Page 12
Wednesday^ December 9,1998
The Pilot
Dawgs open season on the hardwoods
Takiya Patrick
Pilot sports editor
Do you hear that... a ball
bouncing,, a net popping...do
you hear that?
Yes, it is that old familiar
sound. It’s time for GWU bas
ketball and the Men’s
Basketball team is preparing to
return to action for another
exciting season.
Coach Rick Scruggs is
optimistic about this season’s
team. Scruggs feels that he is
working with the best team in
the last couple of years.
Scruggs says the young men
are not only athletes but also
scholars; five of the nine new
players are on academic schol
arships. Scruggs feels that the
scholarly attitude is being car
ried onto the court as well,
bringing a better attitude to the
game.
Last season did not end up
the way fans had hoped. What
was once an optimistic season
turned into one that was some
what disappointing.
"It was a discouraging
year," said Scruggs. Scruggs
feels that the team never came
together and the result was not
having a very good season.
The Bulldogs return this
season with a fairly young
team. The loss of many of the
more experienced players after
last season leaves the Dogs
with only one senior on the
team. But Scruggs doesn’t feel
that this will have much bear
ing on this season’s play.
Scurggs says, though, they had
to give up the experience this
squad has brought in skill, atti
tude, and desire.
Several players return for
the Dogs this season.
Senior Damien McMillan
and Dusty Mason return this
year. McMillian, will miss
some games due to a broken
wrist, but Mason is expected to
have a good season.
Among the new players,
Antoine Wilkerson and Corey
Dillard are expected to produce
for the Dogs. Dillard, the 6’7
forward, has competed at a
junior college and will bring
experience to the team.
Wilkerson also brings experi
ence and was named Mr.
Basketball last year in
Kentucky in junior college
competition.
Five freshmen join the
Dogs this season.
"Freshman will play a big
part and will play a lot," says
Scruggs.
Freshmen Bruce Fields and
Jamie Roller are expected to be
big for the Running Bulldogs
throughout the season.
The Dogs were in pre-sea-
son action on Nov. 9 in an exhi
bition game against the
Kentucky Sports Crusaders los
ing by a score of 116-95.
Corey Dillard led the
Bulldogs offensively finishing
with 18 points. Four other play
ers added double-digit points to
the GWU effort. Antoine
Wilkerson, Dusty Mason,
Corey Dillard, and Jamie
Roller added 14, 13, 12, and 10
points respectively.
Scruggs feels that the men
played well considering for
some it was the first time com
peting at the college level. He
feels that the team hung in
there and that the biggest thing
is overcoming inexperience.
The Dogs opened regular
season play at home Nov. 13 in
the Rotary Dixie Tournament.
Then were at home again on
Nov. 24 against the University
of North Florida.
Lady Bulldogs looking for good year
Takiya Patrick
Pilot sports editor
The leaves are falling from
the trees and the temperature is
dropping outside. It’s the per
fect season to stay inside where
it’s nice and warm and enjoy an
action packed game of basket
ball.
Well, look no further than
the 98-99 Women’s Basketball
team. The stage has been set
and the Lady Bulldogs return to
the courts ready for action.
The Ladies return, off a
season that was plagued by
numerous injuries among the
players, with a more optimistic
outlook.
This year’s team is also
equipped with experience and
depth. Coach Eddie McCurley
feels excited about this year’s
team and is expecting to have a
good season.
McCurley feels that
injuries hurt the team a lot last
season, but believes that the
lack of depth was also a big
blow. "You’re gonna have
injury but do you have the
depth to recover?," asked
McCurley, "We didn’t last sea
son. This year we do."
Injury has already hit the
team. Shirley Andorful, 6-foot
point guard, is out for the sea
son with a tom ACL in her
knee. Andorful was expected to
start at the point position. "This
was a pretty big blow," said
McCurley.
There were positions to
replace this season with the loss
of several key players. Only one
player. Holly Flornoy, was lost
due to graduation. Katie
Joseph will not be returning to
the team this year due to a
career ending knee injury.
Recruiting has however
filled in the gaps. The Ladies
bring in more experience this
season with the signing of 4
junior college players. Lisa
Parks, Rasa Sukeviciute, Jill
Shaffer, and Tresita Holland.
Parks is a transfer from
Tennessee Tech University. She
will bring in the experience of
competing in Division I compe
tition to the team. Parks is
expected to start at the point
position for the Lady Bulldogs.
McCurley feels Parks has the
ability to make a lot of differ
ence and also bring maturity
and leadership to the team.
Sukeviciute, a 6’4" post
player, is a transfer from
Kansas City Kansas
Community College.
Sukeviciute will give size and
experience to the team. Her size
on the inside will also add
dimension to the game.
Shaffer, a transfer from
Kaskaskia Community College,
will be a plus for the team.
Shaffer is capable of playing
several positions. She also has
quickness and good ball han
dling ability.
Holland, a transfer from
Louisburg Community College,
will play mostly the wing posi
tion this season. McCurley
feels Hollad is an exceptional
athlete and an excellent
rebounder.
Several returning players
are also expected to have a
good season.
Vida Turauskatie returns
for the Lady Bulldogs this sea
son in great shape. She is shoot
ing well and has stepped up as a
team leader. Turauskatie led the
team in scoring with 17 points
per game last season and was
also freshman of the Year in the
SAC.
Also returning is Jamie
Boyles. Boyles was the leading
rebounder last season, averag
ing 12 rebounds per game.
McCurley feels that this is one
player that gets better and better
every year.
Theresa Harrison and
Jennifer Setzer also return for
the Ladies this season.
Several Freshman players
are also expected to make an
impact.
Alicia McMahan, a 5’9”
guard, could start at the wing
for the Lady Bulldogs.
McMahan is an intelligent play
er and shoots well also.
McMahan is also a Presidential
Scholar.
Ashley Portorfield, a 6’3"
post, will add some size that has
been missing from the team.
The main objective for the
team is staying healthy and
consistent. But McCurley is
expecting an explosive offen
sive team and season.
The Lady Dogs were in
pre-season action Nov. 11
against the Smokey Mountain
Swarm.
Turauskaite led the team
with 28 points. She also pulled
11 rebounds and contributed 4
assists.
Porterfield had a hot hand
also, adding 25 points and 12
rebounds in 24 minuetes of
play. Porterfield not only
worked offensively but defen
sively as well adding three
blocks.
Boyles also added nine
points and 10 rebounds. Shafer
put in 12 assists and 9 points as
the Lady Dogs went on to win
87-78.
The Ladies will spend
Christmas break in the
Bahamas at a tournament.
Merry Christmas
Have a
safe and
fun
breakt