Written by Edythe Bradley

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has announced the 2012 Men and Women’s Basketball All-Conference and All-Academic teams, which include an Albany State University basketball player who received a superlative award. The teams were selected by the SIAC’s Basketball Coaches Association.

Lady Rams guard April Thomas was named the SIAC’s Freshman of the Year after leading the SIAC in scoring with 18.5 points per game. The 5-1 Bainbridge, Ga., native, Thomas is the second consecutive freshman to lead the conference in this category. She shot 35.5 percent from behind the arc, which ranks fourth in the SIAC, and averaged three three-point shots per game, which ranked second in the conference among leader in that category. She received SIAC Newcome-of-the-Week honors twice during the regular season for her outstanding performances on the court.

Jasmine Birdsong, a senior forward from Fort Valley State University, earned the 2012 SIAC Women’s Player-of-the-Year honors. A Sparta, Ga. native, Birdsong averaged 10.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, which includes a conference-leading 4.4 offensive rebounds per game. Kentucky State University guard Jasmine Davis is the SIAC’s Newcomer of the Year. Davis was the conference’s sixth-leading scorer, averaging 14.7 points per game. The junior from Cincinnati, Ohio shot 84.5 percent from the free throw line and 45.7 percent from behind the arc, both of which led the SIAC.

The men’s team is led by 2012 SIAC Player of the Year Marcus Goode of Benedict College. Goode, a native of Chapin, SC, led the SIAC in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots during the regular season, averaging 18.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, which currently ranks sixth in Division II, and 2.3 blocks per game. The men’s Newcomer of the Year is Miles College guard Eric Lipkin, who led all newcomers in scoring with 14.7 points per game, which ranked sixth in the SIAC, and was the league’s second-leading assist man at 4.3 per game. The senior from Birmingham, AL was the third-leading free throw shooter in the SIAC at 83.3 percent, ranked fifth with 1.9 steals per game, and was second with 61 three-pointers made (2.4 per game). Paine College guard Kedric Taylor was named Freshman of the Year for the men. An Orlando, Fla. native, Taylor led all SIAC freshmen with 10.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while shooting 53.2 percent from the field. He was also one of seven players in all of Division II to record a triple-double this season.

Cassandra Moorer of Stillman College was named Women’s Coach of the Year after leading Stillman to19-7 overall and 17-5 SIAC records this season. The Lady Tigers finished the regular season in second place after being picked seventh in the preseason. Men’s Coach-of-the-Year honors went to Leon Douglas of Tuskegee University, who led the Golden Tigers to a share of the regular season title with 16-10 overall and 16-8 SIAC records.

2012 SIAC Women’s Basketball All-Conference Team & Superlatives

Name            Height Class    Pos. School
April Thomas    5-1 Freshman   G    Albany State University
Santera Grooms 5-10 Junior     G/F Benedict College
Conisha Hicks   5-3 Sophomore G    Clark Atlanta University
La’Quisha Lewis      6-0 Junior     C    Clark Atlanta University
Jasmine Birdsong 5-11 Senior    F    Fort Valley State University
Jasmine Davis   5-7 Junior     G    Kentucky State University
Shonice Sprouse 5-9 Senior     G    LeMoyne-Owen College
Sammeika Thomas 6-2 Senior     F/C Miles College
Jamila McKinnis 5-11 Senior     F    Stillman College
Phyllice Eubanks 5-9 Senior     F    Stillman College

Player of the Year: Jasmine Birdsong, Fort Valley State University
Newcomer of the Year: Jasmine Davis, Kentucky State University
Freshman of the Year: April Thomas, Albany State University
Coach of the Year: Cassandra Moorer, Stillman College

2012 SIAC Men’s Basketball All-Conference Team & Superlatives
Name            Height Class    Pos. School
Marcus Goode    6-10 Junior     C Benedict College
Royce Hamilton 6-6 Senior     G/F Clark Atlanta University
Terrance Bowman      6-4 Junior     G Claflin University
Teshawn Byron   6-6 Senior     G LeMoyne-Owen College
Calvin Stoudemire 6-7 Senior    F LeMoyne-Owen College
Eric Lipkin     6-1 Senior     G Miles College
Andrae Nelson   6-6 Junior     C Morehouse College
Ladarius Rhone 6-5 Junior     F Stillman College
Joshua Eichelberger 6-5 Senior F Tuskegee University
Calvin Thomas   6-0 Junior     G Tuskegee University

Player of the Year: Marcus Goode, Benedict College
Newcomer of the Year: Eric Lipkin, Miles College
Freshman of the Year: Kedric Taylor, Paine College
Coach of the Year: Leon Douglas, Tuskegee University

2012 SIAC Men’s Basketball All-Academic Team
Name            Class     Major                     GPA School
Dequan Nesbit   Senior     Business Management 3.93 LeMoyne-Owen College
Julius Taylor   Sophomore Chemical Engineering 3.77 Tuskegee University
Anthony Collier Senior     Mathematics         3.47 Lane College
Nick Jones Senior          Mathematics         3.43 Lane College
Lucius Winston Junior     Business Administration 3.42 Tuskegee University

2012 SIAC Women’s Basketball All-Academic Team
Name            Class      Major                      GPA School
Chanel Chase    Senior     Business Administration    4.00 Miles College
Jamila McKinnis Senior     Biology                    4.00 Stillman College
Brandi Haynes   Junior     Middle Grades Ed.          3.82 Fort Valley State University
Angel Hornsburger Senior   Physical Education         3.75 Lane College
Dawnieka Green Senior     Physical Education         3.71 Lane College

OK, what did I tell you about the Deerfield-Windsor School basketball teams that Coach Gordy Gruhl has put together this year?  You know what I am talking about if you are one of my loyal readers. If you’re not, you still have time, if you’re a basketball junkie like my wife and I am, to see their varsity teams in action in the state tournament in Macon that starts this week.

If you missed the championship games of the regional tournament this past week at ABAC in Tifton, you missed some great games, especially the girls varsity championship game that Deerfield won.  It was back and forth the whole game and it looked like it was the end of the road for the girls, especially because Heather Lash got badly hurt in the seconf half and had to leave the game with an apparent concussion.

Deerfield was playing Westfield for the championship and it was basically a defensive game.  Neither team could break through what was a lid, apparently on both basketball rims.  Both teams really wanted to win and bodies were flying all over the 90 foot length of the basketball floor.

Westfield had beaten Deerfield earlier in the year and near the end of the game, it appeared that they had their number again. Both teams were pressing the entire game and were tired.  What that happens, the girls on both sides were showing just how tired they were in the fourth quarter.

With three and a half minutes to go, the Lady Knights of Deerfield fell behind by a score of 22-15, which was a lot for this game, and it appear that the game was out of reach for them.  At that point, Courtney Kelson drove the length of the floor and suck a layup.  Sabrina Curry then hit on a huge three-pointer to close the game 22-20.

Jennie Rust from Westfield hit on a two point shot and Kelson hit on a free-throw.  Kelson then hit on a turn-around jumper to make it 24-32. Jennia Rust then hit on one of two free throws to tie the game at 25-25 with 23 seconds to go.

Westfield had the ball but turned it over with 15.7 seconds to go.  DWS then played for one shot.  Curry hit Candace Cosby with a great pass with three-tenths of a second to go and was fouled. Cosby, who injured herself at soccer and was unable ot play until the last three games of the season, then coolly went to the line and mae the very first free trow to win the game.  The crowd went crazy as DWS won the first Region Championship of the night.

The final game was the boys championship game: Deerfield against cross-town rival, Sherwood Christian Academy.  The game was relatively close the whole game until the fourth quarter when DWS showed the effects of having at least 10 players on the team that could be substituted freely throughout the game.  That kept everyone fresh, and without any noticeable difference with Coach Gruhl’s constant substitutions.

The one exception was, of course, Ramello Carter, whose absence at any time could be felt.  Ramello is a superstar.  He’s an outstanding player who is only a junior and will most certainly be playing at the next level after he graduates from Deerfield. It was announced at the end of the game that Ramello, only a junior, had reached the coveted goal of any high school shooter of 1,000 points.

The boys team, like the girls, all like each other and play together without worrying about how many points any one of them is scoring.  They both play like a team, unlike a lot of the teams they during the year, and that is one of the reasons why they have outstanding teams almost every single year.

When the game was over and the championship trophy was presented to the Deerfield boys for winning the regional championship again, one additional trophy was presented and that was to Coach Gordy Gruhl.  With that win, Coach Gruhl had won his 1,000^th career game! That is what an accomplishment for a Hoosier, as Coach Gruhl is originally from Hope, Indiana.

Everyone from Deerfield is very proud of their coach and athletic director. Ty Kinslow also has done an outstanding job at Deerfield and needs to receive a great deal of praise for what he has accomplished with the girls while at Deerfield.

This week, it is on to the State Basketball Tournament in Macon. Let’s wish Deerfield a lot of luck with this next goal of the school, which is to become state champions again.

Please go to the upcoming State Tournament in Macon this week and see what a great team Gordy has put together again this year. It will be well worth your trip if you like basketball.

Written by Ted Anderson. Insurance agent Ted W. Anderson worked in sales for half a century, has lived in Albany since 1993. He is president of Dover Lane Neighborhood Watch. Send email to him at aj@thealbanyjournal.com.

Written by Tom Knighton

Many basketball teams have a good year from time to time.  I recall my high school team winning the GISA State Championship in 1989, then the Region Championship in 1992.  Those were both good years.  However, Deerfield-Windsor School has had a season for the ages.

First, both the Boy’s and Girl’s varsity teams snatched the region championship the past Saturday, with the boy’s team being now cross-town rival Sherwood Christian Academy to make it even sweeter.  Two region championships are always great and will make for a sweet year all by itself.  Like they say on television, “But wait, there’s more!”

The Deerfield Boy’s “C” team, which consists of 7^th and 8^th graders, had a perfect season.  That 10-0 for those keeping score at home.  In addition, the “B” team also boasts a perfect record at 17-0.

Again, that would be a pretty good year but, when coupled with the rest of the achievements you have something pretty amazing.  Again though, I have to say, “but wait, there’s more!”

Saturday’s championship game was the 1,000^th career win for Deerfield boy’s head coach Gordy Gruhl.  Coach Gruhl, who now also serves as the athletic director at DWS, has been at this a long time.  I played against his teams in High School and, quite frankly, we hated the guy.  He always produced a good, solid team that was always tough to beat.  As I went to Riverview Academy, what was then the cross-town rival, the Deerfield games were the most important ones of the season.  He never made it easy on us, that’s for sure.

I want to wish the Deerfield-Windsor teams good luck as they go on to the state tournament this week in Macon.  I hope I get to tout another couple of basketball state championships for Albany in next week’s paper, but if not that’s fine.  By any measure, it’s been a dream-like year for Deerfield Windsor basketball.

(In White Uniforms) Deerfield’s “B” Team: Dallas Denney, Chap Ivey, Dallas Knight, Dee Barber, Jay Barber, Ryan Toole, Bailey Earnest, Will Calhoun, Matthew Fox, Christian Wallace, Wil Akins, Nick Michas, Dakarai Cutts, Austin Fallaw, Johnny Croley, Miles Espy

(In Blue Uniforms) Deerfield’s “C” Team: Ethan Shellhaas, Ben Shellhaas, Tyler Lowe, Antonia Watts, Corey Toole, Kris Gardner (6th grader), Trey Young, Chandler Matthews, TreVonte Grace, Jay Saunders, Steven Williams, Whit Turner, Michael Perrine, Charles Crosby, John Samual Shenker

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)

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.
SPECIAL PHOTO

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.