HOUSEsports

CLARK-ATLANTA vs Lane College (September 10, 2011)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9u-IRfU77w&feature=player_embedded

Clark-Atlanta Brings the Championship Home

Their fight song was playing, the crowd was ecstatic, and as the final seconds rolled off the clock, players, coaches, and fans shouted in jubilee as the Clark-Atlanta men’s basketball team won their first SIAC title since 1965.

Going into the halftime break leading 50-27, the Clark-Atlanta Panthers allowed Stillman to climb back into the game. Rallying behind big man Kevin Johnson, who led Stillman with 17 points, the Tigers closed the gap and made it a nail bitter in the closing minutes.

But even though the Panthers slipped into a dog fight during the second half, a big shot by David Brown with less than a minute to play sealed the deal on the resilient Tigers.  Thus, allowing free throw shots and clock management to bring the title home. Brown would later receive the SIAC Tournament MVP award after his 20-point finals performance.

An enthralled head coach Daryl Jacobs of Clark-Atlanta climbed the championship ladder as his team cheered below. And before he took the final cut of the net, began to yell “Whose house is this!” over and over in a call-and-response ordeal with his team.

So a new champion is crowned– the Clark-Atlanta University Panthers– who proved to be to be the most consistent, most disciplined, and showcased a high level of focus throughout the tournament.

It was them who marched through the tough week, knocking out Lane, Kentucky State, and even regular season SIAC champion Benedict in a dramatic, “no-contest”, fashion.  They were on fire coming into the championship, and even had enough fuel left to blast Stillman– forcing the Tigers to overcome the large first half deficit, before falling to the champions in the end.

The Panthers were seemingly unshaken by pressure, or even the “hype” of being the home-town favorites. They humbled themselves, handled their business, put forth the effort, and quite frankly, they earned it!

Congratulations Clark-Atlanta, and good luck in the NCAA DII Tournament.

-Devin Emory

Clark Atlanta Puts It All Together

The third and Simi- final round of the 78^th Annual Men’s SIAC Basketball Tournament saw to giants of the SIAC pitted against each other as SIAC player of the year Marcus Goode and the top seeded Benedict Tigers faced off against former SIAC player of the year Najee Lane and the #4 Clark Atlanta University Panthers. Despite the focal point being on the battle between the current and former SIAC players of the year, Clark Atlanta small forward David Brown led the onslaught with 20 points as the #4 Clark Atlanta Panthers upset the top seeded Benedict Tigers 75 -52.

“We had lost to them two times previously this season,” Clark Atlanta University head coach Daryl Jacobs said, “But both of those times we were either without the services of Najee Lane or David Brown so I knew we would be able to contend with them tonight.”

The panthers got off to a quick run in the first as they were leading 25-13 with 8:11 left to go in the first, they continued their surge as they took a commanding 16 point 38-22 lead into halftime. From there they showed the killer instincts that it takes to finish as the Panthers came out of halftime and went on a 13-2 run to push their lead to 27 making the score 51-24, their largest lead of the game.

When asked what enabled the panthers to keep their focus Brown replied, “We just knew we had to keep going, we had a lot of respect for this team coming in to tonight and knew we had to play hard.

- John Smith

Tuskegee Is At It Again

After a first round buy the defending SIAC Tournament Champion #3 Tuskegee Golden Tigers were more than motivated for their second round match up against long time rival and #6 seeded Morehouse Maroon Tigers. Despite struggling during the first half and being down seven points early with 14:33 left to go in the 2^nd half, the Golden Tigers were able to rally and secure a victory 78-72.

With 8 seniors on their squad Tuskegee is guided by seasoned veterans who know how to perform in the post season.

“We are trying to win another championship this year,” Tuskegee Center Andre Nelson said after asked his expectations for the rest of the tournament.

Nelson, also a senior, contributed 16 point on the night along with his regular domineering physical defensive contributions down in the post, but the night belonged to Lorell Friend who had a game high 23 points, many coming from behind the arc.

When asked about their sluggish start Tuskegee head coach Leon Douglas attributed much of their woes to their concern for fellow teammate Aaron Ragsdale who went down with a knee injury early during the first half.

“Basketball is a game of runs,” Douglas explained, “Our guys were concerned about Ragsdale but decided to dedicate the rest of the game to playing for him.”

The Golden Tigers have now advanced to face the #2 Stillman College Tigers. When asked about the match up Nelson explained, “ Hey it’s just the Tuskegee mentality, unless you have on that crimson mentality we are going  come the same way hard.”

With a mentality like that the Golden Tiger jus may be primed to repeat as champions.

- J.Smith

Tigers Saddle Up on Thoroughbreds

Taking a 37-35 advantage into halftime, the Morehouse Maroon Tigers surely had a brawl on their hands against the Kentucky State Thorobreds during “Senior Day” at Forbes Arena. Coming into Saturday’s contest battling for positioning and confidence heading into the SIAC tournament, both teams showcased offensive efficiency and execution.

After an emotional senior tribute at halftime, the Maroon Tigers basketball club came out in the second half on fire on their way to the 91-76 victory. Playing behind the leadership of senior center Joshiah Anabraba, the Tigers’ offense was clicking on all cylinders. Anabraba led the Tigers with 17 points and nine rebounds as they stretched their lead to 26 points during the second half. Morehouse fans couldn’t have been happier with their team’s effort and focus against the 14-12 Kentucky State team.

Poised for a collective team attack heading into Wednesday’s first round matchup against Miles College, head coach Grady Brewer hopes this winning effort will be replicated during the tournament. “What we are trying to do is just peak and just be the best team that we can be right now,” said Brewer. “It’s a whole new season once we leave this locker room. Everybody is 0-0 and it’s all about intensity and playing as hard as you can and playing to win.”

Coach Brewer wanted to become increasingly better game by game up to the SIAC tournament and it looks as if the team has rallied behind his strategy. Playing team defense, being aggressive in their offensive sets, hitting free throws, and minimizing turnovers were the keys to their win on Saturday.

The Maroon Tigers’ first round matchup against Miles College will take place Wednesday at 8pm in Forbes Arena.

-Devin Emory

(February 27, 2011)

Morehouse College vs Lane College

If one were to tell any head coach basketball coach going into competition that he would out rebound the opposing team and be plus 12 in regard to turnovers, I believe he would be more than overwhelmingly confident going into that match. Unfortunately for the Lane Dragons, that wasn’t enough as they fell to the Morehouse Maroon Tigers Thursday night 76 -71 improving the Tigers’ record to 12-13.

The Tigers were lead by a strong effort from Daniyal Faquir who amassed a game high 24 points while going 7-14 from the field and 6-11 from three point range.

“Our main objective is to win the game,” Faquir said after being asked about his performance.

He went on to explain that he wasn’t overly preoccupied with his own statistical success as much as he was concerned about the teams overall play as a unit.

Despite the Tigers ability to secure a victory they still gave up 24 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 26 times. Surely, Tigers fans hope that the Tigers will be able to make some vast improvements as we near the SIAC tournament next Wednesday, March 2^nd.

When asked how he felt about the Tigers’ chances in the tournament, Faquir replied, “I feel like we are one game away, we have a game against Kentucky State on Saturday and we intend on showing people they can’t just come in our home and get a win.”

-John Smith

Morehouse V. Lane (video coverage)

Video coverage from Morehouse’s 76-71 overtime victory against Lane College.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6VeW_xOw9w

The Battle of Tigers

They rushed up and down the floor, putting up back-to-back buckets as they raced to a 46-44 Stillman advantage heading into halftime. Executing their half-court sets and keeping turnovers to a minimum, both the Stillman Tigers and Tuskegee Golden Tigers were playing great post-season basketball.

But it was truly a tale of two halves as Stillman came out on fire in the second half, zooming to a 99-81 final score. The Tigers’s LaJay Sears put his team on his back and carried them to victory, capping his 37 point performance with an exciting alley-oop finish on the night.

The Tigers were on fire shooting 61 percent for field goals in the second half and getting great outside shooting. Junior guard Kenyour Williams had a double-double ending the night with 18 points and 15 rebounds as Stillman had a well-rounded, team, arsenal attack.

The Stillman Tigers defeated the Tuskegee Golden Tigers who were the defending SIAC tournament champions and were looking to repeat. However, the Golden Tigers struggled from the free-throw line during the second half, only completing 68 percent as unit, as they watched the game get out of hand.

Head coach Michael Grant of Stillman says he can’t wait for Saturday’s championship matchup against Clark Atlanta’s Panthers who are coached by his friend Darryl Jacobs.

“Every time that we play Clark, it’s been a great game. I think that the last time that we’ve played them, every time that we’ve played them, the game has gone down to the wire. Just expect a great ball game,” Grant said after the game.

The Tigers look to capture the SIAC title Saturday night as they take on a very talented Clark-Atlanta team who is looking to win their first title since 1965. The game is scheduled for tip-off at 8pm in Forbes Arena.

-Devin Emory

The SIAC TOURNAMENT DAY 1

The first day of the 2011 SIAC Mens Basketball Tournament was filled with hard fought down to the wire wars.  Competition began with a win by the #9 Paine Lions over the #8 Le Moyne Owen Magicians 68-65 advancing them to play against #1 Benedict College in the Second round. Behind them came the #7Clafflin Panthers facing the #10 Fort Valley State Wildcats as the Panthers prevailed 59-55 and move on to face #2 Stillman in the second round. In game 3 of the tournament the #4 Clark Atlanta University Panthers prevailed over the #13 seed Lane Dragons and now move on to face the#5 Kentucky State Wildcats after the wildcats were able to secure a win over the #12 Albany State Golden Rams 66-64. The #6 Morehouse Maroon Tigers rapped up competition with their win over the #11 Miles College Golden Bears 66-63 after a nail bitter that was forced into double overtime.