against Valley

By

CHUCK CORDER

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. &045; In today’s NFL there is no linebacker, maybe player, comparable to Baltimore’s Ray Lewis.

His work ethic is unmatched; his playmaking is boundless; his instincts always a step ahead; and, most notably, his tenacity is palpable.

Alcorn head coach Sam West would love it if his Braves took a page from the Ravens’ defender’s playbook.

And he would appreciate it even more if it all began in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament against top-seeded Mississippi Valley State (22-6) at 7:30 p.m. today.

&uot;There’s been several athletes in my lifetime that have exemplified the passion and the love of combat or athletics,&uot; said West, in his first year with the Braves. &uot;I think Ray Lewis exemplifies it more than any other. We’ve tried to incorporate his passion, his unbridled aggression that we want to show on defense. We haven’t had that this year.&uot;

Lewis’ sudden inspiration has also borne a new defensive scheme for No. 8 Alcorn (10-17), which ended the season with blowout wins over Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M.;

West said he wants the Braves to give the illusion six men our on the court at all times.

&uot;We’re trying to mix them up as much as we can,&uot; he said. &uot;We’d like to take them out of their rhythm, not let them catch the ball in rhythm.&uot;

The Braves controlled their SWAC destiny and made it to the Fair Park Arena. The question now becomes what will they do not that they are here.

The Devils whipped Alcorn by an average of 26.5 points in two wins this season, with the Braves compounding the issue by committing a combined 41 turnovers. But Valley head coach Lafayette Stribling said none of that matters.

&uot;That game in Lorman and the one in Valley is not going to win this ball game,&uot; Stribling said. &uot;They’re playing well and have beaten two good basketball teams that were rated preseason one and two in our conference. We have to bring our ‘A’ game. We can’t look back to Lorman and Valley. That’s irrelevant.&uot;

Valley came close to sweeping all the postseason accolades at the SWAC banquet Tuesday night. Edward Mack won the Defensive Player of the Year award, while the conference’s leading scorer Attarius Norwood won the Player of the Year award and Stribling was named Coach of the Year.

But Mack is currently on crutches after injuring his ankle Saturday and the Devils have shown a weakness for fast guards, a characteristic Alcorn’s DeAndre Jones and Trey Johnson display.

&uot;With us at the top everybody is shooting at us,&uot; said Stribling, who added starter Solomon Forbes’ toe is not a 100 percent. &uot;We’re visible and everybody is going to bring their best. If they can beat us, it’ll certainly give them a sense of accomplishment.&uot;

While Norwood, Mack and Forbes, an All-SWAC first teamer with Norwood, get the ink, it’s the play of center Willie Neal that is so vital to the Devils.

In the win against the Braves in Lorman on Feb. 14, Neal accounted for a double-double in points and assists with 10 apiece.

He has all the attributes of a patented Valley center: soft hands, great court vision and his 6-8, 240-pound frame makes him difficult to keep off the glass, West said.

&uot;Our offense goes through Willie Neal,&uot; Stribling said. &uot;He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He knows the job he’s supposed to do and does a lot of things that don’t show up in the scorebook.&uot;

Stribling seems concerned with Alcorn’s performance during this winning streak in which the Braves are shooting nearly 49 percent from the field per game and better than 45 percent from 3-point land.

West remains anxious about the turnover problems that plagued his club in its two meetings with Valley during the regular season.

&uot;The last two games we’ve done a decent job with ball movement,&uot; he said. &uot;We’re chasing perfection. Maybe you can’t tell that by our organization or by our 10 and 17 record. We want to reach excellence.&uot;

Games start at 10 a.m. today with Grambling opening against Alabama A&M.;