Newspapers / The blue banner. / Nov. 1, 2001, edition 1 / Page 7
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November 1,2001 The Blue Banner Page 7 1 ley ire :sa ,ch lly led lu- iks iks an, ary Ian lod :oo ide National Basketball Associations Jam visits UNCA Hollie Childers Staff Reporter A 68,000 pound, 67-foot, 18 heel vehicle parked in the park- ng lot of Karpen Hall last week. The National Basketball Asso-. iation Jam Van came to UNCA 3ct 23 through 24, and trans- ormed into 5,000 square feet of Tee basketball activities to UNCA tudents and children in the \sheville community. The Asheville Altitude, charter nembers of the National Basket- )all Development League, was on ;ite to help bring the NBA and the vIBDL message to the UNCA ;ommunity, according to a press lelease. The NBA Jam Van began travel- ng across the country Oct. 5, and he tour will last throughout the nd of the month. The Jam Van provided a way for ans of the NBA to interact with eal NBA players, practice their ;hooting and compare their statis- ics with those of NBA stars such Tim Duncan, according to the \|BA.com Web site. The NBA Jam Van is sponsored )y Gatorade and NBA on the Turner Broadcast Station and Turner Network Television, ac- ording to the Web site. The NBA Jam Van provides a neans for fans to get a close-up ook at the NBA and brush up on jheir basketball skills, according to the Web site. “Now in its sixth season, the NBA Jam Van will bring the fun I and excitement to fans across the Bountry, including those areas that do not have a local NBA team,” laid Ski Austin, senior vice presi- lent of NBA Events and Attrac- :ions. “We are thrilled with the ontinuation of ‘Camp NBA’, )ecause it helps to develop basket- )all fundamentals in young fans icross America.” There are interesting things that ans can do on the Jam Van. There is an NBA video arcade, a :ree-throw court, a Get-A-Grip walk of fame, the Ticker, a video ivall, and even a Gatorade sam pling tent and thirst stations. One station, called the ‘Tall and 5hort of It’, is where fans can :ompare their height with 5’3” Muggsy Bogues and 7’0” Tim Duncan, as well as other NBA % ERIK JACOBS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER A long shot, l^yle and Lavier participate in a doubles competition hosted by the NBA Jam Van. The NBA Jam Van provides a means for Asheville’s youth to improve their fundamental basketball skills and get a close-up look at the NBA. ERIK JACOBS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER A participant attempts a slam dunk in a Jam Van activity. players. On the Get-A-Grip walk of fame, fans could compare their hand and shoe sizes with NBA players. Players for the Asheville Altitude were there on both days to help young fans with their basketball skills. Children from Asheville City and Buncombe County schools came to check out the Jam Van. ‘Camp NBA’ was another part of the attractions offered by the NBA Jam Van last week. It is designed to teach children the basic fundamentals of basketball, such as shooting, passing and drib bling. ‘Camp NBA’ is taught by the NBA Jam Van staff, along with special guest instructors, including NBA players and coaches, according to the Web site. Gatorade is the sponsor of the Jam Van, and provided a sampling tent where participants can drink free Gatorade after working on their basketball skills, according to the press release. The NBA Jam Van was not only popular for children, bur it was also a big hit for UNCA students. The Van also played loud music throughout the day. '^TheNBA Jam Van will bring the fun and excitement to fans across the country” -Ski Austin Senior vice president, NBA events Tickets for the Asheville Alti tude are avail able by calling 828-782-1000 Three key players return to basketball lineup COURTESY OF UNCA ATHLETICS WEBS ITE Head Coach Eddie Biedenbach talks to his team during a timeout. Ryan Wilson Staff Reporter The UNCA men’s basketball team will begin preparations for the 2001-02 season Nov. 3 at 4 p.m. with their first practice. Head Coach Eddie Biedebach welcomes back three starters and seven lettermen back from last year’s 15-13 team. Biedenbach, who is going into his sixth season as head coach of the Bulldogs, said he is looking forward to the upcoming year. Biedenbach is excited about starting practice and about this year’s team. They had great preseason work outs, and are ready to start work ing hard on the court, according to Biedenbach. The team is going to miss last years seniors, but the newcom ers and the returning players are complimenting each other, ac cording to Biedenbach. They may have the ingredients to win the Big South Confer ence championship, and to go to the NC/VA Tournament, accord ing to Bi edenbach. The Bulldogs return some talent in the backcourt, but will need to replace two key players from last season, especially guard Brett Carey. Carey led UNCA in scoring last year with a 13.6 average, and ranked nationally in three-point shooting. Leading the returnees is junior guard Andre Smith. Smith had a strong sophomore season with an 11.5 scoring average, and set the UNCA single-season school record for steals. “Andre bad a lot of attention paid to him last year by every opponent we played and at times, he struggled with that attention,” said Biedenbach on the Athletics Web site. “As a result, he didn’t quite have the year that he wanted, and that everyone expected out of him. Junior guard Brandon Carter also returns this; year. Carter was an all rookie selec:tion two years ago, and led the Bulldogs in three-pointers. “Brandon had a wrist injury that lingered throughout the season, and he just couldn’t get to the form of his freshman year,” said Biedenbach. “Like Andre, Brandon worked very hard this summer to get better. He’s matured both physi cally and mentally, and should be ready to have a great junior year.” Biedenbach expects several new comers to contribute in the backcourt this season. The first is 6-2 junior college transfer Alex Kragel from Walters State Community College. Kragel, who is an experienced guard, can help in the backcourt,according to Biedenbach. Kragel’s knowledge of the game and great defensive presence can minimize the loss of Carey, accord ing to Biedenbach. Also, 6’5” freshman forward Julian Capel, from Pine Forest High School in Fayettville, can play in both the backcourt and frontcourt. Biedenbach is excited about the possibilities that Capel brings to this year’s team. “Julian comes from a long line of basketball players, since his cous ins are Jeff Capel who used to be at Duke University and Jason Capel who is currently at the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill,” said Biedenbach. “He’ll give us more size in the backcourt than we had in a while. Julian is also a knowledgeable player who is also a clever passer.” said Biedenbach on the Athletics Web site. Three walk-ons will add depth to thebackcourt.Theyare6’3” fresh man Marcus Reddick, 6’4” fresh man Logan Meadows and 6-2 sophomore Tommy Velacott. Reddick played high school ball at North Rowan High School with current teammate Bryan McCullough. The Bulldogs return a great deal of experience in the front court this season, and added some new players to add more depth to the position. Leading the list is 6’5” senior Robby Joyner, the only senior on this year’s squad. He earned a starting spot at small forward last season, but a back injury took him out of the line up midway through last season. Beidenbach said Joyner has im proved a lot and is a great athlete. Joyner has the potential to be come a candidate for Big South all-conference honors, according to Biedenbach. Junior forward Colin Shaw is another starter who returns for the Bulldogs this season. Shaw is one of the most versatile players in the BSC and can play three different positions, accord ing to Biedenbach. He can play either forward spot or shooting guard. Shaw averaged 8.8 points per game and averaged 4.9 rebounds per game. Biedenbach said Shaw has what it takes to put up the numbers, and make Big South all-conference. Shaw is a good defender, can rebound the ball well, and can score for the Bulldogs in different See Men’s Basketball Page 8
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