THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 15, 1997 TAG: 9702150682
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 67 lines
One down, three to go has been Norfolk State's philosophy the last month.
As freshman Michael Beckles nurses a season-ending foot injury, fellow first-year players Greg Jones, Dion Woods and Tajai Young have provided a timely spark that has kept Norfolk State in contention for another CIAA Northern Division title.
``Since the Elizabeth City State game, the first thing is we learned to play without Michael Beckles,'' NSU coach Mike Bernard said of the forward who broke his foot in last month's victory over Virginia Union.
Against ECSU, the Spartans suffered just the second of two home losses and were eaten up inside by forward Maurice Mincey (28 points and 12 rebounds).
NSU (15-7, 10-4 CIAA), which travels to first-place ECSU (16-4, 12-2) tonight, has since gone 7-2 and gotten key contributions from the newcomers in each victory.
Woods, a guard who actually stepped into the limelight two games earlier against Livingstone, won consecutive rookie of the week honors last month.
In his first career start against Livingstone, the Lansing, Mich. native hit four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points. In two separate games a week later, Woods scored career-highs of 21 against St. Paul's and Virginia State. Not bad for someone who played a total of 10 minutes in 10 games prior to his first start.
``It was a point of he had to wait his turn in the lineup,'' captain Maurice Whitfield said of the freshman averaging 6.7 points a game. ``He always had confidence. He felt he had something to prove.''
Prior to Woods getting regular playing time, the Spartans did not have an outside threat. However, in his limited playing time, Woods has hit 21 of Norfolk State's 51 3-pointers.
At the start of the season, Bernard decided to go with Young at shooting guard. The decision paid off as the guard/forward from Rockmart, Ga. scored team-highs of 24 and 19 points respectively in the team's third and fourth games. However, he did not keep the offense going.
``Earlier in the year, I had my shot,'' Young said. ``Then I stopped shooting and lost my confidence.''
Young, who sat out last year as a freshman because of academics, has since regained it in the past month. In the nine games prior to Thursday, Young had averaged 12.3 points on 41-of-81 shooting.
``He hadn't played in a year,'' Bernard said of the freshman averaging 10.7 points a game. ``I think it affected his confident.''
Jones, more of a defensive presence, also has provided some offense in big moments.
The transfer center from Lexington, Ky., scored a season-high 16 against Bowie State and made a couple of big baskets late in a road win at Winston-Salem State.
But just as their offensive production has been noticed during victories, their lack of scoring has been underscored in defeats.
In Thursday's loss at St. Augustine's, none of the three scored in double figures - the first such occurrence in 16 games.
And if the Spartans have any chance of claiming another CIAA title, they will need the continued production of the three to succeed. ILLUSTRATION: First-year players Tajai Young, left, Greg Jones,
center, and Dion Woods have provided a timely spark that has kept
Norfolk State in contention for another CIAA Northern Division
title.
NORFOLK STATE GAMEWATCH, STATS
GRAPHIC
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]