THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 9, 1995 TAG: 9501090164
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
No long ride home this time.
The Norfolk State Spartans, who have struggled away from home this year, finished a two-game, three-day North Carolina swing in a jovial mood Saturday night.
After knocking off Johnson C. Smith, 84-79, for their sixth win in a row, the Spartans were all smiles for the first time this season.
``Maybe now we'll get our national ranking back,'' guard Marvin Stinson said.
They probably will. The Spartans, who began the season ranked second in the Division II poll, dropped out after two early road losses. After winning six in a row, including Saturday's win over No. 9 J.C. Smith, the Spartans should pop back into the top 20 this week.
More importantly, the Spartans are improving with each game, especially defensively.
``Everybody wants to play defense now,'' forward Derrick Bryant said. ``That's the biggest difference from the beginning of the season.''
There are some other key difference as well:
The addition of 6-8 center Blitz Wooten has brought the Spartans needed toughness, rebounding and inside scoring. Wooten played all 40 minutes Saturday, and had 19 points and eight rebounds. Over the last three games, Wooten is averaging 15 points and nine rebounds.
Stinson, a big-time junior college scorer, has begun shooting the ball well after a slow start. Stinson had six 3-pointers against Winston-Salem and J.C. Smith, including two clutch treys Saturday.
Forward Corey Williams has begun playing as he did last season, when he averaged 23 points and nine rebounds. When Williams, a preseason All-American, plays well, Norfolk State rarely loses.
Coach Mike Bernard, who counseled patience while Norfolk State struggled early, said the Spartans should be 11-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Having lost their national front-runner status, the Spartans are coming in the back door, and coming hard.
OUT OF AFRICA: Thursday's 106-72 win over Winston-Salem State was extra-special for backup center Deng Leek, a native of Sudan. For the first time in a college game, Leek went head-to-head with his first cousin, Mayiik Deng.
The cousins grew up together, and played a year of junior college ball together in Texas before splitting up. Both sat out last year and have seen limited action this season.
Thursday, however, Leek played 15 minutes, Deng 11. They were on the floor together for about nine minutes and battled to a virtual dead heat.
The 6-foot-10 Leek had four points and six rebounds, while the 7-foot Deng had four points and five boards.
``He told me before the game that they were going to win,'' Deng said. ``I'm the better player, his team just had the better night.''
``He's better? I don't think so,'' Leek responded. ``I told him, `This is not junior college, man.' ''
TEACHER VS. PUPIL: Thursday's women's game marked the first time former Norfolk State assistant Debra Clark coached against her mentor, NSU coach James Sweat.
Clark played for Sweat at Hampton and coached under him seven years before becoming head coach at Winston-Salem this season.
Her familiarity with Norfolk State's system showed Thursday, as Winston-Salem hung close all night before losing, 84-72.
``It was an advantage,'' Clark said. ``I knew their tendencies and their game plan.''
Sweat said Clark knew literally every play in the NSU book.
``I just refused to change for one game,'' he said. by CNB