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Feb. 19, 2010
FAYETTEVILLE - Jason Thompson, Davon Hood and Larry Ross learned many lessons during their senior season. The most important, however, wasn't on the basketball court. The trio was ruled academically ineligible during the fall semester and missed Fayetteville State's first seven games. "Last year we weren't really stressed out about our grades," Thompson said. "This year, Coach (Alphonza) Kee is stressing it and helping to prepare for us life." Kee believes that winning on the court starts with winning in the classroom. If that's the case, then consider the 2009-10 campaign a success. Ross, Thompson and Hood each raised their grade point averages (GPA) by more than a point and now boast 3.0 or better GPA's. "It's a great win," said Kee. "In my book it's a championship. I'm extremely pleased and fortunate and that tells me that we're doing things the right way." On Saturday, the seniors will play their final game inside Capel Arena against Virginia State. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. "Once the season is over every year, you can't wait until next year," said Ross. "Being that this is our last year, the time is going to be over. We can look forward to next year but this time we won't be playing ball." FSU (7-18, 4-15 CIAA, 2-8 Western Division) has lost five of its last six games. The tough season and losses haven't shaken the confidence of the Broncos' most veteran players though. "I think the team still believes," said Thompson. "We're going through games where we're not playing to our potential. I don't know how everyone else feels, but we still think we can win it (the CIAA Championship). It's just a matter of everyone coming together on the court."
VSU, a team the Broncos lost to 91-83 in November, is the last opportunity for FSU to build momentum for the CIAA championship. Ross said his team needs to do one thing, and do it well. "Really, defense wins championships," he said. "We've had a lot of critics this season and we need to execute as a team." Added Hood: "We're going to have to be tough mentally and physically and play together for the whole 40 minutes." Heading into what could be his final week playing for the Broncos, Hood and Thompson said he'll miss more than the game. "I'll miss the brotherhood," he said. "It's like we're a family and I'm not going to have that again after this year." |
