Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Jan. 27, 2005, edition 1 / Page 7
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(Sports January 27, 2005 A year's differenbe^ Seahawks steadily improving BREn Henley ; Staff Writer Sitting at 10-6 and 5-2 in the CAA conference, the UNCW men’s basketball team is deter mined to focus on development and short term, tangible goals. The prospect of the CAA tournament in March looms large, but the team is determined to remain grounded. “We are concentrating on one game at a time and not getting too far ahead of ourselves,” junior guard John Goldsberry said. At this time last year the team was barely behind the ball at 11- 7 overall. Despite a solid start, the Seahawks fmished the 2003- 2004 season at 15-15 overall and 9-9 in the conference. Though the Seahawks are shooting better from three point range in 2004-2005, the differences in statististics all around are slim. Oddly enough, opponents total field goal per centage is higher this year versus last, and the two biggest improve ments, offensive rebounding and a decrease in turnovers, are the only significant changes. So far this sea son, the men’s squad has more than halved its offensive rebound total of 325 last year. “Confidence breeds winning, and they kind of go hand in hand,” Goldsberry said. Despite the number crunching headaches, the Seahawks are far from being a statistical anomaly. Setting the two teams apart from on^ year to the next is a single under lying factor: game experience. “We had a lot of guys who were going into the heat of battle for the first time last year,” Head Coach Brad Brownell said. “We lost a lot of close games, but now guys are look ing forward to winning games and are more confident.” An impressive resolute effort Jan. 19 at William and Mary netted the Seahawks a 54-49 road victory Limiting mistakes and aggressive play on the offensive boards more than erased a not so impressive day offensively, as the team shot just 33.9 percent for the game. Senior guard Ed Spencer provid ed 11 points off the bench, including a key three in the second half that gave UNCW the lead for good. Junior John Goldsberry added six assists and two steals, with junior Taylor Lay contributing nine points on 3-of-5 shooting. The team continued its Virginia road trek with a tough loss to CAA leader Old Dominion on Saturday, halt ing a recent three-game win ning streak. Goldsberry and Spencer both scored in dou ble digits, but the Seahawks could not overcome; another cold night shooting at 32 percent, and a 13 point, 13 rebound double-double by ODU junior forward Alex Loughton. “Right now we are just trying to evaluate our play and improve every week,” Brownell said. Up next for the Seahawks is the Drexel Dragons on m Wednesday Jan. 26, a team that UNCW needs to beat to maintain its second place spot in the CAA, The Dragons enter the contest with a 9-6 overall record, and match the Seahawks in the CAA at 5-2, Four Drexel players are averag ing double digits in scoring, but the Dragons team stats resemble UNCW in shooting percentage and offensiVt'^^bounding. The determining iiBlor will most likely be home court aivarttage, as the Seahawks are uifdefeated at home in the CAA, with a 3-0 record at Trask Coliseum, “Guys understand the system better and the coaches are working with the players to turn weakness es into strengths,” Brownell said, “Wins and losses will take care of themselves,” Aaron Coombs pulls up for a jump shot against Holden Plack of the Towson defense on Jan 15. Coombs scored IS points during the game and picked up six re- N.cole Smith 1 THE SEAHAWK bOUUdS. Baseball banquet begins a promising season file photo I THE SEAHAWK The baseball team is holding its annual spring banquet this Saturday *t the Riverside Hilton Hotel in downtown Wilmington. The team recently began offlcial practice for the 2005 season. The Seahawks are predicted to finish first in the CAA. Chris Kronmueller Correspondent This Saturday night, Jan, 29, the UNCW Baseball Program is holding its third annual Spring Banquet at the Wilmington Hilton- Riverside. The sold-out banquet serves more than a meal and more than one purpose. Head baseball coach Mark Scalf said, “(The banquet) provides a tremendous forum for our program to reach people interested in base ball.” The banquet also serves as a celebration of recognition for the previous season’s accomplish ments, for both the team and the individual, while looking forward to the upcoming season that begins on Feb, 5, with four of the first five opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference, The banquet, organized by Scalf and his assistant coaches, does not only generate excitement and inter est, but also serves as a reunion for players, both past and present. “It gives a second chance to bring former players together,” said Scalf, “The other opportunity is during alumni weekend.” Alumni weekend is in the fall, long after the teams season is over. Scalf is expecting at least 40 former players, dating back to the 1960s to be in attendance. The highlight of the evening will be the keynote speaker, Terry Francona, manager of the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, This will mark the second year in a row that the keynote speaker was the manager of a World Series winner. In reference to that fact, Scalf said, “We’re extremely fortunate to have this drop in our lap.” Assistant coach Randy Hood, who played for Francona in the minor leagues in 1993-1994, played a part in getting Francona to speatv at the banquet, “We had a good relationship and kept in touch. We reached out early (Francona agreed to come in August) and he was gen erous to come,” said Hood, The evening will also feature former UNCW standout Josh Bonifay, who will speak about his experiences. Trot Nixon, the Boston Red Sox outfielder and Wilmington native, will also be honored for his work in the community and his on- the-field achievements. There will also be a video presentation of last season’s team through the regu lar season, the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament and the NCAA regionals. '
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