The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, December 09, 1991, Page 9, Image 9
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
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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
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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
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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."
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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
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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
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