. Eaves for being selected Second Team All- District.  As we all know with success comes recognition and we accept these honors on behalf of our entire basketball team and South Carolina State University."
 

GARVIN in his third full season at the helm earned his second Coach of the Year honor this season. He was also named MEAC Coach of the Year for the first time after leading the Bulldogs to a 12-4 record in conference play. Garvin guided the SC State to a 19-15 overall record, the best regular-season finish since 2005. The Bulldogs advanced to the MEAC Championship game and earned a CIT postseason tournament bid by CollegeInsider.com.

 

EAVES (6-3, 185) also earned All-MEAC Second Team honors. He led the Bulldogs in scoring this season with 17.1 ppg (513 points), while shooting over .517% (167-of-323) from the field. He scored over 20+ points in 12 games or more and tossed in a career-high 35 points in the home-finale against Bethune-Cookman (3/3/16).

 

For more information on South Carolina State Athletics visit www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060.
 
2016 NABC UPS DIVISION I ALL-DISTRICT COACHES

District 1:       King Rice, Monmouth                             

District 2:       Roy Williams, North Carolina                 

District 3:       Tony Jasick, Jacksonville                         

District 4:       Mark Schmidt, St. Bonaventure              

District 5:       Jay Wright, Villanova                              

District 6:       Bill Evans, Idaho State                            

District 7:       Tom Crean, Indiana                                                        

District 8:       Tubby Smith, Texas Tech                        

District 9:       Randy Bennett, Saint Mary's                  

District 10:     Kevin Keatts, UNC Wilmington                                    

District 11:     Jerod Haase, UAB                                   

District 12:     Bryce Drew, Valparaiso                           

District 13:     James Jones, Yale                                                           

District 14:     Keith Dambrot, Akron                                                           

District 15:     Murray Garvin, South Carolina State

District 16:     Gregg Marshall, Wichita State

District 17:     Steve Fisher, San Diego State

District 18:     Greg Herenda, Fairleigh Dickinson

District 19:     Dana Ford, Tennessee State

District 20:     Dana Altman, Oregon

District 21:     Billy Kennedy, Texas A&M

District 22:     Matt McCall, Chattanooga

District 23:     Brad Underwood, Stephen F. Austin

District 24:     Chris Beard, Arkansas – Little Rock

District 25:     Fran Dunphy, Temple

 

District 15

First Team

James Daniel III, Howard

Quinton Chievous, Hampton

Reginald Johnson, Hampton

Jeff Short, Norfolk State

Dominique Elliott, MD-Eastern Shore

 

Second Team

Eric Eaves, South Carolina State

Devin Martin, MD-Eastern Shore

Sam Hunt, North Carolina A&T

Jordan Potts, Bethune-Cookman

Brian Darden, Hampton

 

To see complete list click here

 

About the National Association of Basketball Coaches

Located in Kansas City, MO, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Phog Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas.  Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game.  The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men's basketball coaches.  All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today's student-athletes.  The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education.  Additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, can be found at www.nabc.com.

 

COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS