Olde Hornet
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http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/NEWS/StorySportspettway18o.htm
Alvin Pettway's career at Alabama State apparently is over.
The Hornets' senior center tore the ACL tendon in his right knee in a game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last Saturday. ASU head coach Rob Spivery received word earlier this week that Pettway wouldn't be able to play again this season.
Spivery said there are no other options.
"He used a medical redshirt in his first season here for the same thing," said Spivery. "I believe he's done. There's absolutely no chance of him coming back this year and there aren't any more options available. I think it's over."
Spivery said even a good run by the Hornets in the postseason wouldn't allow Pettway to return.
"This is going to take several months to rehab. I wish I could say there was a possibility, but there's just not. He won't be playing for us again," Spivery said.
Several attempts to reach Pettway on his cellular phone on Friday night were unsuccessful.
The chore now for the rest of the ASU basketball team is to move on and somehow try and replace Pettway.
"We're going to let Derrick Russell start in Pettway's place," said Spivery. "He's been playing really well and coming into his own. Mike Green will back him up. Against Mississippi Valley State on Monday, those two combined for 21 points and 10 rebounds. So, there's definitely some talent there."
But even while Spivery is trying to be optimistic, he can't help but see the gapping hole left by Pettway.
The loss of Pettway comes as ASU was starting to hit its stride.
The Hornets enter today's game at rival Alabama AM at 7-7 overall and 4-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs are 5-7, 2-2. The game has been moved to Von Braun Center.
The women will play at 3:30 p.m. followed by a National Developmental League Basketball game. The men will cap off the evening at approximately 8:30 p.m. The game can be heard locally on WVAS-FM 90.7.
One of the keys to ASU's good start in conference play has been the steady improvement of point guard Malcolm Campbell.
Last year, Campbell drew criticism from Spivery for his inconsistent play and out-of-control style. This year, according to Spivery, Campbell seems to have a better understanding of his role in the offense.
"He's controlling the tempo of the game now," said Spivery. "That's what his job is and he's been doing it well."
Spivery said the Hornets would need more of that good play today against Alabama AM. However, he also admitted he has no idea what to expect tonight.
"It's a rivalry. Each team will give its best performance," he said.
While Spivery is dealing with the first serious injury of the season on his team, ASU women's coach Freda Freeman-Jackson has become an old pro.
In all, four players that Freeman-Jackson was expecting to contribute this year are out for the season.
"It's really been a struggle for us to overcome all of the injuries," Freeman- Jackson said. "All of the players we have out were expected to get a lot of playing time this year."
Three of those players -- Katina Daniels, Elma Stevenson and Tawana Harris -- have torn ACL ligaments. Forward Vickey Pouncey will miss the rest of the season due to family issues.
But the injuries haven't led to the Lady Hornets backing down from any of the expectations they had for this season.
"Injuries are a part of the game," Freeman-Jackson said. "You just have to play harder. The ball keeps rolling. We will too."
Four games into the conference season, a three-team race for the SWAC regular-season title is taking shape between ASU, Grambling State and Southern. The Lady Hornets are 4-0, while Grambling and Southern are both 3- 1.
"I think whoever wins this conference is only going to have one or two or maybe no losses," Freeman-Jackson said. "It's very important for us to stay focused and not have any slip ups along the way. One slip up could cost us the conference title."
The most obvious chance for that slip up comes today, according to Freeman- Jackson, as her Lady Hornets play rival Alabama AM.
"This is a rivalry game so records don't matter," she said. "It's always a dangerous game when the other team is going to come after you with all they've got."
Alvin Pettway's career at Alabama State apparently is over.
The Hornets' senior center tore the ACL tendon in his right knee in a game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last Saturday. ASU head coach Rob Spivery received word earlier this week that Pettway wouldn't be able to play again this season.
Spivery said there are no other options.
"He used a medical redshirt in his first season here for the same thing," said Spivery. "I believe he's done. There's absolutely no chance of him coming back this year and there aren't any more options available. I think it's over."
Spivery said even a good run by the Hornets in the postseason wouldn't allow Pettway to return.
"This is going to take several months to rehab. I wish I could say there was a possibility, but there's just not. He won't be playing for us again," Spivery said.
Several attempts to reach Pettway on his cellular phone on Friday night were unsuccessful.
The chore now for the rest of the ASU basketball team is to move on and somehow try and replace Pettway.
"We're going to let Derrick Russell start in Pettway's place," said Spivery. "He's been playing really well and coming into his own. Mike Green will back him up. Against Mississippi Valley State on Monday, those two combined for 21 points and 10 rebounds. So, there's definitely some talent there."
But even while Spivery is trying to be optimistic, he can't help but see the gapping hole left by Pettway.
The loss of Pettway comes as ASU was starting to hit its stride.
The Hornets enter today's game at rival Alabama AM at 7-7 overall and 4-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs are 5-7, 2-2. The game has been moved to Von Braun Center.
The women will play at 3:30 p.m. followed by a National Developmental League Basketball game. The men will cap off the evening at approximately 8:30 p.m. The game can be heard locally on WVAS-FM 90.7.
One of the keys to ASU's good start in conference play has been the steady improvement of point guard Malcolm Campbell.
Last year, Campbell drew criticism from Spivery for his inconsistent play and out-of-control style. This year, according to Spivery, Campbell seems to have a better understanding of his role in the offense.
"He's controlling the tempo of the game now," said Spivery. "That's what his job is and he's been doing it well."
Spivery said the Hornets would need more of that good play today against Alabama AM. However, he also admitted he has no idea what to expect tonight.
"It's a rivalry. Each team will give its best performance," he said.
While Spivery is dealing with the first serious injury of the season on his team, ASU women's coach Freda Freeman-Jackson has become an old pro.
In all, four players that Freeman-Jackson was expecting to contribute this year are out for the season.
"It's really been a struggle for us to overcome all of the injuries," Freeman- Jackson said. "All of the players we have out were expected to get a lot of playing time this year."
Three of those players -- Katina Daniels, Elma Stevenson and Tawana Harris -- have torn ACL ligaments. Forward Vickey Pouncey will miss the rest of the season due to family issues.
But the injuries haven't led to the Lady Hornets backing down from any of the expectations they had for this season.
"Injuries are a part of the game," Freeman-Jackson said. "You just have to play harder. The ball keeps rolling. We will too."
Four games into the conference season, a three-team race for the SWAC regular-season title is taking shape between ASU, Grambling State and Southern. The Lady Hornets are 4-0, while Grambling and Southern are both 3- 1.
"I think whoever wins this conference is only going to have one or two or maybe no losses," Freeman-Jackson said. "It's very important for us to stay focused and not have any slip ups along the way. One slip up could cost us the conference title."
The most obvious chance for that slip up comes today, according to Freeman- Jackson, as her Lady Hornets play rival Alabama AM.
"This is a rivalry game so records don't matter," she said. "It's always a dangerous game when the other team is going to come after you with all they've got."