The Week That Was In Hornets Sports

Its that time Hornets fans for the week that was in Delaware State University Athletics. So without further or due lets take a trip down memory lane from January 11-16.

January 11
The Men's and Lady Hornets Basketball team secure their first conference wins thanks to some unsung heroes.

On the ladies side, Brittany Washington scored the game winning layup with six seconds left as the lady hornets defeat the South Carolina Lady Bulldogs 51-50. Washington had her third double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes in her second game back from a back injury.

On the men's side, it wasn't the Marcus Neal, Frisco Sandige show. It was the Chad Wilson, Brandon Baylor show. Wilson and Baylor scored a combine 30 points as the hornets came back from a nine point halftime deficit to beat South Carolina State 67-58.

In a frustrating first half, the hornets offense couldn't get the shots to fall and their free throws were iced cold. So what does head coach Greg Jackson do in the second half? He switch the lineup by benching Marcus Neal (the hornets leading scorer) and Terron Stowe.

The second half was all hornets as they make their shots, hit their free throws, and grabbing offensive rebounds to seal the victory.
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January 13
This date has a nest full of headlines.
-The men's and lady hornets indoor track and field team finished second in the New York at the New York City Relay. A great start to finished in the top 10.

-It was also a sad day for the Hornets Athletic Department as two more sports has
been dismissed from DSU. The hornets men's tennis team and lady hornets equestrian team are no longer with the Delaware State University program after the season is over due to low budget concerns and to be more competitive within its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). There were more reason behind the two sports that are being removed at the end of the season. Some say it was a good decision while others say it was bad decision.
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-January 14-15
After the news was spread all around campus as the Lady Hornets Equestrian team took immediate action when they protest about the dismissal of the equestrian. After several meetings on campus the ruling from Athletic Director Derek Carter stands. So now the equestrian team next move could be in court. Stay tuned.
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-January 16
The hornets men's and ladies basketball team begin a four game road trip. Their first stop was Bethune-Cookman College at Daytona Beach. On the ladies side the lady hornets rally but fell short 70-62. Selena Galloway had 19 points while Brittany Washington had 15 points for the lady hornets.

On the men's side, four hornets players scored in double figures as the red hot shooting Hornets defeated the Wildcats 77-60. For the Hornets they have won their third straight game and also winning their first road game of the season.
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There you have it the week from January 11-January 16. Join me next time as I continue to keep Hornets fans up to date in The Week That Was In Hornets Sports.

Hornets Basketball Begin the New Decade By Ending Losing Streaks

On December 30th both the Delaware State men and lady hornets basketball team ended the decade with a loss. Lady Hornets lost to William & Mary and another Hornet player was injured. The hornet men lost a overtime game to Lehigh in a game where they had chances to sercue the victory.

Now we moved ahead to a new year, a new decade, and hopefully a fresh start for the Hornets.

On the ladies side the ladies finally ending their 12 game losing streak by defeating Winston-Salem 57-39. Eight different Lady Hornets score points as Selena Galloway lead the way with 14 points and Courtney Crokkett with 10 points. Plus guess who back from injury: Brittany Washington!!!

After missing six games due to injury, Washington returned on a high note fours points, three steals, and three rebounds in 17 minutes.

Plus it was the returned of the lady hornets "Detroit Piston" like defense as DSU forced 24 Lady Ram turnovers resulting in 28 points off of turnovers.

I hope the lady hornets continue to play they had because their first test will be South Carolina State Monday night.
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On the men's side the deck was stacked againts the Hornet men because Frisco Sandige was sideline with a injury and the Hornets offense struggles to find their identity.

The Hornets trailed all game long until Alibaba Odd scored the game winning layup with 0.9 seconds as Delaware State wins a low scoring affiar 49-48 to break a six game losing streak. The Philly freshman scored his only bucket of the game when he drove baseline from inside the three point line as made the layup that sent 400 people inside Memorial Hall into a fenzy. It was also the only the lead of the game and it came at the right time.

Marcus Neal, the teams captian, step up big time by scoring 20 points including six three-pointers. Terron Stowe had a career high double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hornets defense did a better job than that loss to Lehigh back on December 30. DSU forced 21 Ram turnovers resulting in 21 points off of turnovers.

Now the real test begin Monday as Delaware State looks to get payback form last year when they play South Carolina State at home.

The Snowstorm Game 2005: Delaware State vs Hampton

Over the weekend, the state of Delaware and almost entire east coast were covered with the biggest snow storm ever in decades.

While I was admiring the snow falling all over the place near my apartment something occur to me. When was the last time a Delaware State sporting event was ever played during a snowstorm?

Just like that I had a good memory. Lets go back to my freshman year January 22, 2005 when Delaware State was playing the Hampton Pirates in a basketball double header at Memorial Hall.

While it was cold and snowy was all day into heading into nighttime hours, inside the Memorial Gym was so packed and warm as students and fans braved the weather just to watch the best basketball game to begin their second semester.

On the ladies side, the Lady Hornets gave the lady pirates all they can handle. However, Hampton prevail at the end with 52-50 victory. That was when the DSU Die Hards were pre-rowdy for the men's game.

On the men's side, everyone knows that this will a very intense rivalry game and over 1,700 rowdy Hornet fans were on the edge of their seat the entire game as the Hornets took a 31-24 lead at halftime.

The second half was flat out crazy. Hampton started the second half on a 15-0 run as the Pirates took a 57-55 lead with little time left in regulation.

Hampton thought they were going to win the game by shooting 63% from the field but the Hornets Aaron Williams made a game-tying layup to force overtime with two seconds left. The gym went completely crazing with that shot.

In overtime, the Hornets and Pirates were struggling in a fight for survival but the Hornets made a fantastic finish. With the game tied at 64 DSU's Aaron Fleetwood miss the shot and then Terrance Hunter miss the shot as well until Sophomore Jahsha Bluntt made a 10 foot put back shot that set the Memorial Hall into a frenzy as the Hornets win overtime 66-64.

Bluntt told the Hornet Newspaper that shooters keep shooting you know? He said it best that he had a shooter's mentality and he was confident in his shot.

The Hornet fans partied in the gym for a while before playing in the snow for most of the night.

It was the best snow storm game ever to hit Delaware State University. I was glad I was there to witnessed that game and of course that shot was similar to the one when the Hornets beat that same team to win the 2005 MEAC Championship to play Duke two months later in the NCAA Tournament.

Like I said before snow bring good memories espcially in the Hornets Nest.

Lady Hornets Bowling MEAC North Division Champions

It's only the month of December and the Lady Hornets Bowling team have already clinch the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference North Division Title for the second straight year.

Now that was a quick accomplishment seeing as the Lady Hornets has eight bowling matches left in the regular season before the defending the MEAC Championship in March.

The Hornets captured the North crown after posting a perfect 10-0 record in division competition in Baltimore, Md., over the weekend. DSU was 5-0 in regular team games on December 5 and completed the sweep with a 5-0 mark in Baker matches on December 6.

In regular team play, the Hornets upended Hampton, Howard, Coppin State, Morgan State, and UMES (994-958).

Since DSU won the Northern Division crown that means that they earn the No. 1 seed in the 2010 MEAC Tournament.

Delaware State is currently 46-10 overall and 29-1 in the MEAC North this season.

Oh yeah did you know that the Lady Hornets are ranked number three in the nation in Bowling. Vanderbilt better watch out because if the Lady Hornets bowling team continue their winning ways they could be the #1 team in the nation.

Delaware State Shows University of Delaware Who Owns This State

For those who was at the Route 1 Rivalry game between DSU and UD December 1, we had a very early Christmas present. For those who miss it or heard it on the radio, this was the instate basketball game for the ages inside the Hornets Nest we called Memorial Hall.

During the Hornets 75-67 win over the Blue Hens, some questions came to my mind before tip-off:

1. How will will the Hornets fare against a Blue Hen basketball that hasn't played each other since 2000?

2. How many Hornets/Blue Hen fans will show up?

3. Which team will have gain momentum towards the rest of the season?

I have three answers to three questions.

My first answer is that the Hornets were ready for the challenge even though they trailed at halftime 25-23. Second half, different story, the Hornets were on fire shooting 58% from the field, 57% from 3-point land and going to the free throw line 37 times, making 28. The Hornets outscored the Blue Hens 52-42 in the second half.

Also the Hornets defense step up in a huge way with their swarming defense forcing the Blue Hen offense to make 20 turnovers which turned into 22 Hornets points to go along with 13 steals.

The Blue Hens defense was no match for Frisco Sandidge who scored a career high 26 points and Marcus Neal had 16 points to go along with his four three pointers. Plus
Most of the second half was a DSU free throw marathon as the Blue Hens were depressed to rally but they ran out of time by continuing to foul Hornet players left and right. Think out this Frisco went to the free throw line 16 times, Alibada Odd 10 times, Jay Threatt six times, while the rest of the Hornets roster went to the line a combine eight times. Wow we thought this game would never end. The Hornets made 20 of their 24 free throws in the final 2:56 of the second half.

My second answer over 1,300 fans packed up the Memorial Hall gym full of Hornets fans and only like 10 blue hen fans showed up. The Hornet fans was loud and rockin' the whole game. It almost became a war of words between Hornet fans and UD fans.

Speaking of war it was almost became one when UD player Jawan Carter fouled Jay Threatt with 20 seconds left with the game. Jay didn't like the foul that Carter commit but cooler heads prevail with both Carter and Alphonso Dawson received technical fouls as Hornets fans continued to chant and trash talk UD out the building.

Yep the First State Rivalry has been renewed not only in football but in basketball as well.

My third and final answer is that the Hornets has gain a huge momentum heading towards their December road trip starting with their conference game with University of Maryland Eastern-Shore this Saturday. Who knows the Hornets could have a good season ahead but its too early to tell at this point. If they keep their intensity, they could have a good season.

Next year will be Delaware State vs University of Delaware at the Bob Carpenter Center.

For now the Hornets will enjoy this win as DSU proved to UD that Delaware State University is now the Hornets State.

The Hornets Football Season Wrap-Up 2009

Head coach Al Lavan and the Hornets football team finished second to last in the MEAC Conference. 4-7 overall, 3-5 in the MEAC, including the forfeit lost to North Carolina A&T.

The 2009 Delaware State Hornet football season has come to a close. Just like last year inconsistency was the main attraction as head coach Al Lavan and the Hornets are left searching for answers.

When the season started I was hoping the Hornets would at least improve better than last year and win at least six games. However thanks to their toughest schedule in the Lavan era, the Hornets had games they would've won but couldn't get the job done.

Plus with the lack of inconsistency on offense, the hornets couldn't get the ball into the endzone when they had the chances to score touchdown in their opponents territory and the redzone. Instead they had to settle for field goals. The Hornets quarterback Anthony Glaud was supposed to help the offense get better. Instead he was overthrowing passes, throwing interceptions and scrambling to get passes thrown. No wonder he's only thrown five touchdown passes this season. Other than that he made plays when it count the most.

The reason behind those five passing touchdowns is our wide receivers. Sure they saw some signs of life late in the season but early in the season they kept dropping pass after pass. Especially when big plays occur to keep drives alive. In fact everytime they almost made a pass the Hornets hear footsteps of the defense as they are afraid to get hit costing the Hornets to drop passes everytime. Plus their routes where getting no where fast everytime they tried to get open.

As for the running game, it was injured riddle with Jason Randall and Tahree McQueen being out for the season. The question was who was going to step up? Survey says: Jaashawn Jones. Al Lavan kept saying every year that in order to win football you have to make big plays when you run the football and Jones made a huge production for the Hornets. Jones ran over 600 yards and scoring five touchdowns. Also he had more carries and yards than Randall and McQueen combine. Look for Jones to be the starting running back for the Hornets next year.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Hornets kept giving up big yards and big plays. However, throughout most of the season they did a pretty good job picking up big time tackles, blitzing, getting sacks, and knocking passes down despite giving up 63 points to Michigan and 52 points to South Carolina State. The defense can't afford to stay on the field for a long time or they will tired themselves out.

On special teams, the return team has to do a better job of helping the Hornets offense in better field so they can scored a lot of points in opponents territory/red zone. On coverage I applaud them by putting their opponents if deep field position but they need to avoid giving up big returns. Plus when the Hornets are punting the football, always protect the kicker!!!

Last year I didn't trust Riley Flickinger kicking field goals and missing 10 of his 20 attempts. This year he improve alot better than last year by making 11 of his 18 field goal attempts. Even though he doesn't have a strong leg for making very long field goals, Riley kicked 7 for 8 from 20-29 yards, two between 30-39 yards and two between 40-49 yards. I'm been saying this for the last two years. Riley is no Peter Gardener from 2007. On some kickoffs, Riley kept kicking the ball out of bounds allowing their opponents to start their drives at the 40-yard line.

Now it's time break down the games if the 2009 Hornet Football season:

September 5 Florida A&M 21, DSU 12
The Hornets defense were no match against FAMU's running game which gained 327 yards. DSU gave up over 400 total yards on the day. Also there were mental errors on both sides of the football with penalties and turnovers that cost DSU the game. The Hornets tried to rallied but they fumbled twice deep in FAMU territory where the Hornets fumble at the FAMU 35 yard line late the in the third quarter and at FAMU 16 yard line in the fourth quarter.

September 19 (The Route 1 Rivalry)
University of Delaware 27, DSU 17
The last time these two teams meet was in the first round of the 2007 Football Championship Subdivision Playoff game where the Blue Hens, led my Joe Flacco and Omar Cuff demolished the Hornets in a blowout. This year, 2009, very different. One, this was not the same Hornets that got destroyed two years ago. Second, they came ready to play and put UD on the ropes for most of the game.

The Hornets got their feet wet in the first quarter but they were able to hold UD to just seven points by halftime including a goal line stance before the second quarter had come to a close.

In the second half, UD was able score drives that counted. while the Hornets struggle in the third quarter but late in the fourth quarter the Hornets scored a defensive touch and a offensive touchdown to keep the score as close as possible.

At the end of the game, the Hornets gained a lot of respect from UD supporters and can't wait for these two in-state schools to duke it out again on the grid-iron in 2012-2014.

September 26
DSU 20, Hampton 6
The Hornets defense dominated the Pirates all night long by forcing three interceptions (one return for a touchdown) and making big plays. On offense, the Hornets were able to finished drives with two touchdowns and a field goal.

October 10
Bethune-Cookman 9, DSU 7
"We let them hang around all game, and it came back to bite us." That was the quote that coach Al Lavan told reporters after the game. The Hornets only highlight of the game was when redshirt freshman Travis Tarpley returned the opening kickoff 85-yards to the Bethune-Cookman two-yard line. On the first play after the return, Jaashawn Jones rushed for a two-yard touchdown. That all occur early in the first quarter. Since then, Anthony Glaud was injured, the running game managed just 76 yards and the passing game continues to be a identity crisis.

This was the game the Hornets should have won on their home opener. Instead it lead to a ugly lost that made Hornets fans disappointed and frustrated.

October 17
Michigan 63, DSU 6
Instead of playing North Carolina A&T, the Hornets settle to play in the Big House of Michigan University. Even though it was historic event, the Hornets were outclassed from start to finish. Since May, there was a lot of criticism on why did the Hornets forfeit their own conference game to play Michigan for $500,000. The were some answers but there real answers was miscommunication between A&T, DSU, and Norfolk State.

October 24
Homecoming 2009
DSU 35, Morgan State 22
"Where have the Hornets offense been all season?" That was the question Hornets' broadcaster Scott Klaztin would asked as the Hornets offense scored a season high five touchdowns as the Hornets win a so-call homecoming shootout. It was a solid team effort on both sides of the football as Hornets continue to give Morgan State nightmares on homecoming games in Dover.

October 31
South Carolina State 52, DSU 10
The defending MEAC Champion Bulldogs made a whole lot treats and allowed the Hornets to fall into their tricks as the Bulldogs continue to dominated the MEAC Conference.

November 7
DSU 24, Winston-Salem State 21
It was the final meeting between these two schools as the Rams say goodbye to the MEAC Conference. The Hornets were up 24-7 at halftime but held on without scoring a point in the second as the Winston-Salem State rally felled short. It was almost a tale of two halves but Hornets defense has enough gas in the tank to pull out the victory.

November 14
Norfolk State 21, DSU 16
For the last two years, the Hornets rallied from double-digits down to secured the victory. This year, Norfolk State had the last laugh as the Hornet put up a disappointing fourth quarter performance on both sides of the ball as the Spartans score 21 straight points in the final 11:00 to get the victory. There was plenty of blame to go around in the fourth quarter due to bad play calling.

November 21
Senior Day
DSU 30, Howard 20
Both the Hornets offense and defense made big plays when it matter as DSU ended the season on a high note and left the Bison to finished dead last in the MEAC standings once again. What's worse Howard hasn't won a MEAC game in 19 straight games. How embarrassing.

So there you have it the Hornets football season has come and gone with some good memories, some bad ones, and a few ugly ones in-between. Next year, the Hornets better come up with new plays and new recruiting or there will be another inconstant year coming up in fall 2010.

Hornets Put On Their Best Performance Since Homecoming

Well, well it's the last home game of the season and the Delaware State Hornets football team had put up one of their best performances they had all season. In fact its their best performance since Homecoming.

Everything was put into place during Senior Day in the Hornets 30-20 home victory over Howard. Its only the second time the Hornets put up 30 or more points all season.

Offense and defense was the name of the game as Hornet fans were in for a treat they will never forget and a lot to talk about during the off-season.

Let start with the defense:
The Hornets made some great tackles to prevent the Bison from gaining big plays especially their running game when the Hornets held Howard for 29 yards on the ground and 187 yards of total offense. The Hornets made the big hits when it counts accept for a few defensive penalties that should be called back but overall the defense had a remarkable game.

Now on to the offense:
Every Hornet fan expects the Hornets to score more at least 30 points against a Howard team who hasn't won a MEAC game since last year. Well guess what the Hornets offense came in a big way by gaining 450 of total offense. The reason behind the 450 yards of offense was their passing game and their running game. Anthony Glaud put on his best games all season when completed 23 of his 31 passes for 315 yards.

Plus his wide receivers step up for the second straight game. Darius Jackson (11 catches, 123 yards) and Larrone Moore (five catches, 101 yards) each had over 100 yards catching, a personal best and career highs. Also Al Lavan's favorite play calling the running game was a complete success when Jaashawn Jones went 31 carries, 130 yards and two touchdowns. Plus once again they finished drives with two touchdowns and three field goals. Also the Hornets had more time of possession than Howard has the hornets offense kept the ball for over 38 minutes.

I was wondering why couldn't Hornets do that all season? Maybe they would've been a six win or seven win team. I just hoped next year the Hornets offensive playing will improve big time.