MEAC hoops showdown set for Saturday
The spotlight will be at Norfolk State on Saturday as the Spartans host the Howard Bison in a MEAC regular season basketball showdown, a rivalry game between two of the conference’s top teams.
“It’s a rematch of the last three championship games,” stressed Norfolk St. WBB Coach Larry Vickers to reporters, including the MSR during the Jan. 22 bi-weekly coaches teleconference.
Howard Men’s Coach Kevin Blakeley added, “(It’s) a good healthy rivalry.”
Saturday’s scheduled men-women’s doubleheader will feature some of the MEAC’s top performers this season: Howard freshmen Blake Harper (men’s) and Saniyah King (women’s) – the two Bison players have won multiple rookie of the week honors, including this week; Diamond Johnson and Kierra Wheeler stars for the Norfolk St. women team.
Johnson had eight steals against Morgan State and averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 steals and 5.5 rebounds in a 2-0 week for the Spartans.
“Nationally people knows who she is,” said Vickers of the senior point guard, who was among the week’s top performers recognized by the MEAC.
Spartan guard Da’Brya Clark this week was named the league’s Player of the Week. She averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 assists, three rebounds and 5.5 steals, including a 25-point performance in the win against Virginia-Lynchburg.
Howard’s King led the Bison with 17 points and six assists in a win over Coppin State. Her ROTW honor this week is her eighth time winning top rookie honors this season.
Harper this week won his 11th consecutive ROTW award. He leads the MEAC in scoring (18.8 ppg) and rebounding (6.9 rpg).
“He’s an even better young man” off the court, said Coach Blakeley on Harper. But on the court, “The dude is an absolute killer,” added the HC.
Howard MBB are in first place (3-0, 8-11 overall); Norfolk State is in second (3-1, 13-8 overall). The Bison women is in second (3-0, 10-8 overall) while first place NSU also is undefeated in league play (4-0, 17-4 overall).
Finally, Vickers pointed out that although they are hosting the rivalry double-bill on Saturday, “We will need every little edge to play (the Bison). We won’t be overlooking Howard.”