North Carolina Central University

BASKETBALL

THREE NCCU STUDENT-ATHLETES EARN PRE-SEASON CIAA BASKETBALL HONORS

     (Raleigh, NC - October 13, 2000) Three North Carolina Central University student-athletes were recognized on their respective 2000-01 Pre-Season All-CIAA Basketball Team, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced Friday at the Marriott Crabtree Hotel in Raleigh.
     Senior forward Monique Fearrington (Chapel Hill, NC) and junior center Amba Kongolo (Kinshasa, Zaire) were selected to the Pre-Season All-CIAA Women's Team, while senior forward Jimmy Boston (Washington, NC) earned a spot on the Pre-Season All-CIAA Men's Team.
     The Lady Eagles, after a 12-17 season and a second consecutive trip to the conference tournament semifinals, were picked to finish in fifth place in the CIAA Western Division, ahead of only Saint Augustine's. The NCCU women, led by fourth-year head coach Joli Robinson, return eight letterwinners, including four starters: junior guard Zakia VanHoose (Rochester, NY), senior forward Dawnell Stevenson (Wilmington, NC), junior point guard Annitra Cole (Oxon Hill, MD), and Fearrington. Returning guards Tiffany Foster (Nashville, NC), Ivana Bailey (Surry, VA) and Venetria Davis (Charlotte, NC) will provide experience and depth in the backcourt. The Lady Eagles welcome six newcomers to the squad, including senior center Connie Murdock (transfer from Purdue University) and junior guard/forward Shenika Worthy (transfer from Clayton College & State University).
     The Eagles, after a 17-9 season and a trip to the CIAA Tournament Championship Game, were chosen to place fourth in the Western Division behind Fayetteville State, Johnson C. Smith, and the reigning conference champion Winston-Salem State. First-year NCCU head coach Phil Spence inherits a squad with only three returning players: Boston, junior center Dekendric Perry (Wendell, NC), and junior guard Joey Ellis (Waverly, VA). That left vacancies for several newcomers, including four transfers - sophomore center James Brown (from N.C. Wesleyan), junior forward Jonathan Coley (from Louisburg J.C.), junior guard Elloitt McNair (from Manatee C.C.) and sophomore forward Shawn Ray (from Voorhees) - and three freshman.

Last Revised:  Oct. 13, 2000