THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412150193
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
The Elizabeth City State University men's basketball team has some figuring out to do during its two-week break from competition.
Although ECSU opened the season at 4-4, the Vikings are reeling from two big defeats, one in the championship game of their own tournament and the most recent, a 98-80 loss to Johnson C. Smith University.
Despite the losses, head coach Claudie Mackey says he uses the non-conference schedule to prepare for CIAA regular season competition and to learn what his team can and cannot do.
``We are trying to learn some things as a group,'' Mackey said. ``We are trying to prepare for the division (CIAA Northern Division), so this is a time to learn what we can and can't do.''
One aspect of the game the Vikings need to work on is breaking the full court press, which plagued them in both of the last two losses.
``We've got to be more patient against the press. Adrian (Bell, the point guard) is carrying a lot of the burden by himself. We are seeing the 2-2-1 press and we've done a good job of getting the ball to midcourt - then we throw it away.''
Mackey also said that early in the season he plays with 10 players but usually narrows that down to about seven or eight during the height of the season. Who those seven or eight will be could be determined by practice sessions over the two-week layoff. The starting five will continue to be Bell and Jermaine Smoak at guard, Ron Nowlin and Bernard Cooper at forward, and Jo-ve Ford at center.
``Algernon Moore (a graduate of Northeastern High School) has been a pleasant surprise,'' Mackey said. ``He has played injured and that attitude has rubbed off on the other players.''
Mackey also mentioned LaShaune Hill as someone who can come off the bench to help break the press. ``We're trying to instill in him all facets of the game,'' Mackey said.
Other veterans who could break the elite seven or eight include John Richardson, John Bullock, and Larry James. ``We get a lot of offense from Larry whenever he's in. We know he's going to score,'' Mackey said.
The right combination of players will be crucial. ``Time will tell, but we probably can match up with anyone. It's just a matter of finding the right combination of people.''
The Vikings have plenty of talent in the starting lineup, but unlike previous years, the ``go-to'' player is missing. All of the starters can score at any given time, but nobody has really been consistent.
Mackey is not making any predictions about the rest of the season yet.
``I hope when we come home (Jan. 7 against Virginia Union) with all things in place, we won't stink up the joint,'' he said. by CNB