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http://www.theoharloftepost.com c Section Cftarlotte $ost SPORTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 Fox ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO/GENE J. PUSKAR Carolina cornerback Richard Marshall intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh receiver Santonio Holmes in the preseason finale last week. The Panthers open Sunday against Atlanta. Hype aside, alleyes en Carolina Panthers ’ quest for title starts against rival Falcons By Herbert L. White herb.white@fhechariotteposf.com Dress rehearsals, thankfully; are over. The Carolina Panthers face their own expecta tions and the Atlanta Falcons Sunday in the NFL opener for both teams. The game takes on added importance because it’s a division game. “It has a little bit more impor tance because it is both a division game and a conference game,” coach John Fox said. “Three out of our first four are against division opponents, so it’s important that we start fast.” For Carolina, an undefeated preseason means nothing. The same can be said for the hype that proclaims the Panthers the best team in the league. Of course, a lot will happen between now and February when the Super Bowl determines who’s best. Carolina got through the practice games healthy, a good first step. Questions about the health of key defenders like defensive tackle Kris Please see START/2C Coach K works to a T with pro stars By Andrew Bagnato THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAITAMA, Japan - As practice woimd down, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski approached LeBron James, who was shooting baskets alone on a side court. James listened intently as the coach spoke and motioned to a spot in the lane. The two talked for about 10 minutes before Krzyzewski rejoined his staff on another court and James went back to shooting. Who said NBA stars would never listen to a col lege coach? ‘You know the high-intensity coach that you see on TV,” James said later. "You get a chance to see the warm side of bim a htfle bit now on this trip. You get a chance to really know him.” When USA Basketball appointed Krzyzewski coach last October, skeptics wondered whether a college coach, even one as respected as Diike’s Hall of Famer, would be able to connect with pampered pros. But those questions have subsided as Krzyzewski led the U.S.'to the semifinals of the world championships. The Americans already advanced- farther than they did in the 2002 worlds, when they finished a demoralizing sixth in Indianapolis. While the U.S. didn't win the gold, the ultimate goal is to bring home the gold in the 2008 Olympics in Beijir^. If Krzyzewski does that, his considerable reputation will have grown exponentially “Let’s put it this way As high up the totem pole . as he is, his position will only be enhanced in the basketball world with the success of this program and the new relationships he has developed,” said USA Basketball managing dii'ector Jerry Colangelo, who hand-picked his fellow Chicago native. For Krzyzewski, success with the U.S. team may bring renewed interest from the NBA. But having See WORL'D/SC I0OS IoTG/Calv'iM EEft(SuS6f Johnson C. Smith defensive end Elijah Ashley sacks Edward Waters quarterback Kamali Leitner in the season opener Aug. 26 in Greenville, S.C. The Golden Bulls play CIAA East power Bowie State Saturday in the home opener at Belk Complex. Collision course To get to 3-0, Johnson C. Smith must handle ground-oriented Bowie State By Herbert L White herb.whfte@ffiecf)ariotteposf.com Johnson C. Smith’s gameplan Saturday against Bowie State is simple: stop running back Isaac Redman. Redman, a preseason all- America, didn’t play in the Bulldogs’ 38-0 win last week against West \Trginia State, but the Golden Bulls are plan ning for him nonetheless. Nathaniel Queen stepped in for Redman last week with 112 yards and a score on 24 carries. “That’s what it’s going to come down to - winning the game in the trenches,” said Smith line backer Fred Williams who leads the Bulls with 24 taddes. “And that’s how we’re going to prepare for it.” That means accoimting for Redman, who led the CIAA in rushing last season and is a key cog in the Bulldogs’ champi onship hopes. The BuUs, who are 2-0 for the first time since 1982, have allowed just 116 yards rushing. ‘We want to go out there and play hard, do the thir^ we can do well and gang-tackle on Redman,” Smith coach Daryl McNeill said. “That’s pretty much what our game plan is right now.” Redman, a 5-10, 230-pound junior, led the CIAA in rushing last year with 1,512 yards and was a preseason aU-CIAA pick. Bowie’s run-oriented offense will provide a stiff test for Smith’s defense, which switched to a 3-4 scheme this year. “From what I hear, he’s a tal ented running back and hope fully he’ll do his best and IH do my best,” Williams said. ‘We’re Sfee BULLS/2C East Meek finds offense; Vance surprises Prep PATs BEST COMEBACK; East Mecklenburg offense. A week after putting together a mere 123 yards agEiinst Hopewell, the Eagles exploded for 366 and 40 points against West Mecklenburg. Running back Mike Mayhew accoimted for 170 of them on the ground to go with four touch downs. BEST UPSET Apologies to Country Day, which stopped Charlotte Catholic’s 34-game win ning streak, and North Meek .(27- 6 winner over Providence) but Vance over Butler was huge. No one saw this coming, especially the Bulldogs, who have visions of toppling Independence (who does n't?) Ra’Shawn Moore’s 2-yard run with 1 minute, 8 seconds to go snatched a perfect season fium Butler. Vance also gets an honor able mention for best comeback, too. BEST BAND PERFORMANCE ON ONE FIELD; West Charlotte and Harding. If you didn’t go to the halftime show, you obviously weren’t at the game. Tbtal funk fest. BOO AND HISS: N.C. High School Athletic Association for throwing cold water on the Butler-Independence season finale. ESPN wanted to televise the game live, but the state asso ciation scotched that idea. I’m bet ting if the Worldwide Leader In Sports paid a prince’s ransom (we’re taUdi^ high schools here), the gang in Chapel HiU would find a way to get things done.' Herbert L. White PHOTO/WADE NASH East Mecklenburg High running back Mike Mayhew rushed for 170 yards and four touchdowns in the Eagles' win over West Mecklenburg last week. Bobby Collins WSSU BASKETBALL IN TRANSITION Collins jumps into new challenge PHOTOLEE ADAMS By Herbert L. White ttefb.wh/te@fhechariottepostcom Winston-Salem State is familiar with the Mid- Eastern Athletic Confeence. Bobby CoUins, who resigned as Hampton’s coach in March, was named Rams’ head coach Tbesday He will lead the program into its first season in Division I and the MEAC. “One of the key things tiiat coach Collins brings to us is that he knows the MEAC and Division I well,” WSSU Athletics director Chico Caldwell said. “He has proven that he can win in the MEAC, demon strating his excellence by winning the conference championship last year and earning MEAC tournament outstanding coach honors.” CoUins, a native of Southern Pines, spent 12 years at Hampton as a player and coach, the last four as head coach. He had been under fire at Hampton for the program’s failure to win the MEAC championship before breaking through in March. At Hampton, Collins was part of three MEAC champi onships and his 2003 team, which finished 19-11 was the best imder a first-year coach. He also has experience in coaching with teams in tran sition. He was a member of Hampton’s staff when the sdiool jumped fiom Division II and the CIAA to the Division I MEAC in 1997 - Hke \^Tnston-Salem is doing
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