Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / March 22, 1984, edition 1 / Page 11
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Sports Section B _ Thursday, March 22, 1984 I i ii i Exercise In skill The Hoke Bucks get tn a few worm-up exercises during practice Hot week. According to Kill ingsworth, warm-up exercises such as this "get the blood pumping and the boys ready for a good workout.** .? ? ? - - * . state championship were dashed Friday night in Wilson All eyes on the ball In a simulation drill, the Bucks show off their skill at keeping a close eye on who has the ball and where it is going next. Although practice drills like this one did not help the Bucks through Friday night's loss to Wilson-Flke, Killingsworth believes the practices are "very helpful to any team. " II By Sherry Matthews Trying to slay afloat in the basketball world with a new coach, a new system and a 13-11 record is no easy task but for the Hoke High Bucks Varsity basketball team, the three have "turned out to be the perfect combination." Despite earlier problems, the varsity squad pushed an 11-11 regular season record to 13-11, taking the 4-A conference champ sionship and before losing in the second round winning of the state playoffs. Some have said the winning stfWtk is "just luck," but both coaches and players no "that just isn't so." "You don't get this far On just hick/' Head Coach Greg Kilt ingsworth said. "We have had to beat die top tft?* in our conference to get where we are. We should have ahttdy earned respect," he added. "We have not just been hicky. We have worked really hard for this," Killingsworth said. The hard work and two hour-a ZWSSSBXT9SA ; where they bowed out in first round action tic-; a "quicker" Wilson-Pitt team, v - ' ? r "We had the material to go all the way,' Assistant Coach Qeorge Drawhorne said. ^ J* heck of a job for Hoke High and they didn't quit," Killingsworth said. "We met our goals and were only two games short of having everything," he added. "I think that is something to be proud of," Killingsworth said. Despite "a great deal of op timism and sheer determination" that has been rooted in the coaches and their players since the begin ning of the season, most admit that it was not an easy road to Wilson. "We all had a lot to get used to," Killingsworth said. "There was a big transition to get through," he added. "The boys did not know what to expect from me...we had to learn each other," Killingsworth said. "I think we shaped up at just the right time," Drawhornevaid. "We arc playing good when it really counts,'* he added. "While everyone else was wor ried about the regular season, we were already planning for the tour nament," Drawhorne added. "Our goal from the beginning was to "Win the conference and to get into the state playoffs. We did Killingsworth said. "I couldn't be prouder of this teaia," he added. "jtoey are working together ...we all are," Kill ingsworth said. A* team spirit is now evident JBtock team. They now other and towards a ike one big family,*' Harry Southerland us get ingsworth readily admits "he is the inspiration for the team." "He plays with his heart and fills the whole team with inspira tion," Killingsworth said. "I try to keep everyone pepped up," Southerland said. "If you get down, you don't play as good," he added. "We have been called the under dogs from the beginning of this tournament," he added. "They can say that but look at what N.C. State proved last year," Southerland said. "I think we can win it. 1 want lose hope," he added. Buck lead scorer and team cap tain Tony McRae also believes he and his teammates can come home "winners." "Even if we don't win it all, we have something to be proud of," McRae said. "As long as we play together, I think we can beat anyone," he added. McRae, who averages 16 points a game and 12 rebounds, is op timistic about his team. "We had a tough time at first. Now we have got it all together," McRae said. "We are going to show everyone just where Hoke County is before the tournament is over," he added. "We want to win this real bad," Hoke point guard James Graham laid. Graham, who has averaged 12 points in tournament play, believes the key to the Buck's succctt has been their " total team effort.** < "We are working hard as a team now. That is important," Graham ?aid.-v'.X"' .'. -iW , ? ??, \ -i In addition to a "total team fort," Killingsworth credits a "ter ric coaching staff for the Buck's winning streak. "vr ll George Drawhorne, Dan McGougan and myself work together," Killingsworth said. "The two of them have been one of the biggest and most positive factors in the tournament," he added. "We are co-coaches...we com pliment each other well. It seems to be a good combination," Kill ingsworth said. The 14 team members hold a "deep respect" for their coaches and seem "determined" to make them proud. "We know that every game could be our last. We are not ready to hang up our uniforms this year," Senior player Barriet Easterling said during a practice game last week. "These boys are showing a lot of strength and sheer guts," Kill ingsworth said. "They want to win this tourna ment very much," he added. "There is a lot of desire among the team," Graham said. "We have become a family...together we can win this," Drawhorne said. "The boys are tired of losing. They want to get the respect they have already earned," Kill ingsworth said. "If for some reason we don't win...well, we tried,".fce added. Even if the Bucks end their season shy of a state champion ship, Killingsworth believes "it has been a food year." "Ottr record may not be the dticitt fapretfto but if you look at us overall you can see the improve ment," Killingsworth said. "It may not be the best record but J will put our JS>11 record and where w* are against anyone else," ingsworth said. Headed for two Hoke basketball senior Harriet Easterling demonstrates a two-handed dunk during a recent practice session.
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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March 22, 1984, edition 1
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