Sports with Walter Moore

Walter Moore Tigers Top Allen Tracy Rankins scored 20 points to lead Savannah State to a 81-62 win over Allen at Tiger Arena on January 30. The Tigers (9-13) led 66-53 with just under five minutes left but went on a 13-3 run to increase their advantage to 23 points. Louis Arnold had 17 points and Rashad Hassan had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Savannah native Anthony Gordon had three steals, two points and two rebounds for the Yellow Jackets. SSU fell to Jacksonville 72-68 on January 25 at home. The 1,355 fans saw the game tied at 68 with 17 seconds left but the Dolphins converted four free throws to escape with the win. SSU fought back from 14 point deficit to tie the game. Hassan had 19 points for the Tigers while Arnold had 15 and Rankins chipped in 12.

SSU Women Lose

Again

The Savannah State women’s basketball team had their losing streak reach 13 games with two losses last week. SSU fell at College of Charleston 68-48 on January 27 and Lost at home to North Carolina Central 54-43 on Jan. 30. Charleston broke open a close game with a 16- 3 run to go ahead by 16 points with 11:30 left. SSU never got closer than 14 the rest of the way. Courtney Long had 10 points and Alisha Nelson had 10 rebounds in a losing effort. The Lady Tigers (8-17) trailed NC Central by two points early in the second half but the Eagles went on a 14-4 run to go ahead 42-30 with 7:05 left. SSU never got any closer than nine the rest of the way. Long and Crissa Jackson each scored 11 points while Nelson had 12 rebounds. Tigers Run At UNC The Savannah State indoor track team ran in the Carolina Classic on January 29 in Chapel Hill, NC. Marcus Stallworth was 2nd in the men’s 60m hurdles, Shawn Souvenir placed 4th in the men's triple jump, Chaz Price was 8th in the 300m and Deshawn Lee was 10th in the 500m race. For the SSU women, Amara Jones was 4th in the 300m. In the triple jump, Amber Hughes was 4th and Sharonda Redfield was 10th. The second day of the meet was canceled due to inclement weather.

SSU Alumni Reacts

To Football Coach

Leaving

" I am very disturbed at the timing of the resignation of Coach Wells . With the national signing day at hand, it is very critical to potential blue chip players to know who their coach will be. I am very hopeful that we can land the outstanding athletes who previously committed to SSU. I urge the President and Vice President to move with haste in selecting a coach who will commit to developing an outstanding football team at SSU”.- Israel Small, president of SSU Booster Club “I wonder why the SSU administration waited until a week prior to signing day to let Coach Wells go when the issues were there most of the season? I know it says Coach Wells resigned but that's to save face on both sides. SSU athletics can't win for losing on and off the field”!- Bubba Mattox, Jacksonville, FL “Robbie Wells was hired with big expectations. Dr. Flythe almost guaranteed he would have a job as long as he was there so you would have to assume there were some issues with coach Wells beyond wins and losses that forced his dismissal at such a critical time. The fact that so many players have quit the team or are ineligible suggests instability with the program. The cause of this instability may exist beyond who the head coach is. Until SSU PAYS for an experienced coach with a proven track record they may have to choose someone without the background needed to build a winning program. They also need to be able to PAY salaries that will allow the head coach to attract and retain capable assistants. The selection process may also be suspect as this recent scenario seems reminiscent of how the previous administration hired and fired coaches. Some credit has to be given to the current administration for putting more money into athletics. Hopefully this will continue. Much love to SSU and best wishes in finding a good coach as soon as possible”. Shawn Brisbon, Indiana “I was both surprised and shocked by the forced resignation or firing. Personally, I thought he was making progress and moving the football program forward. It takes time to lay a good foundation and build upon it. I think the program is in better shape now than it was when he took it over”. -SSU Athletic Foundation president, Henry Nash “This is just another bad decision by the Yarbrough administration. It is very obvious to me that this administration does not have a clue about how to build an athletic program or run a university. It’s ludicrous to release a coach five days before signing day”. - Danny Parrish, Atlanta- Downtown Chapter President