Fayetteville State Broncos

Opening round scenarios for Fayetteville State’s teams at the CIAA Tournament

FSU Broncos — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:10:39 +0000

Just because he's confused by FSU's CIAA Tourney scenarios doesn't mean you will be. That's where the FSU Bronco Blog comes in.

WHO DOES FSU PLAY IN THE CIAAs, AND WHEN? GOOD QUESTION

While the Lady Broncos are virtually assured their seeding, different scenarios leave men’s opening game in limbo

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – At this time of year, there is usually one prevailing question on the minds and lips of CIAA basketball fans everywhere:

Against whom, and when, do we play in the tournament?

For Fayetteville State, the answer for the women’s bracket is pretty clear. While final seedings, pairings and times for the opening round games on Tuesday at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte won’t be finalized until sometime Sunday, it won’t matter what happens in the Lady Broncos’ regular season finale on Saturday night at Winston-Salem State (16-9, 11-4, 5-4).

After St. Augustine’s loss at Shaw on Thursday night, Fayetteville State (12-13, 5-10, 4-5) has locked up the Southern Division’s No. 4 seed. Following its 74-72 loss at Virginia State on Thursday night, Chowan (10-16, 5-11, 3-7) will take the Northern Division’s No. 5 seed, setting it up for a meeting with the Lady Broncos on Tuesday.

Chowan knocked off Fayetteville State 66-54 on Jan. 7 at Felton J. Capel Arena behind a career-high 31 points by Talaya Lynch.

The Broncos’ men’s opening-round matchup is a little murkier.

With one game remaining this season – Saturday night at Winston-Salem State (18-7, 10-5, 4-5) – Fayetteville State (8-16, 5-10, 3-6) can finish anywhere from sixth in the Southern Division to fourth.

With a loss to the Rams, the Broncos would fall into a tie with St. Augustine’s for last in the division. The Falcons, though, after splitting the regular season with Fayetteville State, would hold the next tiebreaker over the Broncos, by virtue of their 8-8 conference record. That scenario would move St. Augustine’s up to fifth and FSU down to sixth.

If the Broncos were to knock off the Rams on the road, though, a couple of different scenarios are in play, and they include the outcome of Saturday’s game between Johnson C. Smith and Livingstone.

Should the Broncos win and Livingstone (9-15, 5-10, 4-5) lose, Fayetteville State would earn the South’s fourth seed by virtue of a better conference record.

A Broncos’ win and a Johnson C. Smith loss would leave the Broncos and Golden Bulls in a tie for fourth. The teams split their regular season meetings, and would finish with identical 6-10 marks in conference play. A coin flip, then, would determine the seeding order.

A No. 4 seed would push Fayetteville State’s first game to Wednesday versus the winner of a matchup between the North’s No. 5 and South’s No. 6, which in this scenario would likely pit Lincoln (PA) against St. Augustine’s.

With the fifth seed, Fayetteville State would play the North’s No. 6, Chowan, on Tuesday. A No. 6 seed would put the Broncos against Lincoln.

Against those potential opponents this season, Fayetteville State split with St. Augustine’s, lost in overtime at Lincoln, and beat Chowan 76-67 on Jan. 7 at home.

Got all that?

If not, Sunday is right around the corner, and we’ll all know for sure.

2011-12 All-CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams

FSU Broncos — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:08:40 +0000

Hampton, VA…The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Basketball Coaches Associations have selected their rosters for the 2012 All-CIAA Basketball Team. This season’s group features Men’s Player of the Year, Malik Alvin of Shaw University and Women’s star, Keyona Bryant of St. Augustine’s College as Women’s Player of the Year.

Alvin, a senior guard from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ranks second in the conference in scoring, 511 pts., 20.4ppg and leads the CIAA in 3-point pct., landing 63-of-117 from downtown (.538avg). This Shaw Bear is responsible for 32 steals, ranks second in the CIAA with 112 of 132 free throws and is credited with 96 assists.

Keyona Bryant, a Springdale, Maryland native and senior center for the Lady Falcons tops the conference in scoring with 435 points, 17.4 ppg., and runs in third with 242 total rebounds. Bryant scores 75% from the free-throw line (106-141) and has erased 26 shots; an average of one block per game.

Alvin and Bryant are joined by Travis Hyman (Bowie State) and Kyria Buford (Shaw) as Defensive Players of the Year. All four honorees and their fellow All-Conference selectees will be formally recognized at the Men’s and Women’s Tip-Off Awards Luncheon; scheduled for Monday, February 27 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The media are welcome to attend this invitation only celebration.

2012 All-CIAA Women’s Basketball Team

JRSY# Name SCHOOL Class POS HT Hometown

FRONT COURT

1 Talaya Lynch CU JR F 5’9 Hampton, VA

45 Stephanie Harper ECSU JR F 5’11 Charleston, IL

23 LaQwesha Gamble JCSU SR F 5’11 Winter Haven, FL

22 Keyona Bryant SAC SR C 6’0 Springdale, MD

21 Kyria Buford SU SR F 6’1 Charlotte, NC

5 Aslea Williams SU JR C 6’1 Akron, OH

13 Vicki Collier VUU SR F 6’0 Richmond, VA

BACK COURT

33 Ransheda Jennings CU SR G 5’7 Suffolk, VA

12 Shavonda Price JCSU SR G 5’9 Fort Wayne, IN

10 Sequoyah Griffin SU JR G 5’9 Columbus, GA

15 Jasmine Newkirk WSSU JR G 5’8 Raleigh, NC

10 Courtney Medley WSSU SR G 5’9 Chesapeake, VA

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

22 Keyona Bryant SAC SR C 6’0 Springdale, MD

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

21 Kyria Buford SU SR F 6’1 Charlotte, NC

2012 All-CIAA Men’s Basketball Team

JRSY# Name SCHOOL Class POS HT Hometown

FRONT COURT

4 Travis Hyman BSU SR F/C 7’0 Annapolis, MD

21 Bryon Westmorland BSU JR F 6’4 Baltimore, MD

24 Angelo Sharpless ECSU JR F 6’5 Plymouth, NC

22 Denzel Mooney LU SR F 6’4 Baltimore, MD

25 Kenny Mitchell VSU JR F/C 6’8 Stone Mountain, GA

31 Damion Harris VUU SO F 6’7 Washington, D.C.

22 WyKevin Bazemore WSSU FR F 6’4 Kelford, NC

BACK COURT

20 Darren Clark BSU SR G 6’0 Largo, MD

11 Trevin Parks JCSU JR G 5’10 Hickory, NC

20 Antonio Smith SU SR G 6’5 Greenville, NC

2 Malik Alvin SU SR G 6’0 Philadelphia, PA

11 Justin Glover WSSU JR G 6’3 Siler City, NC

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2 Malik Alvin SU SR G 6’0 Philadelphia, PA

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

4 Travis Hyman BSU SR F/C 7’0 Annapolis, MD

Bazemore, Freeman are CIAA’s Top Rookies

FSU Broncos — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:11:46 +0000

BAZEMORE, FREEMAN HEADLINE CIAA ALL-ROOKIE TEAMS

FSU places Shelton, Robinson on respective All-Rookie teams

HAMPTON, Va. – Winston-Salem State’s Wykevin Bazemore and Virgina Union’s Ashle Freeman were named the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Rookies of the Year, respectively, the conference announced on Tuesday.

Bazemore, a 6-foot-4 forward from Kelford, N.C., has led the CIAA in rebounding in his first season with 8.2 per game, pulling down 17 boards against Virgina Union on Jan. 7 in a game in which he added a season-high 24 points. Bazemore averages 11.1 points per game, tops among rookies in the CIAA.

Freeman, a 5-6 guard from Richmond, Va., led all CIAA rookies in scoring with 10.8 points per game. She scored a career-high 27 points in a win over Fayettevile State on Jan. 19, and is shooting 44.6 percent from the field.

Rounding out the Men’s CIAA All-Rookie team is Kyree Bethel of Chowan, Elizabeth City State’s Glenn Patterson, Fayetteville State’s Anthony Shelton and Lincoln’s Derrick Washington.

Joining Freeman on the Women’s CIAA All-Rookie team is Chowan’s Summer Curtis, Fayetteville State’s Bria Robinson, Livingstone’s Cierra York and Virginia Union’s Danielle Ferguson.

The members of the All-Rookie team will be honored at a banquet on the eve next week’s CIAA Tournament in Charlotte.

CIAA Women’s Rookie of the Year

4 Ashle Freeman Virginia Union Guard 5-6 Richmond, Va.

The rest of the team members are:

21/44 Summer Curtis Chowan Center 6-3 Richmond, VA

23 Bria Robinson Fayetteville State Center 6-4 Belmont, N.C.

21 Cierra York Livingstone Guard 5’7 Winston-Salem, NC

22 Danielle Ferguson Virginia Union Forward 6-0 Woodbridge, Va.

The Men’s CIAA Rookie of the Year is:

22 Wykevin Bazemore Winston-Salem State Forward Kelford, NC

The rest of the team members are:

4 Kyree Bethel Chowan University Guard Fayetteville, NC

2 Glenn Patterson Elizabeth City State Guard Red Springs, NC

12 Anthony Shelton Fayetteville State Guard Cary, NC
24 Derrick Washington Lincoln Guard Washington, D.C.

FSU’s Scales leads nation in interceptions

FSU Broncos — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:47:37 +0000

FSU's Josh Scales

FAYETTEVIILLE STATE’S SCALES HONORED FOR LEADING D-2 IN INTERCEPTIONS

Broncos’ sophomore finished season averaging .88 INTs a game

INDIANAPOLIS – Josh Scales will help out wherever he can.

An injury to a cornerback? Need someone to step in? Scales will do it. Move to free safety after playing an entire season at corner? Scales will do it, strapping his helmet on and ready to go to work, not a word spoken.

And with the place-kicking game struggling, should the team go back to Scales as the full-time holder? Absolutely. Because it could save them a game.

Josh Scales (So., Pinehurst, N.C.) doesn’t need accolades for motivation to play football. And maybe that’s why they seem so easy to come by for the second-year starter. League Defensive Back of the Week awards. All-CIAA First Team.

And now an even bigger one.

Scales will be presented with an award from the NCAA after completing the season leading all of Division-II in interceptions for the 2011 season. Scales, who led the CIAA with seven interceptions, collected those picks in just eight games, averaging .88 interceptions per games played. That left Scales with the most interceptions per games played of all players in Division-II football.

Scales, who stood out as a starter his freshman season, emerged as one of the nation’s elite defenders this season after taking the time to improve dramatically during the offseason.

“He’s a very good athlete,” says Fayetteville State football coach Kenny Phillips of Scales. “He really trained and worked out real hard last summer, and that’s the difference in his maturity from last year to this year. He’s come off a knee injury and has done a very good job for us.”

With two games remaining in the regular season, Scales had just three interceptions. Though he still ranked high in the CIAA in interceptions and passes defended (he finished second in the latter category for the season), the highlights were still coming.

His best came in a 44-23 victory over Johnson C. Smith on the road on Oct. 29. Scales gave perhaps his finest performance of his collegiate career, intercepting two passes, including one in the end zone that came just a couple of plays after he had made a touchdown-saving tackle on a 54-yard pass play.

Scales added six tackles – all solo – and also forced a fumble. Also the holder in the kicking game, Scales saved a potential two-point conversion on a blocked point-after try with a tackle, and later rushed 11 yards on a fake field goal attempt to give the Broncos a first down on a drive that eventually culminated in a touchdown.

He backed that performance up with two more interceptions in the regular season finale the following week at Virginia Union, finishing the season in brilliant fashion.

Fayetteville State Broncos Football Recruiting 2012

FSU Broncos — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:29:59 +0000

Welcome to your home for all the latest in Fayetteville State Broncos recruiting news. With the dawn of National Signing Day, this space will bring you the latest about each of the FSU’s signees. Check back here often throughout the day for scouting reports, highlight videos, coaches’ comments and more from one of the most anticipated days of the college football season.

Chris Crumity (center)

Chris Crumity WR, 6-0, 195, Four Oaks, NC, South Johnston HS

Scouting Report: Crumity is one of the better possession receivers in the state of North Carolina; Comes from a South Johnston program known for big offensive numbers and high-octane offenses; Good hands; Caught 90 passes for 1,681 yards and 13 TDs in last two seasons. Caught season-high 10 passes in a single game twice; Had seven receptions for 184 yards and two scores on Oct. 22 against Southern Wayne; Had 43 receptions for 802 yards and nine TDs last season.

How He Helps: No Fayetteville State receiver finished among the top 10 in the CIAA in receiving yards or receptions a year ago, and the Broncos were just 10^th in passing offense and 11^th in pass efficiency.

Coach’s Comments: “Chris is someone who can come in and help us out immediately,” says FSU assistant coach Damien Adams, who recruited Crumity. “Obviously, we didn’t get the numbers we wanted out of our receivers last year, and the best way to correct that is to go out and get one of the best receivers in the state.”

High School Coach’s Comments: “Chris is just a fantastic kid,” says Shane Dular, South Johnston’s head coach. “Fayetteville State is getting a winner. All he does is work extremely hard, say yes sir and no sir and go out onto the field and perform. He can be dominant physically and knows how to use his size and strength. He runs great routes and has the best hands I’ve ever coached. He won every jump ball. When we needed a play, it didn’t matter how well he was covered, Chris would go and make the play.”

William Jenkins

WILLIAM JENKINS ATH, 5-7, 165, Maiden, N.C., Maiden HS

Scouting Report: Jenkins played running back, wide receiver and cornerback at highly regarded Maiden High School, one of the elite 1-A programs in North Carolina. He lettered for three seasons, was named all-conference and as the league’s MVP and Most Outstanding Running Back. Jenkins rushed 194 times for 2,034 yards a year ago, adding 18 touchdowns. He was one of nine players to rush for more than 2,000 yards this season, ranking eighth in the state. He averaged 145.3 yards per game on the ground, and led Maiden with 22 receptions for 352 yards. On defense, Jenkins added 31 tackles and three interceptions. On special teams, Jenkins returned 14 kickoffs for 472 yards – 33.7 average – including a long of 84 yards.

How He Helps: Jenkins can do a lot of different things on the field. For FSU, he is capable of playing tailback, but also could line up in the slot as a receiver. Jenkins will also definitely get a chance to return punts and kickoffs for the Broncos, an issue of concern for FSU since the departure of former CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year Richard Medlin to the NFL.

Coach’s Comments: “William is dynamic and very exciting whenever he has the ball, whether it’s from catching it or running it,” says FSU assistant coach David Bowser. “He can be a game-changer.”

High School Coach’s Comments: “He’s a quality person, first of all,” says Maiden head coach Brian Brown. “He’s a good guy to be around, he’s classy and he’ll be good for the school and for the program. He’s small, but he’s deceptive, and was great as our featured back this season. He’s an extremely hard worker and he’ll bring a lot to the Fayetteville State program.”

William Brown

WILLIAM BROWN OLB, 6-2, 175, Salisbury, N.C., Salisbury HS

Scouting Report: Played football, wrestled and ran track at Salisbury HS; Recorded 20 tackles in Oct. 13 win over Central Davidson; Raw athlete that could develop over time as a real steal for FSU in the recruiting process.

How He Helps: Brown will be under the tutelage of head coach Kenny Phillips, who also serves as the Broncos’ linebackers coach. If there’s anyone who can get the best out of linebackers, it’s Phillips. Brown will also be well-served to learn under young FSU linebacker talents Steven Moore and John Brown.

Coach’s Comments: “William will get a tremendous opportunity to contribute at Fayetteville State,” says FSU assistant coach David Bowser.

Kion Young

KION YOUNG DB, 6-0, 185, Kernersville, NC, Glenn HS

Scouting Report: Recorded 70 tackles as a junior and had one interception. Piedmont Triad All-Conference player as a senior, and named as league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

How He Helps: Young can step in and provide physicality and depth to a Broncos secondary that for the second season in a row, showed dramatic improvement as a unit as the season progressed. Young will likely play free safety or strong safety for the Broncos.

Coach’s Comments: “Kion is a smart kid who is a great student and very physical on the football field,” says FSU defensive backs coach David Bowser.

DAQUAN RICHARD DL, 6-2, 265 Raeford, N.C., Hoke County

Scouting Report: Can play multiple positions along the defensive line; Likely to see time at noseguard for the Broncos; Recorded 60 tackles and 5 sacks this season; Known for his toughness.

How He Helps: Kenny Phillips counts stopping the run as one of the fundamentals of Fayetteville State defense, and Richard can help in that area. Athletic enough to play multiple positions along the defensive line, Richard can develop into a player to will fit Phillips’ rotation schemes along the line.

Coach’s Comments: “A very physical, tough kid,” says FSU recruiting coordinator David Bowser. “He gets great leverage and with long arms, and can really make plays. He plays hard on every down.”

High School Coach’s Comments: “Daquan really plays well with his hips, which is big for an interior lineman,” says Hoke County coach Milton Butts. “He gets great backward movement on the center, which is what I think Coach Phillips really liked. He gets an interior push up the middle and can cause a lot of problems.”

TELVIN TATUM FB, 6-0, 235, Greensboro, N.C., Ben L. Smith HS

Scouting Report:Played fullback, linebacker, defensive end and also saw time on the defensive line; Three-year varsity starter at Ben L. Smith; Two-time All-Conference Honorable Mention; Captain his senior year; Had 63 tackles and a staggering 11.5 sacks his junior year; Recorded 4.0 sacks against North Cross (Roanoke, Va.) on Aug. 27, 2010.

How He Helps: Tatum will have an opportunity to find a role to excel in at FSU. He can play on either side of the ball, and will give FSU looks at fullback and on the line.

Coach’s Comments: “Telvin comes from a great program in Greensboro Smith, and we know he’s learned a lot from a great coach in Rodney Brewington,” says FSU assistant coach David Bowser.

RENDALL MASH DL, 6-1, 225, Charlotte, N.C., Mallard Creek HS

Scouting Report: I-Meck 4-A All-Conference; Comes from a nationally recognized program in Mallard Creek, which finished 13-1 last season. Will likely play defensive tackle for the Broncos; Disruptive force on the interior who had 18 sacks in two years.

How He Helps: Coach Kenny Phillips talks about it all the time – stop the run, stop the run, stop the run. Mash provides immediate depth the FSU defensive line, and should be a CIAA force to be reckoned with over the years. But he’s also capable of disrupting the passing game.

Coach’s Comments: “He is physical and a hard-nosed football player,” says assistant coach David Bowser. “Rendall is a real student of the game and plays tough the whistle. This is a young man who loves football.”

High School Coach’s Comments: “He was our mainstay on offense the last two years,” says Mallard Creek coach Mike Palmieri. “He was the anchor of our defense. He gets off the ball really well and he doesn’t stay blocked. He’s a fantastic all-around kid who’s real strong at the point of attack.”

JAMAL HUGGINS DE, 6-1, 245, Charlotte, N.C., Mallard Creek HS

Scouting Report: Played for a year at highly regarded Mallard Creek; Finished with 24 tackles and 4.0 sacks this season; Played defensive tackle for Mallard Creek.

How He Helps: Huggins will likely switch from defensive tackle to defensive end with the Broncos. Strong and powerful; Quick first step who is tough to block.

Coach’s Comments: “Huggins is just a great athlete,” says assistant coach David Bowser. “He has extraordinary vision. He has tremendous upside. His best football is ahead of him.”

High School Coach’s Comments: “Jamal only played for us for a year, but he was a real good player on the inside for us,” says Mallard Creek coach Mike Palmieri. “He can play defensive end, though, and he may be better suited there in the college game. A really powerful kid who’s really, really tough at the point of attack. He just makes plays.”

RAVEN BROADNAX DL/LB, 6-1, 214, Reidsville, N.C. Reidsville HS

Scouting Report: Recorded 46 tackles last season for 11-4 Reidsville; Added 1.5 sacks his senior season; Broadnax forced one fumble, recovered four and defended two passes; Rushed nine times for 48 yards, including a long of 22.

DARIUS “DJ” JEFFERS DB 5-10, 180, Wallace, N.C., Wallace-Rose Hill

Scouting Report: Played running back and cornerback for Wallace-Rose Hill; Also had offers from Division-1 programs Western Carolina and Coastal Carolina; May be considered the “prize” of the class; Great speed; Member of WRH’s 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams; Son of a football coach.

How He Helps: Jeffers steps into a secondary known for its ability to adjust and improve on the fly. He’ll bring burner speed to the team, and could see time as a returner for the Broncos as well. Jeffers has the potential to be a shutdown corner for Fayetteville State.

Coach’s Comments: “DJ is a physical corner who can run really well,” says recruiting coordinator David Bowser. “He has a great understanding of the game and is a defensive back who does not mind putting his pads on people. He covers well, and when he gets an interception, he knows how to get down the field.”

ANTHONY NIXON OL, 6-2, 285, Wilmington, N.C. Hoggard HS

Scouting Report: Durable with great feet; Athletic for his size; Comes from a program with rich history of strong offensive linemen.

How He Helps: Nixon will join a young, albeit emerging offensive line at FSU.

Coach’s Comments: “Anthony is strong and owns all the qualities that can make him a valuable piece to our line,” says recruiting coordinator David Bowser.

High School Coach’s Comments: “Anthony was our most improved lineman over the last few years,” says Hoggard head coach Scott Braswell. “He loves football, loves to work hard and loves being a part of the team. He’s just a great kid with a wonderful attitude and a hard worker.”

ARIC WILLIAMS, DE, 6-4, 250, Wilmington, N.C., Hoggard HS

Scouting Report: Had 21 tackles – 18 unassisted – to go with 2.0 sacks last season for Hoggard; Recorded season-high seven tackles against West Brunswick on Aug. 19; Deflected two passes; Had one blocked punt and one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Missed junior year after suffering shoulder injury; 6-9 wingspan.

How He Helps: More depth along the defensive line for FSU, a target area for FSU.

Coach’s Comments: “Aric is a tall, rangy kid who possesses great speed off the ball,” says FSU assistant coach David Bowser. “He gives us a tremendous speed rusher in a position we’ve targeted today.”

High School Coach’s Comments: “I think Aric was overlooked because of the injury,” says Hoggard head coach Scott Braswell. “He really developed for us this year and has a huge upside. His best football is ahead of him.”

Steve Pollard

STEVE POLLARD OL, 6-3, 245, Southern Pines, NC, Pinecrest HS

Scouting Report: Sturdy offensive lineman for Pinecrest; Already on campus for Fayetteville State, enrolling in January; Named to Southeastern 4-A All-Conference team.

How He Helps: Pollard steps in on the offensive line offering help to a unit that lost one of FSU’s all-time greats, Larry McDonald, to graduation last season.

Coach’s Comments: “Steve has all the attributes to be a great center,” says recruiting coordinator David Bowser. “He’s powerful and aggressive, and he’s been an absolute weight room warrior since he’s been on campus. He has a tremendous understanding of the game.”

Tevin Clay

TEVIN CLAY WR, 6-2, 190, Wilmington, N.C., Laney HS

Scouting Report: Another great catch for FSU in an area of need; Led Laney with 78 receptions for 1,084 yards and 16 TDs last season; Had offers from Western Carolina and Western Michigan.

How He Helps: Fayetteville State needs wideouts, and Clay offers a combination of speed and size that was lacking in the Broncos’ young wideouts of a year ago.

Coach’s Comments: “Tevin is a big receiver, but he can play both on the outside and the inside,” says FSU assistant coach David Bowser. “He has great hands and runs just phenomenal routes.”

Marquel Gathers

MARQUEL GATHERS ILB, 5-10, 234, Benson, N.C., West Johnston HS

Scouting Report: Blend of speed and power that suits any defense that seeks attacking linebackers; Also played fullback at West Johnston.

How He Helps: Steps in and will join an impressive young corps of linebackers at FSU. Kenny Phillips is a master at developing linebackers, and he has another strong one to go with the likes of Steven Moore and John Brown.

Coach’s Comments: “He is a flat-out football player,” says FSU assistant coach David Bowser. “Marquel plays with great passion and will excel in Coach Phillips’ defense.”

Henderson guides Lady Broncos to historic 600th win

FSU Broncos — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:23:38 +0000

FSU coach Bobby Henderson

HENDERSON GUIDES LADY BRONCOS TO HISTORIC 600^TH WIN

Fayetteville State finished three-day event unbeaten at 15-0

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – There was little fanfare. While they briefly stopped play to acknowledge the achievement with a team picture and some words of congratulations, the moment soon passed as the games resumed.

To the relief of head coach and program architect Bobby Henderson, the Fayetteville State Lady Broncos recorded their 600^th victory on Sunday. Then they went out and did what they always do.

Win some more.

Fayetteville State (25-1), the defending CIAA Bowling Champion and the first CIAA program to reach 600 wins, finished the three-day Southern Division meet in much the same way it has done in so many other divisional competitions.

Clear and utter domination.

The Lady Broncos, who have won 10 CIAA division titles in 11 years and two league championships in the last four seasons, completed the meet at their home B&B Bowling Lanes with a perfect 15-0 mark. Needing 12 wins coming into the weekend to hit 600, Fayetteville State reached that lofty perch with a dominant win over Johnson C. Smith during Sunday’s second Baker match.

“I can rest now,” said a breathless Henderson, who built the program from scratch in 2001. “I can sleep now, because I didn’t sleep at all last night.”

After that, it was on to wins 601, 602 and 603.

Not that there wasn’t some minor trepidation. The Lady Broncos, who romped through play with a 10-0 mark the first two days, only managed to slip past Winston-Salem State in the first Baker match on Sunday, clipping the Lady Rams by a mere eight pins.

With No. 599 out of the way and Johnson C. Smith on deck – the Lady Broncos had little trouble beating the Lady Golden Bulls twice in the first two days – Fayetteville State set its sights on 600. Henderson, true to form, allowed all seven of his bowlers to compete in the historic win, subbing reserves in and out of the four-bowler lineup.

“It’s all about these girls, and the girls who came before them” Henderson said. “This is about them, and so every one of them had a chance to bowl. They all got an opprtunity to roll.”

Former Broncos bowlers appreciate Henderson’s sentiment and the accomplishment the program made on Sunday, but placed most of the credit on their beloved coach.

“Coach Henderson deserves all the accolades he can get,” said two-time CIAA Player of the Year Akira Turner. “I know he likes to say an honor like this is one shared by the team, that it’s for the girls, but he is the reason. I am so happy for him.”

Jessica Florit Shumate, who was an All-CIAA bowler at Fayetteville State and served as a grad assistant under Henderson, echoed her former teammate’s thoughts.

“That is always Coach,” said Shumate. “He is modest and kind and always puts the team before him. But he is the driving force behind the team. As modest as he is, he is truly why this program has always been so great and why all the girls always love and care for him.

“Coach will never admit to how great he is and how he has directed the team to greatness. As much as it is the girls, it just as much him. He builds and creates the teams. Coach does more than inspire us in bowling, he inspires us in life. The word ‘unselfish’ describes Coach to a ‘T.’ That is who he is and always will be.”

With No. 600 out of the way, Henderson is happy to shift the focus to the remaining matches this season, and to the CIAA Tournament, which looms in late March.

“We’re the defending champions, but we want another ring,” he said. “And this team is just as good as the one from last year.”

Bobby Henderson and the Pride of Fayetteville State Bowling

FSU Broncos — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:08:48 +0000

FSU bowling coach Bobby Henderson

AS HE NEARS 600 WINS, FAYETTEVILLE STATE’S BOBBY HENDERSON IS A BOWLING INSTITUTION

Lady Broncos’ program boasts numerous CIAA records, including two championships

BY ALEX PODLOGAR

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Bobby Henderson came to Fayetteville State nearly 40 years ago with dreams of making his name as a basketball player.

If he ever leaves FSU, he’ll go out as a bowling legend.

Ranked as the No. 1 area youth bowler growing up and the son of a professional bowler who would one day be enshrined in the N.C. Bowling Hall of Fame, it should’ve seemed logical all along that Henderson would leave his mark on one hardwood rather than the other.

But Henderson didn’t see it that way.

“I gave bowling up to be a basketball player,” he recalls now, sitting in his office surrounded by the trophies that serve as his wallpaper. “I wanted to be a basketball player. There was no money in bowling.”

Maybe not. But there was something more.

THE MEMORIES

Walk into Henderson’s office on the third floor of Fayetteville State’s Felton J. Capel Arena, and the number of championship plaques on the wall is staggering.

So are the pictures.

“These pictures of my teams, these are my memories,” he says, his typical machine-gun style of speaking slowing noticeably. “These two pictures here, these two teams, they were the catalyst of it all.”

They are team photos shot just over a decade ago. Fayetteville State introduced bowling as a varsity sport in 2001, and Henderson, who’s coached just about every other sport in nearly four decades at Fayetteville State, was given the reins of the fledgling program because he taught a bowling class in the physical education department.

“Those early teams, we only had 30 matches in a season,” Henderson recalls, the machine gun fire picking up again. “I had probably 150 girls show up for the first tryout – everybody wants to be a part of something new. And of those 150, I bet about 148 of them didn’t know a thing about bowling. But I found five or six girls who had done a little bit of youth bowling. That first team went 25-5, though.”

It’s been quite a ride for Lady Broncos bowling since then: two CIAA championships, two CIAA runner-up finishes, 10 division championships in 11 years. All under Henderson’s guidance.

But that’s where the credit stops for Bobby Henderson.

“This isn’t about me,” he says. “It’s about those girls. Every single one of them. I tell them all the time, anything we do, you’re part of that history. It’s yours. You did it.”

But on Sunday, another milestone is coming for the vaunted Fayetteville State bowling program. If things go according to plan – and heck, according to history, recent and otherwise – Bobby Henderson and Fayetteville State will notch their 600^th match win at B&B Bowling Lanes in Fayetteville this weekend as the Broncos host the season’s second CIAA Southern Division Meet.

THE PLAYERS – AND THE PHILOSOPHY

Henderson doesn’t like attention. Not for himself anyway. He steers clear of having his photograph taken. It’s been years since he had an official headshot photo taken by the University for its archives.

Henderson will stand in for a photo if it’s a team shot, much like he did after the Lady Broncos captured their second CIAA championship in four years last March. Examine the picture closely and you’ll see that the University’s current official headshot of Henderson is just a carefully cropped picture of that team photo.

But Henderson isn’t in it for the personal glory, though he certainly isn’t shy about seeking extra publicity for his team. That’s just who he is.

All-CIAA bowler Jessica Florit Shumate

“He takes an interest in each bowler, not just as a coach but also as a friend,” says former Fayetteville State and All-CIAA bowler Jessica Florit Shumate, who also served as an assistant coach to Henderson while she attended grad school. “He always believed in each of us. He supported us in trying to be our best in bowling, but also in our classes.”

It’s that unselfishness than brings out the best in the Lady Broncos bowlers. Combine the inherent will to win that Henderson uncovers in recruiting them with their drive to please a man who sincerely cares about them, and it’s no wonder Fayetteville State bowling sets the standard for the CIAA.

Two-time CIAA Bowler of the Year Akira Turner

“He treats us all like we’re his own kids,” says Akira Turner, a two-time CIAA Bowler of the Year who anchored the two title teams. “We’re a family.”

But it goes beyond the lanes.

“Without Coach Henderson I probably would not have come to FSU,” says Shumate. “He believed in me and my skills. He made me feel like I could become the bowler that I wanted to be. He made it possible for me to receive my MBA. He helped me get my foot in the door. Coach Henderson is a great man and I could never thank him enough for everything he has done.”

Academics matter to Henderson, even more than the sport and the program he’s built.

“First question that comes out of my mouth is academics,” says Henderson, who’s had 26 bowlers named to CIAA All-Academic teams (Shumate and Turner were named to three All-Academic teams each). “And for recruiting, it’s all about grades first. Bowling is a nonrevenue sport, and the money for our players needs to come from academics. It’s obvious that academics are going to important to me and our team no matter what. It’s No. 1.”

Always, says Turner.

“Coach pushes academics more than anything,” she says. “He makes you become a scholar. If you bowl for FSU, you will be a scholar-athlete. It’s Coach’s motto: you have to perform in school first before you can perform on the lanes.”

While it’s clear he can build bowlers, Henderson has molded adults as well. Turner thrived on the lanes in one of the hubs for bowling in the United States – Detroit. But despite her talent, she landed 700 miles from home at Fayetteville State because, as she puts it, her attitude was poor.

“I had a terrible attitude,” she says. “That’s why I ended up at Fayetteville State. But I changed there, and it was because of Coach Henderson.”

THE ARCHITECT – AND LEGEND

Currently, there are 10 varsity sports at Fayetteville State. Bobby Henderson, over the years, has been a member of a coaching staff of six of them.

“Oh, Lord, I’ve coached everything,” he muses.

Henderson came to Fayetteville State as a basketball player. He joined the Broncos a year after the team captured its only CIAA Basketball Championship, in 1973. Not long after he graduated, he began teaching at the University in 1982.

Two decades later, then Director of Athletics William Carver came to Henderson with an idea. Because Henderson was already teaching a bowling class in the P.E. department, why not take the head coaching job when the University instituted bowling in 2001?

“I had a history with the sport,” Henderson says modestly, referring to his status as an elite youth bowler. “I could roll it a little bit back in the day.”

But he could also teach. That came in handy when all those girls showed up – experience be damned — for tryouts.

Henderson found a few diamonds in the rough. From there, he set about teaching the sport. Soon he found that desire played a valuable role in building his program.

“It you want to be good at bowling, you can do it,” he says. “It’s all about repetition. If you can learn to throw the same ball each and every time, it’s not a problem. But we’ve always had people who like bowling, who want to bowl and want to do whatever it is it takes to become good bowlers.

“We’ve been lucky, too,” he adds. “We’re one of the only schools when bowling began that had enough talent right on campus. But since then, we’ve come a long ways.”

No kidding.

The CIAA championships. The division titles. Myriad conference awards, including a staggering 29 All-Conference selections in 10 years. (Fayetteville State has landed four bowlers on a single All-CIAA list three times, and three bowlers on the All-CIAA team five times.) National tournament appearances. Countless appearances in national polls.

Of course, there’s more. Henderson organized the National Youth Sports Program at Fayetteville State and serves on a variety of bowling association boards, including at the NCAA level. He teaches several classes a day — “You have to check my door to see my class schedule, and what times I might be around,” he says – and knows and understands the heady student-athlete compliance rules cold.

And then there are those other things.

A 77 percent winning percentage. Six seasons with more than 60 wins, four of which featured 72 or more victories.

588 wins – and counting – in all. The most in CIAA history.

“FSU is the No. 1 program in the CIAA, no question,” Henderson can boast. “We’re the only CIAA school that’s won a Division-1 tournament, and we’ve been in the national tournament. The records are limitless. The last four years, we had a two-time Player of the Year, we set all kinds of records of players making All-Conference – it goes on.”

But he doesn’t want to stop there.

“Our goal is to break our records, if possible, each and every year,” he says. “We want to be known.”

Henderson, though, is already known. And so is his program.

He’s also revered.

Not bad for a basketball player.

Medlin reflects on first NFL season; signs 3-year deal

FSU Broncos — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:49:40 +0000

Richard Medlin, with the Broncos

FORMER FSU STAR RICHARD MEDLIN REFLECTS ON 1^ST NFL SEASON

Former CIAA Special Teams Player of the Year has signed a 3-year contract with Miami

(For more about Medlin’s track to the NFL, go here.)

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Richard Medlin admits he does a lot of dreaming. He won’t go into detail about those dreams, but their depth and frequency seem to coincide with his work ethic.

When Medlin, a former Fayetteville State football star, speaks about the hours he puts in on and off the field, there is a twinkle in his eye and a deft curl around his lips that formulate a wistful smile. These REM ticks give hints to the highlights going on inside his head.

What’s playing in his mind, though, remains only his own. Medlin is an NFL player now, having spent 16 weeks of the NFL’s season on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad.

In Week 17, though, Medlin fully arrived on the NFL scene. Dressed in the uniform made famous by Don Shula, Dan Marino and Bob Griese – the crisp white offset by the Dolphins’ signature teal No. 38 — Medlin saw action on the day of future Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor’s final game, a 19-17 victory over the rival New York Jets in Miami’s Sun Life Stadium.

Just days after the season ended, Medlin signed a three-year contract with the Dolphins.

“It’s a blessing, a dream come true,” Medlin says. “Just to be playing in front of a crowd like that with other players you’ve watched on TV for many years, it’s amazing. You’re in the same locker room, in the same helmet and jersey as them. It’s a shock, but it’s a wonderful feeling. What a blessing.”

Medlin starred at Fayetteville State, becoming the epitome of the self-made star. He redshirted his first year, then consistently worked his way up head coach Kenny Phillips’ depth chart.

“The thing about Richard is that he is a tireless worker who never quits,” says Phillips. “Getting to the next level is all about the work you put in and what you do with your opportunities. That’s who Richard is. He’s always put in the extra effort and done everything he’s needed to do to get to that next level.”

Medlin was a constant for the Broncos during his career. A dynamic kickoff and punt returner, Medlin was the Broncos’ leading kick returner in 2010 while being the featured back in the offense. In 2008, Medlin was brilliant, returning three kicks for touchdowns and amassing 500 yards on 12 kick returns for a staggering average of 41.7 yards per return. Medlin’s long return that season was for 89 yards.

But Medlin was a capable and durable runner as well. He led the Broncos in rushing in 2010 with 772 yards on a 5.4 average per carry, scoring five touchdowns. He was also second on the team in total receptions, most of them coming out of the backfield, with 26. And he was a key cog in a Broncos’ offense that helped Fayetteville State earn its third CIAA championship in 2009; Medlin rushed for 667 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns.

Medlin wasn’t drafted after completing his Fayetteville State career, but he quickly latched on with the New England Patriots as a free agent. Months before Tom Brady and Bill Belichick would lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl, Medlin turned heads during the team’s exhibition season.

Richard Medlin, scoring an exhibition TD for the Patriots. Photo by The Boston Herald's Matt Stone

He rushed for 66 yards on 20 carries while adding 39 yards on six receptions for New England. Medlin saw extended playing time in the Patriots’ first preseason game on Aug. 11, rushing 14 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns. His first carry as an NFL running back went for a 2-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter of New England’s 47-12 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Patriots’ Gillette Stadium. Four weeks later, Medlin was signed by the Dolphins after the team waived two-time Pro Bowler Larry Johnson.

Since then, much of Medlin’s time has been spent preparing for his next chance. While he got it in the regular season finale in front of 75,192 spectators, there was much work already done behind the scenes.

“The routine was much harder than it is in college,” Medlin says of his season with the Dolphins. “The time we’d go to class or to practice, we’re already in film. It’s an early day every day — work out before meetings, then in meetings, then practice, then back in meetings. It’s all day. It’s a job. It’s a real job.”

While his first professional season has ended, Medlin’s dreams – a better word, perhaps, may be his expectations – have not dimmed.

“Dreamed possible? No, I got a long way to go,” he says. “It’s a blessing what I have accomplished so far, but I know God has brought me here to move me further. I have much more to accomplish.”

The eyes have that gleam. The smile broadens.

“I know there’s a lot more in store for me. That’s what it is.”

MBB Live Look-In: Winston-Salem State at FSU

FSU Broncos — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:47:16 +0000

It is the CIAA Southern Division opener for both teams, and it’s nationally televised. It doesn’t get any bigger than this. For more info leading into this game, go here and here.

Check back here often for live analys4s from the sidelines of a packed house at Felton J. Capel Arena after tipoff at 4 p.m.

You know it’s a big game. Former FSU star and current Miami Dolphin Richard Medlin is in attendance. Medlin was activated by the Dolphins and saw action in the final game of the season and recently signed a 3-yard contract with the Dolphins.

First Half

20:00 Here we go

17:51 A beauty of an alley-oop to Tim Plummer. Gorgeous pass, and Plummer rose high for that one. 4-2, FSU. Capel is in full throat.

17:27 Sidney Evans active early with two buckets. 6-2, FSU.

16:39 Plummer with a nice rebound, a hurdle over a defender — yes, you read that right — and then is fouled going to the tin. He hits two more foul shots — he’s making 91 percent in CIAA play — and it’s 8-2, FSU.

15:35 Evans with the jam, and it’s a 10-4 start for FSU.

13:16 They are lettin’ ‘em play. 11-7, FSU.

12:59 WSSU is shooting just 25 percent from the floor — and 40 percent from 3. Justin Glover with two treys and eight of WSSU’s 10 points. 11-10, FSU.

9:30 Plummer’s run-out snaps a 10-3 Rams’ run after two Glover foul shots. 15-14, FSU. Plummer with six early points, and Evans with seven.

8:52 Beautiful play by the Broncos to make something out of nothing. The ball is batted high into the air, but Plummer comes down with it deep on the week. He zips a crosscourt pass to Tyrrel Tate, who slips it to a driving Evans for the dunk. Lovely under duress. 17-14, FSU.

7:13 Marcus Wells is hacked and hits the layup. He ties it at 17. WSSU tied despite shooting 27 percent from the floor.

6:24 Four straight points from Tate, and FSU takes a four-point lead, 21-17.

4:29 Wells hits a daggar as the shot clock horn sounds. Great defense by FSU, and it didn’t matter. 23-21, FSU.

4:02 Glover picks up his second foul after John Herrington draw the charge.

3:45 And Glover stays in, gets a steal, and score. 23-all. He’s got 12.

1:15 Great move by Evans, but he can’t finish with 15-footer. 25-24, WSSU.

Halftime Wakefield Ellison hits a 18-foot jumper — off the glass from the top of the key. Rams close half on an 8-1 run for a 27-24 lead.

Second Half

19:15 Good start to the half for FSU. Evans hits a runner. 27-26, WSSU.

16:48 Rams, though, are starting to assert themselves. Joseph Thompson hits two foul shots, and the Rams have their largest lead, 31-26. It’s a 12-3 run spanning the half.

16:20 Glover with a putback, and it’s a 14-3 spurt. Rams, 33-26.

15:53 Broncos, for all the balance they typically show, have had just five different players score. Evans keeping FSU in it by himself with 13 points and five rebounds. 34-28.

15:44 Make it 15 points. Evans again. 34-30.

14:34 Not sure how Glover got that one to foul, as hard as he was hit. But it goes. He converts the 3-point play, and Rams are up 39-30.

14:00 Nice stutter-step drive by Andre Best, drawing the third foul from Kimani hunt. He converts the 3-point play, bringing FSU within six, 39-33. FSU needed that.

13:03 Plummer returns to the floor. Broncos need a spark from him.

12:08 Those great stats the TV broadcast has? Yup, coming from me. Plummer, who’s shooting 91 percent from the foul line — he’s 4-for-4 today — in CIAA games; that’s up from 64 percent in nonconference games. FSU trails by just four, 39-35.

11:21 Plummer with a pretty jumper. It’s a 7-0 FSU run in the last 2:37. 39-37.

9:40 Tate answers a Hunt 3 with one of his own. Broncos are hanging in there. 42-40, WSSU.

6:51 Rams have picked up their interior defense, and the broncos are having trouble with contested shots in the lane. Nequan Melvin heads to the line and converts a 3-point play. 47-40, Rams.

5:58 Evans with two foul shots. FSU needed those. Now the Broncos need stops. 47-42. Evans with 17 points.

4:38 Glover with a 3 as the shot clock winds down. Trouble — and quiet – in Capel, 50-42. 8-2 spurt.

4:17 Stephon Platt makes a foul shot. 9-2 run, 51-42.

3:39 Sidney Evans with a huge hoop in traffic. And he’s fouled. We’ll see if he connects after the timeout. Evans with a season-high 19 — and pending.

He connects. Season-high 20 points for Evans. 51-47 after five straight.

2:12 Tough shot in the lane for Tate won’t fall, and even though he gets the offensive board, he throws it away. 52-47, and WSSU will run some clock.

1:37 Not the best foul on the runout with Glover. He converts the 3-point play, and it’s 55-47, WSSU. Glover has 23.

1:20 Huge 3 for Evans. Broncos have a chance. 55-50.

1:00 Seth Hawkins gets a wide open look from the corner, sets his feet and squares his shoulders — AND HITS! FSU down 56-53.

Broncos can now play straight up defense. They don’t have to foul.

48 seconds Steal by Plummer! And he’s fouled.

Capel is ALIVE!

47 seconds Plummer misses the first.

Hits the second. 56-54.

4.1 seconds FSU gets the stop, but Plummer’s sunner is no good. John Herrington grabs the rebound but falls back — and is whistled for traveling. FSU has to foul.

3.2 seconds Glover at the line. Glover hits both. 58-54.

And the fans begin to file out.

FINAL: Winston-Salem State 58, Fayetteville State 54

WBB Live Look-in: Winston-Salem State at Lady Broncos

FSU Broncos — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:48:00 +0000

Get up-to-the-minute analysis live from the sidelines in Felton J. Capel Arena from today’s game after tipoff.

First Half

17:28 A couple of days ago at Virginia Union, the Lady Broncos dug themselves an early hole because of turnovers. Already, FSU has three. 4-0, WSSU.

16:08 Lady Broncos are still in search of their first points. WSSU, 5-0.

14:35 Yes, FSU has had trouble scoring to start, but it’s a big day at Capel Arena with all the TV cameras and crew setting up for the men’s game at 4 p.m. But the defense has been good, and after Tierra Coleman gets her putback to fall, FSU only trails 5-2.

13:46 Another basket for Coleman after a nice dish from Alicia Person, and then a bucket by Makeea Suggs. Here come the Lady Broncos. 7-6, WSSU.

12:37 LAAAAAAAAAAATE whistle. Taylar Wells hits a 3 and is bumped, and only after a Lady Broncos player has the ball in her hands to inbound does the whistle come. Wells with a chance at a 4-point play.

At least she misses the bonus. 12-6, WSSU.

11:34 And now Britney Whitehead fouls Wells while she shoots a 3. That one was a foul.

She makes 2 of 3. 17-10, WSSU.

10:32 Great drive-and-dish by Tashama Banner after the offensive rebound by Alicia Person. Banner dishes to DaQuandra Cuthbertson, who is hacked byut lays it in. She hits the foul shot, and it’s a big play for FSU, which trails 17-15 after five straight.

8:42 The Lady Rams run the old style weave at the top of the key, and it leads to a wide open 3 for Wells. 20-15.

8:12 And Wells hits another 3, this from the corner. 23-15. She has 14 points with four 3s in four attempts.

2:08 A Jovanah Graham turnaround, and the Lady Rams have outscored FSU 12-5 over the last 6:17 for their largest lead, 29-20.

2 seconds Nice dribble-drive by Je’Lena Robertson and dish to Tierra Coleman as the clock is winding down for the half. FSU is hanging around, down just 30-23 at the break.

Second Half

11:35 All Lady Rams, who open the first 8 minutes of the half on a 20-8 run, getting yet another 3 from Wells and eight points from Courtney Medley. 50-31, WSSU.

6:06 Still all Lady Rams, who lead by 23, 64-41. Wells, Medley and Jasmine Newkirk have combined for 43 points, with Wells leading the way with 20.

4:00 Give the Lady Broncos credit — and this is also a credit to head coach Eva Patterson-Heath — FSU never, ever quits. The team is getting great effort throughout the lineup, with Brittany Wilkins earning some future playing time with her hustle. 69-48. Seven points from Wilkins in just eight minutes.

FINAL: WSSU 74, FSU 56