• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1989-01-26_Vol54_No16_11

orts The Western Carolinian Page 11 Thursday, January 26, 1989 "Poss's Pit" and the new-look Cats CULLOWHEE- When new head basketball coach Dave Possinger brings his '88-89 Catamounts on the floor before every home game the first place he looks is at the 'Pit'. (To see how many are there). Western Carolina University's newly formed spirit group, "Poss's Pit", is making a dramatic impact on the success and work ethic of the new-look basketball program, and Possinger gives credit where credit is due. 'The support of the 'Pit' has been so great." commented Possinger, "Their vocalness, cheering and upbringing has been a big help to this basketball team. Without them I don't think we could be as successful in terms of playing hard for as long as we play." The idea behind the 'Pit' was brought to Western by coach Possinger from St. Thomas Aquinas. The intention behind the 'Pit' was to revitalize an adverse situation concerning the basketball program at WCU. Student morale was down, and if WCU basketball was to rebound into an exciting commodity, the spirit of the student body had to be restored. With the help of Skip Nelloms and Kathleen Murphy, the Promotions and Advertising Department for WCU athletics was able to pick up the idea and run with it. "Our job was to create new hope, new interest and new school involvement." stated Nelloms, a Sports Management Major doinghis internship at the athletic department, "We began by distributing information about the games and upcoming schedules, while also recruiting people to join the 'Pit'". Well as it turned out "Poss's Pit" has grown from a single idea into a thriving and dominating spirit group at WCU basketball games. Membership into the 'Pit' continues to grow at an alarming pace, and at the present moment over two-hundred and fifty people lay claim to being a member, but according to Possinger "We need more". From the opening tip till the last tick on the clock, members of the 'Pit' are raising all sorts of cain. Whether its chastising opposing coaches and players, or more commonly, chanting "Poss-n-ger!" "Poss-n-ger!", "Poss's Pit" is the student spirit group that WCU basketball has never had. It gives the members an identity. "It gives you more school spirit and makes you feel good." stated WCU student and current 'Pit' member John Carswell, "I feel it is important to back the basketball team. They need the support of all the students," he concluded. Joining the 'Pit' is easy and the obligations are simple. 'There's no criteria to join the 'Pit'," added Nelloms, 'The only obligation is to buy the "Poss's Pit" T-shirt and wear it at the basketball games." Not only is the "Poss's Pit" mystique a great way to promote student involvement, but some of the prizes given away to members at every home basketball game are downright worthwhile. Such prizes include: two pair of Reebok tennis shoes (valued at $75 a pair), case of Coke, lift tickets to Cattaloochee Ski resort, two $10 gift certificates for gas at Cody's and Cullowhee Quick Stop, and several surprise gifts that include $$$$$. These are just some of the good deals going to 'Pit' members. 'The prizes will vary according to each game." stated Nelloms, "Hopefully over the next five home games, the 'Pit" will be giving away Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets and N.C. State/Maryland basketball tickets." Giving away prizes like that makes is easy to see why members of the 'Pit' are increasing in numbers at every game. But, the main reason for the growth has to be contributed to the dynamic coaching style of Dave Possinger and the effort of his new-look basketball team. The team is playing with an attitude that could best be described as hard working and relentless. A quality that was handed down to the players by Possinger and his staff. Against the best teams in the Southern Conference, Western has played each of them right down to the wire only to come up a little short at the end. But, you can make one sure bet, the WCU basketball team will play hard for the entire 40 minutes and such labor will soon bear reward. "People are to a great degree excited," says WCU Sports Information Director Steve White, " They see a light at the end of the tunnel. The style of basketball this team is playing, with so many young people playing well and seeing how he (Possinger) coaches excites everyone about the future of Western Carolina Basketball," he added. Excitement, energy and enthusiasm is making this basketball season the best WCU has seen in a number of years. The way the team is playing and the growing support of the community and "Poss's Pit" gives a nice feeling to everybody involved. If one idea may be added to this new spirit and exuberance it has to be the continued mention of more support. "We are so thankful for the community and fan support that we are getting." added coach Possinger, "But, we need more support. If we can get more people in the 'Pit' and more people from this fine community to come out to the games, then we will guarantee great basketball with 100% effort." Editor's Note: For the next 5 home games every 10 people who purchase a "Poss's Pit" T-shirt, there will be one guaranted winner IS^^I^m 110111 iinibiisi Illifill ethall'! M-'m «zi jpTtvfv»:->:->:-:-:-: 1 2,193 5. UT-ChatL 2,078 AIMirae high: 1986-NCState 8J niWiwmM m Hard Luck Basketball Catamounts return to the road in search of victory "If it wasn't for bad luck, we would have no luck at all" could be the new theme for Western Carolina University's men's basketball team. The Catamounts, 6-9 overall and 1-4 in Southern Conference play, began the second half of their season Monday evening with another heartbreaking loss - a one point defeat, 59-58, at the hands of conference leading Tennessee- Chattanooga. The loss to UTC was Western's fourth loss by three or less points this season and extended its current losing streak to three, the longest of the season. Previously, the Catamounts had lost by three (94-91) to UNC Ashville in double overtime; to Montevallo by two (66- 64); and to Appalachian State by three (60-57). Coach Dave Possinger is looking for a change in fortunes Cats lose heartbreaker to UTC by Richard Sumner Carolinian Staff Writer CULLOWHEE - With 23 seconds on the clock and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Moccasins holding a 1 point lead Catamount head coach Dave Possinger called timeout to set up the final play. "We ran a jump shot for Keith Gray. Gray didn't come off of the right screen and the play got a little messed up...They [UTC] did a good job of deflecting and getting in the way." When David Donerlson did get off a long three attempt from the right side it fell just short of the net and a long one-handed tip by Terry Miller rolled off at the buzzer to give UTC a 59-58 win over Western. The contest improved the Mocs to 4-1 in the Southern Conference holding their first place standing. The Cats fell to 1-4 in the conference and 6-9 overall placing them in the cellar of the conference race. Possinger, who desperately wanted to win at home, said "This is the toughest stretch of our schedule because now we have to go to UNC A, then we go to Furman, and then to the Citadel. We figured if we could steal one here, we'd go off just flying high. Whether these (SEE UTC, PAGE 13) when he takes his team on the road for its next three games. The trip will include games with UNC Asheville this Thursday, Furman this Saturday, and The Citadel next Monday. The Catamounts will get a chance to avenge the double overtime loss to UNCA when they meet the Bulldogs Thursday evening in the Asheville Civic Center. Since the schools resumed their series in 1986, the Bulldogs have won four of the five meetings. The Catamounts are only 5-8 in games played at the Civic Center, including losses the last two seasons to UNCA. Saturday game with Furman in Greenville, SC will also be televised beginning at 5:00 p.m. The game will be aired nationwide over cable systems carrying FNN/Score and Fami- lyNet programming. Viewers in the Sylva/Cullowhee/Franklin areas can see the game on MultiVision's cable channel 8. Furman, 8-7 overall and 3-2 on league play, has been one of the Southern Conference's hottest teams of late, after a slow start. The Paladins have won three of their last four games, all in conference play, including a road win over Marshall this past Monday evening. The Catamounts will face the Southern Conference's surprise team Monday evening in Charleston, SC. The Citadel, picked to finish seventh in this season's championship race, currently sits in second place in the standings with a 3-1 record and shows a 9-4 record. After losing to Duke and Clemson in their first two games of the season, the Bulldogs have won nine of their last 11 games and lead the nation in 3-point field goal shooting. Bennie Goettie, the 6-5 senior post player, is Western's leader in scoring (21.2), rebounding (8.3), steals (22), and blocks shots (6). Junior swing- man Keith Gray is second in scoring (13.6) and is the team's leader in free throw percentage (73.1%). Terry Miller, a junior post player, has the team's best percentage from the floor (62.0%) while averaging 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. Freshman guard David Donerlson is the 3-point field goal leader with 30 and is third in scoring with a 10.1 average. Senior guard Maurice Johnson is the Catamounts assist leader with 43 on the season. Following the three- game road trip, the Catamounts will return to the Ramsey Center for home games against Appalachian State (Feb. 4) and East Tennessee State (Feb. 6). Underdog Cats upset VMI Mirk Hukett photo Keith Gray puts his 42" vertical jump to good use at Clemson as he slams for two by Richard Sumner Carolinian Staff Writer CULLOWHEE - The underdog Catamounts of WCU found what it took to overcome the Southern Conference's third place Virginia Military Key- dets 75-71 in a strong matchup that saw WCU first year head coach Dave Possinger running in front of the student section yelling "Thank-you, Thank- you." The game marked the second victory in a row for the Cats, who are now 1-2 in the conference and 6-6 overall. Western was led by the 64 percent shooting of Bennie Goettie who ended the night with 24 points. Dave Donerlson added 16, and Terry Miller had 14 points on the night. Western shot 26 of 49 (53 percent) from the floor and 21 of 28 (75 percent) from the foul line. An impressive 70 percent from the floor in the second half brought the Cats the win. VMI shot only 42 percent (23 of 55) from the floor and 81 percent (22 of 27) from the charity stripe. The icing on the cake, however, was spread by junior guard Myron Lewis as he hit both ends of a one-and-one with (SEE VMI, PAGE 13) Lady Cats Break Slump;Look to Extend Winning Streak For a while there, things were beginning to look rough. Western Carolina's women's basketball team had lost two guards in a span of two weeks and the Lady Cats had consequently dropped three straight games. Last week, however, WCU turned things around with non-conference road wins over UNC-Ashville (59-53) and Winthrop (79-64). This week the Lady Cats (7-5 overall, 0-2 in Southern Conference) hope to continue their current streak. Western is scheduled to play Appalachian State on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., before returning home to host UNC-Charlotte in a 7:00 p.m. contest on Saturday. WCU will also host league-rival East Tennessee State on Monday at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Tony Baldwin, WCU's head coach, has had his hands full putting the Lady Cats back on track after the loss of guards Kim Williamson (academic ineligibility) and Lynn Rhymer (knee injury) during the past month. Rhymer, a senior, had been averaging almost 10 points and five rebounds a game. "We hit a stretch where losing those players really hurt us, especially with both being at the same position," said Baldwin. "We have since made some adjustments and the unit's working much better, but we're still not where we potentially could be." One of the players that has begun to pick up slack in the backcourt is Laura Vannoy, a junior guard who has averaged 17 points over the last three games. Vannoy, who is averaging 11.3 points during the season, continues to lead the team in assists (51) and steals (18). "Laura is doing an excellent job as our floor and team director plus is scoring points for us. We have to get scoring from our backcourt to play to our potential, and she has really picked up our offensive pace," noted Baldwin. Following this weekend's brief homestand, Western will travel to Atlanta, GA to play Georgia Tech before returning home for four games. Baseball Cats excel on and off the field Western Carolina University's baseball team, which has been highly successful on the diamond over the past few years, proved it can perform well off the field as well, as 12 of the 28 current Catamounts compiled 3.0 or higher grade point averages for the 1988 fall semester. In addition, the residence hall floor housing the baseball team notched a cumulative 2.78 GPA for the semester, the highest GPA of any dormitory hall on campus with the exception of Western Carolina's two Honors hallways. "I'm very proud of the way our players have performed in the classroom this fall," said WCU head coach Jack Leggett, who has guided the Catamounts to four consecutive Southern Conference Championships and four straight NCAA Tournament appearances. "We also have a very good group of student-athletes who live off cam- (SEE BASEBALL, PAGE 13) WCU SPORTS CAPSULE ^ Jan. 26 Basketball —Men vs. UNC-Asheville in Asheville, NC, 8:00 p.m. Jan. 28 Basketball—Men vs. Furman in Greenville, SC, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 Basketball—Women vs. UNC-Charlotte in Ramsey Center, 7:00 p.m. Jan. 30 Basketball—Men vs. The Citadel in Charleston, SC, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 Basketball—Women vs. Georgia Tech in Atlanta, 7:00pm ^ ^

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University’s student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1989-01-26
  • Date digitized: 2019-09-12
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 14.25"
  • Pages: 14 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1989-01-26_Vol54_No16
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library