Claflin Panthers open first practice as members of NCAA Division II

Members of the Claflin Panthers warm-up for their first practice of the season in Tullis Arena Friday.

As members of the 2008-2009 Claflin University Men’s Basketball Team took the floor for their first practice, Coach Ron Woodard balked jokingly, “What does it take to be number one? Three is not a number, two nobody remembers. Only one has the fun!”

The early Friday morning practice went as most first practices of the season do. There was energy, confidence and great expectations for the upcoming season – the team’s first as official members of NCAA Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. There was a need to shake off the rust the summer break brings in preparation to compete in the Trinidad and Tobago Hoops Classic in two weeks. There was the feeling of family the team has grown accustomed to.

The adrenaline of being back on the court soon gave way to fatigue, and there were a few mental mistakes, but Woodard said his team works as hard as any other team in the country, and he doesn’t expect that to change this season.

“Our first team meeting was last night,” he said. “It was so different to walk into the room and know now; we’re getting ready for another season. We talked about where we were, where we are, and where we’re going. We talked about those three elements and making the challenge. One of our challenges is we don’t want them to mentally think we are in a preseason conditioning. We want to stay away from that mindset. We’re going to do a lot of game situations; we are going to work on a lot of new strategies. I’m glad to have them back; this is my family.”

Woodard said the team feels a sense of relief since learning that their transition into NCAA is complete and they can compete in the postseason this year.

“It’s definitely a release mentally in terms of the stress, wondering whether we’re going to get in, what stage we would be – its definitely been mind boggling for everybody,” he said. “The kids have been concerned. It gives them a release and it opens a large variety of opportunities now because now we can compete in the postseason.”

Senior Jamaal Newman said he got a text message from Assistant Coach Terrence Jenkins about earning a spot in the NCAA Division II. As a freshman, Newman competed in the NAIA and has gone through the entire process of transitioning to NCAA Division II.

“It was a real burden off not only my teammates’ chest, but my chest as well,” Newman said. “As a freshman, when I first got the news that we were going to NCAA it was really tough blow. You come to school thinking you’re going to compete and play in postseason, play for the championship. It makes you take a step back and evaluate yourself and your love for the game. …Coach Woodard staying on us and driving us everyday is what made the difference. As an athlete, any time you step on the court you’re not playing for yourself. You’re playing for your teammates and you’re playing for your institution. When you think about that, it drives you a lot more.”

Dominic Johnson scores during the practice session.

The team received an invitation to compete in the Trinidad and Tobago Hoops Classic Aug. 14-16 prior to receiving its official NCAA Division II status. The twin islands, know for sports such as cricket and rugby, is hoping this tournament will be a catalyst to growing the sport there.

“They’ve been very excited about us coming over there in terms of what the University has established outside the lines of athletics,” Coach Woodard said. “We have a lot of students from that area that have attended and still are attending the University. Now, they’ll be able to relate to us from an athletic point of view. Also, going over there will open up recruiting avenue. It will be very good for us.

“I wanted our kids to be able to relate outside of their own culture,” Woodard continued. “Sometimes you have to learn how good you do have it. It’s a great opportunity because I always tell them a role model to me is a person you can physically and personally touch at any given time. For that moment, for that week, they can be outstanding role models.”

Earnest Sinkfield, also a senior, said he is excited about the trip and interacting with the people of Trinidad and Tobago and teaching the players the fundamentals of the game.

“This is my first time flying and my first trip over seas,” Sinkfield said. “I’m very excited. I expect us to go over there and I expect us to win. I don’t expect us to just go over there and have fun and just play. I expect to win over there also. Mostly over there, from what I hear, they’ve got the athleticism, but they don’t have the same skill sets like we do over here in the states. I love interacting with different cultures getting to know different people. I hope we meet the kids over there, I’d like to teach them to do a little something on the court.”

Senior guard Phillip Brown said playing in Trinidad and Tobago is a great opportunity to showcase Claflin’s ability on the basketball court.

“A lot of D-2 schools don’t get recognized for talent so it’s an opportunity for us to go out and show people that our schools can play too,” Brown said. “It’s going to be a learning experience for us and them. Basketball may not be accepted over there, but it’s a sport where everybody can play; if you don’t play you coach. This is a great opportunity for us to go out and expand the game.”

During practice, Woodard speaks to his team as a father would a son, sometimes scolding, often encouraging, always uplifting. “We’re a family,” he proudly says when asked about his team, a team that has given 100 percent on its way to the best record in team history at 24-2. He said they are approaching the upcoming season with a goal of continued success.

“The way we approach it, this is not a light switch situation,” he said. “We want the light to stay on. We’re going to work extremely hard. When we go out and play, our plan is to beat you, just like your plan is to beat us. We’re going to stay with that same concept. Our biggest challenge is bringing our new people in and making them buy into the system. Our players have to be coaches and make the new players relate and believe in the system, believe in the style and to believe in themselves. If they can do that, we’re in great shape.”

When asked what they hope the end result of their first season in NCAA Division II will be, each player confidently said winning a championship is top priority. Each member was excited to have the opportunity to play in the postseason.

“Winning a national championship, a SIAC championship, that’s our goal everyday,” Newman said. “I don’t think that a high expectation or a high goal. My teammates and I come to play everyday.”

“We got to where we were last season by working hard, so we’ll be alright,” Brown added. “I want nothing but the best – win a conference championship, win the tournament, and win a national championship.”

When asked what makes the Panthers special, Sinkfield said it’s something imbedded inside.

”We’re Panthers,” he said. “We call each other Panthers, we all talk and interact. We have fun, we joke and laugh with one another – that just brings us closer. The core of this team has basically been together for three years. We went through the tough times of losing. The year before last we struggled, we won maybe nine games. Last year we started winning and winning brings happiness anyway. This whole experience has just brought us together and made us stronger.”