THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 31, 1995 TAG: 9501310415
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
After winning 13 straight, Norfolk State has managed to put some distance between itself and the yapping pack in the CIAA's Northern Division.
But not much distance. Heading into tonight's game at Hampton, (8:30, WNSB - 91.1 FM) Norfolk State (16-2, 5-1 in the North) has a one-game edge over the Pirates and Virginia Union, each of whom have two losses in the division.
This week's goal, according to coach Mike Bernard, is to increase that distance. The Spartans will have ample opportunity. After playing Hampton, Norfolk State travels to Richmond to face Virginia Union on Saturday.
``This is a big week coming up, with Hampton and Union,'' Bernard said. ``These games will be very critical in terms of separating us from the pack in the CIAA North.''
The Spartans, ranked 4th in Division II, have talked all season about winning a national championship. But the team's first goal is to win the division.
To do it, they'll have to get by a Hampton team that's played surprisingly well, considering the loss of two of its best players in Derett Boyd and Kevin Gregory. Boyd, a 6-foot-8 junior, has missed all of January with a broken thumb. Gregory is academically ineligible.
To make up for those losses, Hampton has employed a three-guard attack, with most of the team's scoring coming from guards JaFonde Williams and Jermaine Gholson.
Norfolk State has three quality guards as well - Maurice Whitfield, Carnell Penn and Marvin Stinson. The Spartans also have the CIAA's top frontcourt, led by forwards Corey Williams and Derrick Bryant.
MILESTONE FOR BERNARD: A win tonight would give Bernard 200 career wins, against just 84 losses.
``It's not something I've given a whole lot of thought,'' he said. ``My focus is on having a great season.''
Bernard, in his 10th year as a head coach, entered the season 20th among active Division II coaches in winning percentage, at .693.
``I'm happy to be part of teams that were on the winning end of almost 200 games,'' he said. ``I've been blessed.''
THE DEUCE: The tip-off of tonight's game was moved back an hour to accommodate TV, but don't plan on tuning in.
The game will be carried on ESPN2, which goes to 17.3 million homes nationwide, but none in Hampton Roads, according to an ESPN spokesman.
The closest cable company that offers ``The Deuce'' is in Kill Devil Hills, N.C. The closest in Virginia is Petersburg/Chesterfield. by CNB