SB SPORTS/The Charlotte Post Thursday, November 13, 1997 1 ’iii'T Mackey is versatile iforce for UNCC Cohtinued from 1B ‘ifofnts per game. She’s versatile, ■ (Slaying the wing or working into ;t3i^'post up to score. She’s also a tenacious defender. fSometimes she’s so athletic .and she sees so many things that ..she’ll be kind of going every- aWbere," senior forward Drewana J8gy said. “I think she’s a real ;plp6 to our team. , “On the nerimeter she’s strong, she’s kind of tall, (so) she can post up as well as step out. During the summer we were both here working out and I saw he»;working on her shot a lot, so hef jumper has really improved.” During Mackey’s senior year at West Meek, coach Becky McDonald moved her to the post and her offensive numbers took off: 21 points and 12 rebounds a ;gaifte. But Mackey feels more ; comfortable on the wing, where she played before moving to Charlotte and during a success ful‘AAU career. “Fve adjusted very well,” she said. “I’m the type of person who Playoffs include four Mecklenburg teams Ccvitinued from 1B coach.” ; Providence (9-2) emerged as one of the Southwestern 4A -Conference’s top teams, going 6-1 land finishing second to West iCharlotte. Panthers head coach |iip Secord’s bunch will go on the ’^'d to face 10-0 Scotland 'County. Providence’s offensive punch comes from fullback Alex Nash with over 800 yards rush ing,'and tailback Jeff Means’ 748 Vdrds. Defensively, Nash racked till’ 75 tackles at linebacker, but TEffee safety Dave Jacobs leads the team with 80 tackles and five interceptions. Comerback Greg Kirkland anchors the secondary aitb nine picks. “They really play well together, there is no one star on this team,” Seeprd said. “Making the playoffs jl' what you work for, and this tpapi deserves it. We played fiixrtland County four years ago, fewd' they are a good team. They Ptfli'the ball well, and they pass a godS bit. We are just going to have to out and play them.” West Mecklenburg’s 7-3 record was' good enough to earn the Jfidians a trip to Richmond County to face the 10-0 Raiders. If . JVest Mecklenburg has an advantage against the state’s top-ranked team, it’s on the offensive Une. With Jerobi Gray (6-3, 365) and John Suttle (6-4, 315) bolstering a unit which fiicludes, Carl Good, David White, and CUnt Hughes, West Me3denburg may have enough power up front to lean on Richmond County’s defense. ■■^Our strength is a great line,” We^t coach John Gammon said. “They have been the heart and soul of this team, and when it’s gut check time, we go behind our big boys.” Whatever the test, Jester summed up the emotional as well as physical task that these teams face this weekend. “There are a lot of variables that wear on the kids,” he said. “Just to get to the playoffs is a test of character for these kids. Right now there are 32 teams preparing to win a state champi onship and it’s tough.” It all starts Friday. Bulls Continued from 1B defensive backs led the Bulls in tackles. Jeffrey Brooks had 96, third in the CIAA. Adrian Calhoun had 78 and Angel Rivera had 76 stops while split ting time at hnebacker. The bad news is they had to make all those tackles. The good news is they’re underclassmen. “Most of them are coming back,” Davis said. We’re going to be pretty good down the road. We just gotta put it together and go from there.” What to do? Expectations were high that the Bulls could put together a second straight winning season, but reality set - in early. Graduation, a change in coaches and academics turned Smith’s strengths into weaknesses. “We were not a very strong foot ball team in the beginning and we had makeshift people here and there,” Davis said. “We’ve got time now to sit down with our program. We have a full year with this program and we can do some recruiting.” Bogues left an indelible mark as the Hornets’ little big man Continued from page 4B PHOTO/CALVIN FERGUSON -Tamika Mackey is one of UNC Chariotte’s most versatile players. The junior guard-forward can handle the ball, shoot and doesn’t -mind playing defense. 1o ’.1- can pretty much survive any where.” Mackey, who majors in journal ism and communications, hopes to play professionally in the U.S. or Europe one day. In the mean time, she’s enjoying UNCC on and off the court. “The college experience so far has been very interesting,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of new people, seen a lot of new faces,” The 49ers’ season wdl depend on how well they handle close games. With a deeper bench and more experience, UNCC expects to rebound fi’om last year’s disap pointment. “Of course, we haven’t had the season that we would have liked my freshman and sophomore year, “ she said. “But I think this is the year for us to come togeth er and show people what we can do.” “We’re a year older, we’re more mature, we have more depth than we’ve had in the past, so we’re going to work for it,” Baldvnn said. that. I’m sure the organization respects that. “There’s nothing I can really do or say, just go out there and do what I’m paid to do and that’s to play basketball and do it to the best of my ability.” The trade’s timing was fortu nate for Armstrong. After Saturday’s 89-82 victory over the Indiana Pacers, the Hornets have been off prepar ing for tomorrow night’s tilt with the defending champion Bulls in Chicago. The last five days have allowed Armstrong to practice with his new team mates, who have won five straight games. “This week of practice will be a big week for me as far as developing and learning how to play here,” he said. “Hopefully by Friday, (I can) get myself in the mix and go out and con tribute,” he said. How much Armstrong con tributes and exactly what his role will be isn’t clear yet but he should help. Armstrong is a good ball-handler and a dynamic outside shooter. His career .430 three-point per centage is third-best in NBA history. He’s also won three NBA championships with the Bulls and brings a determined attitude to the Hornets. “It’s definitely going to give us a chance to be a whole lot better,” Rice said. “With B.J., we have a guard that’s coming here with experi ence, a guy that knows how to win and is the type of guard that really gets everyone involved. It’s a big plus for us.” “He’s going to add to what we already have,” Wesley said. “I think we already have a strong team.” “He’s welcome here, he’s going to help us,” Divac said. “B.J. is a pretty good player.” Armstrong also brings a tremendous will to win. He wanted out of Golden State because the Warriors were clearly not close to winning. That’s not the case in Charlotte. “I’m excited to be here and be in a situation that gives your self a chance to win,” he said. “Not only win but contend and compete night in and night out. “That’s what I’m most excited about and feel very positive about the situation and I hope we can go on, progress and develop where we can with this ball club.” Armstrong downplays the sig nificance of his championship experience, saying that was with a different team. Now he wants to help Charlotte reach the next level. “They’re looking to take the next step,” he said. “It’s a process and hopefully we can get closer to the ultimate goal, which is to win a champi onship.” PHOTO/CALVIN FERGUSON At 5-3, Muggsy Bogues has fluo- rished in a league of giants The Charlotte Hornets traded him to Golden State last week. Sweet Crisp Washington Red Delicious Apples New Crop ( Anjou, Red or Bosc.Pears^ Boneless Beef Full Cut Round Steak Assorted Pork Chops 10 Oz. 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