Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / April 17, 1998, edition 1 / Page 11
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The Compass Friday, April 17, 1998 11 Vikes prepared for CIAA Tournament by Jemayne King Ah, it's spring again—a sure harbin ger of short shorts, open-toed shoes, and the sound of metallic bats ringing out from the Knobs Creek playing field. This season. Viking Coach Chuck Cullens plans to tighten up the way his players use those bats. "We were right in the thick of things before we went into a five-game slump," said Cullens. "Our current goal is to try and get out of this hitting slump and get mentally prepared for the CIAA tournament which is in Fayetteville, NC April 16-18th. The Vikings are (7-16) and (7-11) in the CIAA. Cullens, currently in his 12th season as head coach of the ECSU baseball program, has a fundamentally sound team with a fairly young nucleus. "Players such as Johnny FuUer and Alvin Keels have been pleasant sur prises," said CuUens. "In a game yes terday (AprU 8th) against Shaw Uni versity Alvin had four home runs. "Johnny broke his foot in a freak ac cident last fall, and didn't have an op portunity to reaUy prepare for the up coming season," CuUens added "Cur rently he is (4-2) and is one of the bet ter pitchers on our entire staff. According to Cullens the Vikes' five- game losing streak is due mainly to their inability to hit effectively. "Hitting is an area in which we have to improve on with the CIAA tourna ment so close, "said Cullens. "This year it's anybody's tournament. I think this is the most equal division I've seen in twelve years!" Coach Cullens is also a student of the game that stresses sound funda mentals. "I feel that if we concentrate on the four aspects of pitching, hitting, de fense, and smart base running we stand a good chance of staying in every ball game." Cullens said he is appreciative of fan support. "We have a pretty good following considering we don't play on campus," he said. "I've also noticed that we bring in more fans on an average than do other CIAA schools. A lot of our fans are students who make the drive over- -parents, grandparents and girlfriends. Cullens thinks this season will help prepare the younger team members for the future. "We wiU continue to look for kids to improve, " said Cullens. "The under classmen who get in (the game) will be receiving invaluable time under their belts." Last season the Vikings finished (7- 23). The CIAA tournament will test the Vikings' ability to finish out the season successfully. Coach Cullens stressed that to win the tournament the pitch ing must hold up and the Vikings must improve offensively. He pointed out that his team is tough to beat when hitting, but added , "the team that comes in hot offensively and defensively can win the tournament". (A1 Randolph contributed to this story.) lUK Ik (AUOt 6” HOT STEAK AND CHEESE SANDWICH One coupon per customer. Not valid with other otters. Expires 5/18/98. Red Apple 1M7 WeeksviUe Rd. Elizabeth City Phonc/FAX 333-1673 3UI5 * iAUOt 6” MEATBALL SANDWICH 990 One coupon per customer. Not valid with other oners. Expires 5/18/98. Red Apple 1847 WctksviDe Rd., Elizabeth City Phone/FAX 333-1673 lUfcS a SAUfcOi $1.99 6** BLIMPIE BEST SANDWICH One coupon per customer. Not valid with other oners. Expires 5/18^8. Red Apple 1847 WeeloYillc Rd. Elizabeth City Phone/FAX 333-1673 VJtt k SALADS /20FF 6” SANDWICH Buy one at the Regular Price and get the 2nd at 1/2 Price One coupon per customer. Not valid with other oners. Expires 5/18/98. Red Apple 1M7 WeelsviUe Rd., Elizabeth City Phone/FAX 333-1673 A h Franklin Scott. Jr. photo Catcher Phoebe Eley puts out a Bowie State player at home plate. Anthony Harris makes All-Star Classic Team by Jemayne King Spike Lee's new basketball movie He Got Game hits theaters later this month. Elizabeth City State's own work-in- progress, Anthony Harris, has been hit ting the CIAA for the past four sea sons, averaging 17.7 points and 9.0 rebounds a game in his senior contest. It may be safe to say "He got game, too." Harris' performance has helped him join an elite group of athletes. He is one of 24 top seniors in the country from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to be selected to play in the Black CoUege All-Star Basketball Classic. The Classic is set for April 18 at the Baltimore Arena. "It feels pretty good to be selected," said Harris, a senior who graduated from high school in Colirmbia, N.C. "I'll get a chance to play with players from other conferences, and maybe get a chance to get looked at by pro scouts." "I want to play in the NBA," he said. "It would be nice if it happens. I'm going to work hard at it." Harris, a forward for the Vikings, credits much of his success to a strong family background. "I looked up to my mother and pat terned my game after my older brother," he says. "He influenced me by bringing home trophies. He really worked hard." Despite his success, Harris strives to improve his game on a daily basis. "I would like to improve my outside game, catching the ball outside and making something happen. I love to work I don't want to be outplayed. I just want to work and be ready." Harris admits that it's not easy to juggle the demands of academics and athletics. "It takes a little bit of concentration and a lot of hard work," he said. "You have to remember what you came here for and you have to remem ber where you are trying to get (to.)" Harris said he has not been turned off by the new era of professional bas ketball, with its emphasis on flash over substance. "I don't think the NBA is conveying a negative image," he said. "It's just a different breed of athletes coming in now. The game is changing, but not necessarily changing in a negative di rection." Harris sees no problem with the NBA's current drug policy. The NBA is the only professional sports league that doesn't have mandatory drug tests. "If they (The NBA) don't have people running down the court passing out, and they don't have problems with people getting arrested constantly, maybe they are doing the right thing," he said. When Harris is not busy studying or honing his game he likes to relax by writing poetry and listening to music. "lU write a little bit of poetry, maybe listen to little bit of Stevie(Wonder)." In commenting on this season's Vi king record Harris said he believes the team "accomplished a lot." Was he disappointed by the Vikes' inability to bring home the CIAA cham pionship this year? "I'm not disappointed at aU," he said. "The fellows will have other chances. I'm the one who doesn't. Good luck to "em."
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