SPORTS
Editor: Amy Gwaltney Asst. Editor: Dan Lobdell breezesports@gmail.com (540) 568-6709
www.breezejmu.org
Thursday, April 23, 2009
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Faces in Different Places Players showcase for fans and coaches at Spring Game. Saturday’s annual game is a highlight event for the Dukes’ offseason.
By AMY GWALTNEY The Breeze
Spring Game is no longer just any ’ol scrimmage. According to JMU coach Mickey Matthews, Saturday’s crowd has potential to surpass that of regular season games 10 years ago. With a YouTube promo video, Facebook events and tailgate planned, advertising for the event has increased compared to years past. “Due to our success last year, I’m pretty sure that has a lot to do with it, just getting the exposure we got last year, a whole lot more people know about the James Madison dukes,” rising senior cornerback Scotty McGee said. “We built a huge fan base last year.” The Spring game wraps up off-season practices until their next set of practices at summer camp. It offers a chance for the team to play for the fans out of season and it offers the fans a chance to get a glimpse of next year’s team.
“I think there is so much interest in our football program now, on campus and in our community,” Matthews said. “I just think it allows our students and the community to get their JMU football fix.” New this year, the team will be playing the scrimmage in their game uniforms rather than their practice uniforms. Also, for another test among team members, the two players in contest for the quarterback position will be wearing team jerseys rather than the usual red jerseys. As Matthews likes to say, the team uses the term “reloading” rather than rebuilding. The team has experienced some position switches as well as an opening in the quarterback position sought by junior Drew Dudzik and redshirt Justin Thorpe. Sophomore Jonathan Rose will now be playing safety instead of running back and former wide receiver junior Mike Allen playing at cornerback. “He’s done extremely well over the last week or so,” McGee said. “Lookin’ at him,
>> Baseball
Walk-off Erases 10-run Deficit
you’d think he’s a natural cornerback.” to the coaches and other players that I can Hesitant at first, Allen wasn’t sure he play that position,” Allen said, “and prove to could make the swap. myself really to see if I’ve improved and how “I hadn’t really played corner very far I’ve come.” much,” Allen said. “But now that I’m here I’m glad that I switched, I actually think it’s the right position for me.” With some key losses such as quarterback Rodney Landers and cornerback Evan McCollough, the reloading process will involve a number of young players. “We have so many new faces on the team that I’m sure it’s gonna be interesting for the JMU nation to watch them under game-like conditions,” Matthews said. “We feel like we recruit good every year and when guys graduate, we have guys step in, and they may not be as experienced but they’re talented players.” Even with a performance that achieved admiration from countless fans last season, Matthews said the main focus for McGee during the spring has been to really focus on improving him as a cornerback. The Spring Game will give McGee and other players the chance to showcase their talents for the coaches to prove their ability to fill positions. “I look forward to getting out there photos by AMY GWALTNEY/ The Breeze at the cornerback spot and really showin’ I’ve developed more as a defensive back and that I am capable of holding the Junior Drew Dudzik (left) and redshirt freshman Justin Thorpe are contending for the starting spot,” McGee said. quarterback position next fall. They will play For Allen, the game means convinc- on opposing teams this Saturday for the Spring ing of another kind. Game without their protective red jerseys. “It’s another chance for me to prove
Building a Contender Men’s basketball ends recruiting with three signees
By DAN LOBDELL The Breeze
Basketball’s second season is finally over. JMU coach Matt Brady’s newly minted recruiting class signed its last national letter of intent to mark the end of a tiresome recruiting trail. Brady’s first recruiting class was a resounding success, contributing to Madison’s first winning season in nine years. The young Dukes were recognized individually as well. Forward Julius Wells and point guard Devon Moore were first and second, respectively, in Colonial Athletic Association’s rookie of the year voting. “To me, all the great freshmen we had this year,
“ We need front-court
help, there’s no secret out there about that. — MATT BRADY
”
JMU basketball coach
PAUL JONES/contributing photographer
Sophomore shortstop David Herbek slugged his ninth home run of the year. The walk-off shot sealed Madison’s 16-14 win.
By DAN LOBDELL The Breeze
A ferocious comeback by JMU baseball against Longwood resulted in the Dukes’ biggest comeback of the season Wednesday at Long Field/Mauck Stadium. JMU spotted the Lancers a 10-run lead in the first two innings on its way to an exciting 16-14 victory. Sophomore shortstop David Herbek’s walk-off three-run homer over the left field fence sealed the comeback win. “It’s my first career walk-off ever,” Herberk said. “Anywhere.” The win boosts JMU’s record to 24-18 overall heading into a home conference series this weekend against Georgia State. Madison was able to overcome a shaky start by junior righthander David Edwards. With the wind blowing to left field, Edwards gave up three home See BASEBALL, page 13
they were college ready but we didn’t know it until we threw them into the fire,” Brady said. Despite losing several players to graduation and transfer, the Dukes have several capable players fighting for those four roster spots. “We’re losing two pieces that had significant starting roles in our program, Kyle Swanston and Juwann James,” Brady said. “We’re adding five very significant players to the program. I view that as a very positive net gain for JMU basketball.” Perhaps the most highly regarded recruit is Darren White of Ringgold. ESPN rated him 83 on a 100-point scale in its national recruiting board, the highest of JMU signees. The explosive guard is a strong finisher at the rim, and is known for his highlight-reel dunking ability. “Darren White is an extraordinary, elite level athlete,” Brady said. “He’ll probably, from day one, be our program’s best athlete.” White led Dan River Wildcats to the Group A Division 2 state championship game. Although, he poured in a game-high 36 points to finish his career with 1,252
courtesy of TRACI WHITE/The Danville Register & Bee
Darren White of Dan River in Ringgold was named the Group A Division 2 state player of the year. He is the first in school history to win the award.
points, the Wildcats fell 77-69 to Radford. On April 5, he was named the Group A Division II state player of the year. Besides the athletic White, Madison is adding significant size with three 6-foot-10 forwards: Denzel Bowles, Alvin Brown and Trevon Flores, none of whom played this season for various reasons. Bowles was forced to sit out as an NCAA transfer from Texas A&M, while Brown, a freshman, redshirted this season. Flores, a 2008 recruit, delayed his JMU enrollment until spring 2009. “My hope is that’s gonna be the most significant feature that we’re adding to next year’s program,” Brady said. “We’re gonna have size, range, athletic ability and some level of bulk and strength. “The frontcourt, we sorely lacked it this year and it showed up in many different games. We need frontcourt help, there’s no secret out there about that.” See RECRUIT, page 13