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Monday, December 9, 1991 English bri leadership By SEAN RYAN Staff Writer "Jo Jo Jo English for three points" is heard as the smooth senior guard trots downcourt to assume his defensive position. Sometimes English, a legitimate AllAmerican candidate, makes the game of basketball look easy. But what could be easy about the 1991-92 basketball season? The first test was for the Gamecocks to adjust to new coach Steve Newton, who was hired to replace fiesty George Felton. So far, the USC squad has shown control of the nn temno offense that Newtnn has brought with him. "We have more confidence under Coach Newton," English said. "He gives a positive influence to get the players to play to their potential." English definitely seems to be doing just that English is averaging 18 points a game, and has been consistent in the first few games. He attributes his early success to off season work with former USC coach James Black. "My shot has improved, but I still need to become a better rebounder," English said of his off season work. Stephen English was born in Frankfurt, West Germany, the second of three children to Stephen and Julia English. At the age of three, his grandfather gave him the nickname "Jo Jo." "My grandfather gave nicknames to just about all of the grandchildren," English recalls, "and one day he called me Jo Jo, and it stuck." English describes himself as a quiet person who is cautious about opening up to people. "I need to get to know someone before I nru>n iit-\ In ihom " hn cqiH upvil Up W UIVIII) UV JUlUi English played his high school basketball in Columbia, at Lower Richland High School. While at Lower Richland, he helped lead his team to state championships in his last two seasons. English averaged 14 points a game his senior season before making USC his college choice. English played as a reserve in his freshman year, averaging 4 points a game. English became a starter in his second year at USC and responded by scoring 15 PIZZA HUT AT Monday 12/11 Tuesday 12/12 Wednesday 12/13 Thursday 12/14 Friday 12/15 EXPRESS DEALS include pizza and drink for only $2.49 UNIVERSITY D1 Call 777-7726 Delta S Internation; would like to congr pledg< Marisa Arroyo Brian Aycock Meredith Birmingham vj|r Kim Boyd Charles Brown Jo Felissa Carter ^ Leigh Coakley Sherri Dawkins *4i~AL ings senior into SEC points a game. His junior season was marked by incredible performances against Temple and North Carolina. In the process, English averaged 15 points in his junior season. Now, English leads an experienced team that begins its inau gural season in the SEC. He said the Gamecocks are ready to accept the challenge of playing in thennew conference. "We are looking forward to playing some of the best teams in the nation," English said. "I'm looking forward to facing tough guards like (Alabama's) James Robinson and (Georgia's) Litterial Green. The competition will help the team exceed our potential and help show what our team can do." English compares his game to the likes of Kenny Smith and Len Bias, but does not want to be compared to the two. "My goal is to set a precedence; I don't want to follow anyone." However, his real heros were with him all along. "Whenever I had problems, or when things weren't going too well, my mother and father were always there to support me," English says. Coming off a 20-13 season without making the NCAA tournament, the Gamecocks have a solid shot at making the field of 64 this season. "Our goal is to make it to the NCAA tourney, and go farther than any team in South Carolina history," English said. After the season, he anticipates graduating on time with a degree in Criminal Justice. The degree mmr koira frv kn r\nf /\n krvlr\ if fit/* may iiav^ uj us^ ^ut uii nwiu 11 uit NBA calls on English. "It's an aspiration to make the NBA, but I'm concentrating on making this a better team while I'm here," English said. "I plan on graduating in May, knowing that if I don't play in the NBA, I will have my education." Jo Jo English has accomplished many feats in his career at USC, but he wants to lead the team to an NCAA tournament. He continues to work on his skills on and off the court. English is an unselfish person that should succeed in whatever he does He is looking for ward to the SEC competition, promising, "It will be exciting basketball." raphers Wanted n valuable experience in news, sports and lire photography working for The Gamecock spaper. or visit RHUU 321. ligmaPi al Fraternity atulate the Fall 1991 e class: Malia Hensley Stephanie Holloman Victoria Pearson Timothy Peot Liisa Petersen Matrell Sanders Selvi Shanmuganathan Melissa Williams Craig Heath DEAts GIBBES COURT Pepperoni Express Veggie Express Supreme Express Pepperoni Special Beef Special SPECIAL DEALS include pizza, side salad w/dressing and drink for only $3.05! mNG SERVICES iC.AMKCOCK /48k ^hs& i. - tt- *7 If you've got something hanging around that you don't need, chances are there's someone else who will want it. The Gamecock will help you reach that person. For only $1.00 a line you can tell nearly 29,000 readers just what you have to offer. For more details call 777-4249. Advertise in The Gamecock and get results! Upu?50% Off fUp to $10 Rebate on^Lfpurchase* Rebate from Ray-Ban offer ends 12/31/91. SUNGLASSES & THINGS, INC. 5 Points (next to Groucho's) 256-3507 Outlet Pointe Mall 731 -9434 i NEW STUFF! ! R M.C. Escher T-shirts... \ H (compare at $16.00 up) from $4H95 g Cardigan Sweatshirts... jj || (compare at $38.00) our price ^ Q95 5 |j Thousands of Great Gift Ideas... | I ARMY s;oRE NAVY | ft r> *v 1 J **+ ?? _ m jm*? " File photo Senior Jo Jo English goes up for a shot against Mercer this past season. I How to free yourself from a 9 foot BOA CONSTRICTOR? Sluggish ( handle W By CHAD BRAY Staff Writer Head coach Steve Newton's Gamecocks Thursday night looked like George Felton's lackluster team that fell apart with a 2-8 finish at the end of this past season. The Gamecocks defeated Big South power Winthrop 68-56 in a very sloppy game. "We struggled, we were lethargic at times in terms of our execution and we played hard, but we didn't play with quite as much intensity or emotion as I would have liked," Newton said. USC began the game with a 19-4 run, keyed by seven steals in the first eight minutes of the game. "We got out on track early, and were in control of the game most of the night," Newton said. Coach Steve Vadendak's Eagles took a timeout with 12:16 left in the first half to re-evaluate their game plan. . "What I really liked about our performance tonight is that instead of giving up on ourselves, which would have been very easy for a young basketball team on the road, they (the Eagles) pulled it together and I thought they played exceptionally well from that point on (after the score was 19-4 in the first half)," Vandendak said. Senior guard Jo Jo English capped USC's lead with the first of his three three-pointers with 4:51 left in the first half. Winthrop then scored eight points from the free throw line off Find out more about how drug use Call the National AIDS hotline The hotline for the hearing impair This is a message from the U.S. I CALL IF YOU NEED US-. | For your safety 23 Emergency call boxes are located along paths identified in the USC Lightways Map which is available from Student Government Help Us Help You Don't abuse or misuse these call boxes. rwi H SPRING BREAK || ! PANAMA CITY BEACH ' ^ FLORIDA A J High quality beachfront accommoda- | tions for 7 exciting nights. 22 J *Round trip chartered motor coach. j Free pool deck parties, activities, & ? r| promotions. (r is Inter-Campus Programs I.D./Discount Jj Y card. 7.1 J On-location staff for complete \ fjV assistance. J All taxes, tips, & service charges | included. ^ ^5 *1*139 |* 214 k II 4 per. room I 4 per. room V K j^wnTHOUT^^Oj^TON Xi 'f CallReema 'f * Mts day or night * 544-1288 ' ARRANGEMENTS BY IRTtRCAMfVS PROGRAMS 9 iamecocks inthrop USC's 10 team fouls and ended the first half with a dramatic last second shot by 6-6, 210 pound junior forward Mark Hailey. USC ended the first half shooting 43.8 percent from the floor with a 33-19 lead. The second half began with the Gamecocks and the Eagles trading shots including a three-pointer by English with 13:08 left in the game and a three-pointer by Winthrop's sophomore forward Jamie McVay with 12:52 left. The game was marked by a reluctance from the Gamecock guards to take the perimeter shot against Winthrop's zone defense; USC only attempted nine threepointers in the game. It was also marked by sluggish play from senior center Jeff Roulston, including a over-the-back call against Roulston with nine minutes left in the second half. USC ended the game on two free throw shots by freshman guard Melvin Hartry after his impressive dribbling display with :06 left in the game. "I think we surrendered too many points in the second half, but we stood in there and did what we needed to do to win the game," English said. English lead the Gamecocks with 19 points and was three-forfour on three-point attempts and four-for-four from the line. Sophomore guard Carlo Wilkins lead Winthrop with 22 points and was three-for-four from the line. i Mr'rrm \'a 1 and AIDS are related. BEB3EDI at 1-800-342- AIDS, ed is 1-800-AIDS-TTY. Centers for Disease Control. ' WISH YOUR ROOMMATE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY! TELL YOUR BEST FRIEND YOU MISSED HER OVER THE SUMMER! niiTTi IJtLEi GAMECOCK'S PERSONALS * COME BY . RUSSELL HOUSE ROOM 323 ' OR 5 CALL 7-4249 P AND F CHARGE IT p TO YOUR VISA or MCARD.