THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 16, 1996 TAG: 9601160398
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
When Arlise McSwain mustered the courage to sing the national anthem before one of Norfolk State's women's basketball games last season, it created quite a sight.
It wasn't McSwain singing at center court in her basketball uniform that looked so unusual. It was her dozen or so teammates craning their necks to see if it really was their teammate belting out the pregame ritual.
``The flag is at the end of the court that we sit at,'' said teammate Michelle Sessoms. ``And Arlise was behind us at halfcourt. We were all facing the flag and had to bend around to see her.''
This season, those on hand at the start of the Spartanettes' home games get to double their pleasure. Freshman Raymona Jackson has joined McSwain to form a sweet-sounding duo.
Neither is a music major - Jackson majors in physical education and McSwain in political science - but any choir would be getting a deal if joined by the pair.
McSwain, who occasionally would sing riffs from favorite songs in the locker room before or after practices, one day asked assistant coach Antionette Flowers if she thought it was possible for her to sing the anthem before games.
``She asked coach (James) Sweat and he said he didn't have a problem with it,'' said McSwain, a 5-foot-6 sophomore reserve guard. ``The pep band never gets here in time to play the anthem for our games.''
Jackson, a 5-9 freshman reserve guard, also began singing the anthem last year - at Howard High in Ellicott City, Md. She did so at the behest of athletic director Vince Parnell, who'd heard Jackson cover CeCe Peniston's ``Inside That I Cried'' at a high school talent show and was impressed.
McSwain, who likewise belted out Whitney Houston's ``I'm Every Woman'' at her senior talent show at Portsmouth's Manor High, welcomed Jackson's addition this season.
``I can't hold the high notes as long as she does,'' McSwain said. ``She can really hit 'em.''
``We got together the night before our first home game and put it together,'' Jackson said. ``We work really well together. And it gets the team pumped up.''
As if the Spartanettes need any help. They are 14-0 this season.
McSwain and Jackson, who both list R&B and gospel as their favorite music genres, would relish the opportunity to sing before a men's game. The number of people on hand at the beginning of the women's games, which start at 5:30 p.m., is small compared to the men's crowds.
``If we were asked to do it before a men's game, we'd have to practice a little more and put some pizazz and snap in it,'' McSwain said. ``But I'd love to do it, and I know Raymona would too.
``I figure we'd have about 15 minutes to get off the court, get cleaned up and get into something a little nicer than our uniforms. But we could do it. We'd be the first ones to the locker room to change.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by D. Kevin Elliott\The Virginian Pilot
Ramona Jackson, left, and Arlise McSwain, reserve guards on Norfolk
State's unbeaten women's basketball team, tune up for home games by
singing the national anthem.
by CNB