SPORTS
Aggies Roll To Dual Titles In
Basketball During MF.AC Season
BY DREXEL BALL
GREENSBORO-A twin killing.
That phrase is commonly
associated with baseball when a bat
ter hits into a double play. But the
phrase is being bandied about at
North Carolina A&T, where both the
men’s and women’s basketball teams
have clinched the Mid-Eastern
Athletic Conference regular season
titles.
It came as no surprise for the men’s
team. Favored to win the title in vir
tually every preseason prognostica
tion, the Aggies clinched the title with
two weeks remaining in the season.
It was considerably different for
the women’s team. The Aggiettes
were predicted to finish in the middle
of the pack. It was a generous predic
tion at best, considering the team lost
two starters to graduation.
This year marked the first time for
A&T that both teams captured
regular-season titles in the same
year. But both teams recognize that
the regular-season title only earns the
top seed for the coming MEAC tour
nament. The tournament title is more
rewarding, and brings more respect
and prestige. The men’s tournament
winner earns an automatic berth into
the NCAA playoffs.
For Don Corbett, in his ninth season
as men’s coach, this has been a seaon
of wonderful achievements.
“When the season began, I felt con
fident we had the potential to be an
excellent team,” Corbett said. “But I
also realized our early season
schedule would be taxing.”
That early season schedule found
the Aggies playing only three of their
first 11 games at home. To compound
matters, tne team played only one
game at home in January.
As it turned out, the Aggies surviv
ed that tough stretch, losing only to
Akron and Georgia Tech. A&T aveng
ed one of the losses when Akron
visited Corbett Sports Center, winn
ing by a lopsided margin over the
Zips.
Several factors can be attributed to
the team’s success. The Aggies
feature five starters averaging in
double figures, led by senior forward
and All-America candidate Claude
Williams’ 15.4 points a game. Not on
ly is Williams leading the team in
scoring, he’s also the top rebounder
with 7.9 rebounds a game.
Williams is followed by junior for
ward Carlton Becton (14.6), senior
guard Thomas Griffis (13.4), senior
center Kenny Cox (12.6), and junior
guard Corvin Davis (12.4).
The Aggies also have been
bolstered by the play of their
reserves. Senior Lee Robinson has
been a valuable understudy to Cox in
the pivot, sophomore swingman
Charles Howard has provided ex
cellent scoring punch, and freshman
Glenn Taggart has eased some of the
burden placed on Griffis as the
team’s point guard.
Meanwhile, second-vear coach Tim
Delaware, South
Win In Track
Competitions
CHAPEL HILL—South Carolina
State College’s men and the
Delaware State College women won
the eighth annual Mid-Eastern
Athletic Conference Indoor Track
and Field Championships held at the
“Tin Can” at the University of North
Carolina campus.
Maryland-Eastern Shore’s Howard
Lindsay accumulated an MEAC
record 28.5 points and was named the
men’s Outstanding Performer. Lind
say anchored the winning mile-relay
team, and finished first in the 400
meters and second in the long jump.
Robert Johnson of Delaware State
was named the Most Oustanding
Male Coach.
Tanya McCray of Delaware State
won the mile run and tallied 26 points
en route to being named the women’s
Outstanding Performer. The Outstan
ding Female Coach was Fred Sower
by of Delaware State who guided his
Hornets to their fifth straight cham
pionship.
Commission* »
Visits Trial! Arvn
Offender May
Earlier this month, BUI Kentling,
commissioner of the 10-year-old Ma
jor Indoor Soccer League, visited
Greensboro to further evaluate the ci
ty as a possible expansion franchise
as the league looks to expand over the
next two years.
“We have three basic criteria for
expansion cities: the right folks In the
right building in the right communi
ty. If you only have two of those you
have no chance.”
Kentling said the price tag for ex
pansion is |1 million, and the group
should have operating expenses for a
minimum of three years. Operating
coats vary from franchise to fran
chise in the MISL.
Other cities interested in the MISL
are Miami, Denver, Cincinnati and
Boston. Kentling said he,didn’t expect
any new teams before the 1990
season.
i
Abney refuses to take credit for the
turnaround of tfie fortunes of the
women’s program.
“I’m fortunate to have some
talented players who are willing to do
whatever it takes to win,” Abney
said.
Last year, the Aggiettes struggled
to records of 6-19 overall, 4-10 in the
MEAC. But those numbers have
changed dramatically. With two
games remaining in the regular
season, the Aggiettes were 19-1
overall and 12-1 in the conference.
According to Abney, who spent
eight seasons as an assistant to Cor
bett before taking over the helm of
the women’s team last season, his
first year was a season of transition.
"The players had to get adjusted to
a new system,” Abney said."And of
course, I had to get adjusted to
them."
The Aggiettes have only two
seniors on the squad, so the founda
tion is being laid for continued sue
The seniors are guard Shelia
Rivers and forward Karon Williams.
Rivers is the team’s leading scorer,
averaging 16. t points a game. She’s
also leading the team in assists.
Williams is averaging close to 10
points a game.
Sophomore center Deidra Cheeks
has come of age in the pivot. She
leads the team in rebounding and is
second in scoring. Cheeks is the only
player on the squad with double
figures in both departments.
She is averaging 12.3 points and 7.4
rebounds.
The other starters are junior guard
Paulette Dennis, who consistently
has been ranked among the nation’s
leaders in free-throw shooting, and
freshman forward Helena Creamer.
The women’s winner of the MEAC
tournament does not earn an
automatic berth fnto the NCAA
playoffs, but the title would put the
finishing touch on one of the nation’s
most remarkable turnarounds in
women's basketball this season
Drug Abuse Program
Successful For NBA
The National Basketball Associa
tion's substance abuse program was
the first of its kind in professional
sports and it has been the most suc
cessful
It's estimated that more than too
players have been treated since it
went into effect Sept 28, 1983 Exact
numbers are unavailable because
some players have been helped on a
confidential basis.
NCSU Serves As
Host For Men's
Swim Contests
N.C. State served as the host school
for the 27th annual Atlantic Coast
Conference Men's Swimming Cham
pionships held recently. The com
petition was held at the Car
michael Gymn Natatorium on cam
pus
There were two sessions each day,
the morning preliminaries beginning
at noon and the evening finals which
will start at 7:30 p.m. There was no
admission charge for any of the
preliminary sessions,
"We are quite pleased to be hosting
the ACC meet," Wolfpack coach Don
Easterling said "It gives our kids a
chance to perform in front of friends
and family which should help our bid
to battle for a spot in the top three. It
is also an opportunity for the Raleigh
area residents to see some of the top
collegiate swimmers in the country in
our new facility. We expect the entire
three days to be just a fantastic
event.”
The University of Virginia, the
defending conference champion, was
the pre-meet favorite. Cavalier men
tor Mark Bernardino, the 1987 ACC
Coach of the Year, returns nearly his
entire squad from last year in which
they finished 33rd at the NCAA cham
pionships
Coach Frank Comfort and his
North Carolina Tar Heels squad were
■ expected to battle Virginia for the top
spot after coming off the first
undefeated ACC dual meet season in
school history. The Heels defeated
Virginia 114-103 earlier this season.
Individually, Maryland’s Mike
Lambert may be in a class by
himself. He won the 1987 ACC
Outstanding Swimmer title after win
ning the 200- and 400-yard individual
medley events and the 200-yard
backstroke. He has recorded the
league’s fastest times in all three of
his specialties this season as well as
three other events. He is expected to
compete for a place on the 1988 U S.
Olympic Team.
Orlando Woolridge of the New
Jersey Nets is the latest player to
seek help under the program.
Roy Tarpley of the Dallas
Mavericks, a leading candidate for
the league's sixth man award,
averaging 12.7 ppg and 11.1 rpg, was
treated for drug abuse during the off
season.
Chris Mullins of Golden State was
recently released from an alcohol
rehabilitation facility and is also
playing well. He is the Warriors’
leading scorer with an 18.0 average.
Briefly, here is how the NBA's drug
program works:
Any player who voluntarily comes
forward to seek treatment for a drug
or alcohol problem, for the first time,
will be provided with counseling and
medical assistance at the expense of
the club. The player will continue to
be paid.
Any player who, after previously
requesting and receiving treatment
for a drug problem, again comes for
ward voluntarily to seek treatment,
will be suspended without pay during
the period of treatment.
A third violation, or one the player
does not report and the league
discovers, results in the player being
banned for at least two seasons. He
must apply for reinstatement.
Among the active players who have
benefitted from the league's program
are John Lucas of Milwaukee and
Walter Davis of Phoenix.
Lucas established a successful
fitness program in conjunction with
Houston International Hospital to aid
in the rehabilitation of those treated
for drug abuse. He is also the presi
dent of Students Taking Action
Against Drugs, a non-profit organiza
tion that educates junior and senior
high school students about the
dangers of drug abuse.
Coed Softball
League Forming
A coed softball league is being
formed by the operators of the 231
Recreation Center, located on NC 231
east of Wendell near the Corinth
Holder community.
The coed league games will be
played on Tuesday and Thursday
evenings. The 231 Recreation Center
will also be hosting round-robin
men’s Class C/D softball tour
naments March 4-6 and 11-13.
Only eight teams will be accepted
in the tournament and each team is
guaranteed seven games.
For more information on the coed
league or the tournament, call Kit
Brown at 269-6100. _
STRIPPING THE BAli S.i a e *«o—W»*lu*<nt'*i Buiie's' l« wa d Terry
Catted',r ( .ist-ritt *'>»■ Ha I a eitnKinga’ (reward Hamid Pressley under
the Kim;*' ha i !•■*» pe •<■£.? f *«>»»» here Feb. 25. (DPI)
SOARINli ATHLETE—Winston Sate.' State's Michae was unable ,0 Pul1 ott tbe upset against the Eagles who won
Lesa e, number T5, is seen shooting ove1 opponents lion *be Southern Division title during regular season, and
Note Candida Centra) University and tea. .nates du'im; (its* wbo are considered one of the top teams in Division ll play,
dal action ot the NCCU WSSU ga,> e heri at McDoupa'd (Pbolo by Talib Calloway)
Gv asiun. U<'t'"’o"atp'y. to. Ra s fa s w. s'nn-Saie.'
nli^SU Begins Spring football
Practice With A Solid Lineup
N.C. Slate coach Dick Sheridan
greeted approximately 108 can
didates Monday when the Wolfpack
began spring football practice for the
1988 campaign.
The Pack, which finished 4-7 last
year but tied for third in the ACC with
a 4-3 record, lost 17 lettermen ,and
eight starters from last year's squad.
N.C. State is scheduled for a total of
20 workouts, weather permitting, and
will cap the off-season drills with a
controlled scrimmage at Carter
Finley Stadium on Saturday, March
26.
"We like to start early for a number
of reasons," Sheridan said. "First of
all, finishing early leaves the kids
plenty of time to make a big push
academically when they need to late
in the semester. Secondly, if someone
gets injured, they get an extra month
to rehabilitate Finishing early also
allows us better weather for our con
ditioning program in April and for the
kids and coaches to have some time
off.
"We head into spring practice
knowing we have to improve in every
area We have never entered aspring
where we didn't make adjustments,
minor changes. But there will be no
drastic changes in our system. We'll
just work hard at executing better."
The Wolfpack offensive line was
hardest-hit by graduation. Starting
tackle Joey Page and guard Lenny
Schultz and Jeff Strum are gone
along with key backups John Inman
t guard I and Todd Fisher (tight end).
Other key losses on offense include
Bobby Crumpler, State’s leading
rusher the past two seasons, and
flanker Mack Jones, the Pack’s No. 1
receiver last year.
Also gone are linebacker Mark
Smith, nose guard Kent Winstead,
strong safety Chris Johnson and all
ACC punter Craig Salmon.
"We had some seniors that will be
difficult to replace," Sheridan said.
"We have the potential to once again
be a very young team, with a number
of red-shirt freshmen or sophomores
battling for positions. It’s a long pro
cess. No starters will be determined
in spring practice, though, as all posi
tions will be open again when fall
workouts begin. The people that line
up the first time in the fall are the
ones that earn the right in spring
practice. I guess you could call them
temporary starters. They’ll get the
chance but they have to keep the
job.”
Once again the Wolfpack will watch
a battle for the quarterback position
to develop. Junior Shane Mon
tgomery and sophomore Prfeston
Poag each had moments to shine last
year but neither played the full
season.
While State was hit hard by gradua
lion losses, a number of players with
all-star credentials are back in the
fold. Center Chuck Massaro, an all
conference choice a year ago, will
head up the offense along with
veteran receivers Naz Worthen, Dan
ny Peebles, Chris Corders and
Charles Davenport, fullback Mai
Crite and linemen Lance Hammond,
Brock Miller and Bobby Harrell.
Davenport may also get the oppor
tunity to play some quarterback this
spring
On the other side of the ball, rising
seniors Michael Brooks at free safety
and outside linebacker Scott Auer are
expected to be leaders. Tackles Ray
Agnew, Derick Debnam and John
Adleta, linebackers Fred Stone, who
missed most of the season with a
broken ankle, Clayton Henry and Ray
Frost and cornerbaek Joe Johnson
will also play key roles
State opens its fall schedule Sept. 3
by hosting Western Carolina
Tyson Meets Spinks In
Upcoming Title Fight
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, N.J.
The heavyweight title fight between
undisputed champion Mike O^son
and Michael Spinks will be held in
Atlantic City, N.J., June 27, Donald
Trump said Wednesday in announc
ing that he had won the bidding to
host the bout.
Trump told one reporter that he
would pay $11 million, which would be
a record, surpassing the $7 million
Caesars World paid for the mid
dleweight title fight between
Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar
Kay Leonard last April in Las Vegas,
Nev.
"We have a commitment to fight on
June 27," said Trump, a New York
real estate magnate and hotel owner.
“I am looking forward to it.
"This is the biggest fight since Ali
fought Frazier the last time. It is a
great tribute to Atlantic City thai
Trump Plaza was able to get the
flight."
The fight between the two unbeaten
heavyweights will be held at the
Atlantic City Convention Center, ad
jacent to Trump's hotel and casino on
the Boardwalk.
It is contingent on Tyson suc
cessfully defending his title against
Tony Tubbs in Tokyo March 21
The Tyson-Spinks bout, to be car
ried on closed-circuit and pay-for
view television, is expected to gross
$60 million to $70 million. Tyson
would receive $17 to $20 million, and
Spinks reportedly is guaranteed a
minimum of $12.5 million. Spinks is
the former International Boxing
Federation heavyweight champion.
luusc ball—los Angolas—Los Angelos Clippers Brag Kite and New York
Knickerbockers Bill Cartwright go after a loose ball In the first half of play at the
Sports Arena Feb. 29. (UPI)