Washington , DC –The University of the District of Columbia
Firebird Men’s and Women’s basketball teams wrapped
up their 2003-04 regular season last week. The Men’s team
completed the regular season with an 18-9 record, ranked 9th
in the NCAA East Region. The Firebirds now await a coveted invitation
to an at-large berth in the NCAA 2004 Division II Basketball
Championship Playoff, scheduled to begin March 13, 2004.
The NCAA 2004 Division II Basketball Championship Playoff will include a
field of 64 teams playing in 8 regions. The announcement of the teams selected
to participate in the tournament is scheduled for Sunday, March 7th . Eight
regional tournaments will be conducted March 13, 14 and 15, to determine who
will advance to the Elite Eight (quarter finals) on March 24. On March 25,
the winners of the quarterfinals will play in semifinals games to determine
who will play in the championship game at the Centennial Center, California
State University, Bakersfield. It is believed that the Firebirds stand an excellent
chance of receiving an invitation to the regional, and Athletics Director and
Head Men’s Coach Michael McLeese and his team are excited about their
prospects.
The Firebirds were paced this season by junior forward and CoSIDA All-America
nominee Rasheim Wright, who is the 3rd leading scorer among NCAA Division II
schools, averaging 26.9 points per game. Wright also became a member of the
exclusive 1,000 point club in the game against Wayne State University on January
24th. Wright achieved this distinction in less than two full seasons at UDC.
He was also a three-time All-Independent Player of the Week during the 2003-04
season. Wright scored the winning point at the free throw line in the exciting
and extremely close game against NCAA Division II, 16th ranked, Bowie State
University.
The Lady Firebirds completed their regular season with a 13-14 record. Standout
junior guard Jamie Brown continued to excel in steals, averaging 3.2 per game
and ranked 35th in the nation among NCAA Division II schools at one point during
the season.
