XU Singleton's 3 at the buzzer beats Lady Bleu Devils

NEW ORLEANS — Kelsee Singleton, a career 17-percent shooter from 3-point range for Xavier University of Louisiana prior to Saturday, beat those odds and Dillard with one memorable shot.
     
The fifth-year senior center swished a trey at the buzzer to give the Gold Nuggets a 68-66 women's basketball victory against the Lady Bleu Devils in the Crosstown Classic at XULA's Convocation Center.
     
On an inbounds play that started on the XULA baseline with 2.4 seconds remaining, Mikayla Bates passed to Singleton, who beat the clock with her second 3-pointer of the game — her fifth of the season — and her first winning shot for XULA (13-7, 4-1 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference).
     
"I was wide open on the wing and called for it," Singleton said, "and I just felt really confident when it left my hand."
     
Bates' assist was her career-high seventh of the game.
     
Singleton's basket was one of two 3-pointers in the closing moments. With 8.2 seconds remaining, Alyssa Washington swished a three from the top of the key to give Dillard (12-6, 4-2) a 66-65 lead.
     
On Xavier's final possession, Adriiana Jackson nearly clinched a victory for Dillard with a back-tip as XULA guard Brittany Jackson frantically dribbled up court. But the loose ball rolled out of bounds in the corner next to the XULA bench, and the referees ruled that Dillard last touched the ball. One more opportunity awaited the Gold Nuggets.
    
"Dillard left Kelsee open for two seconds, and that's all she needed," XULA coach Bo Browder said. "I was happy to see Kelsee knock down that shot. She's a first-class young lady, a hard worker, and she's a senior. Seniors are supposed to make those kinds of plays for you."
     
XULA, winning for the seventh time in eight games and the seventh straight time at home, also got career highs of 17 points from Ireyon Keith and 13 from Jalyn Hodge. Jayla Nichols and Maya Trench scored eight points apiece, with Nichols grabbing a team-best eight rebounds and Trench producing a game-high four steals to become the first XULA freshman in eight seasons to reach 50.
     
Jackson scored a season-high 22 points for Dillard — she was 7-of-8 from the floor — Keona Favis and Shaelynn Moore scored 11 apiece, and Washington had nine points and nine rebounds. Moore and Washington entered averaging a combined 31.7 points per game, and Browder said he was proud of his defense for holding those two below their averages.
     
"It wasn't our best game," Browder said, "but it showed that we had played a lot of tough games this year. We weren't giving in."
     
XULA replaced Dillard as the GCAC's second-place team. If the Gold Nuggets can win Monday at Talladega, they'll ascend to first place by a half-game over the Lady Tornadoes.

BOX SCORE

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

Hilton named first men's golf coach in ASU history

HEAD COACH GARY HILTON

ALBANY, Georgia -- Gary Hilton is entering his first season as the head men's golf coach at Albany State University, which will be the program's inaugural season. Previously, Hilton led the Darton State College men's golf program from 2013-2016.

Hilton is also a former Darton State College golfer. He played for the Cavaliers from 2000-2002 and was a two-time team captain. During his playing days, Hilton helped begin the long winning streak of 15 straight Region XVII Golf Championships. He was on the school's first team to qualify for the NJCAA National Championships and was an all-region selection during his sophomore year. Hilton continued his collegiate golf career at Georgia Southwestern State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

During his tenure as Darton head coach, Hilton guided the Cavalier golf program to 13 tournament wins, including three Region XVII Championships and the 2014 District IV Championship. Hilton was named Region XVII Coach of the Year in all three of his seasons at Darton State College and District Coach of the year in 2014 during his first season at the helm.
In his first three seasons, Hilton's Cavalier golf teams finished the seasons nationally-ranked.

Hilton's program also produced student-athletes who were successful both academically and athletically. He coached three PING All-Americans, nine All-Region XVII selections & two national all-academic selections. Under Hilton's guidance, the Cavalier golf team continually sent student-athletes to the four-year colleges and universities at Division I, II, and II and NAIA levels.

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

West Virginia State University Names John Pennington Head Football Coach

INSTITUTE, West Virginia — After a nationwide search, West Virginia State University (WVSU) today (1/27/17) announced the hiring of John Pennington as the school's new Head Football Coach.

Pennington has served as the Yellow Jackets' Offensive Coordinator for the past two seasons and was the offensive line and special teams coach in 2010. He has been the interim head coach since December.

"I am appreciative that John Pennington will take the lead as the Head Coach for the Yellow Jackets football team," said WVSU President Anthony L. Jenkins. "His leadership as offensive coordinator and history within athletics will provide a direct impact to our student-athletes as they excel in football, but also in the classroom."

Under Pennington's direction, WVSU moved from next to last in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) in total offense in 2014 to third in 2016. The Yellow Jackets led the conference in passing in 2015 and were second in 2016 when starting quarterback Matt Kinnick missed several games due to an injury.

WVSU averaged 13.1 points per game in 2014 and saw that increase to 30.5 in Pennington's first season as offensive coordinator.

"I'm extremely honored and grateful to be the next Head Football Coach at West Virginia State," Pennington said. "I want to thank President Jenkins, Nate Burton, and the search committee for giving me this great opportunity." 

A Charleston native, Pennington was a star football and baseball player at George Washington High School and played wide receiver for West Virginia University.

 "Since becoming the Interim Head Coach, I have been blown away by the pride and passion of our alumni, faculty, and fans," he said. "We are going to build a Championship Program that develops young men into extraordinary leaders." 

"I am blessed to be able to stay home, raise my family here, and have a positive impact on the community I was raised in.  Go State!"

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at West Virginia Wesleyan in 2005. Pennington then spent two seasons in Montgomery coaching defensive backs, offensive linemen, and ran the strength and conditioning program.

Pennington has also served as the Offensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach of the semi-pro West Virginia Lightning football team based in Charleston. During his time with the Lightning, the team won two United States Football Association championships.

From February 2011 until coming to Institute he had been on the staff at Concord University. There he held a variety of positions including Special Teams Coordinator, Head Strength Coach, Wide Receivers Coach and Director of Football Operations.

"I am looking forward to seeing what our young men can accomplish on the field, in the classroom, and in the community under Coach Pennington," WVSU Athletic Director Nate Burton said. "After a nationwide search it became obvious that he was the right person for the job."

The Yellow Jackets posted a 3-8 record in 2016 but ended the season winning their final two games. The program returns eight starters on offense and 10 on defense for the 2017 season.

Among the offensive players who can return are record-setting quarterback Matt Kinnick, top receiver Quinton Gray, and leading rushers Juwan Etheredge and Dionta Brown. The defensive leaders coming back include linebacker Trent Williamson, defensive back Kevin Coffie, and linebacker Kaylan Striggle.

Pennington resides in Charleston with his wife Andrea and their children, Nolan, 5, Levi, 2, and newborn Ava.

Pennington replaces Jon Anderson, who returned to the University of Sioux Falls as the Head Football Coach.  Anderson came to WVSU from Sioux Falls, where he served as Defensive Coordinator.
 
Follow West Virginia State University on Facebook and Twitter @WVStateU.

WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Carter, DSU set for rough football slate vs. W. Va., Fla. State

DOVER, Delaware — Kenny Carter knows exactly what he’s getting into.

He’s the one who put this schedule together, after all.

So one year after getting crushed 79-0 by Missouri — a game in which 10 minutes were taken off the clock in the second half because it was so lopsided — the Delaware State football team is doubling down in 2017.

This year the Hornets are going to face two major-college programs.

On Sept. 16, DelState — which went 0-11 in 2016 — will play at West Virginia. Then, on Nov. 18, the Hornets will finish the season with a game at Florida State.

Both teams finished last year ranked in the top-20 in the national polls.

“I’m excited about it,” said Carter, who is entering his third season as DSU’s coach. “I like the way we have it structured. You always want to play up a level as much as you can. It doesn’t matter what our record was last year. We had a lot of young players who will be good players and this is a way to test them.”

CONTINUE READING

Howard University football to face UNLV in 2017 season opener

Howard Bison On the Road September 16 as new Head Coach Mike London faces his former team the Richmond Spiders.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- The UNLV football team will open the 2017 season against Howard University on Sept. 2 at Sam Boyd Stadium, the university announced Tuesday.

“We’re excited to face a program with a long history and proud tradition,” UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said. “They have a new coaching staff so I know they’ll be fired up and so will we, and we’re excited to open the year at home.”

It’s the first meeting between UNLV and Howard, a historically black college (HBCU) in Washington, D.C. The Bisons are led by first-year coach Mike London, a former head coach at Virginia.

This is the second season of a three-year partnership between UNLV and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to have the Rebels open against a HBCU opponent. Last season, UNLV defeated Jackson State 63-13.

“Last year’s first game in this partnership with the LVCVA saw Jackson State come in for a memorable season opener that drew a lot of new fans to our stadium, and we know that Howard University will do the same this fall,” UNLV athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy said. “This series does a great job in helping the LVCVA promote our community and program, and we can’t wait to kick off the season against the Bisons.”

Howard’s “Showtime” marching band will make the trip to Las Vegas and will “appear at another event in the community as well as at the stadium for a halftime show.”

CONTINUE READING

Honda Battle of the Bands 2017 Showcase Rocks Atlanta

Wilson Central's Ray Coggins commits to TSU

LEBANON, Tennessee -- Wilson Central senior defensive back Ray Coggins has committed to play football at Tennessee State University.

Coggins announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday morning, posting from his account, “It’s been a long and tough journey but I finally found a place to call home at Tennessee State University.”

Coggins, who had previously committed to Eastern Kentucky in early July, is a three-star prospect and the state’s 48th-ranked prospect according to 247Sports.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Coggins tallied 22 tackles and an interception as a senior last season, helping lead the Wildcats to an 8-3 record — their best regular-season finish since 2011.

CONTINUE READING