Post Game Quotes (CIAA Tournament First Round Action) - WINSTON-SALEM STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Feb. 25, 2004

Virginia State's First Win In CIAA Tourney Since 1998

General Comments by VSU Head Coach John Hill "I felt really good about the game coming in, as of course, we knew we had a size advantage...and we were going to do everything that we could to make sure that we did everything that we could to use that size advantage to our benefit...I thought that Winston-Salem State does a great job, which they have always done, since Coach Stitt has been there, of digging into the post, and getting into the passing lanes to prevent our inside game...so we were trying to make the adjustment to throw the ball over the top as opposed to making bounce passes...and I knew that they would come back, and they showed the resiliency of a team that has won CIAA championships, and we played this team last year...this is a game that we felt we should win, as we felt last year, and we didn't get it done last year, but did get it done this year...the difference is that this year we were a lot tougher with a lot more experience."

Was there an adjustment after WSSU turned up pressure? "Not really....we knew they would make a run at as, and we were, luckily, able to hold them off and we made our free throw shots....that was big for us."

Revenge factor after losing last year? "Not really...but it was big because we haven't won a game in the tournament since 1998, so this is a big win for us."

Avis, why were you so successful on defense? "Well, I relied on my teammates to force those players to me...they did a lot of pump faking tonight, and I knew that they were going to try to get me to block their shots and draw fouls, so I didn't jump tonight....I guess their coach told them that I was a shot blocker and that I was going to try to go out there and block shots...so I just waited until I saw them jump, and then I went up, and because they are smaller than me, I was able to block some of them."

Coach It Was An Unusual lineup in second half tonight...comment "We have some young people that can come off of the bench, and some of them don't get a ton of time for us, but would see a lot of minutes on other teams...that helps us, they know to make the best of the time when they get in...and I guess we just go with the kids that are playing well, and that is what we did tonight."

LeGreg how far can you go?(To LeGreg Harrison) "Far...I think that teams that are well balanced win championships, and I think that is us...I can get like eight some nights, and Avis can get eight and maybe Kanadi [Hall] can get like six...we know when we need to step up, and sometimes we just know we have to spread it around...no one has to be the man all the time..that is the balance that makes us good."

How did you adjust to the WSSU double team (LeGreg Harrison) "Well, I can't take credit for the good adjustment to beating the double team...Coach Taylor, Lamont Taylor, he is always telling me, and he has helped me grow up a lot, with my decision making...I still make a couple turnovers here and there but we told me they were going to come with double teams, and when they come with the double team to take a dribble back out and throw it to where the double came from...that worked...I have to thank him tonight."

Kanadi, a jr., first ciaa win. What does that mean?(To Kanadi Hall) "I mean it meant a lot...and hopefully we can win some more this year, and next year...its definitely more fun to win."

General comments from WSSU Head Coach Philip Stitt "Its probably clear to everybody in here that we lost the game in the first half...we got off to a slow start, and got down, and dug ourselves a hole, and that has happened a lot this year, with such a young group....but I was proud of them in the second half how they battled back and I think we might of cut it to one a couple times and we had a shot and it rolled out, and that hurt us...I can't fault the effort, and you have to give credit to Virginia State, they played well and are a good team..it was again, a tale of two halves, and unfortunately, in the game of basketball, you have to play two halves and we didn't tonight."

What sparked the second half spurt? What did you say at halftime to get them going like that?" "I think that everybody realized that it was a really poor effort on our part...and we told them we needed to step it up, and Vince [Sessoms] really played his butt off tonight, and left it all on the floor...we are proud of him for that, we just wish that we were all on the same page."

Why the 2-3 zone? (To Philip Stitt) "We had to do something..it was a lot like the game up at their place...We didn't play in the first half there either."

Vince, in 2nd half you seemed to realize the finality of the season. Elaborate "I just wanted to go hard, I am a senior and I knew it was one and done."

How tough was their height in the paint? (To Vince Sessoms) "Real tough...Avis [Wyatt] is 6'10"..that causes problems, so we went hard at him and got him to pick up some fouls trying to block shots..unfortunately it wasn't enough."

What did you think was the trouble tonight (To Rashad McGee): Audly and Vince were setting the pace for us, and when they got in foul trouble, that hurt us.

Vince Sessoms: "We, as a team, knew we were a lot better team than we showed in Petersburg, and that's what we wanted to do tonight (Vince) but we couldn't..we are a small team, and we pride ourselves on defense. It is something that we have to do, and we played good, hard D in the second half, but it wasn't enough."

Sum up the Season Coach Stitt: "Off to a great start, and more than likely we were playing above everyone and our own exspectations. After Queens we were up and down, and we played below our expectations. Being so young, seven freshman and sophomores and 16-12. That's ok, get a few pieces and see where it goes."

Vince sum up your career: "A Long 5 years. But it did pass fast. Grateful to Coach Stitt to be able to play with guys like Larry Patterson and Marcus Best and I'm sad to see it come to a close, but the memories will be great."

Jay, sum up your career: "It was fulfilling to learn about the game...I'm grateful to Coach Stitt and Coach Duckett..I get my degree...they take you as a boy and make you a man."

Men's Basketball