Bison Show Well in Bahamas
NASSAU,
BAHAMAS – Following a season in which the Howard
University men’s basketball lost several games due to the lack of
consistent point guard play, the coaching staff made recruitment of
that position a priority. If what happened in the Bahamas is
any indication, then the Bison appear to have solved their problems
for the next four years.
Freshmen Calvin Thompson and Chris
McHenry combined to give Howard some solid, if not spectacular
play, as the Bison went 1-1 in their exhibition games against the
two of the Bahamian national teams.
Thompson, a 6-3 freshman from
Harvey, La, showed why he was highly regarded, running the offense
and getting teammates involved. McHenry, a 5-9 freshman from
Milwaukee, WI, was equally impressive as he penetrated and was
effective in getting his teammates good looks at the basket.
“This was a very positive
experience for the program,” said a pleased head coach Gil
Jackson. “We got a chance to get some early practices in and
then these games gave us a chance to evaluate our people early in
the process.”
The games were played under
10-minute quarters and a 24-second shot clock. The Bahamian
teams were composed of older players, many of whom have played in
the United States for colleges or universities.
Senior forward Randy Hampton (6-4)
played well in both games as did junior center Paul Kirkpatrick
(6-9), junior forward Kandi Mukole (6-5) and sophomore guard Kyle
Riley (6-2). But the biggest surprise may have been the play
of Anthony Thomas, a 6-5 sophomore from Baltimore, MD, who played
very little early last season but who came along late in the season
when injuries hit the team.
“This was a win-win situation for
us,” said Coach Jackson. “We got a chance to get in some good
work; it gave us a chance to get in some conditioning; and the kids
got a chance to experience life here in the Islands.”
The tournament was sponsored by
Basketball Travelers and included Howard conference opponents
Norfolk State and Winston-Salem State and Virginia Commonwealth.
The Bison begin practice on October
17. They open play on November 14 when they host Oregon State
at Burr Gymnasium at 7 pm.
The original story was published here: http://www.howard-bison.com/sports/mbkb/2008-09/news/Bison_Show_Well_in_Bahamas
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