University of South Carolina Libraries
WHILE YOU WERE GONE ... Bradley takes Team USA to gold BY PRESTON BAINES THE GAMECOCK Team USA struck it rich July 31 when it captured the gold medal in men’s basketball with an 85-75 win over Slovakia in Riano, Italy. But this isn’t just any old Dream Team. In fact, this team has a better record than the USA Olympic team — they’ve never lost a game. It’s made up of the country’s best hearing-impaired hoopsters, who were led by USC guard Jamel Bradley in the Deaflympics. The 6-foot senior out of Beckley, W.Va., came through in the championship game with his best performance yet by scoring a career-high 33 points. The out burst by Bradley put a cap on an outstanding tournament for the Gamecock, who averaged 20.2 points per game in five contests. In the final, the “West Virginia Long Rifle” continued the trend he’s shown throughout his career — sharpshooting from long range. He knocked in four three-point ers en route to the victory. The title win retained the United States’ gold medal for yet another year. The Americans have won the gold every year they’ve competed in the Deaflympics since first fielding a basketball team in 1957. David Hamilton, Kevin Smith and Keith Westhoelter won their fifth consecutive Deaflympic gold medal. “I have to thank Jamel and Frank [Jackson] for taking over the game, and I gotta give credit to Slovakia,” Hamilton remarked as he stood holding five fingers on the medal stand,' one for each medal he’s won with the team. While this year’s competition was the fifth and final for Hamilton and Smith, it was the first for Bradley, Jackson and most of the team. Jackson, along with Bradley, got the Americans off to a hot start, scoring all 17 first-quarter points. The duo then led Team USA to a 48-30 lead at intermis sion. Team USA coasted along the rest of the way, leading by 18 en tering the final period, but the Slovaks later scored 10 straight points to cut the margin to three. Then the veteran Hamilton came through in the clutch. Hamilton knocked home a layup and a three-pointer to put the game out of reach at 81-73 with 1:42 remaining. Bradley lost 80 percent of his hearing as the result of a child hood illness. He now wears hear ing aides, which allow him to hear very well. “I see myself as a positive role model, but I’m not on an island,” Bradley explained. “Anyone in my situation can work hard and achieve what I have achieved, and that’s what I try to get across to others.” Bradley added, “My message in my time at USC and for many years when I talk to hearing-im paired students and groups is to stay positive and reach for the stars.” Over the past two seasons, Bradley is among conference lead ers in three-point field goads made and attempted. In addition to be ing the team leader in scoring last year with over 10 points per game, he became the top scoring threat two seasons ago when he was giv en the opportunity for ample play ing time by former USC head coach Eddie Fogler. Bradley helped USC compete well in the Brown a candidate for Jim Thorpe Award Gamecock senior All American Sheldon Brown is listed on the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, given annually to the best defensive back in college football by the Oklahoma City based Jim Thorpe Association. A screening committee will narrow the field to 10 semifinalists, to be announced the first week of November. The three finalists will be announced the Monday before Thanksgiving, and the award will be announced Dec. 6 at * ESPN's College Football Award Show. Brown, a 2000 first-team AFCA All-America with the Gamecocks, was also on the Sporting News All-SEC first team squad. Considered one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC, he had four interceptions last year. SPORTSI BRIEFS I Edwards makes H preliminary lists fori postseason awards H Thursday it was the Butk^H Award Watch List, and Fridav^g was the Lombardi Award \Uat(H| List for USC linebacker Kaliml^B Edwards. Eg In conjunction with the kicH^ off of the 2001 college football seH^ son. the Executive Committee the 2001 Rotary Lombardi AwaiH released an updated version of iH Lombardi Award Watch List oH Friday, which listed 81 of the tcH linemen and linebackers in thH country — including Edwards. H Edwards, a preseason AlH America selection by P/ayftoH magazine, was a consensus firsH team All-SEC player in 2000 and H third-team All-American. He waH the third leading tackier, with stops, seven QB sacks and 11 taclfl les for loss. H The Butkus Award is given tfl the nation's top collegiate lineH backer. Edwards made the lisl along with 68 others. I of individual success this sum mer. Both freshman West Streib and junior Scott Feaster qualified for the United States Amateur in Atlanta, Ga. Streib won the USGA qualifying tournament. The team will have to find a re placement for All-American Kyle Thompson, who graduated. The answer could come in freshman Mark Rominger of Switzerland, who qualified for a major championship on the ♦ SEE ROUNDUP, PAGE 14 The Gamecocks also took a hit from players graduating, losing starters Tim Whittaker, Tripp Kelly, Bryon Jeffcoat, Chris Plummer and Brennan Dees. USC also lost valuable pitchers Kip Bouknight and Lee Gronkiewicz. Head coach Ray Tanner’s an swer to the loss of players: sign ing a large amount of pitchers for this season. The Gamecocks lead the SEC in pitching the past two seasons. Men’s Golf The USC men’s team had a lot was able to help the Americans to victory and recorded the second fastest time this year in heat one. Baseball The USC baseball team lost a lot of thunder in the batting line up after last season’s super re gional appearance. Center fielder Marcus McBeth was drafted in the fourth round and signed before graduation. Other players drafted and signed after their junior year are left handed pitcher Brett Price and outfielder Michael Floyd. do, you can look back at your mis takes,” Lekote said. Former Gamecocks Marvin Watts and Brad Snyder also per formed well at the World Championships. Snyder record ed a career-best performance by making the finals of the shot put. Women’s Track and Field The Gamecock’s other suc cessful track program had its share of success in Edmonton. Demetria Washington and Miki Barber ran for the U.S. in the 4x400-meter relay. The duo BY PRESTON BAINES THE GAMECOCK Several Gamecocks past and present competed in August’s World Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Current Gamecock Otukile Lekote competed individually in the 800-meters. Much to his dis appointment, he didn’t make the semifinals of the event. However, all wasn’t bad for Lekote, as he helped Botswana set a national record in the 4x400-meter relay. “I guess this is pretty good ex perience because whatever you USC athletes take part in World Championships plenty of experience despite los ing one starter (Antonio Grant) and David Ross to graduation, as well as Calvin Clemmons and Travis Kraft, who transferred to other schools. season’s second half and the SEC Tournament. Bradley hopes to bring the suc cess he had With Team USA to the Gamecocks as the Dave Odom era begins. The team comes back with iamel Bradley, left, USC’s starting shooting guard for most of last season, averaged 20.2 points a game in the Deaflympics held this summer, special to the gamecock Student ficketQstribution Student Tickets will be distributed at the Russell House, room 205 9am - 4pm. 2001 Student Distribution ScheduleBlock Seating Schedule Boise State Aug. 23,24,27,28,29 r ~ \ Boise State Aug. 23,24,27,28 Bowling Green Sept. 4,5,6,10,11,12 \ I — Bowling Green & Alabama Sept. 4,5,6,10,11 Alabama Sept. 10,11,12,24,25,26 \ i nr., □ n « * .. „ „ \ = 36U B 3 Kentucky & Vanderbilt Sept. 24,25,26, Oct. 1,2 Vanderbilt Oct. 1,2,3,8,9,10 \j <><*.29,30,31, No,5 Florida Oct. 29.30,31, Nov. 5,6,7 \i Jj Clemson See Below /jdr H / jj Students must have your I.D. Card with you to get „ J p , . _ , . n M // /J into the Stadium with a Student Ticket. The Student Monday, September 3 - Labor Day - No Classes // // Monday, Tuesday October 15,16 - Fall Break - No Classes 1/ Section is located in the North Section of the Stadium Date Coupon Book Sales - Aug. 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 f Sections 21 ■ 34. CLEMSON GAME TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BY A LOTTERY SYSTEM. SIGN UP FOR LOTTERY WILL BE ON OCTOBER 29, 30,31, ROOM 205, RUSSELL HOUSE. WINNERS WILL BE POSTED ON NOVEMBER 2nd AT THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT OFFICE. TICKETS CAN BE PICKED UP ON NOVEMBER 5, 6, 7, ROOM 205, RUSSELL HOUSE. THERE WILL BE NO VALIDATIONS FOR THE CLEMSON GAME. Students are not guaranteed a student ticket to each game, only , Handicapped or disabled students can get assistance by calling the right to a ticket as long as student tickets are available. 777-6742.