Dec. 9, 2005
Click here to listen to the women's game beginning at 3:50 pm Saturday
Click here to listen to the men's game beginning at approximately 6:00 pm Saturday
Click here for complete women's game notes
Click here for complete men's game notes
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The Women's Game
The UMES Lady Hawks (1-3, 0-0) begin MEAC play Saturday with a road match-up against the Howard Lady Bison (1-4, 0-0). UMES, which has dropped consecutive games to Temple and Michigan, enters the conference season as one of the favorites, having been picked to finish fifth in the preseason MEAC poll (Howard was picked third).
The Lady Hawks will be looking to avenge three losses to Howard last season that came by an average of 18 points, including a 54-42 decision in the MEAC Tournament quarterfinals March 10. The Lady Bison, perennial conference contenders who have won 10 of the 26 MEAC women's Tournament titles all-time, have a win against Lafayette this season in addition to four losses.
Great Expectations
Under the direction of second-year Head Coach Fred Batchelor, the Lady Hawks have begun one of their most anticipated seasons in years. UMES has returned its top three scorers and rebounders from 2004-05 in addition to adding several talented pieces to the mix.
The Lady Hawks are led up front by Kristi Veltkamp and Jamila Griffith, first and second-team preseason All-MEAC selections. Two-time JUCO national champion Natalia Benton joins them to form one of the MEAC's biggest front lines. Without a single point guard returning from last season, UMES will have new faces running the offense. Freshman DeVaughn Hailey and senior Rachael Goodwin, who has played only one full collegiate season, make up the starting backcourt.
News and Notes
Seniors Jamila Griffith (ankle) and Daynese Stowe (back) each missed the Lady Hawks' game at Michigan Tuesday, but are each expected to play Saturday.
Sophomore Kristi Veltkamp has lived up to her billing as a Preseason MEAC First Team selection. She currently leads the Lady Hawks in scoring and is second in rebounding, and has scored in double figures in all four of the team's games.
UMES got career highs in scoring from Toni Kennedy (24 pts) and Jamila Griffith (19) in its first win of the season against Gardner-Webb on Nov. 19...
UMES placed two women on the preseason All-MEAC teams: sophomore F/C Kristi Veltkamp on the first team and senior F Jamila Griffith on the second team. Veltkamp finished second on the team in scoring and rebounding during her freshman campaign, while Griffith led the team in rebounds per game last season...
The Lady Hawks did not return any of last season's point guards, following the departures of Erica Bennett (graduation), Ashley Chase (transferring) and Kolade Aderoju (transferred). In their stead, freshman DeVaughn Hailey and senior Rachael Goodwin are the key figures being asked to run the offense...
The Lady Hawks 10-8 conference record last season gave the team its first winning MEAC season since 1997-'98 (12-6), a span of seven seasons...
LADY HAWKS AT A GLANCE
Probable Starters
Player Pos. Ht. Cl. PPG RPG
11 DeVaughn Hailey G 5'5 Fr. 10.0 3.5
Freshman from Camden, NJ...Played at Woodrow Wilson HS, where she started for four seasons...Helped team win the South Jersey championship and the New Jersey Group III Tournament of Champions Final in 2005.
0 Rachael Goodwin G 5'6 Sr. 3.3 2.3
Senior from Memphis, Tn....Played 1 1/2 seasons (2002-03, part of 2003-04) at UMES before sitting out last season, re-joined squad this summer...Played in a total of 35 games prior to `05-'06 (5.7 ppg career).
35 Jamila Griffith F 6'0 Sr. 9.0 6.7
Voted to Preseason All-MEAC Second-Team...Led team in rebounding last season (7.6 rpg), was third in scoring (8.3 ppg)...2003 transfer from Tallahassee C.C. (Tallahasee, Fl.), originally from Barbados (West Indies).
3 Kristi Veltkamp F/C 6'3 So. 15.8 6.5
Voted to Preseason All-MEAC First-Team...Sophomore from Hudsonville, Mi. finished second on the team in scoring (8.8 ppg) and rebounding (4.5 rpg) her freshman season...Won State and National Homeschool championships in 2003 for Lansing Homeschool (with teammate Alicia Loxen).
23 Natalia Benton F/C 6'3 Jr. 1.5 3.0
JUCO transfer from Monroe C.C. (Rochester, NY) where she won consecutive Division II NJCAA National Championships (`04, `05) and was named to the All-Tournament Team last season...Originally from Brooklyn, NY.
Reserves
Player Pos. Ht. Cl. PPG RPG
1 Brittany Adkins F 6'1 So. 3.7 2.7
Sophomore from Millsboro, De., played in 26 games freshman season...Played at Susxex Tech. HS where she made first-team all-state senior year.
2 Alicia Loxen G 5'6 Fr. 0.0 0.0
Red-shirt freshman from Owosso, Mi. sat out last season with a knee injury...Won State and National Homeschool championships in 2003 for Lansing Homeschool (with teammate Kristi Veltkamp).
5 Almalika Lemon F 6'1 Jr. 0.0 1.7
JUCO transfer, played at Frank Phillips College (Borger, Tx.) in `03-'04 and at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (Miami, Ok.) in `02-'03...Did not play anywhere in `04-'05...Originally from Manhattan, NY (St. Michael Academy).
12 Jasmine Speed F 5'10 Fr. 0.0 0.0
Freshman from Chesterfield, Mi....Played at Anchor Bay HS.
21 Qiana Cheatham F 5'10 Jr. 5.0 1.3
Junior from Baltimore, Md. started final six games last season (11.2 ppg) after making only three starts her first 43 collegiate contests.
22 Adrienne Brown G 5'5 Fr. -- --
Walk-on from Springdale, Md....Attended prep school at The Patterson School (Lenoir, NC) in 04-05...Played at Charles H. Flowers HS (Landover).
25 Daynese Stowe C 6'2 Sr. 0.7 1.0
Senior from Philadelphia, 2004 transfer from Florida C.C. (Jacksonville, Fl.)...Played in 26 games last season, averaged 4.0 ppg and 3.3 rpg.
33 Toni Kennedy G 5'6 Sr. 12.0 3.8
Senior from Baltimore, Md. led Lady Hawks in scoring last season (10.0 ppg) after walking onto team...JUCO transfer from Labette C.C. (Parsons, Ks., `02-'03) and Grayson C.C. (Denison, Tx., `03-'04)...Played at Dunbar HS where she became school's all-time leading scorer (1,128 pts) and won three consecutive state championships (`00-'02).
34 Tiffany Reid G 5'9 Fr. 4.3 4.5
Freshman from Philadelphia, played at National Christian Academy (Ft. Washington, Md.) after starring at Strawberry Mansion HS in the Philly Public League...Made first-team all-Public League two consecutive seasons.
The Men's Game
The UMES men's basketball team (2-6, 0-0) beings MEAC play Saturday with a match-up against the Howard Bison (0-4, 0-0) at Burr Gymnasium. The Hawks, who are playing the fourth of six consecutive road games, dropped their fifth out of six games with a 92-50 loss at Rutgers Wednesday.
UMES, featuring eight freshman and ten newcomers on its roster, has already matched its entire win total from the 2004-'05 season. The Hawks have won two straight at Burr Gymnasium, including their only MEAC win last season, 88-74 behind Tim Parham's career-best 28-point performance. Howard, under first-year Head Coach Gil Jackson is playing its home opener. The Bison lost three games at the Cyclone Challenge in Ames, Iowa, and then to Navy in the BB&T Classic Monday, 82-73.
Changing of the Guard
The 2005-'06 Hawk men's basketball team has a completely different face from that of the team that lost to Morgan State 77-56 in the MEAC Tournament first round this March. Only four of the 14 players who suited up for the Hawks last season have returned.
Fortunately for UMES, one of the returnees is Tim Parham, the MEAC's leading rebounder last season and a preseason MEAC Second Team selection this year. Parham tested the waters of the NBA draft last April but withdrew his name after deciding to return for his senior season. He's joined by freshmen guards Jesse Brooks and Ed Tyson, along with forwards Ryan Leak and Antonio McMillion in the probable starting line-up.
News and Notes
When UMES improved to 2-5 on Dec. 3, it became the first time in four seasons that the squad picked up its second win before its 14th game. The Hawks had started three consecutive seasons at 1-12 (and two straight at 1-13). In 2001-'02, the team started 2-3, and then later were 8-8. In `02-'03, the team finished 5-23, in '03-'04 8-21, and last season 2-26...
Tim Parham has lived up to his billing as a Preseason MEAC Second Team selection. The senior currently leads the conference in rebounding and is fourth in scoring. Parham has already recorded four double-doubles in eight games this season. He led the MEAC with 11 in `04-'05...
Freshman point guard Jesse Brooks has already become one of the top distributors in the MEAC. Brooks, who dished out a career-high 11 assists at Morehead State on Dec. 3, is averaging 7.3 assists/game his last four contests (29 total). He is currently tied for the conference lead in apg (5.3).
The Hawks have struggled to secure defensive rebounds so far this season, allowing an average of 16.9 offensive rpg. UMES is being out-rebounded in total by an average of 9.1 rpg...
UMES is shooting only 54% from the foul line this season (11th/11 in the MEAC). Among the regulars, Tim Parham is shooting 47% from the stripe, while Ed Tyson shoots 55%...
The Hawks returned only five players (Tim Parham, Ryan Leak, Tal Cohen, Terrell Harris and Shondale Robinson) from last season's squad that finished 2-26 (1-17 MEAC). One of those players, the senior Robinson, is likely out for the season with a broken leg...
UMES HAWKS AT A GLANCE
Probable Starters
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
10 Jesse Brooks G 6'1 170 Fr. 5.8 3.3
Freshman from Severn, Md...Played last season at Notre Dame Prep School (Fitchburg, Ma.)...Played at Archbishop Spalding HS, where he finished 2nd all-time in assists and was a teammate of current UCONN star Rudy Gay.
5 Ed Tyson G 6'3 205 Fr. 9.1 2.6
Freshman from Baltimore, Md...Played at Walbrook HS where he won the 2005 Maryland class 4A state championship and was ranked amongst the top point guards in the state...Nicknamed and commonly referred to as "Butz."
32 Ryan Leak F 6'4 185 So. 3.0 2.2
Played in 27 games last season (16 starts), averaged 5.7 ppg...Sophomore from Jamaica, NY, averaged 21 ppg for Bayside HS his senior season.
44 Antonio McMillion F 6'5 210 Jr. 10.0 3.3
JUCO transfer from Colby C.C. (Colby, Ks.) where he averaged 15.6 ppg last season...Attended Central Connecticut St. (CCSU) from 2002-2004, but missed `02-'03 with eye injury and played only 7 games in `03-'04...Played at Randallstown HS where he won the Maryland class 3A state championship in 2002 (senior season) and was named Third-Team All-State.
42 Tim Parham C 6'9 240 Sr. 15.3 9.0
Voted to Preseason All-MEAC Second-Team...Led MEAC in rebounding (8.6 rpg) and double-doubles (11) last season...All 11 of his double-doubles came in last 19 games (0 in prior 34 career games)...Announced eligibility for 2005 NBA Draft last April before withdrawing to return for senior season...Now in his third season playing at UMES...2003 transfer from Ellsworth C.C. (Iowa Falls, Ia) where he played one season (2001-'02).
Reserves
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
1 Qavotstaraj Waddell C 6'11 240 Fr. 5.8 6.9
Red-shirt freshman from Norfolk, VA...Sat out last season to complete year in residence...Named preseason MEAC Top Newcomer by Street & Smith's College Basketball...Played at Coastal Christian Academy HS (Virginia Beach) where he played with NY Knicks' center Jackie Butler.
3 Dorian Pierce G 6'0 170 Fr. 0.5 0.5
Freshman from Jackson, Mi., played at Jackson HS...Originally from Detroit.
13 Art Valentine F 6'7 215 Jr. 1.0 0.9
JUCO transfer from Fulton-Montgomery C.C. (Johnstown, NY), where he averaged 16 ppg over his 2 seasons...Originally from Harlem, NY.
15 Troy Jackson G 6'3 175 Fr. 5.6 1.3
Freshman from Wilkes Barre, PA...Played at Laurinburg Prep School (Laurinburg, NC) in 2004-05, and before that at Scranton HS (Scranton, Pa.).
20 Terrell Harris G 6'1 175 Sr. 3.0 0.3
Walk-on from Philadelphia played in final 5 games of last season... Played baseball for UMES in 2004, pitched in 20 games (0-1, 9.89 ERA).
22 Shaun Warrick G 6'0 150 Fr. 0.0 0.0
Freshman walk-on from Philadelphia, played at Lutheran HS.
24 C.J. Prince G 6'3 200 Fr. -- --
Freshman walk-on from Teaneck, NJ, played at Teaneck HS, does not normally travel with team to road games. 30 Tal Cohen F 6'8 230 So. 0.0 0.4
Played in 27 games last season...Sophomore from Hadera, Israel, played on the Israeli Junior National Team while in the Israeli Army for three years.
45 Brandon Moore F 6'9 195 Fr. 0.0 1.0
Walk-on red-shirt freshman from Baltimore, Md....Sat out last season to complete year in residence...Played at Southern HS, former home of UMES assistant coach Meredith Smith (but did not play for him).
UMES Hawks (2-6, 0-0)
2005-06 Schedule:
Previous Games
Date Game Result
11/10 Davis & Elkins. (Ex) W 82-68
11/14 ^at #20 Iowa L 41-86
11/15 ^v. Utah Valley St. W 75-72 (OT)
11/18 at UMBC L 65-75
11/19 at St. John's L 40-77
11/25 Nicholls St. L 69-71
12/1 at Marshall L 56-66
12/3 at Morehead St. W 65-59
12/7 at Rutgers L 50-92
Upcoming Games
Date Game Result
12/10 at Howard* 6:00 pm
12/17 at George Wash. 2:00 pm
12/20 at Brown 7:00 pm
1/4 N.C. A&T* 7:30 pm
1/7 at Hampton* 6:00 pm
1/9 at Norfolk State* 8:00 pm
1/16 Delaware State* 2:00 pm
1/21 at Fla. A&M* 4:00 pm
1/23 at Beth-Cook.* 7:30 pm
1/28 at Morgan St.* 4:00 pm
1/30 at Coppin St.* 7:30 pm
2/4 Hampton* 4:00 pm
2/6 Norfolk St.* 7:30 pm
2/13 at Delaware St* 7:30 pm
2/18 Florida A&M* 4:00 pm
2/20 Beth.-Cookman* 7:30 pm
2/25 Morgan State* 4:00 pm
2/27 Coppin State* 7:30 pm
3/1 at S. Carolina St* 7:30 pm
3/4 Howard* 4:00 pm
3/6-11 MEAC Tourney TBA
*denotes MEAC conference game
^at Guardian's Classic (Iowa City)
Larry Lessett- Head Coach
Lawrence Lessett, Jr. is in his second season as head coach of the Hawks. While this position marks his debut as a Division I head coach, he has amassed almost thirty years of coaching experience from the high school level through the professional ranks.
Lessett came to Princess Anne after spending three years as a global scout for Magic Johnson International Basketball. Prior to that he served as head coach of the Magic City Snowbears of the International Basketball Association (IBA), where he coached the team to a franchise record in wins and a playoff appearance in his only season.
No stranger to the college ranks, Lessett has made several collegiate stops in his career, most recently as head basketball coach and athletic director of Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tennessee. He has also served as an assistant coach at Mercer University, De Anza College, Georgia Southwestern College, Georgia College, Santa Barbara City College, Western New Mexico University, Loyola Marymount University and Cal State Northridge.
Lessett received a Bachelors degree in Physical Education from Cal State Northridge in 1983 and a Masters degree in Phys Ed and Health from Georgia College in 1991.
Assistant Coaches
Meredith Smith- Assistant Coach
Meredith Smith is in his second season as the first assistant men's basketball coach with the Hawks. He has returned to his alma mater after accumulating almost 30 years of high school coaching experience. Smith graduated from UMES, then Maryland State College, in 1975.
Smith became head coach men's basketball coach at Southern High School in Baltimore City in 1978 and held that position for 24 seasons. During that time he compiled a win-loss record of 414-145, giving him the second most victories in Baltimore City Public School history. Smith won 25 playoff games, including three Maryland State Championships, two Maryland Scholastic Association Conference Championships and a Baltimore City Championship in 1999-2000.
In 1993 the Baltimore Sun named Smith their "Coach of the Year." He holds a Bachelor's degree in Secondary and Physical Education from UMES and a Master's degree from Coppin State University.
Bert DeSalvo- Assistant Coach
Bert DeSalvo is in his first year as an assistant coach for the Hawks, primarily responsible for film exchange and budgeting. He comes to UMES after serving one year as the Girls' Varsity Head Coach at Chariho High School in Rhode Island.
While at Chariho, DeSalvo led his team to a playoff appearance in 2004-'05 with an 11-14 overall record. From 2001-'04 he was the Boys' Junior Varsity Head Coach at South Kingstown High School (R.I.), leading his team to a co-division championship in 2001-'02. DeSalvo has also coached at the middle school level and for several AAU teams.
DeSalvo received a Batchelor's degree in History from the University of Rhode Island in 2002.
MEAC 2005-06 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
Rk School Points
1. S Car. St. (10) 402
T-2.*Delaware St. (6) 370
T-2.Hampton (4) 370
4. Norfolk State 240
5. Florida A&M 238
6. Coppin State 230
7. Bethune-Cook. 202
8. N Carolina A&T 146
9. Morgan State 138
10. Howard 78
11. MD East-Shore 26
(first-place votes in parenthesis)
*2005 regular season and MEAC Tournament champion
Preseason MEAC First Team
G Antonio Webb, Beth-Cook.
G Tony Tate, Florida A&M
G Jahsha Blunt, Delaware St.
F Thurman Zimmerman, SC St.
C Bruce Brown, Hampton
Second Team
G Tony Murphy, Norfolk St.
G Jeff Granger, Hampton
F Darius Glover, Florida A&M
F Tim Parham, UMES
F Brian Mason, SC St.
Preseason Player of the Year:
Bruce Brown, Hampton
-Selected in a vote by MEAC coaches and Sports Information Directors
