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Seven teams make D-2 tourney field
LUT WILLIAMS Five teams from the CIAA and two from the SIAC hit the
road this week seeking NCAA Div. II men's and women's basketball championships. Three CIAA men's teams, tournament champion Shaw (25-4), tournament runner-up Johnson C. Smith (22-7) and Winston-Salem State (21-6), make up half the six-team South Atlantic Region field at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tn. (March 7-9). It's the first time since the 1996-97 season that three CIAA teams made it into the bracket. CNC (25-4), the South Atlantic Conference tournament champ, is the top seed while Shaw is seeded second. They both will receive first round byes. CNC (18th) actually finished the season ranked behind Shaw (15th) in the NABC Div. II national poll but was ahead of the Bears (1st - 3rd) in the final regular season regional rankings. "We must take one game at a time and stay focused," said second-year Shaw head coach Joel Hopkins, who sequestered his team for just that purpose as they won their first CIAA tournament title ever. Hopkins is making his first appearance in the regional as a coach but won the region as a player at North Carolina Central in 1989 en route to the Eagles capturing the national title. "We have worked hard to accomplish what we have so far and our goal was to be successful in post season play, which includes the South Atlantic Region Tournament," Hopkins said. Last year, CIAA tournament and South Atlantic Region champion J.C. Smith played WSSU for both titles and the teams were seeded one-two in the region. This year Steve Joyner's JCSU Golden Bulls are seeded fifth. They will take on Peach State Conference tournament champ Augusta State (22-7) in one of Thursday's opening round games (8 p.m.). "I think the regional is a tough, tough field, but I think we have as much of a chance as any CIAA team," said Joyner making his sixth appearance in the regional in 16 years at the school. "Obviously, we're not hosting as we did last year, so there's some travelling involved. We just have to get up there and be ready." Winston-Salem State, who will face Wingate (21-6) in Thursday's 6 p.m. opener, is making its fourth straight regional appearance, as is Wingate. The sixth-seeded Rams will go into battle this time with first-year coach Phillip Stitt. The WSSU/Wingate winner will meet Shaw. Virginia State head coach Peggy Davis is making her first trip to the South Atlantic Regional where her CIAA champion Trojanettes (20-9) will meet Presbyterian (21-8) at 8 p.m. Thursday in Mars Hill, N.C. VSU is ranked fifth in the field. NCCU head coach Joli Robinson is making her second consecutive regional appearance. Her Lady Eagles (22-6) will take on Ga. College & State University (19-11) in Thursday's 6 p.m. game. Only the SIAC tournament winners, who received automatic bids, made it into the South Region men's and women's fields. Women's tournament winner, Fort Valley State with head coach Lonnie Bartley, is making its fourth straight appearance in the women's South Regional being played this year at Delta State University in Cleveland, Ms. Bartley's 24-8 Lady Wildcats are seeded fifth and will face Arkansas Tech (24-5) Thursday in a 6 p.m. contest. Ronnie Spry's Paine Tigers (17-12) are seeded sixth in the men's South Regional being held at Tampa (Fl.) University. They will play Valdosta State (22-7) Friday at 7:30 p.m.
© 2002 Azeez Communications, Inc.
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