basketball Archive

Rams basketball teams ready for 2011-12 seasons

– November 10, 2011Posted in: Sports

Special to the Journal

It’s basketball time and the Albany State University Lady Rams and Golden Rams get set to tipoff their 2011-12 seasons! Both teams are set to face tough conference and non-conference competition as they compete for SIAC championships.

The Ram teams will take on the Valdosta State University Blazers on Nov. 22 in non-conference action. The Golden Rams will open at home against the Blazers at ASU’s HPER Gymnasium at 7 p.m., while the Lady Rams travel to Valdosta State to play the Lady Blazers at 7 p.m. The Valdosta State competition is one of many non-conference games that highlight the ASU men and women’s basketball schedules.

In his sixth season as head coach, Christopher Cameron will take his Golden Rams to Tallahassee, Fla. on Nov. 4 to play the MEAC’s Florida A&M University in an exhibition game at 7:30 p.m. at the Al Lawson Center on the FAMU campus before the start of their regular season.

Head coach Robert Skinner, who tips off his 22nd season at the helm of the Lady Rams program, will lead the Lady Rams as they face the Georgia Southwestern State University Lady Hurricanes and the Columbus State University Lady Cougars in the first Peach Belt/SIAC Challenge, hosted by Columbus State at the Lumpkin Center on Nov. 26-27.

Both teams will open SIAC play on the road against the LeMoyne-Owen College Magicians in Memphis, Tenn. on Dec. 1. The women’s game will tipoff at 5:30 p.m., with the men’s action starting at 7:30 p.m. Three other SIAC road games highlight the December schedules with competition against the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers in Tuskegee, Ala. on Dec. 5, the Claflin University Panthers in Orangeburg, S.C. on Dec. 15, and the Miles College Golden Bears in Birmingham, Ala on Dec. 17. The only home games of the month will be played Dec. 12, when the Lady Rams take on Valdosta State at 6 p.m. and the Golden Rams play Brewton Parker College Barons at 8 p.m. in non-conference action at ASU’s HPER Gymnasium.

The Lady Rams and Golden Rams will open the new year with a three-game home series against the Lane College Dragons on Jan. 3 and Kentucky State University Thorobreds on Jan. 5, with the first game starting at 5:30 p.m. The 10th Annual Peach Ball Classic/Basketball Homecoming game against the Fort Valley State University Wildcats will be played Saturday, Jan. 7. Tip off for the women’s game is set for 6 p.m., with the men’s game following at 8 p.m.

After road trips to Benedict College on Jan. 12, Paine College on Jan. 14, Lane College on Jan. 17 and Kentucky State on Jan. 19, the ASU teams will return home to face LeMoyne-Owen on Jan. 24 and Miles on Jan. 26 at ASU’s HPER Gymnasium. The Golden Rams will play at home against the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers on Jan. 26. The Rams will close out the month of January at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga. on Jan. 31

HPER Gymnasium will be the site of six home games during the month of February. The Rams will play Stillman College on Feb. 2, Tuskegee on Feb. 4 and Clark Atlanta on Feb. 7. The Golden Rams will play Morehouse in Atlanta on Feb. 9, and both teams will travel to play Fort Valley State on Feb. 11. The three remaining home games include Benedict College on Feb. 14, Paine College on Feb. 16 and Claflin on Feb. 18. The Golden Rams will close the regular season at Stillman on Feb. 23 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The ASU teams look to win SIAC championship titles during the SIAC Tournament on March 1-5, 2012 at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.

ASU Golden Rams 2011-2012 Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time

November
4 Florida A&M University (Exhibition) Tallahassee, FL 7:30 p.m.
22 VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY ALBANY, GA 7:00 p.m.

December
1 LeMoyne-Owen College * Memphis, TN 7:30 p.m. #
5 Tuskegee University * Tuskegee, AL 7:30 p.m. #
12 BREWTON PARKER COLLEGE ALBANY, GA 8:00 p.m.
15 Claflin University * Orangeburg, SC 7:30 p.m.
17 Miles College * Birmingham, AL 3:00 p.m. #

January
3 LANE COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 7:30 p.m.
5 KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY * ALBANY, GA 7:30 p.m.
7 FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY * ** ALBANY, GA 8:00 p.m.
12 Benedict College * Columbia, SC 7:30 p.m.
14 Paine College * Augusta, GA 3:00 p.m.
17 Lane College * Jackson, TN 7:30 p.m. #
19 Kentucky State University * Frankfort, KY 7:30 p.m.
24 LEMOYNE-OWEN COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 7:30 p.m.
26 MILES COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 7:30 p.m.
26 MOREHOUSE COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 3:00 p.m.
31 Clark Atlanta University * Atlanta, GA 8:00 p.m.

February
2 STILLMAN COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 7:30 p.m.
4 TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY * ALBANY, GA 3:00 p.m.
7 CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY * ALBANY, GA 8:00 p.m.
9 Morehouse College * Atlanta, GA 7:30 p.m.
11 Fort Valley State University * Fort Valley, GA 8:00 p.m.
14 BENEDICT COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 7:30 p.m.
16 PAINE COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 7:30 p.m.
18 CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY * ALBANY, GA 3:00 p.m.
23 Stillman College * Tuscaloosa, AL 7:30 p.m. #

March
1-5 SIAC Tournament Atlanta, GA TBA

Home Games in BOLD/ALL CAPS * SIAC Games # CST
** 10th Annual Peach Ball Classic/Basketball Homecoming

Christopher Cameron, Head Coach
Stanley McCormick, Jarrett Mathis, Lawrence Yanke, Assistant Coaches
Antwain Adams, Graduate Assistant

ASU Lady Rams 2011-2012 Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time

November
22 Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA 7:00 p.m.
26 Georgia Southwestern @ Peach Belt Challenge Columbus, GA 2:00 p.m.
27 Columbus State Univ. @ Peach Belt Challenge Columbus, GA 5:00 p.m.

December
1 LeMoyne-Owen College * Memphis, TN 5:30 p.m. #
5 Tuskegee University * Tuskegee, AL 5:30 p.m. #
12 VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY ALBANY, GA 6:00 p.m.
15 Claflin University * Orangeburg, SC 5:30 p.m.
17 Miles College * Birmingham, AL 1:00 p.m. #

January
3 LANE COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 5:30 p.m.
5 KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY * ALBANY, GA 5:30 p.m.
7 FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY * ** ALBANY, GA 6:00 p.m.
12 Benedict College * Columbia, SC 5:30 p.m.
14 Paine College * Augusta, GA 1:00 p.m.
17 Lane College * Jackson, TN 5:30 p.m. #
19 Kentucky State University * Frankfort, KY 5:30 p.m.
24 LEMOYNE-OWEN COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 5:30 p.m.
26 MILES COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 5:30 p.m.
31 Clark Atlanta University * Atlanta, GA 6:00 p.m.

February
2 STILLMAN COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 5:30 p.m.
4 TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY * ALBANY, GA 1:00 p.m.
7 CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY * ALBANY, GA 6:00 p.m.
11 Fort Valley State University * Fort Valley, GA 6:00 p.m.
14 BENEDICT COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 5:30 p.m.
16 PAINE COLLEGE * ALBANY, GA 5:30 p.m.
18 CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY * ALBANY, GA 1:00 p.m.
23 Stillman College * Tuscaloosa, AL 5:30 p.m. #

March
1-5 SIAC Tournament Atlanta, GA TBA

Home Games in BOLD/ALL CAPS * SIAC Games # CST
** 10th Annual Peach Ball Classic/Basketball Homecoming

Robert G. Skinner, Head Coach
Khadijah Ali, Exzandra Wilson, Assistant Coaches

Dr. Everette J. Freeman, President
Dr. Richard H. Williams, Director of Athletics (Interim)
Stephanie Harrison-Dyer, Assistant Athletics Director
Edythe Y. Bradley, Sports Information Director (229-430-4673 – edythe.bradley@asurams.edu)

Tags: asu, basketball, college sports, Rams, Sports

‘ELITE’ STARS

– August 9, 2011Posted in: Sports

Albany Elite Sports is comprised of three basketball teams and a cheerleader team. There is a fourth-grade team, fifth-grade team and a sixth-grade team. The cheerleaders are comprised of girls between the ages of 5 and 12. The Albany Elite Sports Tigers won eight championships this summer in three states (Georgia, Florida and Alabama). In the fall, Albany Elite Sports will add football and baseball. Much more than an athletic organization, Albany Elite Sports participates in community service projects such as the MS Walk and Relay for Life events. Albany Elite Sports, which also hosted the 2011 Youth Summit, “Building Student-Athletes”, will be honored with a resolution from the Albany City Commission on Aug. 23. For information, call Dr. Earnest Brown at 347-5993.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: basketball

– March 16, 2011Posted in: Mike Flynn, Sports

Tournament time

Here we go on the great three-week ride that is the NCAA basketball tournament.

For the third straight year, Albany’s Andre Young will get to play in the event, but the odds of his Clemson team advancing very far are slim.

This season, the field was expanded to 68 teams with four “play-in” games on Tuesday. Clemson drew one of these tough slots, having to fly to Dayton, Ohio, to square off with Alabama-Birmingham. Talk about a double punishment; first they have to spend a night in Dayton, and then play their way into the field of 64.

Should the Tigers win, they will play again two days later against a rested West Virginia team, and if they happen to pull that out they will most likely get to face Kentucky. Yuck! Stranger things have happened, especially in this tournament, but common sense say Andre and the Tigers won’t make it past the second round.

The expanded field did allow bubble teams like Clemson the chance, but two play-in teams are stacked in the East region. Not only will West Virginia draw a tired opponent, but Ohio State, the top seed in the region will face either UT-San Antonio or Alabama State in their opening game. Do we really want to see that?

That configuration weakens that arm of the bracket and makes the path easier as the Buckeyes could play deep down their bench in that first game, and most likely will.

Still, I am picking North Carolina to get past Long Island, Georgia, Xavier, and then Ohio State to set up the fourth meeting of the season with Duke.

As far as college basketball goes, there is no bigger rivalry. Their campuses are 40 hate miles apart. The teams split on their home courts in the regular season, and then Duke lit it up in the finals of the ACC tournament and holds a 2-1 advantage in 2011.

Should this matchup develop, it would be a nationally televised game on Saturday, April 2. The winner would advance to the title game. You can be sure this would look more like an ultimate fighting cage match than a basketball game. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

A lot has to happen to get us to that point. Duke has to, most likely, get past Michigan (a bigger problem than most think), Texas, and then UConn.

Every year there is a sleeper that arises to reach the round of 16. This year I am predicting Florida State, Old Dominion and Wofford to make some noise. Most of the talking heads are ready to crown Belmont as Cinderella, but Wisconsin will take care of business in Round 1.

Of all the No. 1 seeds, Kansas has the easiest path to the Final Four. Many have said Pittsburgh should glide through the Southeast region, but Florida will most likely pop that Big East ego that has grown with the placement of 11 teams in the field. That’s too much from one conference.

There are several teams that could win this thing. Louisville, Florida, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, UConn, Xavier and Syracuse, but I am sticking with the ACC. My prediction is the winner of the fourth Duke-UNC game of the season, will win it all.

That and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee … unless it’s Starbucks.

Tags: ACC, basketball, Clemson, Final Four, NCAA, Tigers, Tournament

Terrell’s great effort

– February 11, 2010Posted in: Ted Anderson

I was sitting at the Deerfield Windsor School basketball game vs. Terrell Academy on Jan. 21, and thought it was 1986 and I was back in Illinois watching my hometown high school boys varsity teams. Like Terrell Academy, they, too, had no business playing a team like Deerfield and should have been completely outclassed. But they weren’t, just as Terrell Academy wasn’t.

In 1986, my high school of fewer than 70 students in all four high school grades won second in Illinois by beating all the big schools. The tallest player was 6-2 and my cousin was 5-10. Both were all-staters. They pressed the entire game and made almost all of their free throws and out-rebounded much bigger players (some 6-10). It was a testament to the importance of free-throw shooting, being in tremendous athletic shape, and having a great coach — just like Terrell Academy and Deerfield.

Terrell Academy needs to be congratulated on the great game that they played for three quarters and for almost turning the tables on Deerfield. Deerfield had to play four games in five days and that certainly had an effect on them, but that doesn’t take away the great game that Terrell Academy played. Like my hometown team, Terrell was much smaller and did not have the depth that Deerfield had but they were very fast and handled the ball very well. They were all good shooters and they made their free throws. Anyone who knows basketball knows how important it is to have a bunch of players who can be counted on to make their free throws. That alone will win a lot of games for you. And another of the biggest things that allows a small team to compete is knowing how to get position and get those rebounds even against much bigger opponents

So, hats off to Terrell Academy. You played a great game against Deerfield and you have nothing to be ashamed about. Hopefully, the experience of playing Deerfield will help you down the road when you run into some other similar opponents. You have a great team and I really enjoyed watching you play. You had Deerfield a little worried during that game, I think, at least in the beginning.

Tags: basketball, Sports

Gilbert, Jester too Much for Georgia Perimeter

– January 26, 2010Posted in: Sports

By Erica Henry

On a day where pounding the ball inside and offensive rebounding was key in the Lady Cavaliers success, Dominique Gilbert dominated the paint leading Darton College to a 61-45 victory Saturday over Georgia Perimeter in GPC gym on the Decatur campus.

Gilbert, the Lady Cavalier’s leading scorer and rebounder, was defended early by GPC’s leading scorer and rebounder Ry’Van Buchanan. Buchanan picked up two quick fouls to sit out for the final 17 minutes of the first half, allowing Gilbert to shine.

Gilbert finished the game with 21 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.

“We rely on Dominique,” said DC head coach Laura Blackwell. “She knew this was a big game and she played hard and got it done in the paint.”

Marah Wright came through collecting 14 points and 11 rebounds despite only having three rebounds at halftime.

Shaylia Jester had a big night also collecting 11 rebounds and nine points. Jester led the team with six offensive rebounds that allowed her to score chip shots right under the basket.

“Shaylia was so big for us this afternoon,” said Blackwell. “She came in and was very aggressive on the offensive glass. Her early intensity helped the team stay up and maintain a lead.”

Jester also guarded the Jaguar’s leading scorer and rebounder, Buchanan, holding her to four points and four rebounds.

Abril Smith contributed with 11 points.

GPC (9-12, 2-3) got big-time production from Joreshica Martin as she connected on 4 of 5 three-pointers tallying a career high 23 points. Nicole Wells added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Darton led early, but the Jaguars forced seven consecutive turnovers at one point and pulled within 15-14. The Lady Cavaliers led 33-22 at halftime.

DC held Perimeter to 28 percent shooting from the field and 19 percent from the three-point line. The Lady Cavs edged GPC on the boards, 56-39, 20 of which were offensive rebounds.

Darton College has time to rest before its game against undefeated South Georgia Technical College on Thursday at the Cavalier Arena at 5:30 p.m.

Tags: basketball, darton

Lady Cavs lose conference opener

– January 11, 2010Posted in: Sports

The Darton College Lady Cavaliers fell on the road against Atlanta Metro on Friday night 50-49. The loss drops the Lady Cavs to a 9-7 overall record and they begin the conference season 0-1.

DC was led by Dominique Gilbert’s third consecutive double-double, posting 11 points and 15 rebounds. Shaylia Jester and Brittany Thornton both added 10 points. Marah Wright collected 10 rebounds on the contest.

The rebounding edge was in favor of Darton as they grabbed 60 to Atlanta Metro’s 53. DC was ice cold on the night only connecting on 21 percent of their shots.

“We just came out a little flat,” said head coach Laura Blackwell. “It is conference time and every team steps it up a notch. We have to be ready to do play extremely hard every game.”

The Lady Cavaliers will host Middle Georgia on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 pm in the Cavalier Arena.

Tags: basketball, cavaliers, darton

ASU Lady Rams on TV

– January 6, 2010Posted in: Sports

By Edythe Bradley

The Albany State University Lady Rams will be in the national spotlight when they take on the Fort Valley State University Lady Wildcats in SIAC basketball action on Saturday. The Lady Rams’ game will be televised live at noon by the CBS College Sports Network from ASU’s HPER Gymnasium.

“We are excited to have our SIAC women’s teams play in front of a national audience,” said Dr. Joshua W. Murfree, ASU’s athletics director. “This is an excellent opportunity for the nation to see the best of women’s basketball action and expose our campuses.”

The 2009-10 season marks the fourth year of the NCAA’s regular season television agreement with CBS College Sports Network (formerly CSTV). The ASU-FVSU game is one of eight regular season and one of four Division II women’s games to be televised by CBS during the season. The live broadcasts include four men’s and four women’s games. The broadcast can be seen on the internet at www.ncaa.com and may be syndicated through regional sports networks.

The men’s game, featuring the Albany State Golden Rams and the Fort Valley State Wildcats, will tip off at 3 p.m.

Tags: asu, basketball, Sports

Dominique Gilbert leads Darton in basketball win

– January 6, 2010Posted in: Sports

Special to the Journal

The Darton College women’s basketball team closed out nonconference play with an 81-46 win over Southern Union on Sunday evening in the South Georgia Tech Classic. The Lady Cavaliers go into conference play next week with a 9-6 record.

DC was led by Dominique Gilbert’s 29 points and 14 rebounds. She also had four blocks and four steals. Shaylia Jester had 14 points and 13 rebounds. Abril Smith added 12 points.

As a team, the Lady Cavs out rebounded the Lady Bison 50-46.

DC shot 37 percent from the field for the game while SU shot 34 percent and only 28 percent in the second half.

At halftime, the Lady Cavs led by 12 and came out the second half out-scoring Southern Union 44-26 to take home the victory.

Darton will take on Atlanta Metro on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Atlanta to begin conference play.

Tags: basketball, darton, dominique gilbert, Sports

Darton Lady Cavaliers Power Over Shelton State

– January 4, 2010Posted in: Sports

By Erica Henry

Americus, Ga.– The Darton College Lady Cavaliers did not seem to be a bit rusty after having 18 days off for the holidays as they defeated Shelton State C.C. on Saturday, 80-68.

Dominique Gilbert led all scorers and rebounders with 22 points and 14 rebounds. She also posted four blocks on the contest.

Marah Wright netted a double-double, collecting 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Stepping up for DC was Brittany Thornton. She collected 15 points. D’Arcy Williams added 10 and seven assists.

DC had a slight rebounding edge of 55-51.

The Lady Cavaliers will compete again on Sunday, Jan. 3 against Southern Union at 4 pm in Americus.

Tags: basketball, darton, Sports

Lady Rams on TV

– December 23, 2009Posted in: Sports

Staff reports

The Albany State University Lady Rams will be in the national spotlight when they take on the Fort Valley State University Lady Wildcats in SIAC basketball action on Jan. 9. The Lady Rams’ game will be televised live at noon by the CBS College Sports Network from ASU’s HPER Gymnasium.