pPage 8
THE COMPASS
Friday, December 9, 1988
SPORTS
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Photo by Richard Mclntlre
Sophomore forward Tysom Ransom raises the first place trophy high in the air in jubilation after
receiving it from ECSU Chancellor Jimmy Jenlins.
ECSU pounds Hampton 98-77
Vikings capture Tip-Ofi
By Andre Smith
Sports and
Information Director
The Elizabeth City State
University men's basketball team
opened their 1988-89 home stand in
impressive style in route to win
ning the Second Annual ECSU
Tip-Off Basketball Tournament held
in the Vaughan Center December 2-
3.
The Pirates of Hampton Univer
sity got things started by defeating
the Captains of Christopher New
port College in the first game.
Then the excitement increased as
the Vikings took to the court for
their game against the Broncos of
Fayetteville State University.
From the opening tip-off fans
knew they were going to be in for a
treat.
And the team did just that, treat
ing the nearly 2,000 faithful to an
offensive clinic. When the final
horn sounded, the scoreboard
showed ECSU 134, Fayetteville
State 116. Setting up a classic
showdown between the Vikings and
the Pirates on Saturday Night.
In the consolation game between
Fayetteville State and Christopher
Newport, it was close for most of
the contest. But the Broncos pulled
it out for the win and third place.
Then it was time for the show
down.
Hampton came into the game
with a 5-0 record, and the momen
tum to try and take the first place
trophy back up Highway 17 when
they left, but the Vikings had other
ideas.
The first half of the game was as
close as everyone had expected. But
the Vikings running a motion of
fense kept the Pirates on an uneven
keel maintaining a 47-43 lead at the
half. The second half was to be
somewhat of a similar tale.
ECSU jumped out in the second
half and added to their lead. Several
times the amount grew to a 20
point advantage for the Vikings.
The fans who were there were
looking for another 100 point
game.
After all, the games averaged over
100 points each. But it was not to
be; the Vikings held on for a 98 to
77 win to keep the first place tro
phy in Elizabeth City.
The Vikings were led in the scdr
ing department by senior Erni(
Griffin with 22 points. Other play,
ers in double figures were Tysoi
Ransom, Reginald Joe and Dariy
Riddick with 18, 15 and 15 poiiii
respectively.
Hampton University was led bj
Peltre Williams with 17 points aai
Keith Hunter with 14. Only t\v(
other Hampton players had douUi
figures. With the win the Vikin|!
record improved to 3-2 overall an(
1-0 in the CIAA.
Ftioto by Rkhard McIoU
Lady Viking Center Erika Ruffin plays keep away with a Shai
University opponent in a game at Vaughan Center November 30
Basketball Preview 1988-89
■ Viking Men:
Mackey says Ws
. ^ack to basics*
; for 1988-89 team
By Wayne Corprew
Third year coach C. J. Mackey
says his men’s basketball team is
getting “back to the basics” in 1988.
“We will not do many new things, but
Wiwill do those things well,” said
Mickey. “Itiscalledtakingwhatyou
have, where you are, and doing the
best you can without excuses.”
Jj^ast year’s Vikings were 10-17
bill lost several close ball games.
Seven of those losses were by five
points or less, and according to
Mackey, can be attributed to a young,
inexperienced team.
But this year’s team is different.
Fifteen players have returned to men ’ s
basketball rosterj including ten sopho
mores.
While most coaches are eager to
cite those players on whom the weight
of a team must fall upon, Mackey
says he expects all of his players to
contribute. “If one is not playing a
lot, he is pushing the others,” said
Mackey.
And while Mackey is looking for
a team effort to lead his Vikings to a
winning season, headmits that people
like pre-season All-CIAA pick Ernie
Griffin will play an important part.
Griffin, a 6’5" senior forward, aver
aged 16.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and
3.4 assists last year.
Other returning starters are James
Eaton, Darryl Riddick, Reggie Joe,
and Melvin Satchell.
Among the key reserves are sopho
mores Ty son Ransom, Gal vin W^ker
and Derrick Alston, and juniors
Ronald Cousar and Kevin Dickens.
Photo by Richard Mclntire
Coach Ciaudie Mackey emphasizes the “basics” during a preseason
practice session.
Lady
Vikings:
Kelley looking for
a championship
By Mark Morris
“I’m looking for a championship
every season,” said ECSU women’s
basketball coach Alvin T. Kelley.
That statement is symbolic of the
type of enthusiasm with which he
and the lady Vikings are approaching
the 1988-89 season.
Although the Lady Vikings are
picked to finish fourth in the CIAA
this season, Kelley doesn’t plan a
season based on predictions. “I’m
looking for a championship every
year,” said Kelley. “I say that be
cause if I were to make predictions
*
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SixVikings gain honors
Biggs, Mabry named to
first team All-CIAA squad
Photo by Rkhard Mclntlre
All-CIAA Honorable Mention selection Derek "Zeke" Williams runs towards the end zone during the
Hoitl'ecoming game against the Pirates of Hampton University.
Although it was another disap
pointing season for the ECSU foot
ball team, the Vikings placed two
players on the first team All-CIAA
roster, while four others received
honorable mention.
Brian Biggs, a 6’2" sophomore
defensive linebacker from Washing
ton, North Carolina, and Michael
Mabry, a 6’2" defensive back from
Rocky Mount, North Carohna, were
named to the All-CIAA first team
defensive squad. Mabry led the
Vikings in tackles and was third in
the CIAA with 85 unassisted tackles
and 41 assisted tackles. Biggs re
corded 31 unassisted tackles, 22 as
sisted tackles, and 24 sacks on the
season.
Honorable mention All-CIAA
honors went to senior wide receivers
Robert Tiller and Derrick Williams,
freshman punter Rodney Holloman,
and junior center Landon Mailes.
Tiller had 318 yards receiving in
1988, including 28 receptions for a
11.3 average, while Williams had 7
catches on the year for a 5.1 yard
average.
Holloman was sixth in the CIAA
in punting with 57 punts for 1932
yards for a 33.9 yard average. The
CIAA s leading punter had just over
1600 yards punting for a 39.1 yard
average.
The Vikings finished the 1988
season with an overall record of 2-7-
1 and a conference record of 1-4-1
while being outscored 261-94.
“It was very disappointing for
me—for us,” said head coach TJ.
Little. Little, in his thirteenth year as
coach of the Viking football team,
said that while he had hoped for a
better year “things just didn’t work
outth.’itway."
such as we’re going to play .5(
basketball this season, then I woul
be saying that we are going to prac
tice very hard to lose half of oo
games, and I don’t believe in that
Kelley’s quest for a CIAA chain
pionship will be led by sophomw
Tara Jackson and senior Caraie
Roland. Jackson, a 5’8" forwan
guard, leads the team in scoring
averaging 18.3 points per gameintit
first three contests. Roland, a 5 8
guard, is the team’s second leadini
scorer at 12.3 points per game. Ro
land and Jackson are expected li
anchor the Lady Vikings scoring at
tack this season.
Two other sophomores, Demelii
Rowe and Ericka Ruffin, are als
expected to make a sizeable conlii
bution to the 1988-89 team. Rowe,
5’6" guard, is currendy averagini
just over 10 points and 7 assists po
game. Ruffin, a 6’ I" center, is cm
rently pulling down 8 rebounds i
nightandaveragingjustoverlOpoini
as well.
If there is one nemesis that look'
as though it may haunt the Lad
Vikings this season, it would appei
to be injuries. “We certainly are m
where we want to be because of injn
ries,” said Kelley. “However,
feel like we can really be a force in
CIAA despite them.”
Kelley speaks very highly of il*
sophomores on the squad. “They ^
a year older and that is more eJ
perience. Anytime you have exp*
rience, it’s going to help your la*
ketball team.” According to Kelle)
the additional experience is mos
valuable in terms of what can K
accomplished during practice tin>
“What I ‘taught’ last year, I can acW
ally coach this year. It makes a dif
ference because the players
much have an idea of the system.
It is no secret how competitive ll*
CIAA conference is each year. KeU*5
noted that for the last seven years, ll*
CIAA has either produced a Divisi|
II women’s national championslii
team or been represented in the
four. “We are facing a tough, toup
schedule, up and down,” said Keil^f
“It’s a tough division. Basketballi!
the CIAA is second to none.
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