Newspaper Page Text
Sports
The best of
times, the
worst of
times
Joe Carlos
Sports Editor
Many times, as a
Morehouse man, I look to
the fall and winter to
provide the best season for
athletics for the college.
After football season, many
of my fellow classmates and
I look towards basketball
season to provide countless
thrills and plateaus and
triumphs for the winter
months.
I can remember it
9
almost like yesterday when
we ran on to the court in
jubilation after the Maroon
Tigers won their home
opener. For many freshmen,
it was the first time they
had actually witnessed a
Morehouse team win a
game. I can also remember
like it was yesterday when
we lost to Tuskegee twice,
Clark twice, Lane, and
LeMoyne-Owen twice. The
loss to LeMoyne Owen hurt
so badly because it could
have been Coach Mac's
500th victory and Mayor
Campbell as well as
members of the local press
were on hand to witness
Morehouse's 79-77
overtime loss.
Don't get me wrong, the
season provided some
unbelievable thrills. For
instance, the Clark games
were heavily packed and as
always produced a very
heated and intense
atmosphere found only at a
Duke-North
Carolina or
Georgia Tech-
Georgia game.
Although we
lost, the effort
was
overwhelming,
Forbes Arena
was rocking, and
the experience
was memorable.
The two wins
against Morris
Brown helped to
boost the bruised
egos of many of
the Morehouse
faithful and also
helped put W's
in the win
column. The two
losses to
Tuskegee
while
defeating,
were wildly contested
and well played
basketball games that
were entertaining and
emotionally draining.
So, like I said, it wasn't
all bad.
Now, to the critical
analysis. Well, sitting
in my seats on the floor
courtside at mid-court,
you hear a variety of
things. Many students
berate Coach Mac
about this and that and
generally feel they
could do a better job at
coaching than him.
They get on his
coaching style, his
decisions and his play
calling. However, Coach
Mac wouldn't be at 500
wins if he didn't know what
he was doing. He wouldn't
VINl/Special
VIN/ Special
still be coaching at
Morehouse if he weren't
competent and
knowledgeable about the
game. He has seen many
sportswriters come and go,
and many a heckler come
and go in his tenure at the
college, and he's still here.
However, every now and
then the critics are right.
Perhaps we need to press
earlier, adjust to their
defense or offense and
make the necessary changes
elsewhere, and run an
effective press breaker.
What we as know-it-all fans
are missing is that we are
not the coach, nor do we
want to be, so, we should
leave it up to Mac and his
staff, and just cheer on the
team.
We had a very strong
team this year that on paper
looked shaky, but was
predicted to win its
division in the conference.
Dropping both games to
Joe Carlos/Staff
Tuskegee, Lane as well as
Clark, and splitting games
with Kentucky State didn't
help our cause much in the
The f irst Annual The Maroon Tiger Seasonal Awards
Most Improved Plovers
Coivv'McBride Sr. forward Seasonal Grade: B+
Seemingly out ol nowhere. Mi Bride earne into “anus and pro\ ided deep
jumpers from a variety ol areas on the eourl, l ie lenrlessh■'scored on
opponents and more importantly played excellent, tod-book defense that
baffled opposing teams.
Jeroiie Dodd So. forward Seasonal Grade: B,
Despite missing a few dunks here and there, Dodd has played
exceptionally well and provided key buckets down .the stretch, and in.
very close games. Keep in mind he is only a sophomore, and is constantly
learning, e\ o'lving and improv ing with each game plac ed.
Mike Bonner |r. Guard Seasonal Grade:’. Il
l-laving to-play in the shadow of Herman Banks tor two years had to be
challenging. However, Bonner proved that he used the two years as a
lea ruing experience and da//led the crowds as well as opposing delenses
with his "handles’ . Bonner also showed the Morehouse faithful that lie
can slick the "j". when he needs to.
lames league Ir, forward Seasonal Grade: B+
Rebounds, blocked shots, and controlling the lane are tile benchmarks of
great inside play. Big 11 did all those things extremely well this season.
He added nasty inside moves and a niffy hook jumper to his game that
crushed Morris Brou n and had many .other ppposing defenscs running
for coyer.
Best Newcomer
Blake O l arrow I r. Guard Seasonal Grade: B-
Plaviug for Morehouse as a freshman has to be challenging and difficult.
Starting as a freshman and being called upon to produce and contribute,
heavily is more pressure than this sports writer even cares to think about.
O I arrow handled it all in stride and it made him a better player and a
great addition for the Maroon Tigers, la tie in the season, lie tearlesslv
buried deep range jumpers and played solid defense. Ihroughout the
season he continued his consistent play and in this writer's mind load his
recruiting class bv playing smart and conlident basketball.
Most Valuable Players
Instill Miller Sr. Forward Seasonal Grade: B+, - A-
At the outset of the Season, without Harris and Smith, Miller was alone.
He selflessly put the team oil his back and lead them to a respectable record
by the team his teammates returned. I le should be praised and lauded for
his leadership, spirit and inspiring play that provided numerous highlights
this season and in his career.
Mike Harris Sr. Forward Seasonal Grade: A-
Altlwugh Harris injured himself during tlieotl season and placed limited
minutes during the season, he was stellar. When he played with the pain
this season, lie still took his game to a level that was seemingly without
compare and. contributed heavily offensively. I le was greatly missed down
the stretch part of the season.
Kenny Smith |r. Forward Seasonal Grade: A-
I want to give him an A + , but only Jordan gets that kind of grade. 1 can't
imagine what an entire season will be like with him at the helm ol this
team next year. As I said earlier, when the ball is in his hands; something
magical happens. Tile conference got a glimpse ol the future this season,
and no team had anyone w ho could stop him or even come close to
defending him. Look out SI AC, Kenny Smith has arrived, and the
tournament just might be his time to shine and send w arning,
Best Fan
Corev Richardson Jr. New port News, YA
He's at every game. He's always close to the floor so the refs, the opposing
pl-ayers, tile opposing bench and our fans can he.fr him.He's everything
that’s right about college athletics because lie's so spirited. He's Corey
Richardson, and if there were a poll on the most hated tail in the SI AC , it
would probable- be him. His attacks on opposing tea ms a re inventive, fresh
and hilarious. He keeps even-one laughing including the refs and oppdsing
teams. You might think you are a cra/v tan, but did you ever sit behind
the other team's bench and veil at each of the players, talk about their
home towns and berate them as they walk off the court at the halt? Ol
course not, unless you're Corev.
—Joe Civics. Ill
division. As mentioned on the shoulders of senior
earlier, we did sweep Mo Justin Miller, juniors Mike
Brown and split games with Bonner and James Teague
Dillard, but that wasn't and sophomore Jerone
enough in this long and Dodd. More importantly, it
challenging season. forced many of Coach Mac's
The 1998-99 Maroon new freshman recruits into
Tigers were faced with playing valuable time early
many obstacles at the start in the season. Freshmen
of the season. Beginning the Blake O'Farrow, Earl
season without the minutes, Caruthers, Courtney
points and leadership of Edwards and Greg Ewing
perennial all-star Michael all contributed heavily and
Harris and up and coming sometimes started. Miller
super nova Kenny Smith,
seemed to put heavy weight