College Basketball
EAGLES TO HOST E. STROUDSBURG SATURDAY/KUTZTOWN SUNDAY
The Clarion University men's and women's basketball teams will be hosting East Stroudsburg and Kutztown over the weekend as part of the PSAC mandated crossover games.
The Golden Eagles will take on East Stroudsburg Saturday with the women's game at 1 p.m. followed by the men's game at 3 p.m. Then on Sunday, Clarion will host Kutztown with the women's game at 1 p.m. followed by the men's game at 3 p.m.
CLARION WOMEN LOOKING TO EARN 300th WIN FOR HEAD COACH "GIE" PARSONS
Clarion's women's team will be trying to give head coach Margaret "Gie" Parsons her 300th career win this weekend. Parsons, the winningest coach in school history, is in her 21st season of coaching and has a career record of 299-231 including a record of 189-158 in now her 13th season at Clarion. She was also 110-73 in eight years at Thiel. Included in Parson record is an amazing stretch from 1991-95 that included five straight PSAC-west crowns, three PSAC titles (1991, 1993, 1994), two East Region titles (1991 & 1994) and two trips to the NCAA Division II "Elite Eight". During the stretch Parsons' record was 117-33 (78 percent) overall and 50-10 (83.3 percent) in the PSAC-West. The Golden Eagles were ranked No. 2 in the nation in NCAA Division II in 1993-94.
This season the Golden Eagles are 5-7 and are coming off their biggest win of the season, a 75-67 win over preseason PSAC-West favorite Shippensburg the 10th ranked team in the nation Wednesday night at Tippin Gym in the PSAC-West opener for both teams. Clarion is led by the senior-freshman low-post combination of senior Christina Lantz and freshman Heather Cigich. Lantz is the leading scored for the Golden Eagles with 15.9 ppg and her 8.8 rpg is tied for the team lead in with Cigich who is averaging 12.4 ppg. Junior forward Courtney Willman is adding 9.3 ppg & 5.7 rpg, while junior guards Allison Stodart and Tameka Washington are chipping in with 9.0 ppg. Another junior guard. Senior point guard Tiffany Taylor is scoring 7.1 ppg and has a team leading 41 assists.
East Stroudsburg enters the game Saturday with a record of 5-6. The Warriors are coming off a 60-49 win over Cheyney Wednesday and are led by sophomore guard Heather Wolfe (8.5 ppg & 5.4 rpg). Sophomore center Vanessa Kraft is adding 8.1 ppg & 6.1 rpg, while junior forward Tiffany Barnes has a team high 8.0 rpg to go along with 8.0 ppg.
Last season, Clarion defeated East Stroudsburg 75-52 at East Stroudsburg.
Kutztown, who will play at Lock Haven Saturday before coming to Clarion Sunday, enters the weekend with a 10-2 mark. The Golden Bears are coming off a 69-41 win over Millersville Wednesday. Junior guard Jessica Pieczynski is the leading scorer for Kutztown averaging 11.8 ppg, while junior forward Becky Savage is adding 10.3 ppg and 8.2 rpg. Sophomore forward Casey Reath is chipping in with 9.5 ppg & 8.6 rpg, while freshman center Sophia Vucetaj is scoring 8.2 ppg and pulling down 6.7 rpg.
Kutztown defeated visiting Clarion 74-61 last season.
CLARION MEN LOOKING TO BUILD OFF OF BIG WIN WEDNESDAY
Clarion's men's basketball team is looking to build off its 72-42 win over Shippensburg Wednesday in its PSAC-West opener when it hosts East Stroudsburg and Kutztown this weekend. The Golden Eagles (5-4) will be looking to string together consecutive wins for the first time in the 2001-2002 season Saturday against East Stroudsburg, who is coached by former Clarion assistant coach Mike Power.
Clarion is led by senior guard Steve Serwatka who is averaging 21.2 ppg and has hit a team-high 26 three-pointers. He is also shooting a team leading 96.4 percent (27-28) from the free-throw line. Senior forward Allen Stevens is adding 14.4 ppg and 7.1 rpg, while junior guard Rollie Smith is chipping in with 11.2 ppg and has a team-high 44 assists. Stevens is 49 points shy of becoming the 22nd player in school history to reach 1,000 points in a career. He currently has 951 points. Dale Thomas, a senior forward, is leading the team with 7.3 rpg while adding 10.1 ppg. Clarion got a boast against Shippensburg when senior forward David Shearer, who is only the ninth player in school history to score 1,000 points and grab 600 rebounds, returned from an injury after missing almost five games. Shearer is averaging 8.8 ppg and 4.4 rpg this season. The Golden Eagles also got an emotional lift Wednesday when fiery reserve forward Stephen Nesmith dressed for the first time this season after missing the first eight games with an injury.
East Stroudsburg enters the game Saturday with a 3-8 record. The Warriors are led by senior guard Juwan Justice (20.8 ppg & 5.5 rpg) and senior guard Gabe Crowley (16.5 ppg & 4.5 rpg). Sophomore guard Dave Fedorka is chipping in 7.5 ppg, while sophomore forward Jon Kelley leads the team with 8.3 rpg while adding 5.1 ppg.
Last season Clarion defeated East Stroudsburg 91-89 at East Stroudsburg.
Kutztown, who plays at Lock Haven Saturday, enters the weekend with a 2-9 record. The Golden Bears are coming off a 67-62 overtime loss to Millersville Wednesday. Arvin Kotrri, a sophomore forward, leads Kutztown with 14.0 ppg and 7.7 rpg, while freshman guard Vince Pease is adding 12.4 ppg, and sophomore guard Jeff Brickus is chipping in with 11.9 ppg. Freshman forward Bilal Salaam is adding 6.6 rpg to go along with 8.8 ppg.
Clarion topped Kutztown 69-53 last year at Kutztown.
GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES: All four games can be heard on WCUC-FM (91.7) and over the Internet at www.redzonemedia.com … People can access the Internet broadcast by going to either directly to the redzonemedia.com or by going to Clarion's homepage at www.clarion.edu, clicking on the link for athletics and then the RedZone Media logo … Both of Clarion's team return to PSAC-West action Wednesday at Edinboro and Jan. 19 at IUP … The Golden Eagles return to Tipping Gym Jan. 23 when they host Lock Haven.