2002 Mountaineer Basketball Preview

Transcription

Page 2 • 2002 - 03 Mountaineer Basketball Preview
2002-2003
Date
Opponent
Time
Date
Opponent
Time
Nov. 22
Mars Hill
7:00 pm
Nov. 22
at Campbell
7:00 pm
Nov. 25
UNC-Charlotte
7:30 pm
Nov. 25
UNC-Asheville
5:15 pm
Nov. 30
at South Carolina
7:30 pm
Nov. 27
at UNC-Charlotte
7:00 pm
Dec. 4
at Gardner-Webb
7:30 pm
Dec. 1
at Wake Forest
1:00 pm
Dec. 7
at Marquette
1:00 pm CT
Dec. 5
at North Carolina
7:00 pm
Dec. 10
Greensboro College
7:00 pm
Dec. 8
at Georgia Southern*
3:00 pm
Dec. 17
Southern Methodist
7:00 pm
Dec. 18
at Auburn
7:00 pm
Dec. 22
at Georgia
2:00 pm
Dec. 21
at Georgia State
4:00 pm
Dec. 30
at James Madison
7:00 pm
Dec. 29
at South Alabama#
4:00 pm
Jan. 2
Bluefield
7:00 pm
Dec. 30
vs.Colgate#
2:45 pm
Jan. 6
East Tennessee State*
7:00 pm
Jan. 4
Furman*
3:00 pm
Jan. 11
UNC-Greensboto*
1:00 pm
Jan. 8
East Tennessee State*
7:00 pm
Jan. 13
at Georgia Southern*
7:30 pm
Jan. 11
at Wofford*
7:00 pm
Jan. 15
Gardner-Webb
7:00 pm
Jan. 13
College of Charleston*
7:00 pm
Jan. 18
at Chattanooga*
7:00 pm
Jan. 18
at Davidson*
7:00 pm
Jan. 21
at Western Carolina*
7:00 pm
Jan. 21
Western Carolina*
7:00 pm
Jan. 25
at VMI*
1:00 pm
Jan. 25
at Chattanooga*
5:15 pm
Jan. 27
Furman*
7:00 pm
Jan. 28
at UNC-Greensboro*
7:00 pm
Feb. 1
The Citadel*
3:00 pm
Feb. 1
Georgia Southern*
1:00 pm
Feb. 3
Western Carolina*
7:00 pm
Feb. 3
at Furman*
7:00 pm
Feb. 8
at Davidson*
12:00 pm
Feb. 8
at East Tennesse State*
1:00 pm
Feb. 10
VMI*
7:00 pm
Feb. 11
Davidson*
7:00 pm
Feb. 15
College of Charleston*
1:00 pm
Feb. 15
at College of Charleston* 4:00 pm
Feb. 17
at Wofford*
7:00 pm
Feb. 18
Wofford*
7:00 pm
Feb. 22
Davidson*
3:00 pm
Feb. 22
Chattanooga*
1:00 pm
Feb. 24
at UNC-Greensboro*
7:00 pm
Feb. 25
at Western Carolina*
7:00 pm
Mar. 1
at East Tennessee State* 4:00 pm
Mar. 1
UNC-Greensboro*
3:00 pm
M
E
N
S
* Denotes SoCon game
W
O
M
E
N
S
2002-03 Mountaineer Basketball Preview • Page 3
preview
section
J. Adam Bennett Editor-in-Chief
James Nix Associate Editor for
Production Operations
Bethel L. Barefoot Associate Editor
for News Operations
Mark Saunders Business Manager
Anna Wiseman Chief Graphic Designer
Brandy Gartman Graphic Designer
Chris Nelson Copy Editor
Sarah Mann Copy Editor
Jessica Hines Copy Editor
Andy Ferguson Copy Editor
Amanda Brewer Production Manager
Josh Dernosek Sports Beat Reporter
Allie Woods Sports Beat Reporter
Josh Brown Chief Photographer
Jacque Lenz Photographer
Optimistic
e
x
t
r
a
2002-2003 schedules
Meet the Mountaineers
Mountaineer Maniacs
The Appalachian’s staff picks
Chris Hill Photographer
2
8, 9
12
14, 15
ABOUT THE COVER: Women’s basketball
standout Aisha Bryant and men’s basketball
dazzler Chris McFarland both look to improve
upon less than stellar 2001-2002 seasons.
(Cover design by James Nix, photos by Josh
Brown)
Please allow me to personally invite all of our students to the
beautiful, comfortable and climate controlled George M.
Holmes Convocation Center for the start of the 2002-2003
basketball season. Both the men and women have been
working extremely hard to prepare for what should produce
some exciting moments on the hardwood. Your teams need
your support. Take pride and ownership in this basketball
journey, to be fulfilled at the point of victorious destination.
We certainly appreciate every student who takes the time to
come out and be loud for our Mountaineers. Our teams relish
the chance to play in front of big crowds in general and big
student crowds in particular. After having your professors
rightfully ask for your quiet day after day, we earnestly ask
that you be as loud as you want to be. On Monday, Nov. 25
we will be hosting the UNC-Charlotte 49ers in a big nonconference game. Get out and give your Appalachian team a
once-over. I hope that we can make you want to come back.
You have no idea just how much of an impact you have on the
psyches of both teams involved. Your support can be the
difference of our winning or losing ball games. With your
support, we could create the most intimidating home court
advantage in the Southern Conference. Come be a part of it. I
hope to see you there!
Respectfully,
Coach Fancher
Men’s Basketball
Covering all
20 sports at
Appalachian
State...
GoASU.com
Despite small stature, Hall delivers big performances
Staff Writer
Five-feet-eight-inches of heart and
desire is the best way to describe senior guard James LeeShun Hall—
Shawn to most.
The smallest man on the court in stature, spectators and fans alike should
expect big things from Hall in the upcoming season. A talented guard with
a quick first step and excellent shooting range, his presence alone should
free up opportunities for other Mountaineer players.
“I got a big heart, that is pretty much
it,” Hall said. “I have been playing
against taller guys all my life, so it really doesn’t matter.
“You can go out there and lay down
to someone that is taller than you or
you can play— you can step up,”
Hall’s 2001-2002 season, his first at
Appalachian after transferring from
Kankakee Community College in Illinois, was a strong one. This season he
will be looked at as a leader and a goto-guy for the Mountaineers this season.
“[Hall] is going to bring us big-time
scoring and strong defense with his
quickness,” head basketball coach
Houston Fancher said. “He can change
the tempo of a game pretty easily with
his quickness.”
“Overall [Division 1] is a whole new
ball game [compared to junior college],” Hall said. “Since junior college
I have gotten a lot smarter and a lot
more patient.”
“I have to rely on my teammates a
lot more rather than it being a one-onone game.”
Hall came on late in the year last season by scoring 20 or more points in
three of the last four games, proving
that his abilities far outweigh his size.
“Shawn has the ability to [score 20]
every night,” Fancher said. “We are focusing on getting him to take good
shots and calm down a bit. If we can
do that, then expect good things out of
[Hall].”
Offense is not the only thing that Hall
brings to the table when basketball is
brought up in conversation. Hall, noted
as a tireless defender with good ball
handling skills, can sway a game with
his physical and mental abilities.
“I feel that I am going to add a lot of
leadership because we went through a
lot last year,” Hall said. “We had a lot
of ups and downs and the little things
that would occur last year, hopefully me
File Photo
Shawn Hall (10) came on late in the year last season by scoring 20 or more points
in three of the last four games, proving that his abilities far outweigh his size.
Chris Hill | The Appalachian
A transfer from Kankakee Community College in Illinois, senior guard Shawn Hal
led the Mountaineers in three-point field goal makes and attempts last season.
and the other seniors will be able to
step up and negate a couple of those
losses.”
In 2001-2002 he saw playing time in
26 games, earning eight starts and leading the team in three-point field goal
makes (42) and attempts (127). His
outside shooting skills add a muchneeded element to the Mountaineer
game. Fancher said the size of an individual is not that important once you
get 22-25 feet away from the hoop.
Shawn Hall might be small, but do
not let that be a reason to overlook him
in the upcoming basketball season. His
all around ability will add depth and
quickness to the Mountaineers.
“I am learning to trust more in my
teammates and that comes from the ups
and downs that we experienced last
season,” Hall said. “Look for leadership
and wins this season.” One fan said on
Hall’s size, “it’s not the size of the dog
in the fight, but the size of the fight in
the dog.”
“Size has never been an issue to a guy
like Shawn,” Fancher said. “A guy like
him has desire and quickness and because he has both he can make up for a
lot of size.”
“You can go out there
and lay down to
someone that is taller
than you or you can
play— you can step up,”
ASU SENIOR
SHAWN HALL
Fresh faces on court look promising for Mountaineers
Staff Writer
Over the years, newcomers have often made some of the biggest impacts.
Mike Bibby helped the University of
Arizona to a national championship,
Steve Francis propelled himself to national prominence as a junior college
transfer and who can forget Michael
Jordan’s shot as a freshman in the national championship game.
Appalachian State University is no
stranger to newcomers making an impact. Last season, Chris McFarland was
able to make a splash as a freshman,
while Shawn Hall and Nate Carson also
logged some good playing time as junior college transfers.
This season will be more of the same.
Look for freshman guard Nate Cranford
to see action in the backcourt this season. Cranford is a good, young guard
who will challenge for some playing
time and is noted for his shooting ability.
“He’s a very good shooter and a smart
player,” said head coach Houston
Fancher. “He’s really solid and is a good
compliment to our quicker guards. He
seems to always be at the right place at
the right time, a strong freshman, very
physical.”
Cranford’s main criticism of himself
is, “I’m white, and I’m slow.”
Once again, transfer students will be
good to ASU. With senior Josh Shehan
being the only returning post player,
transfer Jonathan Mitchell could receive some significant playing time.
Mitchell comes to Boone from Grayson
County College in Texas. During his
career at GCC, he averaged 13 points
and nine rebounds per game.
“He is going to have a significant
impact for us,” Fancher said. “He’s 6 [feet-] 6 [-inches],” athletic and bouncy.
He’s a good rebounder and shot blocker,
runs extremely well and plays above the
goal.”
As with any promotion, there is always some adjusting to be done.
“The biggest difference is the style
and quality of play,” Mitchell said. “The
guys are more talented; everybody can
do everything.”
Along with Cranford, guard Demon
Armstrong will add depth to the
backcourt. Armstrong transferred to
ASU from a Florida junior college last
year but sat out the 2001-2002 season.
“He’s really quick and can shoot it,”
Fancher said. “A very good creator off
the dribble, so we feel really good about
our point guard position being solidified with the addition of Demon.”
Two players back after sitting out last
season are Ahmad Smith and Lennox
Marshall. Smith sat out last season with
a medical red-shirt from surgery on his
Josh Brown | Chief Photographer
Sophomore Chris McFarland (32) and Grayson County College transfer Jonathan
Mitchell (3) go head-to-head during the Mountaineers’ Tuesday afternoon practice.
tibia. He is 6-feet-4-inches, 225 pounds
and will help the rotation down low.
Marshall is a red-shirt freshman who
came back this season a lot stronger and
ready to challenge for some playing
time in the paint.
These players will make a good compliment to Mountaineer veterans, trying to claw their way back to respectability in the Southern Conference.
Page 6 • 2002-03 Mountaineer Basketball Preview
Non-conference play provides chances for improvement
Associate Editor
As a new season of Mountaineer basketball prepares to get underway, both
the men’s and women’s teams look to a
tough non-conference lineup to prepare
them for another season of challenging Southern Conference play.
Both men’s and women’s teams begin non-conference play on Nov. 22.
The men will play Mars Hill University
at home, while the women travel to
Campbell University.
Houston Fancher, head coach of the
men’s team, said the non-conference
schedule should give his team a good
look at their capabilities before the first
conference game against East Tennessee State University on Jan. 6.
“We need to be put into tough and
tested situations because we’re not going anywhere in the Southern Conference and play a team as tough as
Marquette at the Bradley Center,”
Fancher said.
Adrienne Shuler, Appalachian State
University’s women’s head coach, said
playing teams like the University of
North Carolina and Auburn University
should instill a level of respect for the
game in the Mountaineers.
“Hopefully [non-conference games
will] remind [the team] how far we
need to go and how much we need to
continue working to get better,” Shuler
said.
A big test for the Mountaineer men’s
team will be against the University of
North Carolina at Charlotte, Fancher
said. The game will be played in Boone
on Nov. 25.
Appalachian played Charlotte last
season in Charlotte and lost 71-69.
Fancher said the game should be wellattended by Appalachian fans, which
will give the Mountaineers an advantage.
Fancher said he is not overly concerned with the outcome of the early
non-conference games, as it should allow his team to progress and build better chemistry before heading into SoCon play.
The last non-conference game against
James Madison University is where the
team should play its best, Fancher said.
Many teams the Appalachian
women’s team will play appeared in the
NCAA Tournament last year and represent some of the top teams in the nation, said Shuler. By playing these
teams, she hopes her team will be better able to compete at the level of play
in the SoCon.
“[After non-conference play] we’re up
a notch already; we’re at that level
we’re playing and trying to compete,”
Shuler said.
In the non-conference lineup are
some less challenging teams as well,
which should provide confidence builders for the team, Fancher said.
The men’s team can also use the nonconference schedule as a time to play
better as a team.
Last season, many of the Mountaineer men were new to the team and had
never played together. The team fell
into the trap of not fully playing both
halves of a ball game.
Appalachian routinely built large first
half deficits and then struggled to come
back in the second half.
Now the chemistry of the team is better, and there more experience, which
should help correct the problem,
Fancher said.
“There is a fine art to learning how
to win … opposed to just holding on
and hoping you’re ahead when the
game is over with,” Fancher said.
“There is a fine art to
learning how to win …
opposed to just holding
on and hoping you’re
ahead when the game is
over with”
ASU HEAD COACH
HOUSTON FANCHER
File Photo
Graham Bunn makes a drive towards the goal during last season’s Nov. 30 95-77
victory over Liberty University, as part of the Mountaineers’ non-conference lineup.
Basketball Coverage You Can Count On
Superior Sports Coverage since 1934.
2002 - 03 Mountaineer Basketball Preview • Page 7
2002 - 2003 Men’s Southern Conference Preview
South Division
North Division
Compiled by Josh Dernosek
College of Charleston
Georgia Southern University
Davidson College
UNC- Greensboro
Last Season:
Last Season:
Last Season:
Last Season:
This Season:
This Season:
16-12 (9-7 SoCon) The Eagles wound
21-9 (9-7 SoCon) The South Division
saw another three-way tie for first place up tied for first with Charleston and
Chattanooga, not bad.
with C of C leading the charge.
With the loss of their two leading
scorers, C of C is going to need a player
to step up and lead the team in 20022003. Watch for senior guard Troy
Wheless to be that player for the Cougars. Wheless returns this year from a
season where he averaged almost 10
points per game with a .411 three-point
percentage. Could be a major long-ball
shooter for C of C.
Tied with Furman as preseason favorites in the South Division, the Eagles
return two of their top four offensive
threats. Senior guard Julias Jenkins and
junior forward Frank Bennett will need
to produce on offense and play solid
‘D’ for the Eagles to meet preseason
expectations.
Versus ASU:
The Eagles handed it to Appalachian
in
convincing style in 2001-2002, 101Versus ASU:
89.
Charleston faced Appalachian twice
in 2001-2002 and came up victorious
on both accounts with a regular season
win 79-55 and the conference tourna- The Citadel
ment victory 85-61.
21-10 (11-5 SoCon) Finished the regu20-11 (11-5 SoCon) The second of
lar season in a three-way tie for first three teams to end up tied for first in
place in the North Division, won the the conference.
conference tournament to receive a This Season:
NCAA tournament bid.
With two of their top four scorers reThis Season:
turning, the Spartans are not planning
The one team from the SoCon to get on falling any this season. Look for jun
invited to the NCAA Championship ior guard Jay Joseph and senior forTournament last season will be miss- ward James Maye for scoring and lead
ing the experience that led them to the ership as UNCG tries to return to the
dance in 2001-2002. A young, talented top of the conference.
team will need to mature quickly if the Versus ASU:
Wildcats are going to return to the tourSwept the Mountaineers easily in
nament this season.
2001-2002, 83-68, 87-63.
Versus ASU:
Split the season against Appalachian
in 2001-2002 with a win 82-72 and a
tough loss 62-60.
Last Season:
Last Season:
Furman University
17-12 (8-8 SoCon) Ended up fourth
all by themselves, but with one more
victory could have made it a four-way
tie for first.
Last Season:
This Season:
Junior forward Max Mombollet will
17-14 (7-9 SoCon) The Paladins finished fifth in regular season play in give the Bulldogs the needed presence
in the middle of this season. His ath2000-2001.
letic ability will benefit him when facThis Season:
ing taller, bigger opponents, and his
Returning three starters and nine let- skill could prove to be the extra effort
ter winners, the Paladins are slated to they need in 2002-2003. Don’t sleep on
tie with GSU for first in the South Divi- this team; they will capitalize on mission. Look for guard Guilherme Da Luz takes.
and forward Karim Souchu, who were
both named to the coaches’ 10-man pre- Versus ASU:
Lost to ASU 78-74 in 2000-2001, just
season All-Conference team.
the victory they needed for the fourVersus ASU:
way tie.
Furman rallied over the Mountaineers 91-78 in 2001-2002.
East Tennessee State University
Western Carolina University
18-10 (11-5 SoCon) Finished in a
three-way tie with Davidson and UNCG
during regular season play.
This Season:
Watch out for the Bucs, as they are
picked to win the North Division. ETSU
12-16 (6-10 SoCon) After a three-way has four returning starters, including
tie for first, the Catamounts held fourth junior forwards Zakee Wadood and
to themselves in 2001-2002.
Jerald Fields. Wadood and Fields re
turn as top scorers for the Bucs and wil
This Season:
Do not expect a vast improvement play crucial rolls in the team’s success
from the Catamounts in 2002-2003. Versus ASU:
Watch for the big things from 6-foot-7Handed Appalachian two conference
inch shooting guard Kevin Martin, as losses in 2001-2002, 79-72, 75-66.
he is ranked 18th nationally for the
shooting guard position.
Last Season:
Versus ASU:
Won one and lost one against the
Mountaineers in 2001-2002. Losing in
Cullowhee 79-71 and picking up a
tough win in Boone 66-62.
UT - Chattanooga
Wofford College
Last Season:
16-14 (9-7 SoCon) The third team to
end up in first place in the South Divi11-18 (5-11 SoCon) The sole propri- sion in 2001-2002.
etor of the basement in the South Divi- This Season:
sion with a less than average conferWith the addition of UNC alum Jeff
ence record.
Lebo as head coach, the Mocs have big
This Season:
plans to be among the elite in the conArguably the best backcourt in the ference. The 2002-2003 season will be
SoCon returns for the Terriers this sea- a major rebuilding year for Chattason. With Mike Lenzly (14.4 ppg), Lee nooga; they lost all of their major conNixon (13.2 ppg) and Justin Stephens tributors from last season. Although the
(12.4 ppg) returning, the Terriers have roster shows five seniors, only two have
three double-figure scorers on the pe- extensive game experience, forward
rimeter. Wofford could easily rebound Nick Benson and guard Tim Parker.
from 2001-2002 and go from “ashy to Versus ASU:
classy.”
The Mocs lost a tough one to a strugVersus ASU:
gling ASU 81-67, a victory that could
The Terriers lost to Appalachian 85- have set them apart from the rest of
69 in 2001-2002.
the field.
Last Season:
Virginia Military Institute
Last Season:
10-18 (5-11 SoCon) The Keydets finished the season tied for the basement
position in the North Division with the
Mountaineers.
This Season:
Do not be surprised if the Keydets are
among the top teams of the conference
this season. All five starters return for
VMI, including the leading scorer in the
nation last season, Jason Conley. VMI
will turn some heads this year and give
some teams a run for their money.
Versus ASU:
File Photo
VMI was triumphant over ASU in
2001-2002 with two key wins, 93-91, Chris McFarland (32) gets pressured
by ETSU defenders last season.
88-81.
2002-2003 Mountaineers Men’s basketball team
Demon Armstrong
#12
Guard
Junior
Gastonia
Noah Brown
#33
Junior
Guard
Keene, Tx.
Graham Bunn
#11
Senior
Guard
Raleigh
Corwin David
#1
Sophomore
Guard
Raleigh
Nathan Cranford
#4
Freshman
Guard
Harrisburg
Shawn Hall
#10
Senior
Guard
Milwaukee, Wis.
Lennox Marshall
#22
Freshman
Center
Charlotte
Johnathan Mitchell
#3
Junior
Forward
Stone Mt., Ga.
Nate Carson
#0
Senior
Forward
St. Matthews, SC.
Matt Jones
#13
Junior
Guard
Charlotte
Chris McFarland
#32
Sophomore
Guard
Jonesboro, Ga.
Josh Shehan
#44
Senior
Center
Clemmons
Ahmad Smith
#2
Junior
Forward
Yukon, Okla.
2002-2003 Mountaineers Women’s basketball team
Aisha Bryant
#25
Junior
Guard
Durham
Michelle Conklin
#12
Sophomore
Guard
Lawrenceville, Ga.
Joy Davis
#33
Freshman
Forward
Cove City
Jessica Jank
#20
Sophomore
Forward
Spartanburg
Kiki Conyers
#5
Freshman
Guard
Tallahassee, Fla.
Laura Hamm
#11
Freshman
Guard
Raleigh
Tiffani Johnson
#24
Senior
Guard
Covington, Ga.
Aleea McCullough
#32
Freshman
Forward
Hickory
Jaymi Wilson
#21
Senior
Guard
Morganton
Lindsay Smith
#14
Sophomore
Guard
Winston-Salem
Jocelyn Wyatt
#44
Sophomore
Guard
Lawrenceville, Ga.
Adrienne Shuler: A new era in women’s basketball
Associate Editor
By the end of last season, it was obvious changes had to be made to the
Appalachian State University women’s
basketball team.
After five seasons under Barbie
Breedlove, the Mountaineers had
moved from a dominant Southern Conference team to a team no one expected
to win.
In a show of nobility, Breedlove took
responsibility for the team’s decay and
stepped down.
The Appalachian Athletic Department
then went on a nation-wide search for
a new coach to rebuild the team.
The end result: Adrienne Shuler, a
four-year starter at the University of
Georgia and an assistant coach at
Furman University for seven years.
Shuler also spent time at the professional level, playing with the WNBA’s
Washington Mystics.
Shuler said her immediate goals were
to instill a level of competitiveness and
at the same time try to gain respect in
the league for Appalachian State basketball.
With her, Shuler brings experience
that has received a tremendous amount
of respect from her players.
“Coach Shuler just demands respect,”
said sophomore guard Michelle
Conkiln.
Conklin said her former coach also
demanded respect but was too passive
about it. Also Shuler’s coaching methods are a lot stricter, and more is ex-
pected of the team.
“She’s getting us into a mind-frame
where we believe what she’s saying is
going to help us, and that belief is going to carry over into the games,” said
junior guard Aisha Bryant.
Bryant said she did not think the belief was present with Breedlove. The
team did not believe in each other, and
that led to not believing in what the
coaches said.
“If you just get a little bit of confidence about your game, then it will
start carrying over to everybody else,”
Bryant said.
Shuler said she and her staff have
tried to instill team chemistry and a tremendous work ethic.
“We try to push them beyond their
comfort zone and push them to the
point where they think they can, and
then they start to see results and that’s
when they start to grow, not only as
players but as individuals,” Shuler said.
Shuler has completely revamped the
assistant coaching staff as well, bringing in Justin VanOrman, Kim Thompson and Mary Brock.
VanOrman enjoyed a successful high
school career and has coached since
1990. Before Appalachian, he was an
assistant along with Shuler at Furman.
Thompson played at Georgia from
1992-1995 and coached there from
1998-2002.
Brock played for Shuler at Furman
from 1998-2002.
Bryant said she feels the new coaching staff works well together and shares
the same philosophy, a philosophy that
Josh Brown | Chief Photographer
Adrienne Shuler, former assistant coach for Furman, now looks to instill a level
of competitiveness and gain respect for the Mountaineer basketball program.
makes it hard to lose. Also, each of the
coaches have worked with each other
before, which makes for better chemistry.
“There is no ‘this is how we used to
do it,’ cause how we used to do it obviously didn’t work,” Bryant said.
Shuler said she is confident in her
staff as they have all played or coached
at quality Division I schools.
Go ASU Basketball!!
Appalachian South
Apartments
Renting for the Summer and
Fall of 2003
File Photo
Adrienne Shuler was a former assistant coach for Furman for seven years
before accepting the position of head coach of the women’s team.
Efficiencies, One, and Two
Bedroom Apartments
Affordable Rates!!
Efficiencies from $250
One Bedrooms from $299
Two / One Bath from $399
GO APP
Basketball
www.BooneDrug.com
Two / Two Bath from $575
(Rates based on early payment discount)
Visit our units listed at www.myhighcountry.com
or call (828) 264-6621
Featuring Appstate Highspeed Internet Access.
ppstate.
Optimistic sophomore, Bryant, to come-forth as a leader
Sports Beat
As you ride through the neighborhoods of North Carolina, you are sure
to see a few games of basketball being
played. These games usually consist of
the boys from the neighborhood trying
to pass the time and one-up their best
friends.
What happens when a girl wants to
play?
Do the boys let her jump in or tell
her to go home?
If the girl has a game like Aisha
Bryant, she gets to stay.
As a child in Durham, Bryant learned
a few things about basketball from her
father before he had an accident and
was rendered to a wheelchair when she
was in second grade. She then began
to take her game to the recreation center near her home. Here she would play
in the pick up games with the boys.
“They treated me like a boy,” Bryant
said. “I used to play with the guys in
my neighborhood on the regular blacktop, and then I played for my church
league, and I was the only girl in the
whole league. Pretty much after then
everybody had heard about me and that
I was the only girl, so they treated me
the same. I guess that’s why I can be so
physical and not get pushed around.”
Her confidence and passion is evident
by simply watching a practice. When
the team has to run, she is the one yelling and encouraging everyone else.
During the practice, her leadership and
confidence broke through, especially at
the end of practice when the team had
to shoot free throws to determine that
days conditioning.
Bryant was the first person to jump
to the line, and although she missed
and everyone had to run, she was the
first to take off down the court.
In the past, Bryant had not been comfortable in a starting role for the team,
but flourished as the sixth man. This
season she is going to try to step up her
role to become more of a leader.
“I think I’ve matured past that now,
and I know that I need to step up for
my team and the younger players,”
Bryant said. “We’ve got a whole lot of
younger kids on that wing, and I can’t
be that immature sophomore that says
I don’t want to start because I don’t play
good. I need to come out and be a factor at the beginning and at the end.”
Bryant will also be sporting a different number this season. Since her freshman year in high school when she had
the number-four jersey, she has wanted
it. When she came to Boone and it was
available, she snatched it up. Now that
friend and teammate Rebecca Norris is
no longer on the team, however, Bryant
told Norris she would wear the number 25 for her.
Last season was not the most successful for the Mountaineers, but as most
people associated with the basketball
program, Bryant is optimistic about the
future.
“I feel a lot better about things,” she
said. “I feel a lot better about the preseason conditioning; they’ve got us in
shape. With the things we’re doing right
now, [head coach Adrienne Shuler] is
getting us into a mind frame where we
believe in what she is saying, and we
believe that what she is saying is going
to help us, and that belief is going to
carry over into the game.”
This mindset is different from last
season.
“I don’t think the belief was there,”
Bryant said. “I don’t think everybody
believed in each other, and then if you
don’t believe in the people off the court
it’s hard to start believing in what your
coaches say.”
Despite her strong performance last
season, especially late in the season,
Bryant was not recognized in the preseason All-Conference polls. With this
as ammunition, she heads into the up-
File Photo
Aisha Bryant (4) takes a shot against a
UTC player during the 2001-02 season
coming season.
“I want to get All-Conference,” Bryant
said. “I felt the tip of it with the little
Player-of-the-Week. Now I’m just like,
‘I got to get All-Conference.’ I’m going
to come out with a statement when I
play. Everybody’s going to know then
that I’m a player.”
Even after scoring 30 points in two
consecutive games last season, there is
always room for improvement. This
year Bryant wants to be more consistent so her team can rely on her day-in
and day-out.
This reliance will begin with a road
game at Campbell University on Nov.
22 and the home opener Nov. 25 at 5:15
p.m.
Jacque Lenz | The Appalachian
Bryant will switch numbers this season because her friend and teammate
Rbecca Norris is no longer on the team. She will now wear number 25 instead
of number 4, which she has worn since she was a freshman at Appalachian.
Ram’s Rack
Thrift
Thrift Shop
Shop
877 West King Street, Boone, NC
828-262-5029
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9-5
Last Saturday of
the month is 1/2 price
on clothing!
Everything--1/2 Off
Diary Queen - Hwy 105 - Next to Winn Dixie
Sponsored b
Resort Are
Ministrie
A 501-(c)
Organization
Donations Accepte
• Furniture & Appliances
• Small Household Items
• Clothing & Accessories
• Books
• Clothing for Costumes
Free pick up available and delivery available for a small fee for
furniture and large appliances.
Page 12 • 2002-03 Mountaineer Basketball Preview
Former freshmen provide experience for young team
Sports Beat
The 2001-2002 Appalachian State
University women’s basketball season
was not marked by a plethora of wins,
but it did allow the younger players to
see the floor. Two players who saw significant playing time were forward Jennifer Jank and guard Michelle Conklin.
As freshmen, Jank and Conklin, as
well as other freshmen, saw the floor
as much or more than some seniors on
head coach Barbie Breedlove’s team.
“I think hard work,” Conklin said. “I
think the class [Breedlove] brought in
last year, all of us came in with a little
glimmer in our eye. We were all willing to come out here and work hard,
and it may not have done very good in
early practice but come season time we
were all out there busting our butts, and
I think out-worked some of the older
girls.”
With Jank being the only returning
post, she has taken on a larger leadership role like other younger players.
“Last year I was the quiet one,” Jank
said. “I figure this year I really need to
step up, especially since I’m the only
returning post that has played post, and
I should try to help the other posts as
much as possible.”
The experience of these girls will be
relied upon even more this season. With
only two seniors on the team their production will be key. Jank and Conklin
will need to improve upon their five
point-per-game average to help the
Mountaineers win.
“I think we will help a lot,” Conklin
said. “Our team is not real big this year,
so I think a lot of us will be getting that
playing time.”
After being recruited and playing one
season under coach Breedlove, the players are entering an entirely new system
and a whole new attitude.
“Coach Schuler demands respect,”
Conklin said. “She steps on the floor
and no matter if you’re a player, a parent or anybody in general she demands
respect, and she expects all of us to give
it to her.”
This attitude has changed for the better; coach Breedlove ran a different
program with different expectations.
Last season Breedlove was more passive and allowed the team to do more
of what they wanted, whereas now
File Photo
During the 2001-2002 season, freshman guard Michelle Conklin (12) received
signficant playing time and experience under former coach Barbie Breedlove.
under Schuler they have curfew every
night and much more expectations and
responsibilities.
These two sophomores have the talent and ambition to help the team however possible.
Mountaineer Maniacs: a different breed of basketball fan
University’s “Cameron Crazies.” For
Appalachian fans that share that same
love for basketball there is an alternaOutside it is cold and rainy; the threat tive: the Mountaineer Maniacs.
of snow looms high on the minds of
The Mountaineers Maniacs are a
residents in Boone. With the weather group of students on the campus of
turning from nice to anything but, Ap- Appalachian that support the basketball
palachian State University students will program to no end.
be making their way indoors to cheer
“Our fans are pretty rowdy,” said sefor the black and gold.
nior business major Mark H. Craven.
The winter has finally arrived in the “There are just a lot less of us than other
Southeastern region of the United schools; we don’t have as big as a fan
States, and that can only mean one base as your Carolina or Duke.”
thing—basketball season is here.
Many students on campus are uninBasketball fans across the nation have formed in regards to the athletic scene
been waiting patiently for this moment at Appalachian because they are caught
through both baseball and football sea- up watching their favorite teams on TV,
sons and are now ready to come out of according to Craven.
their shells.
With the addition of the George M.
Here in the state of North Carolina, Holmes Convocation Center, basketball
basketball fans are of a different breed, attendance numbers were slated to rise
with the best example being Duke considerably because more seats are
Sports Beat
available. While attendance levels are
indeed contingent on the ability of the
team, neither have increased considerably since the center’s opening.
The mission of the Maniacs is to excite students on campus to come and
support the school they attend, instead
of watching games on TV, according to
members. With more fan support many
believe the team will be able to push
through the close games and even become a better squad.
Everyone that joins does it for different reasons, however.
“I joined originally because UNC was
in town and I wanted the ticket to the
game,” Craven said. “After that I found
a love for Appalachian basketball.”
To become a Mountaineer Maniac
and support the basketball program
here at Appalachian, keep an eye out
for mail or announcements pertaining
File Photo
The mission of the Maniacs is to excite
students to come and show support.
to the subject. One can also show up
for the first home game of the season
to sign up.
Small nominal fees may be included
in the registration process to assure
members a T-shirt and any other special amenities that may be included.
Specializing in
Student Cuts
Tom Lawrence • Donna Shore Younce
AlanYounce
File Photo
The Mountaineers Maniacs are a group of students on the campus of Appalachian
that support the basketball program win or lose. To become a Maniac show up for
the first home game of the season Nov. 22 against Mars Hill to sign up.
Appointments Appreciated
But Not Necessary
Hours: 9-5 M-F
Address: 141 West King St.
Phone: (828) 264-6400
2002 - 2003 Women’s Southern Conference Preview
UNC-Greensboro
College of Charleston
Last season:
Last season:
21-10, 14-4 SoCon
Split regular season title with Chattanooga and finished second in the SoCon tournament
This season:
This season:
After coming up short in the SoCon
championship game two years in a row,
the Spartans want to put some blood
in the NCAA Tournament. Leading the
team will be preseason player-of-theyear selection Jacinda Lambert and
eight other players from last year’s
team.
Against ASU:
Won both games in the 2001-2002
season.
UT-Chattanooga
Last season:
23-8, 14-4 SoCon
SoCon Tournament Champions, and
eanred a seat in the NCAA Tournament.
Split regular season title with UNCG.
This season:
After winning the Southern Conference Tournament the last two seasons,
the Lady Mocs are looking to make it a
three-peat. They return nine players
from last year’s squad, including preseason all-league selections, Miranda
Warfield and Jennifer Wilson, who will
lead this young squad.
Against ASU:
Won both games in the 2001-2002
season, defeated ASU in the second
round of the SoCon Tournament.
Ashleigh
Fuller (5)
takes a
shot
against
College of
Charelston
defenders
last season
on Jan. 12
in George
M. Holmes
Convocation Center.
The
Mountaineers fell to
the Cougars 83-73.
Charleston
once again
beat
Appalachian Feb.
11 in
Charleston
80-52.
14-14, 7-11 SoCon
Fourteen wins in 2001-2002 were the
most in Charleston since 1991. The Cougars lost seven players from last season but still have All-Conference selection Wilma Simpson to lead the way.
Against ASU:
Won both meetings against Appalachian in 2001-2002
Davidson College
Last season:
10-18, 6-12 SoCon
This season:
After a disappointing eighth-place finish in 2001-2002, the Wildcats are
primed to make a charge in the SoCon
by returning four of five starters, nine
players total.
Against ASU:
Appalachian won both meetings in
the 2001-2002 season.
East Tennessee State University
Last season:
10-18, 5-13 SoCon
This season:
The Lady Bucs return the most balanced lineup, with three seniors, three
juniors and three sophomores, trying
to get out of the SoCon cellar.
Against ASU:
Appalachian won both meetings in
2001-2002.
Wofford College
Western Carolina University
Last season:
Last season:
16-13, 9-9 SoCon
This season:
After losing six seniors, including last
seasons Player-of-the-Year Jenny Nett,
from the 2001-2002 season and bringing in new head coach Ed Wyant, the
Terriers could be in for a long season.
With six freshmen, senior Jen Stasie will
have to take on a big leadership role.
Preseason All-conference selection
Tiffany Hamm will lead the 12 returners from the 2001-2002 squad. After
only losing one player, Laura Echols, the
Catamounts want to improve on last
season’s fifth-place finish.
Against ASU:
Won both games against ASU in 20012002
Won both games against ASU in 20012002
Furman University
Last season:
17-12, 11-7 SoCon
This season:
The Lady Paladins lost only two players during the off-season but also lost
their head coach. Sam Dixon takes the
reins as head coach with seven players
back to try and make it another winning season. With three preseason allleague picks—Kim Lawrence, Orion
Wake and Deshera Shealey—the future
looks bright in Greenville.
File Photo
Aisha Bryant gets caught up by Chattanooga defenders last season in
Appalachian’s 86-68 loss to the Mocs Jan. 21 at the Convocation Center.
17-11, 9-9 SoCon
This season:
Against ASU:
1-1 against the Mountaineers in 20012002
Against ASU:
Georgia Southern University
Last season:
13-14, 10-8 SoCon
This season:
The Eagles are one of the most experienced teams returning. Their 10 veterans are second only to Western’s 12
and will try to fill the void left by Alie
Rousseau and Danna Simpson.
Against ASU:
Won both meeting against ASU in
2001-2002.
Compiled by Allie Woods
Overall
Record
Editor- in-Chief
Associate Editor,
Production Operation
Associate Editor,
News Operation
Chief Photographer
Chief Graphic
Designer
Sports Beat
Sports Beat
15-12
The Appalachian’s
SoCon
Record
9-7
13-14 6-10
11-16 5-11
14-13 8-8
13-14
16-11
14-13
7-9
7-9
8-8
SoCon
Finish
SemiFinals
Quarter
Finals
Quarter
Finals
Key Game
Best Player
Davidson
Josh Shehan
“The historical powerhouse scored only a few
points more in each game
last season. We take them
down, we’re going all the
way.”
“He has seen a
Davidson victory in
2000 and leads the
team in rebounding.
He has opportunities
to be a lead scorer.”
UNCC
Shawn Hall
“The Mountaineers lost
a close game to the 49ers
last year in Charlotte.
This year’s home game
against them should give
a good picture as to how
ASU will perform.”
“He amazed fans
late last season with
his wild shots and
should come out as a
team leader.”
ETSU
Graham Bunn
“This first game of the
conference could set the
tone for this season’s conference play. A win is important to get things moving.”
UNCC
Quarter
Finals
Quarter
Finals
SemiFinals
SemiFinals
“The home game
against the 49ers could be
key because if ASU can
pull off a victory against
them, it could provide a
huge momentum boost
for the rest of the season.”
Comments
“Fancher’s second
year will give the players a chance to refocus the general direction of the team.”
“For ASU to be successful this season,
they must play both
halves of every
ballgame.”
“Lots of potential
“Gotta love those
ball-handling skills.” with older returners
and some freshmen,
but the Mountaineers
must keep thier intensity thru the rest of
the season.”
Chris
McFarland
“He has the ability
“If everything gels
to bring the crowd into early on, Appalachian
a game as well as get- could be a contender.”
ting his teammates
pumped up with his
thundering dunks.
ETSU
Josh Shehan
“If the Mountaineers
can pull off a win against
ETSU in thier first SoCon
match it could provide
the momentum they need
for subsequent SoCon
games.
“He has great leadership potential as a
returning senior. He
has more games under
his belt than any other
Mountaineer.”
ETSU
Shawn Hall
“This is the conference
opener for the Mountaineers and a win over ETSU
will start Appalachian 10 against a good ETSU
squad.”
“His quickness and
long-range shot could
prove to be a lethal
weapon on offense.
Relentless defense
could force turnovers
in big game situations.”
Furman
Matt Jones
“After 2 tough conference home games they
go on the road for four
games with a good
chance for wins. This
could be a crossroads
kind of game.”
“He is the team’s
best defender with potential to score more
this season. He and
Shehan have played
the most games for
ASU.
“The Mountaineers
are going to have to
work hard to get their
game together early
and continue their
momentum through
out a difficult season.”
“The Mountaineers
could turn some
heads if they play to
their
potential.
Watch for freshmen to
mature quickly.”
“They have some
exciting
players
transfering in and have
lots of players returning. Transfers from last
season are more comfortable with the system and should be able
to contribute more.”
Staff Picks
Overall
Record
SoCon
Record
10-16 6-11
SoCon
Finish
SemiFinals
Key Game
UNCG
“History shows Greensboro is the team to beat.
A SoCon victory looks far
away
for
the
Mountianeers.
Best Player
Tiffani Johnson
Comments
“As a lead scorer in
six games last season,
she has the chance of
doing it again. She
has great leadership
potential.
“Now that Barbie’s
gone, the team can
start to clean house
and re-group...play
some real ball.”
Smoky Mountain Aisha Bryant
10-16 7-10
Quarter
Finals
“The first game with
“Two consecutive
Shuller at the helm will 30-point games is not
show what she has done pure luck. She should
with last year’s team.”
lead the team into a
new era.
Furman
7-19
9-17
2-15
5-12
Quarter
Finals
Quarter
Finals
11-15
8-9
Quarter
Finals
Aisha Bryant
“She’s young and
“A win back on home
court after a long time on she can get the ball in
the road could give the the net. Look for big
Mountaineers a chance to things in the future.”
show their potential.”
UNCA
Aisha Bryant
“The game against
UNCA is huge because the
Mountaineers won’ t play
before a home crowd for
over a month during thier
eight-game road trip.”
“She has the ability
to score double digits
and pull down rebounds, limiting second chance shots for
opponents.”
Furman
“After a long stint on the
road, the Mountaineers
will have to pull out all
the stops, get a win and
prove their potential.”
“This season is full
of questions, mainly
whether or not
Adrienne Shuller can
revamp the program.
The team needs a
leader both on and off
the court.”
“It’s going to be a
long road for the
Mountaineers with a
new coach and a
young team, but this
is the year to get
strong and rebuild the
program.”
“ The team has matured greatly since
last year, but they now
must adjust to a new
coaching setup.”
Come
support
your
Moutaineers
in their
season
openers
Nov. 17
Women’s vs. Smoky
Mountain Swarm
Aisha Bryant
“She commands
“I don’t think they
great presence on the could do much worse.
court and a promising New coaching staff
career as a Mountain- looks promising.”
eer.”
3 p.m.
Nov. 22
Men’s vs. Mars Hill
7 p.m.
13-13 9-8
10-16 6-12
SemiFinals
SemiFinals
Furman
Aisha Bryant
“The second conference
game and the first game
back from a long road trip
against big name schools,
a win will set the pace for
the season.
“She has the ability
to open a game up if
she gets hot. She
could prove to be a
spark for a young
Mountaineer team.”
Furman
Aisha Bryant
“Coach Shuller will be
“She’s the best
facing her old team, af- threat to put points on
ter coaching at Furman the board every
for seven years.
night.”
“Watch for the
women to play surprisingly well under
new head coach
Adriene Shuller. With
few seniors on the
squad, leadership
might be an issue.”
“It will be an adjustment with a new
coach, but they have
a lot of young players
to build with.”
*ASU Discount is not valid with any
other coupons, discounts or offers.
*One I.D. discount per visit
*Offer may be modified / discontinued at any time
*Limit 1 coupon per customer per visit*
*Not valid with other coupons, discounts or offers*
*Valid at ASU or Appalachian Exxon Locations only*
*Expires 12/31/2003*
*Expires 12/31/2003*
*Expires 12/31/2003*
*Expires 12/31/2003*

2002 Mountaineer Basketball Preview

Transcription

Similar documents

season pass benefit guide

THE APPLEWORKS

COACHING STAff

Women`s Basketball Preview

ARHS volleyball team finds unforseen success in 2011 season

Willie Melton Appointmen Appointment

Beating the NFL Football Point Spread

- ODU Digital Commons

Southern Arkansas

Fall 2010 - Appalachian Magazine