Haskins, former Shaw standout, led LIU into NCAA s, ay 5AM DAVIS Chronicle Sports Editor A lot of people expected Long Island University to just roll over when the Blackbirds took on Villanova in the first round of the NCAA East Regional last Thursday at Lawrence Joel Coliseum. Haskins wasn't one of them. Haskins, a former standout in Black College basketball at Shaw University, fully expected his team to battle the Wildcats tooth and nail for the right to advance to the second round. Although his team came out on the short end, Haskins and LIU acquitted themselves well and garnered the respect of the 14,360 fans in attendance. They also proved to die national televi sion audience that their 21-8 record coming into the tourna ment was no fluke. Those that know Haskins aren't surprised at the success he's had. Haskins was a standout back in his native Brooklyn, N.Y. He was a legend on the play grounds and enjoyed an out standing career at Shaw, where he was a two-time A1I-C1AA player and a small college All American as a senior. After obtaining his bache lor's degree at Shaw, Haskins returned to Brooklyn and high school coaching. He led the pro gram at Alexander Hamilton High, producing a host of out standing players. His teams also captured five Brooklyn titles, a state championship and a city title. Haskins left the high school ranks to accept the head coach ing job at his alma mater prior to tfce 1986-87 season, taking over at program that had began to fal ter. In one season at the helm he ltd the Bears to a 13-14 record. J He was lured back to New York the following season, Accepting an assistant coaching jpb at Pratt University. He stayed tfiere for two seasons before going back to Hamilton and then cm to Long Island as an assistant. Me was named the LIU coach jfiior to the 1995-% season and ltd the Blackbirds to a 9-19 r After getting his team indoc -t?. :?? trinated both on and off the court, the expectation level was Ray Haskins, former Shaw standout and AU-CIAA player, led LIU to a 21-9 record and an NCAA berth in his second season at the helm of the program. high for the 1996 season. Espe- i cially with the arrival of Charles i Jones and highly recruited Richie Parker. I The Blackbirds didn't disap- i point, winning the Northeast i Conference Tournament and I posting their 21-8 record. Haskins has built the pro- i gram from the ground up and his i players have been taught to i respect every team it plays, but fear none. Haskins talked about that aspect at the post-game press conference after his team's loss. "We have a lot of respect for Villanova," Haskins said. "But they didn't have a lot of respect for us." That caused a little friction in the game. After taking a 10-0 lead in the first half, the Wildcats began to talk a little trash to the i Blackbirds. But LIU fought back 2 into the game and was ahead for much of the half. Even though the Blackbirds faded in the second half, Haskins said he was proud of what his team did in his second year at the helm. "We played the kind of game that we thought we could be suc cessful playing," he said. "We dictated tempo and that's what we wanted to do. I feel that we have a very good year and we accomplished a lot," Haskins said." Coming to Winston-Salem was like a homecoming for Haskins. "Wheri-the pairings were announced I was hoping that we'd get to come to North Car olina," Haskins said. "North Car olina is like a second home for ne. I have a lot of friends here ind I have a lot of fond memo ies of my time down here." Haskins isn't the only LIU ie to Black College sports. Wen lell Saunders, an assistant at LIU, played under Haskins in high school before going to Shaw. Then, when Haskins accepted the head job at Shaw, Saunders played under Haskins again. After earning his degree at Shaw, Saunders worked at Bish op Lockland High in Brooklyn before joining Haskins when he took over at LIU. "I've been with Coach Hask ins a long time," Saunders said. "The thing that impressed me and a lot of the recruits is his drive and determination. He pushes everyone hard, but he's very fair." Haskins drew a lot of atten tion to his program when he decided to allow Richie Parker join the LIU program. Parker was one of the nation's mostly highly recruited players two years ago before confessing to sexual battery. After being at the top of the recruiting class, he couldn't find a single Division I program that would accept him. Parker eventually ended up attending junior college in Ari zona, where he didn't play bas ketball last season after protest from feminist groups on campus. Haskins nevertheless offered Parker a scholarship for the '96 97 season. "The provost let him in and we decided to give him a chance," Saunders said. "I think everyone realized that Richie appreciated getting a second chance. The image that is pro jected isn't really accurate. "Richie is a very shy person, he's not that vocal at all," Saun ders said. "Now they know that he's a good person. Sometimes making a mistake can benefit a person. We're glad we have him at LIU and I think that everyone else feels the same way." Allison leads Hanes Hosiery All-Stars to victory ; The Hanes Hosiery 14 and under All-Stars, winners of the SWAC State Tournament in Salisbury earlier this month, graveled this past weekend to Fort Mill, S.C. where they < efeated the Ayden, N.C. All ! tars 81-48. The Hosiery All ! tars were paced by a offensive larrage by Kenny Allison, who inished with 29 points, and the $uo of Junior Searcy and Bran don Senter who each dropped * in 14. Derrick Moore and Sheldon Davis led the rebounding and every Hosiery player scored in the victory. The Hosiery All-Stars along with the Charlotte Meck lenburg All-Stars, with whom they have split a pair of games in 2 different All-Star tourna ments, will now travel back to Fort Mill, S.C. and both teams will represent the state of North Carolina in a 4-state Southeast era Regional Tournament. The tournament will be played the weekend on March 21- 22 at the Charlotte Hornets training facility and will feature All Star teams from South Caroli na, Georgia, and Tennessee. The Regional Tournament is sponsored by the Charlotte Hornets and the NBA and is expressly for teams that are affiliated with the Charlotte Jr. Hornets Basketball Program in each of the four states r? : ? Hones Hosiery 14 and under All-Stars * |l6 and Under Carolina Hornets tryouts f iThe 16 and under Central YMCA Carolina Hornets AAU ^Basketball team will conduct w Jtryouts at the R.J. Reynolds ' jHigh School Gymnasium on 4a Friday, March 21 beginning at n 6:45 p.m. and on Saturday tl March 22nd beginning at 9:45 h a.m. Birth date of the athlete 2 must fall on or after September c 1, 1980. A parent or guardian lust accompany and register lie athlete For more info, call ead coach Walter Faye at 721 100 ext. 2500 or Rana D^Hol omb at 724-2828. INDULGE [ IN THE ADAM'S MARK EASTER BRUNCH! Our Holiday Brunch Features: Carved Steamship Round, Honey Ham, Roast Leg of . Lamb, Salmon, Fruit, Cheese, Salads, Wild Rice, Twice Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Hot Cross Buns, Breads, Cheese Cake, Coconut Cake, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Cake, Lemon Cake AND MORE!!! FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! ? t V/sits from the Easter Bunny Yo~ Yo The Clown 4 a Petting Zoo MARCH 30 10:00 am - 2:30 pm Adults- $17.95 t. Seniors- $15.95 Children 5-12- $7.95 4 and Under- FREE i . i CALL 725-3500 : * ? to make reservations adamfemcnalc uilnvCanpkna 425 N. Cherry St. Winston-Salem il? -

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