Feb. 16, 2004
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The Men's Game
The UMES men's basketball team, winners of three straight conference games (and four of its last six MEAC contests), continues a five-game home stand Monday with a MEAC contest against South Carolina State at the Hytche Center. The Hawks (6-16, 5-8 MEAC) are coming off a 65-58 overtime victory against North Carolina A&T Saturday.
The Bulldogs come in one half game behind Coppin State for first place in the MEAC standings (9-3, Coppin 10-3). The team has been off for a full week following an 88-74 loss at home to Norfolk State that snapped a six-game overall winning streak.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The South Carolina State Bulldogs come into play Monday at 12-9 overall, the only MEAC team currently with an above-.500 record. The Bulldogs are 9-3 in conference, 1/2 game behind Coppin State (who hosts Howard tonight). The team beat UMES 78-53 January 12th at the S-H-M Center.
S.C. State, the defending MEAC champions, are coached by first-year head man Ben Betts, who came to Orangeburg to replace Cy Alexander. Alexander guided the team to the NCAA Tournament last season, where they fell to #1-seeded Oklahoma in the first round.
This season's Bulldogs squad had won six straight games before falling to Norfolk State a week ago 88-74 at home. It was the team's first home loss of the season (7-1 at home, 5-8 away from it). Thurman Zimmerman, a pre-season first-team MEAC selection, is 3rd in the conference in scoring at 17.6 ppg and first in rebounding (8.0 rpg). Freshman Brian Mason averages 14.0 ppg and 5.1 rpg, and is shooting 55 % from the field.
News and Notes
Tee Trotter is now averaging 18.5 ppg this season, which is second in the MEAC to FAMU's Terrence Woods (19.3). Tee is leading all conference players with 19.5 ppg in MEAC contests. Last week (ending 2/10), Trotter was named MEAC Player of the Week by the conference for the second week in a row...After going eight straight games without scoring more than 55 points in a contest, UMES has now scored 62 or more points in seven of its ten games since. The Hawks are averaging 64 ppg during that stretch (644 pts), after averaging 52 ppg on the season up to that point...It took UMES 22 games this season to better its win total from all of '02-'03 (6-16 now, 5-23 overall last season)...The Hawks have struggled from the field so far this season, coming into play Saturday shooting only 37% as a team...The Hawks have two family connections between players and coaches. Tee Trotter is head coach Thomas Trotter's son, while center Tim Parham is a cousin of assistant coach Paris Parham.
Working Overtime (Again)
UMES continued its string of close conference games Saturday with a thrilling 65-58 overtime victory over the North Carolina A&T Aggies. It was the fifth straight MEAC contest for the Hawks that was decided in either the closing seconds of regulation or in overtime.
Center Tim Parham had the best overall game of his brief college career, bleeding the Aggies (2-20, 2-11 MEAC) for 18 points (five in overtime), five rebounds and four blocks. He shot 6-7 from the field and 6-8 from the charity stripe in only 25 minutes of action. Aaron Wellington recorded 17 points, including a big three-pointer in the overtime period that put UMES ahead 59-54 with 2:46 remaining.
After trailing 37-32 at halftime, the Aggies came storming back in the second half fueled by their defense. N.C A&T held the Hawks to only four field goals in the second half and only 17 total points. After the Hawks went ahead 50-43 at the 11:53 mark, they managed only four points during the remainder of regulation, before a Sean Booker three-pointer would tie the game at 54. Each team went scoreless in the last two minutes to force overtime.
Tee Trotter scored 16 points, 14 of which came in the first half, to go along with seven assists. Javes Wiggins had a career-high 15 rebounds for the Hawks to go along with eight points. Booker led the Aggies with 16 points, while teammate Chris Ferguson had ten points and eight rebounds.
UMES ROSTER AT A GLANCE
Probable Starters
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
1 Tee Trotter G 5'11 180 Sr. 18.5 2.2
During Hawks last eight games, averaging 25.5 ppg (204 pts) and twice has been named MEAC Player of the Week...Hit GW shot with 5 seconds left to beat Howard 2/9, part of 26-pt. performance...Only Hawk to start every game...Scored season-high 36 pts (12-21 FGs, 7-12 3's) at FAMU 1/31 (most pts scored in game by a Hawks player this season)....Second in MEAC in scoring last season (20.5 ppg)...MEAC second-team preseason selection, and candidate for Francis Pomery Naismith Award (for the nation's best player under 6'0).
32 Aaron Wellington G 5'11 160 So. 11.2 3.0
Scored 17 pts (5-13 FGs, 3-7 3's) in 43 min vs. NC A&T...Scored season-high 23 pts (6-11 FGs), 18 coming in the second half at Sav. St 1/29...Team's second-leading scorer this season...Hawks' second-leading scorer in '02-'03...Pure shooter with knack for scoring.
44 Jareem Dowling F 6'6 235 Jr. 4.2 3.0
4 pts and 7 rebs in 35 min vs. NC A&T...Tied career-high with 12 pts (5-9 FGs) in 35 min vs. Morgan St. 1/27...Shooting 30-104 FGs (29%) this season (8-42 3's-19%)...Transfer from Cecil C.C. averaged 11 pts and 6 rebounds in '02-'03.
21 Antoine Joiner F 6'5 180 Jr. 3.4 2.7
2 pts, 0 reb in 8 min vs. NC A&T...Hit GW FTs w/ 9 sec. left at Sav. St. 1/29...Season-high 13 pts v. Del St 1/3...Shooting 22-70 FGs (31%) this season.
42 Tim Parham C 6'9 240 Jr. 6.1 3.5
Scored 18 pts (6-7 FGs), 5 rebs, 4 blks in 25 min vs. NC A&T...Scored 20 pts (8-10 FGs) vs. PSU 12/27 (only 2nd D-I game)...Junior-college transfer joined team 12/20 after end of fall semester.
Reserves
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
3 DeWitt Scott G 6'6 200 Fr. 3.1 1.8
Played combined 14 min past 4 games (0 pts) after DNP the previous 4 games...Career high 9 pts, 11 rebs at Norfolk St. 1/17...True freshman from Chicago.
4 Javes Wiggins F 6'7 220 Sr. 4.9 6.4
Had 8 pts and career-high 15 rebs vs. NC A&T...Season-high 14 pts, also 11 rebs at Del. St. 2/7...Leads team in rebounding, currently 4th in conference...Was team's leading rebounder in '02-'03, also third-leading returning scorer.
5 Lawrence Smith G 5'10 150 Jr. 0.6 0.4
Season-high-matching 4 pts in 16 min at Howard 2/9 (also 4 pts 1/27 vs. Morgan St.)...Defensive specialist with quick hands, serves as backup point guard.
10 Marcus Gutierrez G 6'4 185 So. 1.3 1.3
DNP (coach's decision) last nine games....Scored career-high 6 pts (3-5 FGs) in 12 min vs. Del St...Added to roster following conclusion of fall semester.
13 Kirk Wesley F 6'3 190 Sr. 0.6 0.1
Has 8 straight DNP's...Has seen limited action in nine of the team's 22 games...All 5 pts this season from foul line...Hard-nosed player with athletic ability.
14 Jermaul Akanbi G 6'2 165 So. 0.8 0.3
Has 8 straight DNP's...Has played in 4 games this season...Scored only FG of the season vs. Coppin State 1/24 (2 pts, 1 asst).
25 Brandon Wilson G 6'4 190 R-Fr. 1.2 0.8
DNP last 4 games...Scored 2 points at Sav St 1/29 (only pts since 1/6 at MD)...Scored career-high 6 points at Ill...Red-shirt freshman from Long Island, NY.
33 Didier Socka F 6'7 225 Sr. 3.5 3.0
0 pts, 4 rebs in 23 min vs. NC A&T...Career-high 17 pts (8-10 FGs) in 19 min vs. BCC 2/2...Started first two games of season, came off bench in every game since....Returning leader in FG % (47%) and blocked shots (15) from '02-'03.
35 Shondale Robinson F 6'5 200 So. 0.0 0.8
10 straight DNP's (has not played since Norfolk St. game 1/17)...Played career-high 12 min at S Car St 1/12 (0 pts, 3 rebs, 2 blk)...No pts this season (0-3 FG).
55 Jason McKinnon C 6'11 270 Jr. 2.6 3.1
0 pts combined in the last 14 games (includes 4 starts, 8 DNP)...Has started 9 of 22 games...Had only double-double of season (11 pts, 11 rebs) at RMU 12/21.
UMES Hawks (6-16, 5-8)
Previous games:
Date Game Result
11/2 Tm. Champ. (ex) W 58-54
11/14 One on One (ex) W 88-78
11/23 at Auburn L 61-85
12/11 at Illinois L 43-85
12/21 at Robert Morris L 63-70
12/27 Portland State L 61-80
12/30 Towson L 53-61
1/3 Delaware State* L 55-60
1/5 Howard* L 50-70
1/6 at Maryland L 38-87
1/10 at N.C. A&T* W 52-50
1/12 at S Carolina St* L 53-78
1/14 at Elon L 51-54
1/17 at Norfolk State* L 54-67
1/19 at Hampton* L 62-75
1/24 Coppin State* L 42-68
1/27 Morgan State* W 85-72
1/29 at Savannah St. W 62-61
1/31 at Florida A&M* L 74-79
2/2 Bethune-Cook.* L 70-71 (2OT)
2/7 at Delaware St.* W 69-66 (OT)
2/9 at Howard* W 56-55
2/12 Savannah State L 59-73
2/14 N.C. A&T* W 65-58 (OT)
Upcoming schedule:
Date Game Time
2/16 S. Carolina St.* 7:30
2/21 Norfolk State* 4:00
2/23 Hampton* 7:30
2/28 at Coppin State* 7:30
3/1 at Morgan State* 7:30
3/8-12 MEAC Tourn. TBA (Richmond, VA)
*denotes MEAC conference game
Thomas Trotter- Head Coach
Head Coach Thomas Trotter is in his fourth season at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. After a 5-23 season in 2002-03 and a 6-16 start this season, Trotter has a 34-73 overall record (.318 win pct.).
Before his stint at UMES, Trotter was the first assistant men's basketball coach at New Mexico State University from 1998-2000 under legendary coach Lou Henson, who is currently the 7th winningest Division I coach in NCAA history.
NMSU made postseason appearances in each of Trotter's two seasons as a coach, winning the Big West Championship and losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to 3rd seeded Kentucky in 1999, then reaching the NIT in 2000 and falling to Arizona State in the first round.
For a ten-year span (1988-97), Trotter served as the first assistant men's basketball coach at Northeastern Illinois University, the winningest Division I program in Chicago three out of Trotter's final four years as a coach. Before his time at NEIU, Trotter spent two seasons coaching at the high school level.
Coach Trotter received his Bachelor of Arts degree in labor relations in 1985 from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. In 1992 he obtained a Master of Science in educational administration, then in 1994 he obtained a Master of Science Education in education curriculum and instruction, each from Northwestern University.
Assistant Coaches
Paris Parham- Assistant Coach
Third-year assistant basketball coach Paris Parham came to UMES from Minnesota State University, where he served as an assistant coach from 1995-2001. 'Coach P' also served as assistant to the athletic director and a coordinator for the Maverick Academic Center at Minnesota State.
Parham was a player at Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL, where he served as team captain in both of his playing seasons. He then went on to play at Minnesota State from 1993-1995, and was selected team captain in 1995. Parham was an all-conference selection in the North Central Conference that season. He ranks eighth all-time at Minnesota State in career assists.
Brian Kusnierz- Assistant Coach
Coach Brian Kusnierz is a third-year assistant coach with the UMES basketball program. He was previously at Concordia University in River Forest, IL, where he served two seasons as an assistant coach.
A three-year starter at Angelo State University in Texas, Kusnierz served as team captain for the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons. An all-conference selection in 1998, he was voted as the team's Most Valuable Player. He finished his playing career ranked in the school's top three list in assists and steals.
The Women's Game
The UMES Lady Hawks play their 10th game in 21 days Saturday as they continue a five-game home stand with a MEAC contest against South Carolina St. The game tips off at 5:30 from the Hytche Center.
The Lady Hawks are coming off an impressive 83-49 win against N.C. A&T Saturday for their second straight victory overall, each by more than 25 points. The Lady Bulldogs beat UMES in Orangeburg 75-68 on January 12th to move to 4-0 in MEAC play, but since then have lost seven of their next eight games to fall well back in the MEAC standings.
News and Notes
After a quiet start to her career at UMES, freshman LaToya Green has broken out in a big way the last five games. In her first 11 games played as a Hawk, Green scored a total of 15 points. In her last five however, Latoya has scored a total of 60 points (12 ppg), including a career-high 20 at Del. St. 2/7...In spite of the Lady Hawks' poor conference record, nine of the team's 10 MEAC losses have come by 9 points or fewer. The team has led in the second half in 8 of those 10 losses...After a slow start to the season, UMES guard Laconia Hatcher has caught fire. Hatcher, who failed to score double-figures in any of the first five games this season, has scored in double-figures in 14 of the 17 games since, and is now the Lady Hawks' second-leading scorer at 12.3 ppg....Tiffany Winkfield, who recorded a double-double in 12 of the Lady Hawks' first 20 games this season, missed the Savannah State last Thursday game due to a suspension. The senior is leading the team with both 13.7 ppg and 10.3 rpg (also leads the MEAC)....The Lady Hawks have been a second-half team in '03-'04. Despite the team's losing record, UMES has out-scored its opponents 795-748 in the second half this season.
Hawks Romp Again
The Lady Hawks won their second straight home game in convincing fashion Saturday, beating the North Carolina A& T Lady Aggies 83-49. The 34-point victory came on the heels of a 26-point win against Savannah State Thursday night.
North Carolina A&T (6-17, 3-10 MEAC) hung in the game early, and held its final lead of the contest at 26-25 with 6:46 remaining in before halftime. UMES (8-14, 3-10 MEAC) took control from there however, going on one of the most dominating runs of the season. During the next 18:20 of game action, the Lady Hawks went on a 42-7 run, building a 67-33 advantage when it was said and done.
Octavia Thompson led the Lady Hawks with 16 points, going a perfect 6-6 from the field and 2-2 at the fould line. Erica Bennett added 13 points (11 in the first half) and Tiffany Winkfield pitched in with 12 points and three rebounds.
Tia Richardson led the Lady Aggies with 17 points with seven rebounds, while Camille Akins helped her by adding 12 points. With only six players in uniform, the Lady Aggies not only had to battle UMES, but also fatigue. They turned the ball over 29 times in the contest.
UMES Hawks (8-14, 3-10)
Previous games:
Date Game Result
11/15 NWBL Elite (ex) W 102-97
11/21 at Memphis L 63-89
11/23 at Ark-Pine Bluff W 77-60
11/28 vs. Louis.-Laf.# W 60-57
11/29 at Maryland# L 65-97
12/3 at St. Francis L 48-56
12/20 at Towson L 67-92
1/3 Delaware State* L 50-52
1/5 Howard* L 74-79
1/10 at N.C. A&T* L 61-68
1/12 at S. Carolina St* L 68-75
1/17 at Norfolk State* W 72-63
1/19 at Hampton* L 59-60
1/24 Coppin State* L 55-63
1/27 Morgan State* W 95-57
1/29 at Savannah St. W 65-57
1/31 at Florida A&M* L 60-63
2/2 Bethune-Cook.* L 61-70
2/4 American W 80-73
2/7 at Delaware St.* L 58-64
2/9 at Howard* L 74-88
2/12 Savannah State W 86-60
2/14 N.C. A&T* W 83-49
Upcoming schedule:
Date Game Time
2/16 S. Carolina St.* 5:30
2/21 Norfolk State* 2:00
2/23 Hampton* 5:30
2/28 at Coppin State* 5:30
3/1 at Morgan State* 5:30
3/8-12 MEAC Tourn. TBA (Richmond, VA)
*Denotes MEAC conference game
# at Terrapin Classic, UMCP
Surina Dixon- Head Coach
Surina Dixon is in her fourth season as head coach for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's Lady Hawks basketball team. Her teams have compiled a 37-71 overall record (.343 win pct.) to date, after starting 8-14 and having earned 12 victories in each of the past two seasons (after only five in 2000-01).
Prior to her arrival at UMES, Coach Dixon served as head assistant coach at Arkansas State University, where she helped guide the Lady Indians to their first ever Top 25 national ranking. Coach Dixon was also an assistant at Texas Southern University.
Before collegiate athletics, Coach Dixon coached for ten seasons in Memphis, Tennessee at Germantown Middle School. There Dixon won eight district and six county championships, had five undefeated seasons, and compiled an overall record of 165-29.
While transitioning to the college ranks, Dixon had an opportunity to both play and coach two seasons of professional basketball with the WBA's Memphis Blues. She has also worked as a coach and instructor at various camps, including the 2000 WNBA Houston Comets' training camp.
At Rosedale High School in Rosedale, Miss., Dixon captained both the basketball and track teams. She then played at Mississippi Valley State University, where she graduated in 1983. Dixon later obtained her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi.
Assistant Coach
Destiney Avent- Assistant Coach
Destiney Avent is in her first season as an assistant coach at UMES. She has returned to her alma mater ('02) after spending one season as the head women's basketball coach at Montgomery Community College.
Avent played for two seasons at UMES. In 2002, she was named the UMES female student-athlete of the year, as well as team MVP. Before that, Avent played two seasons at Tallahassee Community College.
MEAC 2003-04 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
Rk School Pts
1. Hampton (13) 413
2. Delaware St. (5) 385
3. Florida A&M 339
4. Bethune-Cook. 283
5. Howard (1) 261
6. MD East. Shore 203
7. S. Carolina St. 188
8. Coppin State 177
9. Norfolk State 143
10. N. Carolina A&T 119
11. Morgan State 33
(first-place votes in parenthesis)
All-MEAC First Team
G Yolanda Dixon, FAMU
G Mandy Clark, Delaware St.
F Lynetta Sullivan, Hampton
F LaKesha Wills, Coppin St.
C Kim Watson, FAMU
Second Team
G Terrell Waller, Delaware St.
G Katie Clark, Bethune-Cook.
F Tiffany Winkfield, UMES
F Lauren Forsthoff, Bethune-Cook
C Nicole Brathwaite, Hampton
-As selected in a preseason vote of MEAC coaches and Sports Information Directors
