BCSP X-24: BCSP Notes

BCSP Notes . . .

National Players
Florida A&M guard Terrence Woods in back among the nation's leaders in scoring and three-point shooting but is on the verge of adding another title to his resume.

The 6-4 sharpshooter from Memphis, Tn., led all of NCAA Div. I basketball players a year ago averaging 5.0 three-pointers per game, hitting on 45.7% of his shots from behind the arc. He's back atop that category this season averaging 5.2 treys per contest. His 21.7 points per game average is 17th in the nation in scoring.

This season Woods is also third in the nation in free throw percentage canning 30 of 31 charity tosses for a 96.8 percentage mark.

Perched at second in NCAA Div. II scoring and atop the black college scoring list is University of District of Columbia forward Rashiem Wright. The 6-4 scoring machine is averaging 28.3 points per game, just behind Div. II national leader Lewis Muse of Concord (31.1).

Six-seven Virginia Union junior forward Ralph Brown has been on a tear recently that has put him atop the NCAA Div. II field goal percentage stats. Brown converted 39 of 48 shots over a five-game period and is shooting a blistering 74.4% (58 of 78) for the season. Including in his run was a 14 of 15 shooting performance in the Panthers first loss of the season vs. Fayetteville State.

Brown's teammate, point guard Luqman Jaaber, is also among national leaders. He is first in Div. II steals, averaging 4.4 per game, and is also eighth in free throw percentage at 91.4% (32 of 35).

Fellow CIAA performer Desmond Peoples of St. Augustine's leads Div. II and the black college rolls in rebounding at 13.7 per game while 6-7 Virginia State center Avis Wyatt is fourth in blocked shots at 3.2 per game.

Grambling State point guard Maurice Seawright is listed fourth in Div. I assists per game (7.4 apg.) while three black college Div. I guards are ranked in steals.

Howard's Louis Ford is third at 3.7 per game, Alabama A&M's Obie Trotter is fourth at 3.6 while Norfolk State's Chakowby Hicks is seventh at 3.3.

On the women's side, Crystal Kitt of Alabama State is 16th in Div. I scoring at 20.4 ppg., and 13th in field goal percentage at 60.1%. Fellow SWAC stars Latesha Lee (6th in assists, 7.1 apg.) and Amie Williams of Jackson State (2nd, at 4.1 bpg.) are also in the national stats.

Three CIAA players are among the scoring leaders in Div. II. Bowie State's Allyson Hardy is fifth at 22.2 ppg., N.C. Central's Tiona Beatty is 19th at 20.9 ppg., while Pria Stellmacher of Virginia Union is 12th at 20.6 ppg.

Hardy is also sixth nationally in steals at 3.9 per game. Ahead of her in second place is Shaw's Jessica Hawikins at 4.5 per game.

Cheyney junior forward Fanta Sissoka is the nation's tenth best Div. II rebounder at 11.4 per game.

Grid Coaching Vacancies
University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Athletic Director Craig Curry has apparently narrowed his choices to four to replace Lee Hardman, who resigned following 11 seasons leading the Golden Lions football fortunes.

Curry interviewed former Norfolk State and North Carolina A&T head coach Maurice "Mo" Forte Friday and was planning to interview two of Hardman's assistants this week. Forte, who played with Curry at Minnesota, is thought to be the frontrunner notwithstanding his 42-65-1 career record at the two schools. Curry said Forte, who has also worked extensively as an NFL assistant, fits his criteria of either having head coaching or coordinator experience.

Curry also announced that he would be interviewing interim Head Coach, Marty Steward, who served as defensive coordinator under Hardman and Willie Fulton, who was the defensive backs coach. Curry declined to name the fourth candidate.

No timetable has been set at Bowie State to replace former head coach Henry Frazier who resigned to become the head man at Prairie View. Former Howard head coach and BSU defensive coordinator Steve Wilson, thought to be next in line to replace Frazier, got the head coaching position at Texas Southern. BSU Athletic Director Derrick Carter is taking applications and is expected to begin the interview process soon. It could be well into February before a decision is made.

Details were not available on the search to replace Willard Bailey at Virginia Union. The 31-year veteran was re-assigned following the season and is pursuing reinstatement. Attempts to reach VUU AD Michael Bailey were unsuccessful.