Sports
The Compass/Feb. 2005 Page 3
Va. State
cheerleaders
intiinidate
ECSU squad
CIAA creates new
rules to curb
cheerfighting
By Carla S. Layton
Staff Writer
Every year cheerleaders from
different schools compete to be
known as the best, but not in the
conventional way. When it
comes to Historically Black
College or University
cheerleading, the squads
determine who will be “top dog”
on the basketball court.
Most students remember last
year when ECSU played against
Virginia State. Along with the
basketball players came the
cheerleaders known as the “Woo
Woo’s.”
During the game, a full 60-
second time out was called and
the music blasted from the
speakers in the Vaughn Center.
The ECSU cheerleaders began to
dance and the Woo Woo’s
retaliated by dancing back. Not
only did the Woo Woo’s dance,
but they also challenged the
ECSU cheerleaders by moving
closer in order to intimidate
them.
For all of those who are not
familiar with “cheer fighting,”
this was a major upset. The Woo
Woo’s were trying to show up
ECSU on home territory, but
ECSU was having none of it.
ECSU retaliated, and both
squads battled it out.
There has always been an
unspoken rivalry between the
ECSU and Va. State
cheerleaders. Some say the Va.
State has the name and ECSU
has the talent. ECSU student
Matthew Rascoe said, “Of
course ECSU has the talent, get
out of here! Va. State sucks!”
In response, “Miss Pep Squad”
Valine Castillo said, “I don’t like
them (Va. State).”
Not everyone feels the same
about the Va. State cheerleaders,
“The few times I’ve seen Va.
State, they got the best of our
cheerleaders,” said ECSU
student Bernard Redcross.
Asked what Va. State had that
ECSU didn’t, Redcross said,
“attitude and confidence.”
Because of recurring “cheer
fighting,” some people are
becoming concerned it will lead
to physical fighting if restrictions
are not set immediately.
Castillo said, “The only way
they (cheerleaders) would end
up fighting is if they (Va. State)
got up in their (ECSU) faces.”
Student CJ Overton agreed,
and said, “I don’t think it (cheer
fighting) will occur. It’s just a
competition. The cheerleaders
are mature and there’s a
difference between playing and
the real thing. As long as it’s not
gang related then it’s okay.”
As a result of “cheer fighting,”
all cheerleading squads are no
longer allowed to greet the other
squads; if they do, they have to
be escorted by a coach or
supervisor. Little did the squads
know that these events
foreshadowed more restrictions.
During the middle of
basketball season a committee
was formed and letters were sent
out to the Central Intercollegiate
Athletic Association Board of
Directors, and all athletic
directors and cheerleading
coaches commented on
cheerleading conduct.
The memorandum, sent
January 13, 2005 from Jeffrey
McLeod, Assistant to the
Commissioner of the CIAA,
said, “The conference office is
concerned about the egregious
conduct and unsportsmanlike
behavior.
“I. Cheerleaders must not cross
their respective side of the court
during the entire course of a
respective contest (ie.halfcourt);
“II. Cheerleaders are banned
from cheering at the middle of
the floor during all timeouts
(either full or :30);
“III. Cheerleaders are not to
direct cheers at opposing squads
at anytime during the course of
a respective contest.
“If these rules are not followed
the offending team as well as the
respective team members will be
fined punitively for each rule
violation.”
ECSU student Jalila Daley
believes rules were meant to be
broken.
“People always want the
cheerleaders to get the crowd
hyped and excited,” Daley said.
“But then they put limitations on
what the cheerleaders can do.
Cheerleading against other
squads makes the crowd more
interested.”
Some like it hot
Freshman IVahan
plays like a veteran
By Chris Chinaka
Staff Writer
Lady Viking Celeste Trahan, a
6’2 freshmen center from
Stockton, California has made an
immediate impact on the
Elizabeth City State University
women’s 2005 basketball team.
Trahan has been such a
presence that many of her
student-classmates know
instantly that when she steps
onto the court the intensity of the
game will rise.
‘Its amazing watching young
freshmen play like a veteran,”
said ECSU student and sports
enthusiast Sam Bennett. “I like
a player with her caliber because
she can run the floor and she
attacks the basket at will. Celeste
is definitely a threat inside the
perimeter for the opposing team.
If the team continues to play
strong defensive games, they
will have a
good chance
at winning the
Central
Intercollegiate
Athletic
Association
tournament”.
Trahan is
averaging 15
points per
game and
leads the
CIAA
league in
rebounding.
She is second
in blocked «
shots. For the
fourth week in a row, Trahan was
voted the CIAA rookie of the
week.
“It feels great when we play
together as a team and win”
Trahan said. “I have improved
offensively, but I still need to
work harder on defense. My
teammates and coaches have
helped me so much by keeping
motivating and staying focus”.
The shy nineteen-year-old is
really
enjoying
her season,
but their
record
doesn’t
reflect the
type of hard
work and
dedication
these
Ladies have
endured
this season.
During
the team’s
Feb. 2nd
game
Trahan
registered a new career high,
grabbing 16 rebounds which
went along with her 31 points
against Bowie state. The Vikings
won the contest 85 - 84.
Trahan plays both forward and
center with ease, and is a
versatile post player who draws
fouls like a magnet. Often she
controls the tempo of the game
with her defensive presence.
Trahan is an exciting player to
watch. Guards are intimidated by
her ability to block shots, get
possessions and rebounds. She
hurts opposing teams with outlet
passes that break up double team
coverage of her.
“Trahan’s vibe and energy on
the court is positive,” said
teammate Christina Hager. “She
is very aware of her teammates
on the court and she has great
footwork. Celeste can stretch
defense, or drop in a jump shot.
Her role on the team is very
consequential.”
“I am happy about the progress
and improvement our team has
shown,” teammate Deanna Price
said. “Like any other squad
we’ve had our ups and downs
throughout this season. The
coach has done a good job
making sure the chemistry and
bonding within the team is tight.
Celeste is a free spirit person that
listens well and plays hard. Her
explosive abilities and
aggressive style plays have
earned her a respected name in
the CIAA. I cannot wait to see
Celeste get her first dunk.”
Chavious, Trahan receive
CIAA rookie honors
Trahan named CIAA Player of the Week
By April J. Emory
ECSU Sports
Information Director
January 18, 2005 - Freshmen
Martin Chavious and Celeste
Trahan have swept the CIAA
Rookie of the Week honors. ^
Chavious, a guard from Chapel
Hill, NC, receives his third
Rookie of the Week recognition
this season. In two games for the
Vikings last week, he averaged
9.5 points, 2.5 steals, and 1.5
assists.
A rookie phenomenon
receives her fourth Rookie of the
Week honor this year as she
collected two double-doubles in
as many games last week.
Versus nationally ranked Shaw
University, Trahan held her own
with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
She followed that with collegiate
career highs of 29 points and 19
rebounds in the Lady Vikings’
win over Virginia State.
February 6,2005 - After being
named CIAA Rookie of the Week
six times this season, freshman
sensation Celeste Trahan has
joined the conference elite by
being named CIAA Player of the
Week.
In three games last week, she
averaged 28.6 points and 20.3
rebounds to lead the Lady
Vikings as they went 2-1. In their
only loss, to the #3 ranked Shaw
University Lady Bears, Trahan
posted career highs of 33 points
and 24 rebounds. She also scored
31 points and 16 rebounds in a
win over Bowie State and 22
points and 21 rebounds in 20
minutes of play against
Columbia Union College.
This season versus CIAA
opponents alone, Trahan is
averaging 20.0 points and 15.0
rebounds per contest. In the
CIAA she is S"" in scoring, I*' in
rebounding, 2"‘“ in blocked shots,
and 2"““ in field goal percentage.
She also leads the Lady Vikings
in the four previously mentioned
categories. Trahan has posted 12
double-doubles in 19 starts this
season.
Currently, Celeste leads the
nation (NCAA Division II) in
rebounding and is tied at 25"' for
blocked shots. The Lady Vikings
(9-10) will return to action this
Tuesday, February 8* as they will
host Livingstone College. Game
time is scheduled for 5:30pm at
the RL Vaughan Center.
ELIZABETH CITY STATE
UNIVERSITY
2005 LADY VIKINGS
SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE
OPPONENT
LOCATION
TIME
Februar\'
25
Chowan College
Murfreesboro, NC
i :00pm
March
12
Bowie State University
Elizabeth City, NC
1:00pm
15
Saint Augustine’s College
Raleigh, NC
1:00pm
19
U. of California (PA)
Elizabeth City, NC
11:0()am
20
Saint Paul’s College
Lawrenceville, VA
12:00pm
22
Fayetteville State Univ.
Elizabeth City, NC
1:00pm
25
Livingstone College
Salisbury, NC
1:00pm
26
Winston-Salem State Univ.
Winston- Salem, NC 11:00am
29
Virginia Union Univ.
Richmond, VA
1:00pm
31
N. C. Central Univ.
Durham, NC
1:00pm
April
1
Johnson C. Smith Univ.
Elizabeth City, NC
1:00pm
4
Virginia State Univ.
Petersburg, VA
1:30pm
12
Shaw University
Raleigh, NC
1:00pm
21-24
CIAA Softball Championships
Petersburg,
VA
TBA