Bearkats Win O.T. Thriller 65-63 Over UC-Irvine
by Cheval John
Huntsville, TX-The Bearkat basketball team was pushed to their limits yesterday against a really good University of California-Irvine Anteaters in the final game of the Progressive Legends Classic Subregional.
The Bearkats knew that they had to give it their all if they wanted to beat an Anteater’s team that went toe to-toe with UCLA Bruins a week ago and narrowly losing to Southern Mississippi the day before.
They did just that in overtime behind a go-ahead, game-winning shot by Darius Gatson with 15 seconds left for a 65-63 win over UC-Irvine.
“I came off the screen. … .I was hoping to turn the corner and got some contact and I was able to get the shot,”
Gatson said.
“It was a big play for us.”
The Bearkats totaled 47 rebounds in the game. Most of the rebounds came on the offensive side of the ball that produced 18 second chance points.
Terrance Motley and Michael Holyfield had eight rebounds apiece.
“They both played really well,” head coach Jason Hooten said.
“Defensive end is technique and offensive end is just heart. We got 17 offensive rebounds. That’s just the will to go get it.”
“(Terrance) Motley got five and (Michael) Holyfield got four. … .That give’s you extra possession everytime.”
The Bearkats opened the game on a 12-2 run. They were leading 19-9 at one point before UC-Irvine came storming back with a 10-1 run of their own to cut the lead to 20-19.
When it was all said and down, the Bearkats were leading 30-25 at halftime.
Then things got really interesting as the Anteaters opened the second half on a 6-0 run to take a 31-30 lead behind a three-pointer by Mike Best and a pair of buckets by Will Davis II.
From there, it was an all-out battle by both teams as they were five lead changes and three ties.
With the score tied at 58, the Bearkats had an opportunity to win it in regulation, but couldn’t convert that allowed the game to go into overtime.
UC-Irvine went on a 5-3 run to lead at 63-61 with about two minutes left in overtime.
“I was sitting there thinking, ‘we’re going to win this game,'” Hooten said.
“Even when we got down in overtime, I just knew one of these guys were going to make a play.”
That turned out to be the case.
After Motley’s free throw that cut the lead to 63-62, Gatson made a huge steal that gave the Bearkats a shot at winning the game in the final seconds.
Gatson, who finished with 13 points, drove to the basket and laid it in for the go-ahead score at 64-63.
UC-Irvine couldn’t convert to tie it up and Gatson made one of his free throws to increase the lead to 65-63.
Then in desparation, the Anteaters threw up a prayer, but missed with time running out with the Bearkats celebrating a huge win.
DeMarcus Gatlin lead the Bearkats with 15 points, five rebounds and one steal.
Adam Folker led UC-Irvine with 13 points while Davis II had 12.
With thanksgiving weekend, the players and coaches will use this time to rest before they get back to work in preparation for Tuesday’s matchup against the University of Texas at Austin.
“It’s another game for us,” Hooten said.
“I know they’re really good. They won two out of three in Maui and I know they will be ready.”
“We will be ready too.”
The Longhorn’s only loss in Maui came against Charminade, a D-II school, but coach Hooten doesn’t see this game as a David vs. Goliath match.
“I wouldn’t look at it like that,” Hooten said.
“This may sound crazy to everybody, but we expect to go play well and have a chance to win no matter who we play.”
Former U.S. Attorney General Still Believes In The “American Dream”
Courtesy: Brian Blalock/SHSU
by Cheval John
With the unemployment rate at 9.7%, Americans feel that the nation is going down hill.
Some are wondering if the economy will rebound from the “Great Recession?”
Former United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales believe that this nation is still the land of opportunity.
Earlier today, he spoke to a capacity audience on the campus of Sam Houston State in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center for the President’s Speaker Series.
Gonazales talked about his journey towards becoming the first Hispanic U.S. Attorney General and why he’s hopeful for the U.S.
“I know we have serious issues in this country but I have great faith for the future of our country because of the young people that I see,” Gonzales said.
“It’s very encouraging and I’m very hopeful about what’s possible in America.
Gonzales credits his parents for instilling in him the value of hard work and getting an education.
He learned about being accountable from his father who understood that he was responsible for providing for his mom, himself and his seven siblings.
He also believes that serving in the Air Force was the best decision he’s ever made because it taught him about responsibility.
“I think being in the military was a great experience,” Gonzalez said.
“I wish my sons would consider doing something like that. It shaped my role as a husband and shaped my role as a dad.”
Gonzales started at Vinson and Elkins, L.L.P. in Houston after receiving his law degree from Harvard University in 1982. Though he made partner and spent 13 years at the firm, he felt that he was meant to do something more.
Then in 1994, George W. Bush was elected as governor in the state of Texas and named Gonzales to the position of general counsel.
“I really just jump at the chance because this might be something that will really fulfill me. … .Getting into public service,” Gonzales said.
“I remember telling my wife that it will be a few years and then I’ll come back into the private practice.”
After serving a general counselor, he was promoted to Attorney General of Texas.
But that was just the beginning.
Gonzales was named as White House Counsel by newly elected George W. Bush in 2000.
He served in that position for five years before being appointed as the 80th Attorney General of the United States.
In that capacity, he played an important part in the fight against terror.
He also implented the Project Safe Childhood intiative in an effort to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.
Gonzales says that he was proud of being the first Hispanic to serve as U.S. Attorney General because he felt that he was not just bring black justice, hispanic justice, white justice etc., but was bringing justice for the American people.
“I’ve always taken pride in being Hispanic,” Gonzales said.
“There’s no escaping it. I don’t make any apologies for it. … .I take even more pride in saying that I was the Attorney General of the United States.”
”
Bearkat Football Players Receives All-Southland Honors
Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information
Sam Houston State’s 2012 Southland Conference championship team produced 21 players who have earned spots on the all-league honor squad.
Those awards include both “Player of the Year” recognition for running back Timothy Flanders and “Defensive Player of the Year” Darnell Taylor. Darnell and his twin brother Darius also become the first pair of twins at Sam Houston to earn all-conference recognition together.
The Bearkats’ list of All-Southland players after an 8-3 overall regular season and 6-1 march to a second consecutive league title include 10 first team selections, six second team honorees and six honorable mention players.
First team offense All-Southland players from Sam Houston include Flanders, tight end T. J. Jones, offensive linemen Kaleb Hopson and Chris Rogers and all-purpose back Richard Sincere.
First team defense Bearkats are defensive lineman J. T. Cleveland, lineback Darius Taylor, defensive backs Darnell Taylor and Dax Swanson and punter Matt Foster.
Second team all-conference Kats include quarterback Brian Bell, wide receiver Trey Diller, defensive lineman Gary Lorance and defensive backs Kenneth Jenkins and Bookie Sneed. Diller also received second team recognition as kick return specialist.
Receiving All-Southland honorable mention were running back Keshawn Hill, offensive linemen Donald Jackson and Riley Smith, defensive lineman Jarrett Brown, linebacker Jesse Beauchamp, defensive back Robert Shaw and place kicker Miguel Antonio.
Flanders and Darnell Taylor both earned their “Player of the Year” recognition for the second consecutive seasons. Flanders, Jenkins and Cleveland are three-time All-Southland selections.
Darnell Taylor, Hopson, Sincere, Swanson, Foster, Bell and Sneed each are in their second consecutive year as All-Southland honorees.
Sam Houston State will face Cal Poly in the second round of the NCAA Division I football championship Saturday, Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.
Complete ticket information is available on www.gobearkats.com. The SHSU athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
2012 All-Southland Conference Football Team
First-Team Offense
Pos. Name University Ht. Wt. Cl.
QB Wynrick Smothers Central Arkansas 6-1 208 Jr.
RB Timothy Flanders Sam Houston State 5-9 210 Jr.
RB Gus Johnson Stephen F. Austin 5-10 215 So.
TE T.J. Jones Sam Houston State 6-3 245 Sr.
WR Cordell Roberson Stephen F. Austin 6-3 215 Sr.
WR Jesse Grandy Central Arkansas 5-11 165 Sr.
WR Dominque Croom Central Arkansas 6-1 193 Sr.
OL Corey Howard Central Arkansas 6-1 290 Sr.
OL Kaleb Hopson Sam Houston State 6-6 300 Sr.
OL John Steel Stephen F. Austin 6-5 295 Sr.
OL Arinze Agada McNeese State 6-1 286 Jr.
OL Chris Rogers Sam Houston State 5-11 270 Sr.
AP Richard Sincere Sam Houston State 5-10 180 Jr.
PK Eddie Camara Central Arkansas 5-9 168 So.
First-Team Defense
Pos. Name University Ht. Wt. Cl.
DL Willie Jefferson Stephen F. Austin 6-6 234 Sr.
DL J.T. Cleveland Sam Houston State 6-0 290 Sr.
DL Jonathan Woodard Central Arkansas 6-5 251 Fr.
DL Darren Robinson Stephen F. Austin 5-11 247 So.
LB Darius Taylor Sam Houston State 6-0 240 Sr.
LB Seth Allison Central Arkansas 5-11 195 Sr.
LB Derek Rose Northwestern State 5-11 229 Sr.
DB Darnell Taylor Sam Houston State 6-0 195 Sr.
DB Robert Alford Southeastern La. 6-0 185 Sr.
DB Dax Swanson Sam Houston State 5-11 185 Sr.
DB Josh Aubrey Stephen F. Austin 5-11 202 Sr.
DB Jestin Love Central Arkansas 6-0 208 Jr.
P Matt Foster Sam Houston State 6-6 195 Sr.
KR Jesse Grandy Central Arkansas 5-11 165 Sr.
Second-Team Offense
Pos. Name University Ht. Wt. Cl.
QB Brian Bell Sam Houston State 6-2 175 Jr.
RB Marcus Wiltz McNeese State 5-9 192 Jr.
RB Jackie Hinton Central Arkansas 5-10 210 Sr.
TE/HB Nick Scelfo Nicholls State 6-4 235 So.
WR Trey Diller Sam Houston State 6-2 200 Sr.
WR Darius Carey McNeese State 6-0 184 Sr.
WR D.J. Ward Stephen F. Austin 5-11 180 Fr.
OL Alec Savoie McNeese State 6-7 309 Sr.
OL Gasten Gabriel Southeastern La. 6-5 310 Jr.
OL Taylor Johnson McNeese State 6-4 290 Sr.
OL Cole Caruthers Central Arkansas 6-4 284 So.
OL Sean Robertson Lamar 6-1 270 Sr.
AP Xavier Roberson Southeastern La. 5-9 170 Fr.
PK John Shaughnessy Northwestern State 5-11 181 Sr.
Second-Team Defense
Pos. Name University Ht. Wt. Cl.
DL Matt Hornbuckle Central Arkansas 6-2 281 Jr.
DL Gary Lorance Sam Houston State 6-0 290 Jr.
DL Jesse Dickson Lamar 6-3 265 Jr.
DL Everett Ellefsen McNeese State 6-3 230 So.
LB Jordan Piper Nicholls State 5-10 242 Sr.
LB Devan Walker Southeastern La. 6-3 240 Sr.
LB Joe Narcisse McNeese State 5-11 222 Sr.
DB Terence Cahee McNeese State 5-9 190 Jr.
DB Kenneth Jenkins Sam Houston State 5-10 195 Sr.
DB Bookie Sneed Sam Houston State 6-0 180 Jr.
DB Jamaal White Northwestern State 6-0 192 Sr.
DB Cortez Paige Northwestern State 6-1 181 Sr.
P Beau Mothe Southeastern La. 6-3 210 Sr.
KR Trey Diller Sam Houston State 6-2 200 Sr.
PR Darius Carey McNeese State 6-0 184 Sr.
2012 Southland Conference Individual Superlatives
Player of the Year: Timothy Flanders, Sam Houston State
Offensive Player of the Year: Wynrick Smothers, Central Arkansas
Defensive Player of the Year: Darnell Taylor, Sam Houston State
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Corey Howard, Central Arkansas
Freshman of the Year: Jonathan Woodard, Central Arkansas
Newcomer of the Year: Kevin Johnson, Lamar
Coach of the Year: Clint Conque, Central Arkansas
Honorable Mention:
Quarterback: Brady Attaway, Stephen F. Austin. Running Back: Marcus Washington, Nicholls State; Keshawn Hill, Sam Houston State. Tight End/H-Back: Mike Brooks, Stephen F. Austin; Jeremy Meyers, Southeastern Louisiana; Corey Simmons, Northwestern State; Chase Dixon, Central Arkansas. Wide Receiver: Kevin Johnson, Lamar; Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas; Louis Hollier, Northwestern State; Erik Buchanan, Nicholls State; Tony McCrea, Southeastern Louisiana. Offensive Linemen: Warren Jones, Northwestern State; Austin Wright, Stephen F. Austin; Abasi Salimu, Nicholls State; Donald Jackson, Sam Houston State; Andrew Ratliff, Stephen F. Austin; Riley Smith, Sam Houston State; Jonathan Landry, McNeese State; Carson Chaisson, McNeese State. Offensive All-Purpose: Phillip Harvey, Northwestern State; Ryan Gambel, Stephen F. Austin. Defensive Linemen: Lesley Deamer, Northwestern State; Pat Williams, McNeese State; Tremaine Lucas, Southeastern Louisiana; Jarrett Brown, Sam Houston State; Ryan Chambers, Stephen F. Austin; John Prescott, Lamar; Wade Williams, Northwestern State. Linebacker: Ryan Epperson, Stephen F. Austin; Justin Heard, Central Arkansas; Jermaine Longino, Lamar; Marcus Malbrough, Lamar; Kerry Guidry, Nicholls State; Patrick Black, Northwestern State; Robert Shaw, Sam Houston State; Jesse Beauchamp, Sam Houston State; Collin Garrett, Stephen F. Austin. Defensive Back: Branden Thomas, Lamar; Guy Morgan; McNeese State; Ford Smesny, McNeese State; Chad Allen, Lamar; Caleb Nelson, Stephen F. Austin; Tyler Stoddard, Southeastern Louisiana; Dillon Winfrey, Central Arkansas; Todd Washington, Southeastern Louisiana. Placekicker: Miguel Antonio, Sam Houston State; Jordan Wiggs, Stephen F. Austin. Punter: Cory Kemps, Nicholls State. Kick Return Specialist: Kevin Johnson, Lamar; Phillip Harvey, Northwestern State.
Bearkats Loses To Southern Miss. 61-49
by Cheval John
In the second game of the Progressive Legends classic, Southern Mississippi Eagles defeated Sam Houston State Bearkats 61-49.
The win increase the Eagles record to 4-0 while the Bearkats drop to 1-3.
The Eagles, who beat the Georgia Bulldogs 62-60 in OT, shot 50% from the field and went 6 of 19 from the three-point line.
Southern Miss outscored the Bearkats 28-4 in the paint.
“We’re really getting pounded inside on the glass,” head coach Jason Hooten said.
“The point guard (Darius Gatson) was the lead rebounder with six, that’s not good.”
Both teams came out of the gate and exchanged a total of 10 points early in the first half.
Then Southern Miss. exploded with a 14-3 run to lead it 19-8.
The Eagles didn’t look back as their defense kept the Kats out of rythm for the entire game.
The closest the Bearkats came toward tying the game late in the second half.
The Eagles was leading 45-40 when the Bearkats went on a 6-2 run to cut the lead at 47-44 courtesy of Nathaniel Mason.
But Southern Miss. was too much as they closed it out on two clutch three-pointers by Dwayne Davis and the relentless scoring by Jonathan Mills.
Davis finished the game with 27 points, four rebounds, two steals and two assists while Mills scored 12 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
Jeremy McKay led the Kats with 10 points.
The sub-regional of the Progressive Legends Classic continues tomorrow as UC-Irvine faces Southern Miss. at 5 p.m. and the Bearkats facing Liberty Flames at 7 p.m.
“Ther
The Benefits Of Being Thankful
by Cheval John
Everyone have something to be thankful for today.
Whether it’s another day of life, having that dream job, or being with friends and family, many count themselves lucky.
For fans of Sam Houston State and Texas A&M, they have plenty of reasons to be thankful.
One thing that comes to mind is the fact that the Bearkat football team have made their consecutive NCAA FCS playoffs with the opportunity to make it back to Frisco.
While in A&M’s case, the Aggie football team proving that they belong in the Southeastern Conference after pulling off the 29-24 upset of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
When the Aggies and the Bearkats faced each other last Saturday, it brought a sense of excitement and perspective for fans and alumni of both schools.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to play in a bigger stadium with a bigger crowd and with an SEC team,” Angie Taylor, Director of Leadership Initiatives at SHSU said last week before Saturday’s matchup in which the Aggies won 47-28.
“This year, it’s a good experience for them and I think it will be excited and it’s two local communities coming together and it will be a good turnout.”
The two communities, Huntsville and College Station are located an hour away from each other on highway 30.
Some of the 350,000 alumni or ex-students of A&M calls Huntsville home.
Though most are fans of the Bearkats, when it comes to facing their alma mater, there is no question of who they will root for.
I’ve adopted the Bearkats as my hometown team and I support them regularly,” Amy Lee, publisher of the Huntsville Item said last week.
“But I’m an Aggie graduate, so I have to root for A&M.
For some of 100,000 plus Bearkat alumni, living in Bryan/College Station and experience the A&M culture has been fun and interesting.
Bearkat graduate Michael Oder, who works for KBTX-TV, a CBS affiliate in College Station, covering the local scene including A&M athletics has been fulling for him.
“Living and working in Bryan/College Station is interesting,” Oder said.
“I think SHSU and A&M are two great universities that operate at different levels. … .A&M has a great energy.”
“With the move to the SEC, that only multiplied ten-fold.”
Bearkat fans saw the match as added exposure for the football team and the school.
Also, it brought in $300,000 dollars for the Bearkat athletics program when they played A&M.
With the FCS playoffs set to begin this weekend, many believe that this experience will be a huge benefit for the Bearkat football team.
Share this: