Sports With Walter Moore

 
 

Heyward Makes All-CAA Team

Savannah native Robert Heyward was one of ten members of the Towson football team to be named to the 2019 All-Colonial Athletic Association Football Team for their play during this football season.

Heyward, who earned second team honors, racked up 87 tackles, including 53 solo and 12.5 for loss, adding a pair of interceptions. He had five games with at least nine tackles plus had a pick six vs. Villanova.

The red-shirt senior who played linebacker is the son of Robert Heyward and Takiyah Martin and is majoring in sports management. Hey graduated from Calvary Day School and spent the fall of 2015 at U.S. Military Prep Academy before transferring to Towson.

SSU Falls To Magicians

The Savannah State men’s basketball team traveled to Memphis, Tennessee on December 14 to play LeMoyne-Owen and came away with a 82-73 loss.

The game was tied 41-41 at the half but LeMoyne Owen started the second period with a 14-2 run to grab a55-43 advantage with 15:04 left. The SSU deficit grew to as many as 18 and they never recovered.

Robert Heyward
Robert Heyward

Rico Bonds scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Tigers while Amaru Bryant added 13 points and 8 rebounds. Justice Stanley had 12 points and 6 rebounds while Marcus Scott chipped in 10 points.

The loss drops SSU to 1-5 overall and 1-2 in SIAC play. The Tigers played at Miles on Dec. 16 and will return home on Dec. 19 to face Spring Hill.

Lady Tigers Lose In OT

The Savannah State women’s basketball team fell to 1-2 in SIAC play after suffering a 61- 55 overtime loss to LeMoyne Owen in a road game played on December 14.

The game was tied 46-46 at the end of regulation and SSU was outscored 15-9 in the extra period. The loss drops Savannah State to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the SIAC.

Celebration Bowl Is Dec. 21

Rico Bonds
Rico Bonds

The fifth annual Celebration Bowl will be played December 21 at noon from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and aired live on ABC. This year, North Carolina A&T, from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, will play Alcorn State, from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

North Carolina A&T defeated Alcorn State 41-34 in the inaugural game in 2015 and last year, North Carolina A&T defeated Alcorn State 24-22.

Westley, Former SSU Coach Dies

Former Savannah State athlete and coach Jimmie L. Westley has died. Westley, 79, died on December 13 at Candler Hospital in Savannah.

The Tallahassee, Florida native prepped at Florida A&M High School where he was an excellent point guard. He played his collegiate basketball and golf at Savannah State. Westley graduated from Savannah State in 1972 with a degree in education.

Westley had two coaching stints at Savannah State as head coach. He started his career as a head coach at SSU as the women’s head coach from 1974- 78. Under Westley, the 1977 team was ranked the third best Black College women’s basketball team in the country and produced two all Americans in Dolly Mosley and Delois Williams. He compiled a record of 74-34 during the period.

Amaru Bryant
Amaru Bryant

After serving as top assistant to Russell Ellington for four years, Westley took over the men’s program at Savannah State in 1985. After the 1987 season, with a record of 29-23, Westley left the coaching ranks and moved back to his first love, golf. Coach Westley had a reputation as a top notch golfer. He missed getting his Profession Golf Association (PGA) card by just one shot. After moving around the golf circuit, Westley again took the reins of the Savannah State men’s basketball program in 1996 and took the team through the 1997 season. In 1999, Westley re-joined Ellington on the basketball sidelines but this time at Morris Brown in Atlanta.

Westley was a member of the first Savannah State golf team in 1968 and served as team captain. He later served as head golf coach from 1973-74.

 
 

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