Will the Broncos Exceed CIAA Basketball Pre-Season Expectations?!
posted by Meagan Greene | February 21, 2020 | In News, SportsAs the 2019-2020 basketball regular season comes to a close, the most exciting time for Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) basketball fans begins!
The CIAA conference is the oldest African-American athletic conference and among one of the largest in Division 2. For 75 years, the CIAA basketball tournament has been held in a plethora of cities along the east coast. At its most recent site, Charlotte, NC, the tournament is consistently one of the largest events held in this city every year.
On October 1, 2019 the CIAA released their predictions for the 2019-2020 season. While Fayetteville State University was non-existent on both all-conference lists, the women were predicted to finish second out of twelve and the men were placed ninth out of twelve. It is clear that both teams had a chip on their shoulders before the regular season began.
With this chip on their shoulder, the men quickly showed that the CIAA predicted order of finish was inaccurate.
At the beginning of the season, the Broncos beat higher seeded Livingstone (#3), Virginia Union (#4), and Elizabeth City (#6). With no preseason all-conference selections, the Broncos success has allowed them to pinch their way onto the leaderboards. Junior forward and standout, Jalen Seegars, is ranked 3 in blocked shots, 5 in 3 PT field goals per game, and 7 in scoring. Along with Seegars, Will Brown, senior center, is ranked 2 in blocked shots and Jalen Spicer, sophomore guard is ranked 5 in assists.
Although, the men put the pedal to the metal, the women had a bit of a slower start. Despite the slow start, they have held on to their #1 spot in the Southern Division, with a conference record of 11-2. The women, also with no preseason all-conference selections, are among the top players on the CIAA leaderboards. Katisha Hyman, senior guard, is ranked 3 in scoring and 4 in steals. Aminata Johnson, junior forward, is ranked 2 in blocked shots and 10 in rebounds. Chantel Williams, senior guard, is ranked 4 in assists.
It is evident that the Broncos are hungry for the title of CIAA 2020 Basketball Champions, but will they take it all?
To find out more, join fellow Bronco and CIAA fans in cheering them on in the Bojangles’ Coliseum on February 25 and 26 and in the Spectrum Center on February 27-29.
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