NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL, NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN POSTSEASON FOOTBALL PLAY  Ryan McGinty
NCCU Photo

NORFOLK, Va. – For the first time since 2013, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will have two football teams represented in postseason play. 2016 MEAC Champion North Carolina Central University earned a berth to the 2nd annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl while North Carolina A&T State received an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs.

NCCU will make its first postseason appearance as a member of the Division I FCS ranks as they’ll square off against the Southwestern Athletic Conference Champion in the 2nd annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl on Dec. 17 in Atlanta, Ga. live on ABC Television. This also marks NCCU’s first postseason appearance in 10 seasons as they participated in back-to-back Division II Playoff contests in 2005 and 2006. NCCU’s opponent will be decided on Dec. 3 following the conclusion of the SWAC Championship Game.

North Carolina A&T State, which travels to Richmond on Saturday at 2 p.m., returns to the postseason for the second consecutive season and its first trip to the FCS Playoffs since 2003 as they played Wofford. The Aggies are 1-4 all-time in the playoffs with their only win coming in 1999 against top-seeded Tennessee State.

Richmond is a familiar opponent to the MEAC having played Norfolk State this season and Hampton in 2015 and 2014. The Spiders played host to Morgan State in the first round of the 2014 FCS Playoffs and Hampton in the first round of the 2005 playoffs.

This marks the first time since the inception of the Celebration Bowl that the MEAC will have two postseason representatives. The league has had multiple FCS Playoff representatives in 2013, 2010, 2003, 1999, 1998 and 1997. During the era of the Heritage Bowl (1991-99), the MEAC had three teams in postseason action during the 1999, 1998 and 1997 campaigns.

Tickets for the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl are available at www.thecelebrationbowl.com or the NCCU Ticket Office. Tickets for North Carolina A&T State’s contest are available via www.RichmondSpiders.com.

 
Beal Named to NCCSIA All-State Team   ALLIE KOLEZYNSKI
GREENSBORO, NC- The North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Directors Association (NCCSIA) announced its selections for the 2016 College Division All-State Women's Soccer Teams on Wednesday afternoon. Twenty-two players representing eleven different North Carolina institutions earned recognition on the College Division All-State Teams. Chowan University's Rebekah Beal earned NCCSIA All-State First Team honors.

The Rocky Mount, North Carolina native scored 13 goals for the Hawks in her first collegiate season while handing out three assists on the year. The program posted a NCAA Division II program-best record of 8-6-2 this season. Beal was also honored as a member of the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Second Team.

Nominees were submitted by North Carolina sports information professionals and voted on by the NCCSIA members.

Founded in 2002, The North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) is comprised of sports information professionals from NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and independent institutions from the state of North Carolina. The purpose of the organization is to promote collegiate athletics at all schools. Membership is open to anyone affiliated with a college, university or conference located in North Carolina, and whose area of responsibility lies within sports information.

NCCSIA selects all-state teams in the University (Division I) and College (Division II, III, NAIA) divisions for men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, softball, and baseball.
 
Football's Ray Malone Selected to play in the National Game on Dec 4

11/23/2016 | Football

Notable Alumni

Frankfort, Ky.- Senior safety Ray Malone of Kentucky State University football has been selected to play in the National Bowl All-Star Game in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Dec. 4

The National Bowl is one of the only elite non-FBS post-season all-star games that see a significant scout turnout from NFL teams. The bowl rosters give the NFL, CFL, and additional scouts a chance to view and get to know some of the best players from smaller schools.

This year the National Bowl will be coached by award-winning former AFL Jacksonville Sharks head coach Brian Ferguson while another team will be led by East Texas Baptist University head coach Scotty Walden of the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.

During the National Bowl weekend, players will attend an "Athletes & Agents Conference" where NFL & CFL agents, as well as sports insiders, will educate the players in the process of going pro. The conference will feature renowned agent John Perez of Perez Sports Associates and Richard Larde of Tarbus Sports Management. Pro Bowl agent Jonathan Tilly will continue to be a staple on the panel as he is also a game committee consultant and former NFL Contract Advisor.

The National Bowl will be played at 9:30 am at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium.
For more information go to NationalBowl.org

 

NCCU Softball Inks Eight Recruits in Early Signing Period -  Kevin Buczek

November 23, 2016

DURHAM, N.C. – First year head coach Vashion Johnson has announced the signing of eight recruits to National Letter of Intent (NLI) during the fall early signing period to play softball as student-athletes at North Carolina Central University for the upcoming 2017-18 academic year on Wednesday.

“Our 2017 signing class of eight brings an aggressive style of base running to our program,” said Johnson. “Each recruit has played for coaches that focus on pushing the envelope and putting pressure on the opposing team. Also, they can also transition to a secondary position without a drop-off in performance. The addition of these young ladies will help fill the void of the amazing seniors we are losing and add much needed depth.”

2017-18 NCCU Softball Early Signees (alphabetically)…

Kayla Brooks is a 5-10 left-side infielder that is from Belleview, Florida. Brooks was a two-time all-conference player for a Belleview High School squad that won both district and regional championships. The daughter of Patrick Brooks and Pattianne Eisiminger is a Principal’s Award winner and plans to study early childhood development at NCCU.

JOHNSON ON BROOKS: “Kayla attacks the base paths and is focused to take the next base. This young lady has a great upside and the potential to be deep ball threat.”

Aiyana Campbell is a 5-7 utility player from Clayton, North Carolina. Campbell was an all-conference selection, team MVP and captain at Corinth Holders High School, which advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs last year. The daughter of Henry and Tiffany Campbell is a Principal’s List, Honor Roll, Beta Club and National Honors Society student that plans to study science at NCCU.

JOHNSON ON CAMPBELL: “Aiyana is a power hitter that will drive mistakes to the fence. She is an accomplished pitcher that will also play some first base.”

Kelsey Locklear is a 5-4 outfielder and utility player from Red Springs, North Carolina. Locklear was all-conference in three sports at Red Springs High School, including softball, basketball and volleyball. The daughter of Nakuma Locklear and Sharron McLean is a Scholar Athlete and Beta Club member that plans to study athletic training at NCCU. Kelsey will be joining the Lady Eagles with her twin sister, Kyria.

JOHNSON ON KELSEY LOCKLEAR: “Kelsey is a smart base runner that consistently finds her way to the plate once on base, scoring 63 runs her junior season. She will be a welcomed addition to the outfield.”

Kyria Locklear is a 5-4 third baseman and utility player from Red Springs, North Carolina. Locklear played four sports at Red Springs High School and was a softball Coaches’ Award winner and all-conference in volleyball and basketball. The daughter of Nakuma Locklear and Sharron McLean is a Scholar Athlete and Beta Club member that plans to study athletic training at NCCU. Kyria will be joining the Lady Eagles with her twin sister, Kelsey.

JOHNSON ON KYRIA LOCKLEAR: “Kyria is a four-sport student-athlete that shows range and good leather at shortstop and second base. She swings for gaps from the right side and can slap when needed.”

Kaitlyn Macon is a 5-2 third baseman and catcher that is from Harrisburg, North Carolina. Macon played at Hickory Ridge High School. The daughter of Ken and Beverly Macon plans to study elementary education at NCCU.

JOHNSON ON MACON: “Kaitlyn he has soft hands at third base and the arm to make the deep throw from her back hand. She’s a gap hitter with good command of the strike zone.”

Jessica Powell is a 5-6 outfielder and middle infielder that is from Green Cove Springs, Florida. Powell played at Clay High School. The daughter of Edward and Teri Powell plans to study pre-nursing at NCCU.

JOHNSON ON POWELL: “Jessica is a speedy slapper with a knack of getting on base and causing havoc. She’s also a rangy outfielder the will sacrifice her body for the out.”

Kelsey Ray is a 5-8 utility player that is from Leland, North Carolina. Ray was named her squad’s most versatile player in 2015 at North Brunswick High School. The daughter of Russell and Michelle Ray is a Honor Roll student that plans to study biology at NCCU.

JOHNSON ON RAY: “Kelsey is a smooth fielding middle infielder with great softball IQ. She is a spray hitter with a smooth swing. She has a very smart base runner who knows when to take the extra base.”

Andrea Wearing is a 5-6 catcher and utility player from Raleigh, North Carolina. Wearing is a two-time all-conference and all-academic softball player from Enloe High School, where she held the teams highest best average. The daughter of Sidney and Luellen plans to study social work at NCCU.

JOHNSON ON WEARING: “Andrea is a power hitting Power hitting catcher and right fielder with the ability to stretch singles into doubles. She has great quickness behind the plate and a strong arm.”   -EAGLE PRIDE-
 
 
FAYETTEVILLE STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL GEARED UP FOR THE HORNE HOLIDAY CLASSIC

Broncos have back to back games on Nov. 25-26

Lamont M. Hinson

Fayetteville, NC – The Fayetteville State University men's basketball team hits the road this weekend to participate in the Finis Horne Holiday Classic hosted by Lander University in Horne Arena on November 25-26th.

The Broncos will square off against the hosting Bearcats of Lander on Friday, November 25th at 7:30 p.m. FSU will return to action on Saturday, November 26th versus Armstrong State University at 1:30 p.m.


FSU enters the holiday classic with a 2-3 overall record. The Broncos are 2-0 at home this season and still searching for their first road victory. Fayetteville State suffered an 81-63 loss to Claflin University in their last contest on Nov. 19th.


Redshirt junior guard Carl McCray (Roper, NC) leads the team in scoring with a 13 points per game average. He has been the top scorer for the Broncos in three of the first five games, including back to back 21-point performances in the two victories. Senior forward Michael Tyson (Kinston, NC) and redshirt freshman guard Josh Bryant (Fayetteville, NC) have supported the scoring effort with 8.8 points per game averages each.

Lander has an overall record of 2-1, including an 87-83 win over King University in their last contest. Four Bearcats are averaging double figures led by J.R. Washington with 16 points per game.

Armstrong State enters the classic with a 2-2 record. The Pirates have won their last two games, including an 81-78 road victory over Saint Leo. Five student-athletes are averaging double digits led by Denzel Council and K.J. James with averages of 17.8 and 17.5 points per game, respectively.

The Broncos will be on the road for their next six contests before returning home in the New Year against Lincoln University (PA) on January 5th.
 
WSSU Rams Roll To A 85-63 Win Over Morris College

Kelvin J. Manns

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – William Crandell put up a double-double and Robert Colon added 17 points, as the Winston-Salem State Rams rolled to an 85-63 win over Morris College on Tuesday night at the CE Gaines Center on the Winston-Salem State University campus.


With the win, WSSU improves to 3-2 overall, while the Hornets of Morris College fall to 0-5 on the season.

After jumping out to a quick lead, the WSSU Rams use the shock and awe style of play, and a 19-10 run push the Rams lead to 15 points, at 28-13.

But the Hornets of Morris College used their own 14-9 run late in the half to pull to within 10 points at the half, 37-27.

The WSSU started the second hot, and quickly ran off a 13-3 run to go up 20 points, but Morris College battle back to cut the lead to 12 points with 13:14 remaining.

From that point on, it would be all Rams. Winston-Salem State would go on 23-6, pushing the lead out to a game-high 29 points, at 74-45 with just over six minutes left.

The Rams would then put it on cruise control, and roll to the final score of 85-63.

WSSU dominated the paint, outscoring Morris College 48-26, and also out rebounded the Hornets, 49-34 on the evening.

The Rams also got to the free throw line 45 times, making 26, while the hornets only shot 9 of 15 from the charity stripe.

Winston-Salem State was led in scoring by the double-double of William Crandell, who finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, two steal and an assist. Robert Colon, coming off being named the CIAA Rookie of the Week, added 17 points and Nate Long chipped in 10 points and pulled down five rebounds. Jason Payne added seven points and Stephen Pippins also scored seven points and pulled down five rebounds. Carlos Rankins scored six points and pulled down six rebounds, and TJ Wilson added five points and three rebounds. 11 of 12 players who suited up for WSSU, scored.

Morris College was led by Arthur McKenzie, who scored 16 points, and Raekwon McFadden added nine points. In all, 13 players scored for the Hornets.

Winston-Salem State will take a break for the Thanksgiving holiday, before returning to action three times next week. The Rams will travel to Salisbury, NC to take on the Catawba Indians on Monday night, before returning home on Wednesday evening to take on the Braves of UNC Pembroke. The Rams will round out the week hosting Virginia Union next Saturday.