Broncos possess great potential for growth
PORTS
SPRING SEMESTER
January, 2006
w
en's team suffers bac
to back losses
Photo By Ashley Smith
Men's Basketball Schedule
January 14th VS. Johnson C.
Smith University
January 19th VS. St. Augustine’s
College
January 21st At Elizabeth City
State University
January 24th At Livingstone
College
January 26th VS. Shaw
University
January 28th VS.St. Paul’s
College
January 31st At Winston-Salem
State University
Febuary 7th VS North Carolina
Central University
Febuary 11th At St. Augustine’s
College
Febuary 14 At Allen College
Photo By Dennis McNair
By Ashley Smith
The Voice
After losing to North Carolina
Central University on January 7th, the Men's
Basketball team was looking for a win this
past tuesday against Virginia Union. They
didn't find it, losing to Virginia Union 86-49.
So, now riding the wave of a two-game
losing streak, Broncos fans are beginning to
wonder about the competency of this year's
team.
Indeed, if the boys continue to play
as they have in their last two games it's
almost impossible to
forsee another win this
season. However, if the
team can rebound from
this slump, correct the
errors that they've
made, and get their
heads in the game they
can easily become the
best team in the CIAA.
Looking at the stats
from the last two games
it is easy to see some
definite areas in which
the Broncos can
improve.
Both Virginia
Union and North
Carolina Central
managed to out-shoot
the Broncos in the first
half Virginia Union
managing to score 38
points in the first half
to the Bronco's 26.
North Carolina Central
led at the end of the
first half 39, to the
Bronco's 33. These
early leads set the pace
for the rest of the game.
If the Broncos expect to
win Saturday against
Johnson Smith
University, they have to
take the lead early on in the game and hold
on to it. A five to ten point lead at the half
will give the Broncos a significant edge for
the rest of the game.
Another thing that the team needs
to be aware of is their personal fouls.
Tuesday's game against Virginia Union was
sad in terms of points allowed through fouls.
Photo By Dennis McNair
Fayetteville State had 24 personal fouls in the
game, compared to 14 committed by Virginia
Union. On top of that, the Bronco's personal
fouls allowed Virginia Union to make 23
points (63.9% average) from free throws.
Fayetteville State only managed to make 3
free throws throughout the course of the
game (23% average). This is unacceptable.
Against North Carolina Central,
personal fouls late in the second half allowed
the Eagles to make key free throws that won
them the game. Lesson to the Broncos; if
there's only minutes left on the clock and
only a few points difference in the score,
don't foul the other
team.
On a different
note: Attitude. I
am aware that the
Bronco's were
getting beat by
more than 30
points towards the
last couple
minutes of the
second half.
However, just
because you are
losing doensn't
mean you should
give up. As the
clock ran down in
the final minute or
so of the game,
both teams sort of
stopped playing.
They'd throw the
ball into play, then
sit around and
wait for the clock
to run out. Fans
did not pay their
money to watch
their team give up
in the final
seconds of the
game. Regardless
of the score.
Giving up at the end
is neither honorable nor sportsmanlike and I
hope that it is not repeated in future games.
The Broncos have great potential
this year, they only have to tap into that
potential. The coaching staff and players
know what they need to work on, and if
they're dedicated enough will be successful
this season. The best of luck to them.
V
m
IK