wEll DONE

After over 35 years of serving on The Hill, Alabama A&M director of athletics, Betty Austin, announced her retirement earlier this week.

NOVEMBER 8-15, 2011

FOllOw Us

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And Now There Were...

JIM HOGUE

Norfolk State (8-2, 6-1) Currently has a share of the MEAC title. Can win it outright with a victory Saturday.
Remaining Games: Nov. 12: @Morgan State

Alabama A&M (6-2, 5-1) Still in the drivers seat for the East title.
Remaining Games: Nov. 12: Jackson St., Nov. 19: @PVA&M

Bethune-Cookman (6-3, 4-2) Can earn MEAC title with a win and one loss by both Norfolk and South Carolina State.
Remaining Games: Nov. 12: @Savannah St., Nov. 19: FAMU

Alabama State (6-2, 6-1) The Hornets need to win out and have the Bulldogs to slip up once.
Remaining Games: Nov. 12: Southern, Nov. 19: Tuskegee

Florida A&M (6-3, 4-2) Can earn a share of the title if they win out and Norfolk falls to Morgan State.
Remaining Games: Nov. 12: @N.C. Central, Nov. 19: B-CU

Prairie View A&M (4-5, 4-3) The Panthers can play in their second title game in three years if they can win out.
Remaining Games: Nov. 12: @Alcorn St., Nov. 19: AA&MU

Isidore Jackson (32) celebrates a touchdown with Nathaniel Curry. Their 49-23 win over Morgan State keeps them in the MEAC title chase.

South Carolina St. (5-4, 4-2) Can earn a share of the title if they win out, Norfolk loses and Bethune beats FAMU.

Grambling State (5-4, 4-3) The Tigers are still alive if they can win out and PVA&M loses their last two.
Remaining Games: Nov. 12: Tx. So., Nov. 26: Southern

Two weeks left and two teams have been eliminated from the MEAC race. With North Carolina A&T falling to FAMU and Hampton taking it on the chin to Howard, the field has been whittled down to five The showdown between Norfolk and Morgan in Baltimore is still a MEAC title game, of sorts. The Spartans win, theyre the champs. If not, the title will be split. The same six teams are still alive in the SWAC but things are starting to clear up and we may lose a team or two this weekend. The Jaguars of Southern face the biggest challenge on the road when they face an Alabama State team that needs to keep up with Alabama A&M.

Remaining Games: Nov. 12: N.C. A&T, Nov. 19: Savannah State

Morgan State (5-4, 4-2) Can earn a share of the title if they win out and FAMU tops Bethune.

UAPB (4-5, 3-4) The Golden Lions win out, GSU loses twice and PVA&M loses once.
Remaining Games: Nov. 12: @MVSU, Nov. 19: Tx. So.

Remaining Games: Nov. 12: Norfolk State, Nov. 19: @Hampton

If Norfolk State loses, they will have to share the MEAC title. With who? We wont find out until the 19th.

Southern (3-6, 3-4) The Jags need to win their remaining games and both UAPB and PVA&M lose twice.
Remaining Games: Nov. 12: @Ala. St., Nov. 26: GSU

FlAwlEss Winston-Salem State used a punishing rushing attack to stay unbeaten when they defeated UNCPembroke, 34-7 on Saturday. The 10-0 Rams will face Elizabeth City State for the CIAA football Championship in Durham this Saturday. GOlDEN All three of Xaviers fall teams won conference championships in 2011. The volleyball team won its first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference title in only its fourth year in existence while both the mens and womens cross country teams won its sixth consecutive GCAC title.
SCORES
FOOTBALL
Saturday, November 5 Virginia Union 17, Fayetteville State 14 Elizabeth City State 39, Lincoln (Pa) 14 Chowan 38, Bowie State 35 Johnson C. Smith 31, Livingstone 0 St. Augustines 20, Shaw 16 Winston-Salem State 34, UNC Pembroke 7 North Carolina Central 14, Delaware State 7 Bethune-Cookman 49, Morgan State 23 Howard 10, Hampton 7 Norfolk State 45, Savannah State 3 Florida A&M 26, North Carolina A&T 20 Morehouse 28, Kentucky State 24 Tuskegee 27, Miles 25 Lane 19, Benedict 13 Albany State 38, Fort Valley State 29 Alabama State 28, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 14 Grambling State 26, Jackson State 23 Alabama A&M 28, Alcorn State 14 Texas State 34, Prairie View A&M 26 Texas Southern 29, Southern 15 Fairmont State 35, West Virginia State 31 Austin Peay State 40, Central State 0 Central Missouri 49, Lincoln (Mo) 6 C.W. Post 42, Cheyney 27 Tennessee State 18, Eastern Illinois 17 Langston 24, Texas College 14 Thursday, November 3 Stillman 16, Clark-Atlanta 6 Gardner-Webb 34, Virginia State 13 South Alabama 35, Mississippi Valley State 3

Lady Falcons Capture Title

Hampton, VaThey faced match point. And it never fazed them. The St. Augustines Lady Falcons, who only reached the CIAA Volleyball Tournament semifinals by virtue of a tiebreaker, completed their Cinderella run through the tournament by knocking off the leagues mightiest program, the two-time defending CIAA champion Chowan Hawks, 3-2 in thrilling fashion in the league championship on Saturday at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton, Va. It is the programs 19th CIAA championship and its first since 2003. But it may be the teams most unlikely title. The Lady Falcons entered the tournament just 13-15 and needed a rocket ride through the tournament just to even think about the NCAA playoffs. Now they are there. St. Augustines won the match despite losing the first two sets, prevailing by the scores of 20-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23 and 17-15. Weve been fighting all year, trying to get over the hump, said St. Augustines coach Nikki Bynum. We stayed together as a family and worked hard. Thats how you get moments like this. But it was another moment, trailing 2423 in the third set, that set the stage for the Lady Falcons dramatic rebirth. I was just praying to God, Ladies, lets just get one point. One more point, said Kathryn Tokarski, who was named as the tournaments Most Valuable Player. One point. One point at a time and we can do this. St. Augustines got that point, and then another, and then one more, extending the match to a fourth set that no one outside of perhaps the Lady Falcons saw coming. Neither team built more than a threepoint the rest of the match. The lead changed hands five times and the teams tied 15 times in the fourth set, a steady match of equal parts attrition and brilliant play. The Lady Falcons trailed by two three times in the waning points 19-17, 21-19, 23-21 before digs to fight off the Hawks relentless offensive attack. Smith led St. Augustines with 46 assists while Brittany Hicks added 13 kills. But it was Tokarski and Parris who seemed to come up with every important point and there were several of them. Its been like that the whole season, said Bynum. Theyre our 1-2 punch. You defend one, the other is coming right after her. They attack, they dig, they serve theyre irreplaceable. And they have long memories. We lost to Chowan in the finals last year, and we just couldnt go through that again, said Tokarski, her eyes wet with tears of joy and satisfaction. It was anyones game, and I think this time we just wanted it more than them. Chowan head coach Peter Green said the Hawks failed to capitalize on their greatest opportunities. We allowed St. Augs to get momentum, and thats when they become a very dangerous team, Green said. Monica Ruffin led the Hawks with 17 kills while CIAA Player of the year Tori Lewis added 15 kills and a match-high 25 digs. Karina Monroe added 14 kills while Callie Armistead had a tournament-high 62 kills, six away from the Chowan school record. Tara Thomalla added 21 digs for the Hawks, who struggled with 13 service errors. While Chowan awaits its fate, St. Augustines knows its season will go on. Its been an emotional season, and there have been a lot of ups and downs, said Parris. Weve been through so much, but we came together at the right time. Everybody became a single unit. St. Augs Parris, Tokarski, Smith and Victoria Davis and Chowans Lewis, Monroe and Ruffin were each named to the All-Tournament team, which was rounded out with Kiara Brown (Winston-Salem State) and Joi Emanuel (Fayetteville State). theciaa.com

Senior Keisha Parris clinched the victory with a kill for a 17-15 win in the deciding fifth set which sparked off a celebration on the Lady Falcons side of the net.

closing on a 4-0 spurt to keep the match and their season alive. The fifth set mirrored the others, though St. Augustines built an early advantage with a 10-7 lead. This time the two-time defending champions showed their mettle, rallying to tie the game at 10. With tension building with each point, the teams traded service breaks until St. Augustines reached its first match point at 14-13. Still, Chowan (26-8), which finished the CIAA regular season unbeaten before losing two of its last three matches at the tournament, came back, fighting off two match points of their own until Keisha Parris sent home her 20th kill and the Lady Falcons 58th to claim the league championship at 17-15. We were just determined, said Parris, who was named to the All-Tournament team along with Tokarski, Victoria Davis and Roxanne Smith. We never got down. It was always about just playing the next point. Parris led the Falcons offensive attack, adding 13 digs and five assists. Tokarski had 15 kills to go with a team-high 18 digs as five Lady Falcons players recorded 10 or more

THE YARD

wEEK OF NOVEMBER 8TH

COLLEGEFOOTBALL
STANDINGS Games Through: November 7, 2011
NOrTh x Elizabeth City St. Virginia State Bowie State Virginia Union Lincoln (Pa) Chowan Conference W L PCT 5 1 .833 4 3 .571 3 3 .500 2 4 .333 2 4 .333 1 5 .167

CIAA

All Games W L PCT 7 2 .750 5 4 .556 4 5 .444 4 5 .444 2 7 .222 2 7 .222 All Games W L PCT 9 0 1.000 4 5 .444 4 5 .444 4 5 . 444 2 7 .222 1 8 .125

Conference SOuTh W L PCT x WSSU 7 0 1.000 Fayetteville State 4 2 .667 St. Augustines 3 3 .500 J. C. Smith 3 3 .500 Shaw 2 4 .333 Livingstone 0 6 .000
Saturday, November 12 2011 CIAA Football Championships Winston-Salem State at Elizabeth City State

Norfolk State Bethune-Cookman Florida A&M SC State Morgan State Howard Hampton NC A&T Savannah State NC Central Delaware State

Conference W L PCT 6 1 .833 4 2 .600 4 2 .600 4 2 .667 4 2 .800 4 3 .500 3 3 .600 3 3 .600 1 5 .200 1 5 .000 0 6 .000

MEAC

All Games W L PCT 8 2 .778 6 3 .625 6 3 .625 5 4 .556 5 4 .625 5 5 .444 5 4 .625 4 5 .500 1 8 .125 2 7 .125 2 7 .250

EAST x Albany State Morehouse Ft. Valley State Benedict Clark Atlanta WEST x Miles Stillman Tuskegee Kentucky State Lane

Conference W L PCT 6 1 .833 6 1 .833 2 5 .333 1 6 .200 1 6 .200 W 5 5 4 3 2 L 2 2 3 4 5 PCT .833 .741 .500 .500 .200

SIAC

All Games W L PCT 8 2 .778 8 2 .778 2 8 .222 2 8 .222 2 8 .222 W 6 7 4 6 4 L 4 3 5 4 6 PCT .667 .700 .375 .667 .333

EAST Alabama State Alabama A&M Jackson State Alcorn State Miss. Valley State WEST Prairie View Grambling State UAPB Southern Texas Southern

Conference W L PCT 7 1 .857 6 1 .833 5 2 .833 1 6 .167 1 7 .125 W 4 4 3 3 2 L PCT 3 .571 3 .500 4 .500 4 .500 5 .167

SWAC

All Games W L PCT 7 2 .750 7 2 .750 7 2 .875 2 6 .286 1 9 .125 W 4 5 4 3 4 L 5 4 5 6 5 PCT .500 .500 .500 .375 .375

Saturday, November 12 Hampton at Delaware State Norfolk State at Morgan State North Carolina A&T at South Carolina State Florida A&M at North Carolina Central Savannah State at Bethune-Cookman

Saturday, November 12Benedict at Albany State 2011 SIAC Football Championships Miles vs. Albany State

Saturday, November 12 Alabama A&M at Jackson State Southern at Alabama State Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Mississippi Valley State Prairie View A&M at Alcorn State Texas Southern at Grambling State

LanGSton, oKAfter looking out of place and lethargic in the first 15 minutes against Texas College, the Langston University football team would shake off rust gathered from its bye week to improve to 7-2 on the year by posting a 29-14 victory over the Steers. However, the visiting team (which dropped to 0-10 on the season) managed to take the first lead in any game on their entire 2011 schedule by taking advantage of opportunistic scores on defense and special teams in the first quarter. Langston University Head Coach Mickey Joseph attributed the rust to two factors: playing the only other football HBCU inside of their conference, and not playing any meaningful football in two weeks. He also shook off any perceived notions that an OUNebraska rivalry was in place amongst the two coaches, as Texas College Head Coach George Cumby played linebacker at the University of Oklahoma in the late 1970s. I think that this game was bigger than George Cumby vs. Mickey Joseph, the potential CSFL Coach of the Year candidate said. They happen to recruit a lot of the same kids that we look for, and the opportunity isnt there for us that often to play other historically black schools. A lot of our kids on both sides happen to know each other very well, so when you see these two schools get together, things happen to intensify and get heated more than usual. Joseph also denied that any rust would be lingering in Saturdays upcoming Central States Football League Championship Game against Southern Nazarene, which is also SNUs Homecoming. He cited Langstons brutal non-conference schedule as a reason why the Lions would be ready on Saturday. We have not played a little boys schedule, Joseph said of Langstons first month, which consisted of playing four NCAA schools from Division I and Division II. We happened to play against 63, 36, 36 and 36 scholarships in the first month compared to

Rusty Lions Set for Title Game

Quarterback Darrion Lewis completed 17 of 33 pass attempts for 169 yards and an interception Saturday

our ten or 11 that we are able to hand out every year, and happened to finish 2-2. So, I think that we know what we have to do this week in practice in order to get ready for Saturday. The Steers took advantage of a huge blunder on Langstons part just six minutes into the game, when tailback Carlos Ross fumbled the ball after catching it from Darrion Lewis on a screen pass at the six yard line. Joseph Judie recovered the fumble at the LU 3, and ran it in for the first Texas College lead of the 2011 season. Ross would atone for his mistake by running in a 13-yard touchdown with only two seconds remaining in the opening quarter to tie up the game. But, the Steers would take the Anthony Fernandez punt and spring enough blocks to allow Gary OLeary to score another touchdown and give the visiting team a 14-7 lead at the end of the opening quarter. Momentum would shift in the second quarter due to a series of blocked kicks, as Fernandez would drill a 21-yard field goal to pull Langston within four points. His second field goal attempt was blocked, but Sir De-

marco Bledsoe returned the favor by blocking a Texas College punt to allow Antjuan Walker to scoop and score for Langston. The extra point by Fernandez was blocked, but the Lions were able to take the lead at 16-14. After a scoreless third quarter, Ross would punch in another touchdown run from a yard out, while Ricky Shearin would add the games final score from two yards. In spite of Texas Colleges two touchdowns, the Lions would outgain the Steers on total yards by a count of 358-46, and Langston Universitys all-time leading rusher (Ross) would finish his final home game in a Langston uniform with 94 yards rushing off of 20 carries to go with two touchdowns. Naturally, Langston Universitys all-time leading tackler (Cayetano Hingle) would lead the LU defense with eight tackles and a quarterback sack. Looming for the Lions is the biggest game of the season. The CSFL Championship game takes place Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in Bethany, as the Crimson Storm look to make their first playoff appearance in school history. It may also be their only opportunity

to enter the playoffs for a while, as they will enter a two-year probationary period beginning next season to become a member of NCAA Division II. The game has had a contentious history the past two seasons, as both games have come down to a last-second field goal. In 2009 at W.E. Anderson Stadium, SNU could never get the snap set for the field goal, as the Lions held on for a 20-19 win. Last season, the Crimson Storm earned retribution, as Ian Sanders hit a 37-yard field goal to prevent LU from going to the playoffs for a third consecutive season in a 30-27 decision. We have a lot of respect for Southern Nazarene, Joseph said. They are a good football team, and there has been so much drama the way that the game has played out in the last two years. Honestly, we should have lost both games, because if that kick wasnt messed up on the snap, that kicker can drill field goals from 50 yards or so. We know that we have to play our best against them.  MichaelStewart,langstonsports.com

Albany State wins East, Will Face Miles in Title Game

CoLUmBUS, GaOne more win and the Albany State Golden Rams were in next weeks SIAC title game. All the Rams had to do was beat their pesky rival Fort Valley State in the 22nd Annual Fountain City Classic. Pesky is an apt word for the Wildcats on Saturday at Columbus McClung Memorial Stadium. Fort Valley State (2-5, 2-8) had nothing to lose in trying to ruin Albany States season. The Wildcats played up to the part in the first half by taking a 14-10 lead at the break. However, Albany State returned to field in the second half calm and collected. The ASU offense came alive in the second half for a 3829 win over Fort Valley State. Freshman running back Adrian Alexander started the second half scoring onslaught with a 69 yard touchdown run in the first five minutes of the third quarter. Alexander led the Rams rushing attack with 110 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Wide receiver Darius Nelson moved the ASU lead to 23-14 with a short touchdown reception two minutes later in the quarter. The Golden Rams face Miles College next week for the SIAC title at Clark-Atlantas Panther Stadium in a rematch from week four of the season. ASU defeated the Golden Bears 34-27 on their home turf. Kickoff is set for 3 PM on Nov. 12.  AndrewSchnitker,mysouthwestga.com

FOR THE RECORD

14

the amount of SIaC football titles albany State has won since 1984. Stanley Jennings (left) and the Golden Rams look to win its second consecutive championship and sixth under Coach mike White. miles has yet to win one. this will be a rematch of their September 24th meeting where albany State won 34-27.

THE YARD

wEEK OF NOVEMBER 8TH

COLLEGEBASKETBALLPREVIEW

High Expectations
The 2011-12 season has begun. Champions are looking to (and are expected to) repeat. Good players from last season are looking to be great this year.

The 2011 CIAA Womens Champion Lady Bears of Shaw University are poised to repeat their historic run again this year.

2011-12 PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

As voted on by the Conferences Head Basketball Coaches and Sports Information Directors (First-Place Votes in Parenthesis)

ALL-CIAA PRESEASON TEAM Player Pos. Ht. Class Juliette Turner

Bowie State

ALL-CIAA PRESEASON TEAM Player Pos. Ht. Class Travis Hyman

Bowie State

F C G G G G G F G F G G

511 SR
Atlanta

C G G F F F G G G G F G

70 SR
Annapolis, Md

Chanita Jordan
Bowie State

66 SR
Philadelphia

Darren Clark
Bowie State

60 SR
Largo, Md

Ransheda Jennings
Chowan

58 SR
Suffolk, Va

Marquie Cooke
Elizabeth City State

63 SR
Suffolk, Va

Talaya Lynch
Chowan

58 JR
Hampton, Va

Rondy Tucker
Elizabeth City State

67 SR
Plainfield, NJ

Shatara Jackson
Chowan guard Ransheda Jennings is the retunring leading scorer with 16.1 ppg. Elizabeth City State

59 JR
Wilmington, NC

Sidney Evans
All-CIAA selection Trevin Parks led the conference in points (22.1) and was third in assists (4.5) per game last season. Fayetteville State

67 SR
Durham

DeAudra Brown
Elizabeth City State

57 SR
Rocky Mount, NC

Jamel Carpenter
Fayetteville State

64 SR
Salisbury, NC

WOMEN
Northern Division Virginia State University Elizabeth City State University Chowan University Bowie State University Virginia Union University Lincoln University Southern Division Shaw University Johnson C. Smith University Winston-Salem State University St. Augustines College Livingstone College Fayetteville State University

Terran Quattlebaum
Johnson C. Smith

56 SR
Mitchellville, Md

MEN
Northern Division Bowie State University Elizabeth City State University Virginia Union University Virginia State University Chowan University Lincoln University Southern Division Shaw University Johnson C. Smith University Winston-Salem State University Fayetteville State University Livingstone College St. Augustines College

Trevin Parks
Johnson C. Smith

59 JR
Hickory, NC

LaQwesha Gamble
Johnson C. Smith

510 SR
Winter Haven, Fl

Denzel Mooney
Livingstone

63 SR
Baltimore

Rashida Elbourne
Livingstone

59 SR
Newport News, Va

Joel Kindred
St. Augustines

65 SO
Raleigh

Umeka Benson
St. Augustines

61

SO
Charlotte

Antonio Smith
Shaw

66 SR
Greenville, NC

Courtney Medley
Winston-Salem State

59 SR
Chesapeake, Va

Ibn-Saed Rasoull
Virginia State

64 SR
Petersburg, Va

Jasmine Newkirk
Winston-Salem State

58 JR
Raleigh

Lamar Monger
Winston-Salem State

61

SR

Ahoskie, NC

THE YARD

wEEK OF NOVEMBER 8TH

BAsKETBAll PREVIEw-DIVIsION I

MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

SOuTHwESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

OQuinn, Doyle lead All-MEAC Honors

noRFoLK, VaHoward University junior State was selected to win the MEAC Regular Saadia Doyle was named the Mid-Eastern Season Title, edging out last years MEAC Tournament Champion Hampton. Athletic Conference (MEAC) womens basOQuinn has been earning praise and acketball Preseason Player of the Year the colades his entire career at Norfolk State and conference announced on Tuesday. For the second consecutive year, the Hampton Lady in the MEAC. Last years Defensive Player of the Year Award winner paced the league Pirates were predicted to win the regular in both rebounding (11.1) and blocked shots season title as voted on by the conferences (3.4), ranking in the top five nationally in head womens basketball coaches and sports both categories. OQuinn also led his team information directors. in scoring averaging 16.4 Doyle, the 2010-11 points and racked up 19 MEAC Player of the Year double-doubles. He was and All-MEAC First Team also selected to the Allselection, led the MEAC MEAC First Team and in scoring with 18.4 points was a Mid-Major Defenand was second in the consive All-American. ference with 8.9 rebounds Morgan State received per game. The forward eight (8) first place votes eclipsed the 1,000 point and a totaled 616 points mark last year and guided to take hold of the conferher team to the MEAC ences top spot going into Tournament championthe season. The Bears will ship finale. look to rebound from last Hampton totaled 667 years fourth place finish points and received 23 and reclaim the conferout of 26 first place votes. The Kevin Thompson-led Morgan State Bears The Lady Pirates, who recorded several non-conference victories last ence title for the fourth year including wins over Loyola Marymount, time in five years. Morgan earned a number 13 seed Maryland-Baltimore County, Western Illinois, State finished the year in the NCAA Tournament, Robert Morris and VMI. 10-6 in the MEAC and 17finished with a 26-6 over14 overall. MSUs season ended with a 55-60 all record and 15-1 record in MEAC play. loss to Hampton in the MEAC Tournament Hampton welcomes back three starters from Championship. last years championship team, all of whom The 2012 MEAC Basketball Tournament earned MEAC preseason accolades. Norfolk State center Kyle OQuinn was is slated for March 5-10 at the Lawrence Joel Veteran Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Saselected as the 2011-12 MEAC mens basketlem, N.C. ball Preseason Player of the Year. Morgan

Champs expected to Repeat

BIRmInGHamThe Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its mens and womens basketball preseason teams and predicted order. And if the results tell us anything headed into the season, it seems the coaches in the league are split about what team is favored and who is the leagues best player for the women and a repeat for the mens. Defending regular season champion Southern and defending tournament champion Prairie View A&M share the top spot in the order of finish predicted by the leagues 10 head coaches. The Jaguars and Panthers each received four first-place votes and finished with 88 total. The same can be said for the preseason player of the year honors. Alabama A&Ms Whiquitta Tobar and Alcorn States Kiara Ruffin tied among vote-getters and shared the honor. Mississippi Valley States Kaneshia Smith earned preseason defensive player of the year honors. Tobar and Ruffin were the two leading scorers in the conference a year ago, averaging 18.1 and 17.8 points per game, respectively. Smith led the league in assists (4.0 apg) and was second in steals (2.3 spg). The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its mens basketball preseason teams and predicted order of finish Wednesday. From the results of the voting by the leagues 10 head coaches, it would seem they are expecting a lot of parity in the conference in 2011-12. Defending tournament champion Alabama State is predicted to lead the way during the

Averaging 17.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game last season, Marcus Goode (above) is expected to lead Benedict to the SIAC championship.

upcoming season, but is closely followed by Mississippi Valley State and Jackson State. Five of the teams in the conference received at least one first-place vote, and defending regular season champion Texas Southern was picked fourth. Jackson States Jenirro Bush earned preseason player of the year honors, while Alabama States Ivory White was named preseason defensive player of the year. Bush finished third in the SWAC a year ago averaging 14.2 points per game. White led one of the leagues best defensive teams in rebounding (5.4 rpg), steals (43), and was second in blocked shots (21).

2011-12 PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

As voted on by the Conferences Head Basketball Coaches and Sports Information Directors (First-Place Votes in Parenthesis)

2011-12 PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

As voted on by the Conferences Head Basketball Coaches and Sports Information Directors (First-Place Votes in Parenthesis)

WOMEN
Hampton (23) Howard (1) North Carolina A&T (1) Florida A&M Morgan State Coppin State (1) Bethune-Cookman Maryland Eastern Shore South Carolina State Delaware State Savannah State North Carolina Central Norfolk State 667 557 495 482 464 415 290 264 242 184 178 94 90

MEN
Morgan State (8) Hampton (16) Coppin State (1) Norfolk State North Carolina Central (1) Delaware State North Carolina A&T Bethune-Cookman Howard South Carolina State Savannah State Maryland-Eastern Shore Florida A&M 616 604 601 426 389 378 306 254 228 218 176 168 166

ALL-MEAC PRESEASON TEAM

ALL-MEAC PRESEASON TEAM Kiara ruffin, Guard, Alcorn State Jenirro Bush, Guard, Jackson State
Bush (left) was third in the SWAC last season averaging 14.2 points per game The Lady Braves guard is ranked in the top-10 in the conference in points, assists, free throw percentage and steals.

Player of the Year Saadia Doyle, howard FIRST TEAM Player Saadia Doyle
Howard

Player of the Year Kyle OQuinn, Norfolk State FIRST TEAM Player Kyle OQuinn
Norfolk State

Pos. Ht. Class F F G G G 511 R-JR

Atlanta

Pos. Ht. Class C F 610 SR

Jamaica, NY

WOMEN
Southern (4) Prairie View A&M (4) Alcorn State Mississippi Valley State Alabama A&M (2) Grambling State Alabama State Jackson State Texas Southern Arkansas-Pine Bluff 88 88 84 68 64 53 39 26 24 16

MEN
Alabama State (3) Mississippi Valley State (3) Jackson State (2) Texas Southern Arkansas-Pine Bluff Alabama A&M (1) Prairie View A&M (1) Grambling State Alcorn State Southern 87 81 73 68 58 50 48 44 25 16

Antonia Bennett
Florida A&M

61

SR

Kevin Thompson
Morgan State

69 SR
Baltimore

Lakeland, Fl

Jericka Jenkins
Hampton

54 SR
Lancaster, Tx

DeWayne Jackson
Morgan State

G/F 68 JR
Bowie, Md

Tameka McKelton
Florida A&M

58 SR
West Palm Beach

Darrion Pellum
Hampton

G G

65 SR
Hampton, Va

Jacquayla Berry
North Carolina A&T

511 JR
Douglas, Ga.

Landon Clement
North Carolina Central

62 SR
Raleigh

ALL-SWAC PRESEASON TEAM Co-Players of the Year Whiquitta Tobar, Alabama A&M Kiara ruffin, Alcorn State Defensive Player of the Year Kaneshia Smith, Mississippi Valley State FIRST TEAM G Whiquitta Tobar Alabama A&M G Kiara Ruffin Alcorn State F Sharnika Breedlove Alcorn State F Latia Williams Prairie View A&M C Jaime Floyd Southern SECOND TEAM G Kaneshia Smith Mississippi Valley State G Rachel Jones Jackson State F Alia Frank Mississippi Valley State F Ayanna Hardy-Fuller Jackson State C Gabrielle Williams Alabama A&M

ALL-SWAC PRESEASON TEAM Player of the Year Jenirro Bush, Jackson State Defensive Player of the Year Kaneshia Smith, Mississippi Valley State FIRST TEAM G Jenirro Bush Alabama A&M G Lawrence Johnson-Danner Alabama State F Paul Crosby Mississippi Valley State F Ivory White Texas Southern C Peter Roberson Grambling State SECOND TEAM G Casey Cantey Alabama A&M G Tremaine Butler Alabama State F Demarquelle Tabb Alabama A&M F Aaron Clayborn Texas Southern C Jason Holmes Mississippi Valley State

SECOND TEAM Player Larrisa Carter

Coppin State

Pos. Ht. Class F 60 SO

Atlanta

SECOND TEAM Player Hillary Haley

Maryland-Eastern Shore

Pos. Ht. Class G/F 66 SR

Oxon Hill, Md

Qiana Donald
Florida A&M

F/C 60 SR
Jacksonville, Fl

Amin Stevens
Florida A&M

G/F 66 SO
Roswell, Ga

Melanie Warner
Hampton

F G G

510 SR
Tallahassee, Fl

Michael Harper
Coppin State

G G G

64 SR
Milwaukee, Wi

Choicetta McMillian
Hampton

55 SR
Fairfield, Fl

Casey Walker
Delaware State

64 SO
Brodnax, Va

Jasmine Elum
Bethune-Cookman

58 JR
Philadelphia

Jay Threatt
Delaware State

511 SR
Richmond

THE YARD

wEEK OF NOVEMBER 8TH

BAsKETBAll PREVIEw-DIVIsION II/NAIA/INDIEs

Southern IntercollegIate athletIc conference

GuLF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

leased its Mens Basketball Pre-Season Poll No surprise here. Xavier University for the 2011-2012 season. The selections of Louisiana, winner of its past 29 games against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference op- were made by a vote of the GCAC coaches. ponents, was picked first again in the pre- Tougaloo College was ranked 1st with 49 points and 7 first place votes. season coaches poll. After completing an impressive season of The Gold Nuggets received seven firstwinning the GCAC Regular Season Conferplace votes and 49 points. SUNO received ence Tournament Chamthe other first-place vote pionships and making it and tied with Tougaloo for to the NAIA Sweet Sixteen second place with 37 points. with only seven players, Its the ninth time in 10 the Bulldogs are looking to seasons that the Nuggets finrepeat this season. Ending ished in the top two of the the season at 28-5 overall, coaches poll. 5-1 GCAC, the Bulldogs are Xavier hasnt lost to a continuing to make history GCAC team since a 59-56 at Tougaloo College. Of the decision at LSU-Shreve7 players of the Super 7, port in the semifinals of the the Bulldogs will return 6 conference tournament on players and one player from March 6, 2009. The Gold last seasons team will also Nuggets went 18-0 in the return. GCAC regular season and Adding to those 7 will be 3-0 in the tournament in 6 newcomers consisting of 2009-10, then 6-0 in the regAll-GCAC selection Jasmon Kelly looks to lead the Gold Nuggets to another Denzel Hardy of Memphis, ular season and 2-0 in the title in 2012. TN; Erik and Derek Burks tournament this past year. of Edwards, MS; Malcolm LSUS no longer is in the Sanders of Jackson, MS; Dawton Queiroz of GCAC, but the conference expanded from six to eight teams during the summer by Sao Carlos, Brazil; and Clinton Houston of adding Philander Smith and Talladega. All Dallas, TX. The returning players consist of Marquise Mems, Juan Gray, James Carter, teams will play a double round-robin schedKadon Day, Donteeno Todd, Jurmond Catule of 14 games. The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference re- tenhead, and Horace Whitehead.

POTYs Return to Benedict, FVSU Gold Nuggets, Bulldogs are Top Picks
atLantaThe Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announces the 20112012 SIAC Mens and Womens Basketball Preseason All-Conference Teams as voted on by the SIAC Basketball Coaches Association. The mens team returns two selections from the 2010-2011 team led by Marcus Goode of Benedict College while the womens team returns seven selections, including all five first-team selections, led by Sammeika Thomas of Miles College. Both Goode and Thomas earned SIAC Player of the Year honors last season. Goode, a native of Chapin, SC, is the leading returning scorer in the SIAC, averaging 17.4 points per game. The 6-10 junior center also averaged 11.7 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game last season, both of which led the SIAC, while helping lead Benedict to the mens regular season title and a berth in the NCAA Division II tournament. Joining Goode on the preseason first team is teammate Xavier Collier, Daniyal Faquir of Morehouse College, Mario Jordan of Paine College, and Lee Riley of Stillman College. Thomas, a native of Birmingham, AL, averaged 12.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, which was second in the SIAC. Defensively, the 6-2 junior forward was eighth in the SIAC in steals with 2.3 per game and fourth in the SIAC in block shots with 1.8 per game. Thomas is joined by Symone Wilkerson of Albany State University, Conisha Hicks of Clark Atlanta, Jasmine Birdsong of Fort Valley State University, and Jamila McKinnis of Stillman College on the womens

Averaging 17.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game last season, Marcus Goode (above) is expected to lead Benedict to the SIAC championship.

preseason first team. Benedict College and Fort Valley State were picked to repeat as the mens and womens regular season champions, respectively. The Tigers finished the regular season with a 21-8 overall record, 20-4 in the SIAC, while the Lady Wildcats, who also won the SIAC tournament title, finished with a 22-10 overall record, 17-5 in the SIAC.

2011-12 PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

As voted on by the Conferences Head Basketball Coaches and Sports Information Directors (First-Place Votes in Parenthesis)

2011-12 PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

As voted on by the Conferences Head Basketball Coaches and Sports Information Directors (First-Place Votes in Parenthesis)

WOMEN
Xavier (7) Southern-New Orleans (1) Tougaloo Talladega Dillard Edward Waters Fisk Philander Smith 49 37 37 32 29 20 10 10

MEN
Tougaloo (7) Xavier (1) Edward Waters Talladega Philander Smith Dillard Southern-New Orleans Fisk 49 43 25 25 24 22 21 15

WOMEN
Fort Valley State Miles Benedict Kentucky State Albany State Tuskegee Stillman Clark Atlanta Claflin Lemoyne-Owen Lane Paine ALL-SIAC PRESEASON TEAM FIRST TEAM Player Pos. Ht. Class Symone Wilkerson
Albany State

MEN
Benedict Stillman Tuskegee Clark Atlanta Morehouse Claflin Kentucky State Paine Lemoyne-Owen Albany State Miles Fort Valley State Lane ALL-SIAC PRESEASON TEAM FIRST TEAM Player Pos. Ht. Class Marcus Goode
Benedict

SMALL SCHOOL PLAYERS TO wATCH

G G G F G

55 SR
Bonair, Ga

C G G G G

610 JR
Chapin, SC

Nadirah Brown Senior, Forward

Cheyney

Chelsey Davis Junior, Forward

West Virginia State

Brandon herbert Senior, Guard

District of Columbia

Nigel Munson Senior, Guard

District of Columbia

Conisha Hicks
Clark Atlanta

53 SO
Lithonia, Ga

Xavier Collier
Benedict

511 JR
Augusta, Ga

Jasmine Birdsong
Fort Valley State

511 SR
Sparta, Ga

Daniyal Faquir
Morehouse

62 JR
Pasadena, Ca

Sammeika Thomas
Miles

62 SR
Birmingham, Al

Lee Riley
Stillman

60 SR
Mobile, Al

Jamila McKinnis
Stillman

60 SR
Mobile, Al

Mario Jordan
Paine

511 JR
Sandersville, Ga

Vivian Essuon Senior, Forward

Lincoln (Mo)

Ashlea Gray Senior, Guard

Langston

Kenny Moore Senior, Forward

Tennessee State

Terry hollis Senior, Guard

Harris-Stowe State

SECOND TEAM Player Kourtney Alexander

Albany State

Pos. Ht. Class G C G C G 58 SO

Hinesville, Ga

SECOND TEAM Player Tony Baker

Paine

Pos. Ht. Class G F G F F 64 SR

Orange Park, Fl

La Quisha Lewis
Clark Atlanta

62 JR
Decatur, Ga

Brandon Davey
Fort Valley State

66 SO
Warner Robins, Ga

Courtney Matthewis
Kentucky State

511 SR
Houston

Jonathan Tassin
Morehouse

67 SR
Pontiac, Mi

Stephanie Madden Senior, Forward

Langston

Jessica reagans Junior, Guard

Spelman

Kenny Laguerre Junior, Center

Wiley

Michael Baptiste Junior, Forward

Florida Memorial

Nnenna Eze
Tuskegee

61

JR
Atlanta

Kevin Smith
Kentucky State

64 SR
Detroit, Mi

Tocarra Charles
Miles

57 SR
Childersburg, Al

Royce Hamilton
Clark Atlanta

66 SR
Greensboro, Ms

FOR THE RECORD the amount of Championships the Lady Wildcats of Ft Valley State have won since 2000 (2000-03, 2009-10).
Jasmine rich Senior, Forward
District of Columbia

rondy Tucker Sophomore, Forward

Tennessee State

LaDarren Williams Senior, Forward

Texas College

Corey Bethea Senior, Guard

West Virginia State

THE YARD

wEEK OF NOVEMBER 8TH

TwO-MINuTE wARNING
CROSS COUNTRY Xavier University of Louisiana cross country standouts Zahri and Kwame Jackson have earned one more honor in what has been a memorable debut season for both. Sports Illustrated selected them for its weekly Faces in the Crowd feature, and the freshman siblings appear in the Nov. 7 issue, which hit newsstands Wednesday. That is so cool, Zahri Jackson said Thursday when she learned of the recognition. Thats pretty awesome, Kwame Jackson said. Wow! Xavier coach Joseph Moses said. That is a great honor. The Jacksons, from the Houston suburb of Kingwood, Texas, and graduates of Kingwood Park High School, got SIs attention after both won individual titles in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships on Oct. 22 at Clinton, Miss. They helped Xavier win the womens and mens team championships for the sixth consecutive season. Im still trying to find out if theres ever been a pair of siblings in college who won cross country individual championships in the same season, said Ed Cassiere, Xaviers sports information director. I posed that question on the NAIA-SIDA Facebook page. No leads yet, but Mount Vernon Nazarene SID Dave Parsons replied with a great tip. He recommended that I contact Sports Illustrated and nominate them. Zahri Jackson set XU womens records of 19 minutes, 15.18 seconds for 5,000 meters on Sept. 10 and 16:27.58 for 4,000 meters on Sept. 1. She has the Gold Nuggets three fastest 5K times. Her 19:20.40 5K was the second fastest in 11 seasons by a female at the GCAC Championships. Kwame Jacksons 5K of 16:12.13 on Sept. 10 was the fastest by an XU male since Farris Gransberry set the record of 15:46.80 in 2000. He ran 8,000 meters in 28:12.09 to win the GCAC title and defeat teammates and former conference champions Ray Walston and Matt Pieri. The Jacksons won a combined eight GCAC Runner of the Week awards. Zahri collected five to set an XU season record, tie Ebony Hardings XU career record and match the GCAC womens season record set by Spring Hills Kate Imwalle in 2009. Zahri and Kwame are great kids, great runners and great students, Moses said. I am blessed to know them and be able to coach them. Both Xavier squads will compete Nov. 19 in the NAIA National Championships at Vancouver, Wa GOLF Bethune-Cookman Freshman Joseph Molina birdied two of the final four holes to force a playoff, then made a par on the first hole to beat teammate Emmanuel Petrich and Fayetteville States Jake Barge for medalist honors while the Wildcats took the team title. Molina (70-77 147) entered Sunday with a three-shot lead, but was seven over with eight to play Sunday before making his rally to claim his first collegiate tournament championship. Hes already matured, Clark said of Molina. Hes making smarter decisions and is more methodical on the course. At Magnolia (Tx.) HS, Molina played with the lead on several occasions, but found it different in his first collegiate situation. Its very overwhelming, Molina said. I didnt know itd get that emotional, but I knew I had to pull it together. Molina used a 9-iron on his third shot of the playoff hole that put him within two feet of the cup for an easy tap-in putt that proved to be the difference. FOOTBALL Morehouse running back David Carter broke an NCAA Division II record for rushing yards in one half in the Maroon Tigers 49-12 win over Fort Valley State University on Saturday. Carter, a 5-10 220-pound junior from Marietta, GA (Sprayberry H.S.), rushed for 251 yards in the first half, on his way to 351 total rushing yards for the game. The previous record for rushing yards in one half was 229 yards, which was set by another Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference running back, Alvon Brown of Kentucky State University. Brown set the mark on September 16, 2000 against Kentucky Wesleyan. Carter shattered the Morehouse singlegame rushing record of 242 yards, set by John David Washington in 2003 against Johnson C. Smith University. With four touchdowns in Saturdays game, Carter now has 16 touchdowns on the season, which breaks the Morehouse season record of 13, also set by Washington in 2003. The offensive output tied Carter with Washington for the Morehouse record of 33 touchdowns in a career. Carter, now with 96 points, surpassed former Morehouse wide receiver Raymond Johnson (74 points, in 2005) as the season scoring leader. SOCCER SWAC womens soccer champions Arkansas-Pine Bluff will be taking on Oklahoma State on Friday at 7 p.m. The two teams will battle it out at the Cowgirl Soccer Compex in Stillwater, Ok. Oklahoma State (19-1) received an atlarge bid as the runners-up in the Big 12. The Cowgirls were unbeaten going in the conference tournament. They were upended by Texas A&M in the finals. Meanwhile, the Lady Golden Lions are on a roll going into the tournament having won 13 straight and gone unbeaten with one tie in their last 16 games. Since UAPBs last loss on Sept. 11 to Southern Mississippi, the Lady Golden Lions are 15-0-1 and have outscored opponents 40-3 and had 12 shutouts. TELEVISION The Battle Presented by AT&T - an inside look at the HBCU Marching Bands - will return for its second season with five 30-minute shows over five straight weeks, every Thursday from Nov. 10 to Dec. 8, on ESPNU. This year the series will focus on the training, discipline, heart, soul and sweat of the Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band. You cant talk about Grambling State University football, without talking about the Grambling State Band said the schools head football coach Doug Williams, featured in the Nov. 10 debut. The Battle reflects a glimpse into the rivalry and tradition that dates back decades and defines HBCU bands, like the GSU Tiger Marching Band. Established in 1926, the band has a resume that includes halftime performance in two Super Bowls, a parade appearance in the nations bicentennial celebration, a place in the NCAA Hall of Fame and several national iconic commercials. The five-part series takes viewers from the very first steps at training camp to the final march at the Bayou Classic, an annual gridiron clash between Grambling State and Southern, as the students strive to meet the expectations that come with their bands namesake. This years HBCU journey is directed and produced by five time NAACP Image Award winner Roger Bobb, president of Bobbcat Films. Bobb was formerly the executive vice president of Tyler Perry Studios and producer of House Of Payne, Meet The Browns and 11 Tyler Perry films. It was an honor and a privilege to work with ESPNU on this project which gives an honest and fascinating look at what it takes to be a student and a band member at an HBCU said Bobb. Shante Paige is the executive producer of this season.

All-American Anggie Ramirez will be an important part of the UMES lineup this season.

Champs UMES earning respect

When Tnia Falbo proudly walked the Maryland Eastern Shore campus wearing a shirt trumpeting her teams NCAA bowling championship, it begged the question from her fellow students: We have a bowling team? Yes, you do. And a very good one. UMES 2011 national title was its second in four seasons. Additionally, the Hawks became the first collegiate team to win the NCAA title (against Vanderbilt 4-2) and the United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championship (over Lindenwood 2-1) in the same season. Despite losing three key seniors, the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) has ranked UMES No. 1 in its first poll of the 2011-12 season. It picked up 11 of 20 first place votes. The Hawks, which are the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions, are also picked to win the conferences Northern Division. For all that success, respect is hard earned with the bowling squad as the double champions learned. They dont [realize the teams success], Falbo said. After we won last year, I had so many people -- while we were wearing our championship shirts around campus come up to me and say, I didnt know we had a bowling team! or I saw you guys on ESPN! People respect when they actually see how hard it is. The mens basketball team the big dog on campus since UMES does not field a football team found that when it accepted the challenge to compete against the womens bowling team. When they see these young ladies bowling and doing the things that they do, it build more respect for the sport, and the young ladies, Sharon Brammell, UMES bowling coach, said. Theyre out there and they are in amazement when they see what it takes, what these young ladies are doing. Just the fact that they are throwing the 15-pound ball over and over again, by the end of the game, the boys are tired and the girls are still going. The guys are struggling just trying to keep the ball in the lane. It is a really funny kind of situation, but at the same time it builds respect for our sport. The preseason poll indicates the respect peers have for Brummell and her team despite them losing four-time All-America selections Kristina Frahm and Maria Rodriguez last years National Player of the Year and two-time All-America nod Martha Perez. Those losses, though significant, are muted by the return of All-Americans Anggie Ramirez and Paula Vilas and Falbo. Right now, what Im seeing from my team this year is that they are working very hard to still be as successful as they have been in the past, Brummell said. Thats all you can do from year to year. You never know whos going to win until the day it happens. You know, Any given Sunday. I think I anticipate good things coming from this team. Weve got a pretty good core with Anggie, Maria and Tnia coming back. And the newer young ladies, theyre young and have got some things to learn, but theyre working hard now. We may start off a little bit slow, but I expect by the time January gets here, well be read to pour it on, and everybody should be ready by then. That challenge of being part of a team in transition is not too big for Ramirez. Ramirez, a Bogota, Columbia junior, who was selected third team All-American and first team All-MEAC, has been selected preseason Bowler of the Year and expects a lot of herself. I have grown a lot as an athlete since I got to UMES and I expect this year not to be the exception, Ramirez said. Its a big recognition and I am really happy because I have always known hard work pays back and this is a proof of it. Additionally, Ramirez hopes her example, and that of those other returning players impacts this relatively young team. This year I feel the four girls that were on the team last year are the example for the four new freshmen we got, Ramirez said. Our team works as a whole and each one of us has a role and designated job in the team. So I just see myself as one part of this amazing team. We are like a puzzle. We arent complete and wont reach success if one of us is missing. Our key to win the three championships [MEAC, ITC and NCAA] last year was hard work and letting the moment of competition show that preparation we had done. I think if we work at least as hard as we did last year [our goal is to work a lot harder] we can do some really good things. We lost three big players but our new teammates are very talented and with hard work we might be able to have some back-to-backs [titles].