King’s Fork alum Ransheda Jennings, now an All-CIAA basketball standout at Chowan, is a finalist for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s Lowe’s Senior CLASS (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School) Award.

Jennings, the lone senior on the Lady Hawk basketball squad, donates much of her time around the Murfreesboro, N.C., community. She tutors at a local middle school, donates clothes, toys and food to local churches, participates in Relay for Life, works at Chowan football games and cooks at a homeless shelter. Jennings spoke to middle school students at the 2010 CIAA Basketball Tournament.

On the court, Jennings is the Lady Hawk point guard and has led CU in scoring the past two seasons. She’s averaging 13.5 points a game this year, while leading the team in assists and steals. Jennings became the fourth player in CU history to top 1,000 career points earlier this season.

Coaches, media and fans will vote through the rest of the basketball season. The winners will be recognized at the 2012 CIAA Basketball Tournament in Charlotte.

To vote for Jennings, visit www.seniorCLASSaward.com/ciaa.

 

Norfolk State sophomore Ian Copeland (King’s Fork) set a Spartan program record in the weight throw in finishing second at the Coach O Invitational at Maryland-Eastern Shore on Saturday.

Copeland recorded a throw of 51-feet-11, more than three feet past NSU’s previous record.

John James (Nansemond River) tied for second in the high jump at 6-feet-8.25.

 

No. 1 Syracuse stayed perfect this season with a 73-66 win over Marquette on Saturday in the Carrier Dome.

Marquette forward Davante Gardner (King’s Fork) had nine points, on 4-of-5 field goal shooting, and five rebounds in 25 minutes.

The Orange (17-0, 4-0) led by as much as 35-12 late in the first half. Marquette (12-4, 1-2) fought back to as close as a 59-57 Orange lead with 4:34 left in the game, but the Golden Eagles couldn’t keep the comeback going.

Marquette gets three straight home Big East games starting against St. John’s Wednesday night.

 

Senior guard Andre Jones (Nansemond River) poured in 27 points after being recognized for surpassing 1,000 points in his Winthrop career, as the Eagles beat visiting VMI 91-84 on Saturday in Rock Hill, S.C.

Jones made 10-of-16 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws while getting five steals, four rebounds and three assists. Jones is averaging 18.5 points per game.

Winthrop (6-10, 3-2) plays at High Point on Thursday and at Liberty on Saturday.

 

Mount Olive College junior Andrea Jones (Nansemond River) came up big just in time for the start of Conference Carolinas play last week.

Jones erupted for 23 points, including 4-of-8 from three-point range as Mount Olive downed Coker College Tuesday night. The total was just one point shy of her previous high of 24 on Dec. 12 against Saint Augustine’s.

On Thursday night in Misenheimer, N.C., Jones again hit four three-pointers in a 22-point effort at Pfeiffer. She also added a career-high three blocked shots in the contest.

Jones is currently averaging 17.8 points per game, third best in the conference.