Three Golden Bulls receive CIAA honors

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Three Golden Bulls receive CIAA honors

By Qcity Staff – January 11, 2011

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The Johnson C. Smith University men’s and women’s basketball programs are on a winning streak... and getting noticed in the CIAA.

On Monday, the conference announced the following:

Men’s coach Steve Joyner Sr. was named CIAA coach of the week for the first time ever. After suffering through a four-game losing streak that dropped them to 2-1, the men’s team has rebounded to win five straight, including road wins against CIAA rivals Chowan (71-55) and Elizabeth City State (77-75). The men’s team is now 7-4 overall and 3-0 in the conference. They were picked to finish second in the CIAA Southern Division behind Winston-Salem State.

Sophomore guard Trevin Parks was named CIAA Player of the Week. The 5-foot, 9-inch player from Hickory has been the team’s leading scorer. In the 71-55 win over Chowan, he scored a game-high 27 points and had three steals. In the 77-75 victory against Elizabeth City State, he scored 22 points and dished out seven assists to deliver the first CIAA loss to ECSU. Parks has scored double figures in every game played. He currently ranks 2nd in the conference in scoring and 7th in assists, averaging 19.8 points and 4.1 assists per game.

Women’s coach Vanessa Taylor also received Coach of the Week honors. Her Lady Goldn Bulls are undefeated this season at 9-0. That streak includes two CIAA road victories against Chowan (57-54) and Elizabeth City State (60-52). This represents the best start ever for JCSU’s women's basketball program. Last season, Taylor’s team had a 9-1 start to the year, winning their first six games. The Lady Goldn bulls are the only unbeaten team remaining in the CIAA and ranks second in scoring defense (allowing only 53 points per game). They were pick to finish second to last in the Southern Division, just ahead of Livingstone College.