Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / March 16, 2006, edition 1 / Page 18
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2C 0€)O SPORTa^c CJarlottc Thursday, Mardi 16, 2006 Spring overhaul underway at J.C. Smith Continued from page 1C Tbday he’s 187 pounds and has improved his mechanics. Richardson has to: He’s being pushed by Donja GSoodson, a three-5^ar starter who missed last season for acade mic reasons. “These people are coming out here to help us out,” Richardson said, “I know I can be replaced, so it makes everybody out here work harder. In the long run, it’s going to help the team out.” That’s what coach Daryl McNeiU is aiming for in his second season. Last spring, the Bulls didn’t have enou^ players to go two deep on ather side of the ball. This year, there are more than 50 I^ayeis taking part in drills, which end tonight with an intrasquad scrimmage at 7 p.m. at Belk Complex. “It’s a testament to the pro- gi'am and the university that we were able to do some things this year,” McNeill said. ‘Last year, we had a total of 16 or 17 kids who had less than a 2.0 (grade aver age) that couldn’t practice at all, which took our numbers down to the 30s for spring bah. 'This year, we have two.” Smith wiU need aU of them. The Bulls were near the bot tom of the CIAA in nearly every meaningful statistical category, especially on offense, where they were last in yardage and points scored. Defensively, Smith has to replace its best players, line backer Chris Nelson and safety George Pope. Jerrell Goodwin, a linebacker who decided to xise his final year of ehgLbihty after graduation, helps. “The fii'st thing we want to do is...find the people to replace them as the quarter backs of the defense,” McNeUl said. The main thing we want to do is find the people who want to play defensively stUl keep that same type of men tality that they had last year.” The ofifonse is due for an upgrade as well. 'The line returns intact, and McN^ believes 'IVavis Lee (Shelby Crest High), a transfer receiver fiom South Carolina can give refieve Marquis Bdton (North Mecklenburg) of constant double-teamir^. Kevin Allen, a transfer fix>m now-Division I-AA TOnston- Salem State, is expected to bolster the runnii^ game. Offensively we just want to find some more playmakers that wUl help Marquis as far as getting the ball into the end zone,” McNeill said. “That’s the kind of kid who’s going to help us stretch the zone a Httie bit, get the ball in his hands. We want to be a httie more productive on offense, keep the defense off the field a little bit more.” Said Richardson: “I think the No. 1 priority for me is to get the offense to clicking where it needs to be to win games. Everybody’s got that main focus on getting better and getting points on the board so we have the chance to win.” With spiir^ drills ending with an intrasquad scrim mage today at Belk Complex at 7 p.m,, McNeUl is opti mistic Smith’s fortunes will turn aroimd. W.th a school record 23 straight losses, everyone is ready to move for ward. “They believe ri^t now, but I’m trying to get them to that next level of knowing, which is different,” McNeill said. “We believe we’re going to win games, but we want to know that we’re going to win games. I think that’s going to come in August.” Ely valuable in two roles Continued from page 1C ers it’s rebounding, blockk^ shots and maybe an assist here and tha^. “Being able to get (into) the tempo of the game” is an asset Ely said. “Come in and not mess up, don’t do any thing to hurt the team,” . Statistically, Ely is a major help to the Bobcats. He has seen starter minutes this season although he was hired as a back-up for start ing fiont court players how ever, Ely stalled 18 of 50 Bobcats games this year. He aver^es 10 points and 19 minutes a game. “It’s a slow process” coming off the bench, Ely said. “Get in and knock down shots.” hi coach Bemie BickerstafTs system, most of Ely’s minutes come in the second half against the opposing team’s starting power forward or center. “When you got some one like (New York’s Eddie) Curry leaning on you, (it) tends to waim you up pretty quickly Ely does. Against New York Knickerbockers on Saturday Ely scored aU 11 points in 14 minutes of play in the second half- Grinning fix)m ear to PHOTO/CURTtS WILSON Melvin Ely has a starter’s mentality, even when he comes off the Charlotte Bobcats’ bench: “Come in and not mess up,' don’t do anything to hurt the team.” ear, Ely wasn’t pleased about how many points he scored. “Coach told me to go out there and rebound in the sec ond half,” Ely said. ‘T was particularly jroud of .those (fom’) assists I had,” one short of his careea: high. Start him up: Nuggets star has stake in Indy racing team Anthony Lester By Herbert L. White herb.white@thecluirlotteposi.com Add major-league race team owner to Carmelo Anthony’s resume. The Dfenver Nuggets forward has signed on as a partner with Indianapolis-based Hemelgam Racing, which campaigns in the Indy Racing League. Anthony’s involvement includes sponsorship throu^ Nike’s Melo brand of athletic wear. He is joining forces with musician Gene Simmons of KISS fame as a sponsor of IndyCar rookie PJ. Chesson’s Honda. 'Hie IRL season starts March 26 at Homestead, Fla. The team is also entering the IndianapoMs 500. ‘Every kid has a dream of owning and driving a race car,” Anthony said, “I have always had a love for cars, especially fast cars, and this is a dream come true.” Anthony’s involvement gives the IndyCar series its first black owner. Comedian Cedric the Entertainer is part- own^ of a team in the rival Champ Car World S^es, Hemelgam Racing won the 1996 Indianapolis 500, the world’s largest siugle- day sporting event, and 2000 Ind30ar cham pionship with Buddy Lazier. Last year, the team struggled with drivers Paul Dana, who was injured in practice at Indianapolis and his replacement, Jimmy Kite. Will Anthony take a spin in the car that pushes his corporate image at speeds top ping 225 miles an hour? I I “FU stick to driving the bas- ■ ketball lane and let P.J. han dle the fast lane,” he said, • NASCAR Craftsman Truck’ Series regular BlU Lester will be the first Afiican American to qualify for a Nextel Cup race in 20 years this week in Atlanta. Lester wiQ drive the No. 23 Chesson Bin Davis Racing entry sponsored by Waste Management at Atlanta Motor Speedway “Tb say I am proud and honored to have this company behind me is an imdei^tate- ment,” he said. “Thdr commitment to diver sity alone is laudable, but the fact that they really beHeve in me and support me so thor- oug^y is really meaningful.” Lester is comity off his best season in the 'IVuck Series, where he won two poles and surpassed tiie $1 million mark in career earnings. The last blade driver to race in NASCAR’s top division was Wily T. Ribbs in 1986. Ribbs was also the first black to race in tiie Indianapolis 500, in 1991.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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March 16, 2006, edition 1
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