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3C SPORTSAE^e Clbstlotte Thureday, March 1,2007 Joyner J.C. Smith’s simple goal; Win and in By Herbert L. White he(ti-wh/te@ftiec/iaribtteposf.com Johnson C. Smith is the hottest team going into the CIAA men’s basketball tournament. The Golden Bulls will need to stay that way to get into the NCAA tournament. Smith, winners of six straight games and the West Division champion, will Likely need to win the tournament title in order to advance to the postseason. Despite a 16-8 record (14-6 CIAA) the Bulls aren’t ranked in the South region rank ings. “We haven’t been ranked in the region all year, so winning the tournament is definitely going to get us in the NCAAs,” Junior forward Ed Rainey said. "That’s what we're looking forward to. We’re looking for ward to winning the CIAA cham pionship, but we’re looking at the bigger picture - winning the NCAA basketball championship.” This year’s draw is wide open. Three-time champion Virginia Union is the favorite, but the Panthers aren’t invincible with a pair of losses to JCSU. Bowie State is explosive, but has difficulty with Union. Upstarts Virginia State, Fayetteville State and St. Augustine’s are capable of winning it all, too. "Now we have to change gears and change focus a little bit," Bulls coach Steve Joyner said.. "The pressure comes in, one and done and there is no tomorrow to get something together. We’re trying to be consistent attitude wise and in terms of what we’re trying to do on the basket ball court offensively and defensively. Then we have as much a chance as anybody in the tour nament this year.” Smith, which won the 1000th game in school history Saturday with a 61-54 win against N.C Central, has played past preseason expecta tions. The Bulls were picked to finish second in the West, but weren’t considered a title con tender with six first-year players on the roster. But the newcomers have fit in with returning players like Rainey and all-ClAA guard Maurice Hooper. Against N.C. Central, Rainey, who has been slowed by injuries, came off the bench to score 15 points. Frestiman Jerry Hollis, who plays ahead of Rainey, is the league’s rookie of the year. To advance, the Bulls will need contri butions from everyone. "It’s time," Rainey said. “For me to come back strong, it’s so important to the team. I’m one of the veterans. I’m one of the persons (younger players) look up to. It’s fun for everybody, but I definitely needed this.” Two weeks ago. Smith was third in the West but the winning streak vaulted the Bulls past Fayetteville State and St. Augustine’s. Another unbeaten week, starting Thursday, would bring JCSU the school’s second CIAA championship. “We’re trying to make history,” Rainey said. "If we come out here as a team and play hard, play Johnson C. ’ Smith-style basketball every day ...we possibly can win it.” Said Joyner: “I think the advantage for us is we have to continue to win. We have to get at least to the championship game, but we don’t want to Just get to the championship game. We want to win the championship game.” A Bull market for Smith women Continued from page 1C of our scoring came from our veterans," said head coach Vanessa Taylor. "We’re really excited about getting to this point and meeting Shaw before the championship and having the opportunity to move ahead.” Taylor said that Smith’s approach to the tournament is one game at a time. "When you begin the tour nament, you begin at 0-0. Now, we’re 2-0.” The Golden Bulls are play ing some of their most con sistent basketball of the sea son. Taylor said the team'is coming together at the right time. "This year, as a team, has taught us many lessons. We’ve had to deal with many different line ups and it’s forced us to really depend on each other,” she said. The Bulls have also leaned on the strength and scoring of senior guard Brittany Sumpter. She scored 23 points in the victory against Shaw. "I know it’s very vital for me to play big time," she said. "During tournament time, I have no time to take off. Me playing big like I did tonight is very important." It’s also going to be impor tant for JCSU to protect the ball against Elizabeth City State Friday at 3 p.m.. ECSU won both regular season meetings, with Smith com mitting 53 turnovers. “We have to prepare men tally and physically for the next game," said Taylor. “We have to step up our rebounding effort and our defense and we've been working on that." PHOTOSWADE NASH Ed Rainey (42) and Johnson C. Smith have won six straight games heading into the quarterfi nals of the CIAA men’s tournament. The Golden Bulls won the West Division but likely will need to win the tournament to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament Eagles aim to make final tournament memorable Continued from page 1C Smith. It is a stark change from last year when Shaw was the favorite and won the tourna ment for the third straight year. King, a forward, is already in the history books with the most points scored in the women’s tournament. Still, the senior wants to end her college career on top. "Records were made to be broken, but it’s very important to win the tournament," she said. The road to title town looks as ' if it’s going through Elizabeth City State this year. ECSU has only lost three games in the conference and they have the CIAA player of the year. Celeste Trahan at center. ECSU also has the defensive player of the year in guard Deanna Price. Central and ECSU spilt the regular-season series, with both teams winning at home. Don’t Let Time Pass You By! 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