The All State

» By Marlon Scott – mscott@my.apsu.edu

With a win in their final game against Tennessee Tech, the Govs would have earned the Sgt. York Trophy for the first time since the series began in 2007. However, since they lost, the Govs remain the only team in the series yet to earn the trophy. Tennessee State won the Sgt. York Trophy for the third time. They were tied with Tennessee Tech, but won the tiebreaker because they defeated Tennessee Tech head-to-head.

2010 Stat Leaders

Passing:
Jake Ryan: completed 107-212 for 1120 yards; 11 interceptions; seven touchdowns; 101.8 Avg/G

Rushing:
Terrence Holt: 146 for 793 yards; eight touchdowns; 50 longest; 72.1 Avg/G

Ryan White: 156 for 769 yards; four touchdowns; 63 longest; 69.9 Avg/G

Receiving:
Devin Stark : 19 for 253 yards; two touchdowns

Scott Thomas: 18 for 223 yards

Defense:
Antwaun Majors: 84 tackles; one FF

Derrick Dillard: 84 tackles; 1.5 S; one FF

2011 Stat Leaders

Passing:
Jake Ryan: completed136-256 for 1,478 yards; 15 interceptions; 12 touchdowns; 164.2 Avg/G

Rushing:
Ryan White: 236 for 1,100 yards; six touchdowns; 31 longest; 100 Avg/G

Wesley Kitts: 84 for 495 yards; two touchdowns; 37 longest; 45 Avg/G

Receiving:
Devin Stark : 53 for 627 yards; seven touchdowns

Scott Thomas: 28 for 299 yards; two touchdowns

Defense:
Antwaun Majors: 88 tackles; two Int; 2 FF; one FR

Amius Smith: 80 tackles; 0.5 S; two FR; onew Saf

» By ANTHONY SHINGLER – ashingler@my.apsu.edu

The Murray State Racers raced to a 56-24 victory over the Govs Saturday, Nov. 12. The Govs dropped to 3-7 overall, and 2-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference standing. Murray State improved to 6-4 overall, and 4-3 in the OVC.

It did not take long for Murray State to establish an early 26-0 lead. They scored on their first offensive drive. Junior quarterback Jake Ryan found senior wide receiver Scott Thomas for a 10-yard touchdown pass that cut the Murray State lead to 26-7.

Murray State pushed their lead to 42-10 on a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter. Racer kicker Kienan Cullen made five field goals in the game.

Ryan instrumented another Govs scoring drive in the third quarter. He tossed a 38-yard bomb to Devin Starks for the touchdown. Ryan completed 10-of-18 passes for 101 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It was his first game back after sitting out due to a knee injury.

Ryan White, who was suspended for the first quarter, finished with 20 carries for 92 yards. The Govs rushed for 125 yards. Starks made seven catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns.

Murray State’s Casey Brockman finished 25-of-39 for 277 yards and one touchdown. Murray State out gained the Govs offensively 525 to 295.

The Govs return to action for the season finale at Tennessee Tech Saturday, Nov. 19, in the final game of the Sgt. York Trophy Series and
OVC schedule. TAS

Whitney Hanley

Named 17th among OVC scoring leaders and second-team all OVC in the 2010-11 season

Nicole Olszewski

Started 26 games and finished third on team in scoring in the 2010-11 season

Meghan Bussabarger

Played in all 33 games, and ranked third in rebounding during 2010-11 season

» By MARLON SCOTT – mscott@my.apsu.edu

The Lady Govs used to be beasts.

For three years straight they earned a spot in the OVC Tournament. For two of those years, they terrorized the rest of the OVC teams in the tournament, earning back-to-back tournament titles.

By the time tournament time came last season, the other coaches and players lost sleep and broke out in cold sweats, not willing to whisper the words “Lady Govs,” hoping by not saying their name, they could somehow avoid them in the tournament.

However, the reign of terror ended in the semifinals of the OVC Tournament last season.

For the first time in three years, the Lady Govs lost a game in the tournament. The rest of the OVC breathed a sigh of relief and are looking forward to a terror-free tournament this season.

The Lady Govs’ goal is to remind the other teams of their beast status.

In her sixth season as the Lady Govs head coach, Carrie Daniels has a squad balanced with experience and new talent.

“We have a lot of players that have been through the trenches with this team,” Daniels said. “A lot of our returners have been a part of two championship teams. They have a little bit of a bitter taste in their mouths, getting beat in the semifinals.”

The Lady Govs will look to fill two crucial positions left by graduating seniors Brooke Faulkner and Dalila Thomas. Faulkner was the team’s most experienced point guard. She averaged 7.6 points per game, made 29 steals and was a scoring threat from long range.

Thomas was the team’s leading shot blocker. She averaged 7.2 points per game.

“I believe every year you determine what you’re losing and then go out and replace those positions. You can’t replace particular players, but you do have to replace the positions,” Daniels said. “We went out and recruited five newcomers this offseason and, while we are never going to replace the players we lost, I believe we’ve got some great women who will come in and make up for the scoring we lost.”

The Lady Govs filled their needs with four freshmen and a junior college transfer this season. Three of the freshmen are guards who will compete to fill Faulkner’s minutes as point guard: Shira Buley, Kristen Steinback and Shelby Olszewski.

They will also compete with the more experienced Leslie Martinez, a junior transfer from Collin County Community College.

Rounding out the new members is 6-foot freshman forward Somalia McKenney.

“I think from day one, the newcomers have come in and the returners have taken them by the hand and tried to show them the ropes and tell them the things they need to know,” Daniels said. “The chemistry is so important off the court, on the court. It is something that can really help a team be successful.”

The Lady Govs will play a challenging non-conference schedule that includes Vanderbilt, Ball State, Belmont, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Florida A&M.

“We definitely have to stay healthy and just continue to improve each and every day,” Daniels said. “That is the one thing we have stressed. We want to see that improvement every day. We don’t want to digress and
go backwards.” TAS

Senior guard Whitney Hanley faces off against a defender in the Dunn Center.

After only one exhibition game, the Lady Govs basketball team dove head first into the regular season with a home opener against the Southern Illinois Salukis. The two teams have only played 3 times before, with the Salukis up 2-1 in the series.

With a career high 28 points, senior guard Whitney Hanley showed one exhibition game was all she needed to get ready for the regular season. She led her team to a 76-70 victory.

Hanley was one of five Lady Govs to finish in double figures. Senior forward Jasmine Rayner almost earned a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Nicole Olszewski scored 12 points, junior forward Meghan Bussabarger scored 11 points and junior guard Leslie Martinez added 10.

The two teams were evenly matched for the majority of the game. After being tied at 34 at halftime, the Lady Govs seemed to take control in the second half. Producing turnovers and outrebounding the Salukis helped them establish a 11-point lead with four minutes remaining. However, Southern Illinois’ Teri Oliver brought her team back in the game.

Oliver made three, 3-pointers in a row to tie the game at 67 with 2:27 left in the game. Oliver finished leading all scorers with 32 points.

The Lady Govs returning starters made clutch plays to get the win. Olszewski made a steal and then an assist to Whitney who made a Layup to take a 69-67 lead. After the ensuing Saluki missed field goal, Rayner grabbed one of two clutch rebounds in the games final two minutes to stop any Saluki second chance baskets.

Also crashing the boards when it counted was Bussabarger. Both she and Rayner got to the free throw line after battling in the paint and made 2-of-4 free throws in the last 90 seconds.

The rest was all Hanley. Oliver made one more 3-pointer to keep her team in the game, but Hanley scored the last five points, three from the free throw line, to get the win.

“We are thrilled to get the victory and starting off the season 1-0,” said head coach Carrie Daniels. “We gave up some leads, I think we had a 9-point lead in the first half and a 10-point lead in the second. It’s not ideal ever to have those types of leads and let a team come back on you. But I am pleased with the team to be able to, after giving up those leads, to come back and be able to get the win.”

Josh Terry Averaged 11 points and 4.3 rounds per game in the
2011 season.

Tyshwan Edmonson Lead the 2010 season and was second in the OVC scoring with 17.1 ppg.

John Fraley Started all 34 games in 2011 season and was 4th in the OVC in rebounding.

» By MARLON SCOTT – mscott@my.apsu.edu

With the possible exception of Morehead’s head coach, Donnie Tyndall, all the OVC basketball head coaches are breathing a sigh of relief and rubbing their hands together in anticipation of a season without facing Kenneth Faried. This begs the question, “Who benefits the most with Faried in
the NBA?”

The answer is the APSU Govs.

On paper, it is easy to see why OVC coaches and sports information directors voted the Govs to win the 2011-12 OVC Championship.

The primary reasons the Govs are the favorites in the 2011-12 OVC Championship discussion are returning players, new faces to replace key losses
and depth.

“I think there is a lot of excitement about this basketball team. We figured we would be picked near the top and we think we are a good enough team to contend for the championship in a league where there are a number of really good teams,” said Govs head coach Dave Loos at the OVC Media Day in Nashville.

“It is a league now where you have to be ready to play every night or you are going to go home with a loss,” Loos said. “As I said, we are excited, the community is excited about this team. But as we all know, it is going to be settled on the floor, and we hope we are ready to make a run for it.”

In his 22nd year as head coach, Loos has a squad with experience and talent. This season’s lineup includes nine players from last season’s 20-win team.

The most significant loss to the Govs team was point guard Caleb Brown. Brown started all 34 games last season and led the team in free throws and assists. He also made 57 steals, second only to Terry and Edmonson.

The Govs also lost forward Marcel Williams and guard Tyrone Caldwell. Both Williams and Caldwell came off the bench averaging 10 minutes a game. They played on the team three years before transferring during the offseason.

Filling Brown’s position will be JuCo transfer Jerome Clyburn. Clyburn comes from Santé Fe Community College in his home state of Florida.

Backing up Clyburn will be freshman guard Herdie Lawrence. Lawrence played at Collins High School in Atlanta where he averaged 15.7 points and 4.8 assists per game.

Ready to jump into the frontcourt is Chris Freeman. Freeman averaged a double-double, 21 points and 12 rebounds, at Muhlenberg High School in Greenville, Ky.

The Govs will play two top 25 teams this season, California and Memphis. They will also participate in an ESPN Bracketbuster game for the ninth time this season.

“We appreciate the fact people have some respect for our program, but we also understand it’s where you finish, not where you start,” Loos said. “We will be driving that point home.” TAS

By MARLON SCOTT – mscott5@my.apsu.edu
It is senior day at Governors stadium as the Govs take on the Central State Marauders in their last home game of the season. They are trying to end a four-game losing streak and improve on their 2-4 OVC record (2-6 Overall).

Update: Final Govs 40 Marauders 0
Govs defense shuts down the Marauders. Govs win 40-0 on senior night, end 4-game losing streak.

Update: Govs 40 Marauders 0; 9:22 Fourth quarter
Ean Pemberton dashes into the end zone to extend the Govs lead.

Update Govs 33 Marauders 0; 11:46 fourth quarter
Govs score on 12 play drive. Scott Thomas dives in one yard on a Quarterback sneak.

Update: Govs 27 Marauders 0; 1:15 third quarter
Marauders quarterback fumbles while scrambling. Govs recover, 1 and 10 on the 47.

Update: Govs 27 Marauders 0; 3:16 Third Quarter
Govs punt, Marauders take over 1 and 10 on their 20.

Update: Govs 27 Marauders 0; Third Quarter
Govs Steven Ragin intercepts Marauders pass. Govs take over 1 and 10 on the Marauders 39.

Update: Govs 27 Marauders 0, 6:01 Third quarter
Ryan White rushes six yards for his second touchdown of the game.

Update: Govs 20 Marauders 0, 11:55 third quarter
Govs Tee Howell returns a punt 65 yards for a touchdown.

Update: Govs 13 Marauders 0 Third Quarter
Govs offense stalls on their first drive of the second half. Forced to punt. Marauders take over at the 23-yard line.

Update: Halftime Govs 13 Marauders 0
Ryan White and Wesley Kitts have combined for 186 yards rushing in the first half. Stephen Stansell has made 2-of-3 field goals. Govs produced 249 yards of offense. Marauders held to only 72.

Update: 13-0 Govs, End of first half
Instead of a score, Govs end the first half by throwing an interception in the red zone.

Update: 13-0 Govs, 1:53 Second Quarter
Govs have first and 10 on their 36 yard line, driving for last score of the half.

Update: 13-0 Govs, 5:33 Second Quarter
A penalty pushes Govs back. They settle for another field goal. Govs lead 13-0

Update: 10-0 Govs, 6:44 Second Quarter
Wesley Kitts breaks a 21-yard run. Have another first and goal.

Update: 10-0 Govs, 12:31 Second quarter
After Ryan White breaks a 31-yard run to set up the Govs with first and goal. Govs forced to settle for field goal. Govs take 10-0 lead.

Update: 7-0 Govs end of first quarter
Govs lead 7-0. offense driving, 1 and 10 on Marauders 41-yard line.

Update: 7-0, 2:47 First Quarter
Govs offense get to the red zone for first time, but a penalty makes it 1 and 15. White takes hand off and scrambles 26 yards for the touchdown. Drive was four plays, 65 yards.

Update:0-0, 9:26 First Quarter
Govs defense stop Marauders second offensive drive. Govs take over, but go three and out.

Update: 13:50 First Quarter
Penalty slows down Govs offense. They attempt a 51-yard field goal. It goes wide left. Marauders take over.

Govs start the game on defense. Marauders go 1 and 10 on their own 20. First pass of the game is intercepted by Govs safety Antwaun Majors. Govs take over on the Marauders 25 yard line.