Sports Week
7
Also Religion and Classifieds July 23, 2015
F(X)TBALL
Bloomfield, Rams 'itching for a title'
BY CRAIG T. GREENLEE
FOR THE CHRONICLE
For defensive end Michael Bloomfield, the images are
still vivid. He walked off the field with a great sense of
unfulfillment in the aftermath of Winston-Salem State's
21-17 upset loss to Virginia State in the CIAA champi
onship game last November.
This season-ending
defeat ended the Rams' 32
game conference win streak.
But most importantly, it cost
them a berth in the NCAA
Division II playoffs. WSSU
would be forced to watch the
action as bystanders for the
first time in three years.
"No question, we're
motivated for the upcoming
season," said Bloomfield. "We missed out on last year
after winning conference championships in the past. So
yes, we're itching for a title right now."
Bloomfield, a 6-foot-3,245 pounds senior, is the heart
of the defensive line, a group that goes two-deep at each
position. The D-trench crew typically sets the tenor for
what transpires at the line of scrimmage. A year ago,
WSSU ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense (13.4
points per game) and total defense (274.7 yards per game).
"My role is to get all my guys in line so we can have
the No. 1 defense in the CIAA," said Bloomfield a senior
Computer Science major from Jacksonville. "We believe
that with our front line and linebackers, we can control the
run as well as the pass. If that doesn't happen, we're not
going to win anything."
Because of die Rams rotation on their defensive front,
Bloomfield doesn't log as much playing time as many of
Photo by Craig T. Greenlee
Michael Bloomfield is key figure on a Rams defense
that ranked fourth nationally in two statistical cate
gories last season.
his CIAA counterparts. In his case, it's not about how
many minutes he plays. It's all about what happens when
he's in the game. As a junior, he had 38 tackles (including
9Vi for lost yardage) and 8 sacks.
"With a good rotation, your line will be fresher late in
the fourth quarter when you're scratching for stops," he
explained. "When you do get in, and it's only for four
plays, you have to get at least two tackles and one sack.
You make your reps count."
As a collegian, Bloomfield has forged a reputation as
a relentless defender who can change the complexion of a
"No question, we're
motivated for the
upcoming season."
game at any moment. That explains, in part, why he's con
sidered a strong candidate for CIAA Defensive Player of
the Year honors this fall.
The Rams, 9-2 last season, suffered heavy losses on
defense. Entering spring practice, there were questions.
Was there enough returning talent on hand to fill the void
created by departing senior linemen Conor O'Neal, Casey
Davenport, Duvontae Covington and Alfy Hill? Will this
be a rebuilding year fpr a young team that will most likely
struggle?
Bloomfield expects the Rams to pick up from where
they left off a season ago. He liked what he witnessed dur
ing spring drills. "I came away with some pretty good
impressions," he said. "We had a low scoring spring game
(20-16), which means that the defense, as a whole, did its
job. 1 believe we'll be even better with the freshmen and
transfers that we have coming in."
Blevins will nan
it up after 25th Han^
the Net Sho|toffig4
BYTEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
They say all good things must come to an end. On Thursday,
July 23, the Hang the Net Celebrity Shootout will come to an offi
cial end.
Over the years, a lot has changed in the Winston-Salem area,
but one thing that has remained consistent is the annual event held
at Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center.
The 3-point shootout and dunk contest started in 1986 when Art
Blevins read about a similar contest in Sports Illustrated. The
object of the competition is to make shots from behind the three
point arc and attempt to hang the net on the rim.
To make the contest more interesting, Blevins had the idea to
invite local celebrities and basketball stars to shoot in the contest.
According to Blevins, the first shootout only had one local celebri
ty and about 100 people to attended..
Over the years, the event has grown dramatically to include 12
or more local sponsors, media coverage from three television sta
tions and two local radio stations.
See Blevins on B2
Photo by Craig T. Oreenkc
Combo guard Cierra York was a two-time All-CIAA pick during her
playing days at Livingstone College.
Photos by Tevin Stinson
Art Blevins started the Hang the Net Celebrity Shootout in 1986 at South Fork Recreation
Center. Since the first competition, the tournament, which features local celebrities, has grown.
Lady Warcats expect
turnaround for next season
BY CRAIG T. GREENLEE
FOR THE CHRONICLE -
The Winston-Salem Lady Warcats didn't have one of their better showings this season. As mem
bers of the semi-pro Women's Blue Chip Basketball League, this was the first time in their five-year
team history that they finished a season below 300.
In the final regular-season standings, the Lady Warcats were fifth in the Carolinas Division with a
3-5 record.
Even so, there's no reason to believe that Winston-Salem is going on a downward spiral. What
wrecked this team's chances of posting another winning record and a trip to the league playoffs was a
disastrous four-game losing streak against the top-tier teams in its division.
During that stretch, the Lady Warcats found themselves on the wrong end of one-sided losses to
the eventual division champs (Charlotte Invasion) and the Carolina Lady Rush. In the other two set
backs, the average margin of defeat was four points to the Lady Vikings and Lady Stallions.
"What I like best about this team is the camaraderie," said Coach Chris Geter. "This group has a
See Warcats on B2
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