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Devilettes set for four-game homestand
By:Bill Burrus, Sports Editor 01/27/2006
The Delta Devilettes of Mississippi Valley State are in second place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and if they protect their home turf the next two weeks, they'll stay there.
Southern is in first place at 7-1, while Valley is 5-2. Jackson State and Grambling State are tied for third at 4-3.
The Devilettes host instate rival JSU at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Harrison HPER Complex in Itta Bena in the first of four straight home games for MVSU. Then Valley gets Grambling State on Monday, Alabama State on Feb. 4 and Alabama A&M on Feb. 6.
"Our biggest thing now is winning our home games since we've got four straight here. If we take care of our business at home, we'll stay right where we are in the SWAC," said Valley head coach Nate Kilbert.
The Devilettes finished 11-17 overall last season and in sixth place in the SWAC at 9-9 and were picked sixth in this year's preseason SWAC poll. They are exceeding those expectations at this point for several reasons, Kilbert said.
"We've been healthier than we've been in past years, and we have more depth. We're playing nine and 10 girls a game, and we're getting production off the bench not just rest," said the fifth-year Valley head coach. "Our chemistry is stronger and so is our guard play, especially at the point."
The Devilettes are led by sophomore forward Portia Wilson and junior point guard Christen West, who rank sixth and seventh, respectively, in scoring in the SWAC. Wilson is averaging 14.7 points per game and West 11.6.
West ranks sixth in steals (2.44 spg.), third in 3-point field goal percentage (.343) and third in free throw percentage (.767). Wilson is seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (.294) and seventh in free throw percentage (.694).
DELTA DEVILS: Like the women, the Valley men are in second place in the SWAC.
MVSU has won four straight league games to move to 6-1 - a half-game behind Southern at 7-1.
Junior guard Mike Thomas of Durant is this week's SWAC Newcomer of the Week after averaging 14 points, 5.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game during last week's two games.
The Devils rank first in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (.407), hitting 87-of-214 attempts from long range.
Newcomer Tychicus Snow, a junior point guard out of Manassas, Va., is second in the league in 3-point field goal percentage at 46.2 (30-of-65) and Stanford Speech is sixth at 42.5 (17-of-40).
Valley hosts Jackson State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Itta Bena. JSU is in fourth place at 4-3.
By:Bill Burrus, Sports Editor 01/27/2006
The Delta Devilettes of Mississippi Valley State are in second place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and if they protect their home turf the next two weeks, they'll stay there.
Southern is in first place at 7-1, while Valley is 5-2. Jackson State and Grambling State are tied for third at 4-3.
The Devilettes host instate rival JSU at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Harrison HPER Complex in Itta Bena in the first of four straight home games for MVSU. Then Valley gets Grambling State on Monday, Alabama State on Feb. 4 and Alabama A&M on Feb. 6.
"Our biggest thing now is winning our home games since we've got four straight here. If we take care of our business at home, we'll stay right where we are in the SWAC," said Valley head coach Nate Kilbert.
The Devilettes finished 11-17 overall last season and in sixth place in the SWAC at 9-9 and were picked sixth in this year's preseason SWAC poll. They are exceeding those expectations at this point for several reasons, Kilbert said.
"We've been healthier than we've been in past years, and we have more depth. We're playing nine and 10 girls a game, and we're getting production off the bench not just rest," said the fifth-year Valley head coach. "Our chemistry is stronger and so is our guard play, especially at the point."
The Devilettes are led by sophomore forward Portia Wilson and junior point guard Christen West, who rank sixth and seventh, respectively, in scoring in the SWAC. Wilson is averaging 14.7 points per game and West 11.6.
West ranks sixth in steals (2.44 spg.), third in 3-point field goal percentage (.343) and third in free throw percentage (.767). Wilson is seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (.294) and seventh in free throw percentage (.694).
DELTA DEVILS: Like the women, the Valley men are in second place in the SWAC.
MVSU has won four straight league games to move to 6-1 - a half-game behind Southern at 7-1.
Junior guard Mike Thomas of Durant is this week's SWAC Newcomer of the Week after averaging 14 points, 5.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game during last week's two games.
The Devils rank first in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (.407), hitting 87-of-214 attempts from long range.
Newcomer Tychicus Snow, a junior point guard out of Manassas, Va., is second in the league in 3-point field goal percentage at 46.2 (30-of-65) and Stanford Speech is sixth at 42.5 (17-of-40).
Valley hosts Jackson State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Itta Bena. JSU is in fourth place at 4-3.
