Newspapers / Chowan University Student Newspaper / Dec. 1, 1993, edition 1 / Page 16
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—H Sports News | Lady Braves ready for Division III competition To signify their crossing over from junior college to four-year status, members of the 1993- 94 iMdy Braves basketball team pose for a team photo on the bridge which overlooks iMke Vann. Those who will carry the school’s banner for this historic cage season are, from left, Cindy Bennett, Talissa Baker, Angela Burnett (mgr.). Heather Britt, Meredith Davies, Carla Culbertson, Danyell Harrington, Lakesha Burge, Heather Anderson, Christy Washington, Tracy Bennett, Mellisa Bedwell, Judy Enteman, Patty Trudel and head coach Ann Walters. (Pholo by Cal Bryant) By CAL BRYANT Sports Editor, The Ahoskie News-Herald The Chowan College Lady Braves enter a new and different arena this year as head coach Ann Walters guides the team in NCAA Division III competition. “I want to get people excited about women’s athletics,” state Walters, a native of Monroe. “I know that we can’t equal the fan support generated by our male counterparts at Chowan, but we at least can give our supporters a brand of basketball they can get excited about.” While it is uncertain how the Lady Braves’ first-ever journey through the NCAA Division III jungle will turn out, it is known that Walters has already sparked enough campus interest to entice 13 young ladies to carry the Chowan colors into the 1993-94 cage campaign. And that’s nine more players than Chowan finished with during its winless season last year. A trio of those battle-tested veterans return for their sophomore season — Carla Culbertson (5’2", Fredericksburg, VA), Meredith Davies (5’8", Moyock, NC) and Judy Enteman (5’10", Chester field, VA). “We’ll look to Culbertson to shoot the three- pointer,” declared Walters of the sophomore sharpshooter who holds school records for three pointers in a single season (27) and in a single game (7). “Davies is a player who doesn’t know the word ‘stop’. She hustles after every loose ball and is a great defensive player. Enteman has become an extremely aggressive player than the one I saw from last year’s films. Her leadership will also be a big plus.” The roster also includes one senior, Patty Trudel (5’8", Chelmsford, Mass.) The remaining nine Lady Braves are all freshmen, but Walters is quick to observe that this is a talented bunch of fu'st-year performers. I “A coach’s first freshman class is the base to build around,” quipped Walters. “Before these freshmen get out of here, we’re going to have a sound and solid program established,.” Two of the newcomers stand 5’ 11" and have impressed Walters with their strong play down in the paint. “Heather Anderson (Fredericksburg, VA) and Tracy Bennett (Arlington, VA) can both be a force down on the inside for us,” revealed Walters. “Both can get down and dirty when they want to.” A quartet of quick guards has also turned the head of the first-year coach. They are Talissa Baker (5’6", high Point, NC), Heather Britt (5’4", Raeford, NC), Lakesha Burge (5’4", Kinston, NC) and Danyell Harrington (5’9”, Chapel Hill, NC). Two other freshmen — Cindy Bennett (5’7", Arlington, VA) and Christy Washington (5’6", Cape Carteret, NC) — are expected to make an impact as soon as they recover from pre-season injuries, as will freshman Mellisa Bedwell (5’6", Powhatan, VA) who also played on the soccer team. “All of these girls are dedicated to the team and are working hard on improving their skills” closed Walters. “Sure, we may be playing out of our league with all the Division II schools on our schedule, but if the girls continue to listen and work hard, we can make a name for ourselves — much as our men’s team has already done. “We’re going to take some knocks, but give some as well. These girls are winners and, yes, I can see a few upsets here and there this season,” Men *s cage team to build upon strong tradition Team is eager to continue Chowan’s tradition and add some new plaques and trophies in NCAA’s Divisbnlll PAGE 16—CHOWAN By CAL BRYANT Sports EditorThe Ahoskie News-Herald A visit to Bob Burke’s cosy but cluttered Helms Center office is like making astroll back through time. The walls are covered with team and action photographs taken during Burke’s successful 13-year ride with the Braves through the junior college ranks. There is a trio of reminders representing Chowan’s three visits to the NJCAA finals in addition to several Coach of the Year plaques and game balls signifying the team’s l(X)th, 200th and 300th victories. So, how will Burke link Chowan’s past with its present—one which will see the Braves compete for the first time ever at the NCAA Division III level? “We can sit here and talk about all the ttadition you want,” quipped Burke, “but if we do then we’re talking about Chowan Junior College. We’re just Chowan College now. “All of these pictures and plaques represent our jimior college success. I do want to remember the success we enjoyed, so I’m not going to take any of this stuff down. I want to add some new stuff in here.” And how does the 14-year Chowan coaching veteran plan on accomplishing that feat, especially with 15 new faces on a 17-membei squad—including a dozen freshmen? “I’ve issued a challenge to my players,” noted Burke. “My past teams here had our successful junior college tradition to build upon and I’ve asked this year’s players what are they going to do about being a part of history now that we’re at the four-year level. They’re eager to add some new plaques and pictures on this wail and I really like that attitude.” TODAY, Witaer 1993 Since the Braves are the new kid on the NCAA- D ni block, Chowan must compete athletically as an independent until the school graduates its fu-st senior class. This means no conference affiliation and no chances at post-season competition. And just who are these yoiuig men who will carry the first four-year basketball banner? “I’m not going to get into a lot of naming names simply because of the 14-day practice rule imposed by the NCAA,” claimed Burke, “Due to that short time frame to assess our talent level and due to the fact that we’ve got only two lettermen returning. I’m just as anxious as you to see exactly what we do have,” As a foundation, Burke will build his team around two returnees—junior swingman Troy Dollyhigh (a 6’5", 205-pounder out of Mt, Airy, NC) and sopho more forward Tony Burlow (a burl4y Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native who stands 6’7" and weighs 215 lbs.) A trio of junior college fransfers will add three walls to that foimdation. Mark Hall (6’7”, 220 lbs,, Essex Conununity College) will provide the bulk in the middle while Indiana native Mike Allen (6', 160 lbs,, Manchester College) and Maine native Arthur Fitzhugh (6', 175 lbs„ Baltimore Community Col lege) will fill the guard slots. The top two freshmen on the 1993-94 roster will be Fayetteville native Andre Allen — a 6’4", 195- pound forward who led Southview High School in scoring during its state 4-A championship run last year — and Herman Jordan — a hot prospect out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana who stands a muscular 6’5" and tips the scales at 210- pounds. Burke is also excited about the progress of fresh men Thad Forehand (a 6’7", 218-pounder out of Camden High School), Miami, Florida, sparkplug Jere Croke (6', 170 lbs.), Brian McNeill (5’11", 145 lbs., from Triton High School} and David Harper (6’7", 185 lbs., from Chesapeake, VA). “I’m also looking for another five or six freshmen to make some big contributions as (he season goes on. We’re a bunch of young ‘injuns’ right not, not Braves as of yet, but once these youngstCTS sprout some whiskers and go on the warpath, our opponents had better circle the wagons.” - Speaking of opponents, the Braves will see 24 new names on the 1993-94 schedule. Sixteen of those games will be on the road. Scheduled to help initiate Chowan in the ranks of the NCAA are Rowan College, the top-ranked D-III team in the pre-season poll, Christopher New^port and Ferrum College, both nationally ranked in the D-m poll last season, and Division n powers Barton Col lege and St. Andrews, “We’re anxious to see if we can compete at the four-year level. The key will be our adjustment period, the new faces, opponents and team and coaching philosophy,” While adjustment periods have known to be bumpy, the presence of a savvy veteran coach like Burke can offset a rough ride. With a sfrong tradition already in place, look for the “four-year” Braves to carve its name in the storied past of Chowan College basketball.
Chowan University Student Newspaper
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Dec. 1, 1993, edition 1
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