THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 22, 1996 TAG: 9601220134
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
From starting as a freshman to riding the bench her sophomore season, Michelle Sessoms wasn't sure where her career was headed entering her junior year with the Norfolk State Spartanettes.
She was certain, however, something had to be done to reverse gears.
``I'd never been one to work on my game during the summer,'' said Sessoms, a 6-foot-1 forward from Portsmouth's Wilson High. ``I never thought I could produce the way I'm producing now. So I never worked on it.''
Sessoms took a work-study job in Norfolk State's admissions office last summer as a secretary. And driving past Echols Arena every day without stopping became impossible after a look at next year's roster.
Norfolk State coach James Sweat was bringing in Selena Edward, a 6-3 sophomore transfer from Morgan State. But with the departures of starters Kristi Greene, Danielle Hill and Rolanda Dent, Sessoms knew there were extra playing minutes, and a possible return to the starting lineup, to be had.
She went to the gym almost every day with team-mate Shelby Boyd and close friend Jerome Freeman. Boyd, a guard, repeatedly would feed Sessoms passes to the low post. Freeman, at 6-3, was a challenging defensive presence.
The extra work paid off. Sweat lives by the credo ``players are made in the offseason, not the preseason.'' Exhibit A is Sessoms, who is a major reason the Spartanettes are 16-0 overall, 7-0 in the CIAA as they play host to Bowie State today at 5:30 p.m. to begin a men's-women's doubleheader.
Sessoms leads the CIAA in rebounding with 12.2 per game, which isn't that much of a surprise. She always has been able to rebound, and leading the CIAA was a goal this season.
But she is also among the top 10 CIAA scorers, averaging 16.6 points per game. Sessoms has become a perfect offensive complement for LaTina Bullock, who leads Norfolk State with 22.5 points per game.
In Norfolk State's offense, which emphasizes the inside game, Sessoms has become a whirling dervish of back-to-the-basket ball fakes and up-and-under moves that often leave opponents befuddled.
``For a girl her size, she's really quick,'' Sweat said. ``She always had the athletic ability. She just added the skills to go with it.''
Nine days ago, Sessoms pulled off a rarity, a triple-double. Playing against St. Paul's, she had 16 points, 14 rebounds and 11 steals.
Asked about the feat, Sessoms' modesty and humility came shining through.
``I remember coming up to one of our coaches who was holding a stat sheet,'' Sessoms said. ``I said, `Can I see it?' And she pulled it away from me and said, `Did you know you had a triple-double?'
``I had to think about it for a minute. I knew I had the points and rebounds (Sessoms has had such double-doubles in all but three games this season). What else? Assists?''
When told it was steals, a category in which Sessoms leads the Spartanettes by a wide margin with 76, she just grinned.
``They must have thought I was on their team,'' she said. ``They threw me the ball all night long.
``You know, that's not my first triple-double this season. I had an embarrassing triple-double a couple weeks ago. I had double figures in turnovers at Livingstone.''
After learning the importance of working on her game over the summer, what does this summer hold for Sessoms?
Most likely, ball-handling drills.
``When she first came, she couldn't go to her left with her dribble,'' Sweat said. ``It's gotten better.''
Said Sessoms, ``When I was a freshman, the rule was simple: Don't dribble. Every time I did, I usually turned the ball over and coach Sweat would pull me. I still don't dribble unless I really have to.'' ILLUSTRATION: COLLEGE BASKETBALL
[Color Photos]
D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/Staff
Michelle Sessoms has worked to take her game to a new level. The
result: The junior from Portsmouth is averaging 16.6 points, 12.2
rebounds and 4.8 steals for unbeaten Norfolk State.
by CNB