[PAmedic]

I'll teach ya the one we do at the Mason's lodge

[PAmedic]

Hot Shooting Chanticleers Pick Up Ninth-Straight Win With Victory Over Flames

February 23, 2006 · Lynchburg, Va.

The Chanticleers shot an opponent Vines Center record 63.6 percent from the field and used a 35-8 run to start the second half en route to a 78-61 win over Liberty, Thursday evening, at the Vines Center.

With the victory, Coastal Carolina ups its conference record to 11-4 (17-9 overall), marking the most Big South victories by the team since the program finished with a 12-4 record during the 1992-93 season on their way to an NCAA Tournament berth.

The loss drops Liberty’s league record to 3-12 (7-21 overall); however, despite suffering the stinging defeat, the Flames did clinch a spot in the upcoming Big South Basketball Championship by virtue of VMI’s loss to Radford earlier in the evening as the Keydets finish the year with a 2-14 conference record. The Flames will be the eighth-seeded team in the championship, while their first round opponent will be determined after this weekend’s games.

The Flames jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead as a jumper by Larry Blair (Jr., G, Charlotte, N.C.) gave Liberty a five-point lead at the 17:36 mark. Liberty continued to control the pace of play over the next three minutes as a three-pointer by Blair pushed the Flames’ lead to seven points, 13-6, with 13:26 mark.

Coastal Carolina scored the next five points of the game and pulled within two, 15-13, on a trey by Steven Sexton at the 11:03 mark, but Liberty was able to fend off the Chanticleer run and maintain the lead over the next eight minutes.

A three-pointer by Evan Risher (So., G, Fort Worth, Texas) gave Liberty a three-point edge, 30-27, with 3:48 left to play in the opening period; however, Coastal Carolina was able to take its first lead of the game over the next two minutes with a 7-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer by Jack Leasure at the 1:34 mark. The two teams traded baskets over the next 60 seconds, while Blair knocked down a three-pointer with just three seconds left on the clock, trimming the Chanticleers’ halftime lead to two points, 37-35.

A lay-up by Rell Porter (So., F, Pittsburg, Texas) and a pair of free throws by Risher kept the Flames within three points to open the second half, but Coastal Carolina continued to keep their hot-shooting hands, reeling off a 22-2 run to take a 23-point lead, 64-41, on a Leasure three at the 9:27 mark.

Blair sank a pair of free throws 16 seconds later, but the Chanticleers completed the impressive second half opening run by scoring eight-straight points, taking a 29-point edge, 72-43, on a lay-up by Colin Stevens with 7:05 left in the game. The Flames managed to close the game on a 17-2 run over the final three minutes to shave the margin of victory to just 17 points.

Both teams were red hot from the field as the Chanticleers finished the opening period shooting 61.9 percent from the field (13-of-21) and Liberty shot 56.5 percent (13-of-23). But the second half was a completely different story as Coastal Carolina was able to maintain their hot shooting as the visitors upped their percent by shooting 65.2 percent (15-of-23) in the second half, while Liberty finished the decisive second period shooting 32.0 percent (8-of-25).

Coastal Carolina placed four out of five starters in double figures as Leasure led the way with 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, while Pele Paelay followed with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Stevens chipped in with 12 points and Moses Sonko rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 points.

Blair paced the Flames with 17 points, aided by a 3-of-5 performance from three-point range, while adding three steals. Porter netted a career-best 14 points as he finished the game shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line.

Both teams conclude their regular-season schedules on the road this Saturday as Liberty travels to face High Point at 7 p.m. in the Millis Center, while Coastal Carolina squares off against Radford at the Dedmon Center at 7 p.m.

[PAmedic]

this looked like a very nice tribute to a classy guy:

The Athletic Department honored Jerry Edwards (pictured in center),
the “Voice of the Flames”, at halftime of the Coastal Carolina game
on Thursday as he is completing his 25th year of broadcasting Flames Athletics.

[TallyW]

The new AD looks kinda out of place. I'm not picking on him at all... it just seems funny. He just moved up here 2 days ago and he's out there next to a guy being honored for being 'The voice of the flames' for 25 years and the guy who founded the place. He's kinda like... "Hi, I'm the new guy."

Maybe I'm just out to lunch... but it just strikes me as a funny picture.



He's going to do a great job here though... I'm excited with him on our team!

[PAmedic]

couldn't ask for a better photo op, though. I can here the photog's instructions- "ok- new guy: just stand there and look pretty" "and keep your mouth shut- let the Doc do the talking"

[Hold My Own]

How about Jeff Meyer on the screens at halftime for the Edwards celebration....this ought to go over like a lead balloon, I doubt this is the last we heard about that

[TallyW]

More detail please HMO... many of us didn't see it.

Thanks

[fsn32]

Tough game... but it was a lot of fun doing the tribute to Jerry... what a great guy and broadcaster... I owe a lot to him.

As far as the Meyer thing... I don't think it was a big deal. Regardless of any controversy, he was our coach for 16 years, so playing a tribute to someone he worked with isn't an issue. As far as I was told, Coach D was aware and didn't have a problem with it.

[Hold My Own]

As mentioned they did a tribute to Jerry Edwards and they had I believe 2 guest speakers screens congratulating him on 25 years, 1. Chuck Burch (our former AD) and 2. Jeff Meyer....it was about 3-5 minutes each, there were several jaws that dropped when they saw that, I couldnt help but to look at JF which was lovely...but he's still friends with several people on this board and I understand that, but I think the "discuss everything coaching" thread proves that there is STILL ALOT of feelings from both sides, why would whoever put this video together want to even try and put gas within even 100 yards of a fire


I agree, although I think we could have round someone else up that's on staff maybe yourself b/c you've been here forever and he's helped shape you, whoever just nobody with controversy........you don't want the attention being taken away from Jerry Edwards and that's what happened, I really don't care either way I actually started laughing when I saw it and showed the friend I was with and his reaction was "no way"

It's just smart business, here's the way I look at it...If Jeff Meyer was on there and someone else was would there be people sending emails tomorrow saying "I cant believe you didnt put JM on"....simple, no....but now the other way, I promise you JF is going to get a few calls and emails

As far as Coach D goes......

[guest]

The tribute also included video congratulations from Brian Barnhart-voice of Illinoise basketballand football, and Kevin Keyes...he was instrumental in starting the radio broadcasts in the early days.

[nickrichard]

I don't see the problem with having JM at halftime. Remember, this was about Jerry Edwards, not RD. Jerry and Jeff were, and still are very good friends. I thought it was appropriate to have Jeff say something on behalf of Jerry.

[Hold My Own]

I don't see the problem with having JM at halftime.

Tell that to JF after his hands cramp up from emails

Coach D was one of the main people to come up with the idea to honor JE....he indeed was approached about JM being on there, but was NEVER asked to say anything himself...I believe some people have a problem b/c JM was on there with no signs of RD

Regardless of if you had a problem with it or didnt have a problem with it, that's not the point...I didnt have a problem with it (if RD was on there as well, since he is our current coach), but you don't make decisions on things only you have problems with, you have to look at the big picture, Like i said before if JM was not on there nobody would have thought any differently, in contrast with him actually on there, now some people are going to send emails and call...you make the choice...it really doesnt matter and I don't know why I've spent as much time talkin about it as I have, it shouldn't have surprised me

thats the way some roll at LU

[grm]

I was watching on my computer (whatever you call the process ... simulcast, live stream, whatever) and I saw the JM part, and found it interesting that it was done, but.... . I guess if he's Jerry Edward's best bud it makes some sense. No real big beyond that, but administratively, I do agree with HMO that you might want to avoid controversy unless there is a very good reason not to.

[viper30]

I think LUconn's questions about the coastal carolina game were all answered Thursday night, and others came about. The team showed up well in the first half, but just didn't have the juice left to finish strong. Also, while the students were slightly stronger in attendance, I think the Winthrop win was a little too late to resuce the poor attendance overall this seaosn by the student body.

Other questions, which have alreayd been raise dby many of you about JM at halftime. I can personally guarantee, as has alreayd been mentioned, that RD was well aware of his being involved in the process long before it ever coompletely took off. He was also approached again post-game and again confirmed it was a non-issue to him. RD is smart enough to know that in the midst of this tough seaosn, he's got a lot of other things that should be on his mind, including...

The refereeing community has had enough of RD and his sidelines antics. Granted, the call which led to RD's 1st hald Tech. was a bad one by the official (should have been a jump ball; Eck didn't even have full possession of the ball, therefore negating the possibility of the travel.) But, seirously, is it RD's goal in lif enow to get a T in every game. I have it on extremely solid ground that referees league-wide are fed up with it, and I personally am about fed up with his incompetence as a coach.

[viper30]

Concerning JM, I wonder if TF, not JF, was more the more concerned 'F, and only for his own reasons.

[Guest]

ask JF sometime what he thought about it, I think you'll get a good laugh (if he knows you well enough to be honest which from your previous post makes me think he doesnt)

I'm sick and tired of officials coming in here and trying to make a statement, what's funny is I pointed that official out before the game and said "watch what happens this officials going to do something before the games over" and there we have it just a few minutes in the ballgame, what a joke, and I don't know if you noticed but I think the team responded very well after the T...I rather have a coach stand up for a team rather than sit on his thumb and just take it....there have only been 1 or 2 home games where there has been good officiating, that's no home court advantage at all

although I do know first hand that TF and JF both share similar feelings on the matter

JF developed a strong opinion when Jeff came up here and held a meeting just a few years ago

[Hold My Own]

Viper I'm sorry if you took it personal as an attack on the half time presentation that you put together, it wasnt...I just think it could have saved you a few headaches if you would have went in a different direction after RD came to you with the idea of doing something for JE

as far as your comments on RD....be careful being on staff and blasting people on here

[PAmedic]

also, a preview of the upcoming BSOUTH tourney at the beginning of the piece.

Its sorta scathing but he's earned that right!

LU earns final spot in tourney

http://newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellit ... th=!sports

By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
February 24, 2006

In the greater scheme of things, Thursday night's 78-61 loss to Coastal Carolina at Vines Center meant very little for Liberty.
The greater meaning came from an hour away in Lexington, where Radford held off VMI to end the continuing drama of who will finish eighth in the Big South Conference race.

That spot goes to Liberty. No matter what the Flames do in their regular-season finale Saturday at High Point, they'll be the eighth seed when the tournament tips off Tuesday.

The only question is the opponent. That will be decided Saturday night when Winthrop and Birmingham-Southern meet in Alabama. The winner of that game will take the regular-season conference championship and host the Flames (7-21, 3-12 Big South) in the quarterfinals.

"It's good news, but we've got to keep loose," Liberty guard Larry Blair said. "We barely made the tournament. But we did what we had to do to make the tournament. We've just got to look at the positives."

Now comes the smaller question, the one dealing with consistency, something Liberty has had very little of this season. The Flames haven't won back-to-back games all year and knew it would be tough to pull the feat against the streaking Chanticleers, who ran their longest win streak in a dozen years to nine straight.

Three nights after pulling off their signature win of the season, an upset of the then-Big South leading Eagles, the Flames came out hot and led by as many seven before Coastal Carolina (17-9, 11-4) settled down.

Liberty led 30-29 until reserve forward Eric Bigby came in for two disastrous possessions. He overcompensated on defense lunging for a steal and allowed little-used CCU forward Chad Ferguson to score an easy basket to give the Chanticleers their first lead.

Not 10 seconds later, Bigby was called for a moving screen for both an offensive foul and a turnover.

"It was disappointing for anybody to come in and have three breakdowns - it was three because he could have had a basket on Evan (Risher's) penetration (on the previous possession)," LU coach Randy Dunton said. "It's an unacceptable level of concentration."

Coastal hit a free throw, forced another turnover and took the lead for good when Jack Leasure got hot and scored his team's final eight first-half points. He finished with 24 and was one of four Chanticleers in double figures.

"We were just setting good screens and reversing the ball quickly and getting good shots," Leasure said. "I just happened to be the one taking them."

A Blair 3-pointer allowed the Flames to pull within 37-35 at the break, but the defensive breakdowns at the end of the first were an ominous sign.

The Flames got within 42-39 on two Risher free throws with 18:03 left, but Coastal went on a 30-4 run over the next 11-plus minutes to turn the close game into a laugher. During the game-defining run, Coastal waltzed in for uncontested layups and easy backdoor looks as Liberty played stagnant, uninspired defense. The Chanticleers led by as many as 29 before the Flames' walk-ons began to outplay Coastal's deep reserves in the closing minutes.

"It worries me a great bit," said Blair, who scored a team-best 17 points for LU. "We've got to make sure it doesn't happen from here on out. Because now, it counts."

The Chanticleers were superior in their execution, especially in the second half, and shot 63.6 percent for the game. And as good as Leasure was in shooting the basketball, he might be more impressive in how he cuts and moves away from the basket, Dunton said. Coastal ran its motion beautifully, and Liberty just couldn't keep up.

"Early in the year, we had everybody trying to hit home runs," CCU coach Buzz Peterson said. "Everybody was trying to do the spectacular thing, and they were making turnovers and everybody was just doing things uncharacteristic. Once we settled down ? we started running our offense and it's really looked good."

[Coach Dunton]

Let's not forget the real reason for the presentation is that a man has been dedicated to producing and calling 25 years, yes, that is 25 years of Flames athletic broadcast. Don't taint the honor bestowed with our 20/20 hindsight critical analysis. Viper30 love to talk to you about officating and you inside contacts to the officiating community. The crew at Radford was criticized by the head of officials for the Big South and we have a professional process for evaluation. The call on Eck is clearly a foul so until you review film maybe your opinion would be classified incompetence.
coachdunton

[grm]

Amen!

[TDDance234]

Fed up with antics? Our guys were getting mugged all game long but Doug came in the game, took a breath and got 3 calls against him.

Yes, we're in the midst of a 7-21 season and yes, we were playing the hottest team in the conference.. but if you're going to let them bang at one end, let them bang at the other. Basketball has turned into such a touchy-ticky-tack sport, where there is a call on every posession. Let them play!

RD gets a bad rap because he's the coach of a Christian school and shows a little passion on the sidelines. Our boys were getting beat up and he took a stand. We all get caught in the heat of battle. I'm not a professional but the T from the game on Thursday as about as pointless as I've ever seen.

[Hold My Own]

very good post RD

Good Luck Recruiting this weekend, snag us a big'um

It's ok TD, you'll get used to some people still being bitter up on the Mtn...it'll take time for everyone to get on the same team

I love the way the team responded after the T....it seemed like they liked the fact that he's willing to go to battle for them...I much rather have that then someone who sits on their thumb and lets his players get beatin up and the officials are always right with their no calls

[Guest]

very good post RD

Good Luck Recruiting this weekend, snag us a big'um

It's ok TD, you'll get used to some people still being bitter up on the Mtn...it'll take time for everyone to get on the same team

I love the way the team responded after the T....it seemed like they liked the fact that he's willing to go to battle for them...I much rather have that then someone who sits on their thumb and lets his players get beatin up and the officials are always right with their no calls

I just about fell on the floor when I read the coaches reply. I can't believe a coach would call a fan incompetent and then get applause. As the head coach, you need to be above this. I am surprised any coach would get on a message board let alone go after one of the posters. Strange. Also, I can't believe that no one mentioned on here the lack of judgment in getting that technical at Radford when it was such a close game. Even great x and o coaches need to be kept in check when they have bad judgment.

As for Hold My Own... it doesn't take much reading on here to figure out that you are friends with the coach, and that’s fine, but it is clouding your judgment. So enough with the "Lord of Discernment" mentality. You are as biased as some of the people you go after.

I'm not sure who made who the Almighty Ruler of the Message Board and Revealer of IP addresses... but the act is tired.

I have been lurking on here for a month or so and just couldn't hold my tongue anymore.

If someone is lobbing unfounded personal attacks, then fine, but otherwise dummy up and let people say their minds. Just because they disagree with you is no reason to try and "out" a poster.

Only at Liberty would someone feel holier than everyone to the point of coming across this arrogant and "all knowing.”

[Sly Fox]

Stopping lurking and throw yourself completely into the discussion. Go ahead and register and bring your viewpoints out in the open.

This place isn't a secret society and we're not a big band of cheerleaders (although I admit it comes across that way at times). All viewpoints are welcomed as long as they don't get too personal in nature.

[fsn32]

I agree with Sly... it helps to register... even if you don't want people to know who you are it still is good to register... heck I don't know who the majority of the people on here who ARE registered.

I do agree with one thing the guest said and actually had talked to Sly about this... we need to be careful throwing around IP addresses and assuming who is who. Like at my house, I have friends and students who come over all the time and use my computer... people can also share a wireless connection, or as I found out a week ago, sometimes people use your wireless internet from the apartment next to you. After finding out about that I quickly learned the art of password encryption.