The FAMU basketball program is steadily inching its way toward the beginning of the 2004-2005 season.
Both the men’s and women’s teams got the opportunity to evaluate themselves thus far on Saturday in the Midday Explosion, also known as the Orange and Green Scrimmage.
The Lady Rattlers kicked off the afternoon with their inter-squad game.
With each team balanced with both starters and reserves, the green team got off to a quick 9-3 lead behind the effective passing of senior guard Tene Miller.
Miller was able to set up senior forward/center Elana Greene and senior guard/forward Charon Williams with good assists both in the paint and out on the perimeter.
“I think we had a very productive performance,” Williams said.
“We just wanted to see how well we are as a team.”
The women’s team, which includes six freshmen, looked to work out the kinks in their offensive and defensive sets before their season opener Nov. 21 on the road against University of Kentucky in Lexington.
Although both teams made several small mistakes, including the inability to convert several easy lay-ups and short jumpers, the green team led 37-27 at the half.
In the second half, several of the Lady Rattlers switched teams to allow the players to get comfortable playing with their other teammates.
In addition, the game clock continued to run throughout the second half, which made the half proceed quicker.
The clock seemed to dictate the play of the rest of the game as the game ended with a 47-32 victory for the green team, who held their counterparts to just five points in the half.
“I think we look good as a team for now,” Williams said.
“Our freshmen stepped up and the seniors showed that they’re seniors.”
“But we do have a ways to go.”
Continuing with the afternoon, the men’s team took to the court for their scrimmage.
The Rattlers, like the women, have new faces in new places including junior forward Darius Glover.
Glover, a transfer from Olney Central in Illinois, is recovering from double hernia surgery.
“I feel good, but I wanted to play,” Glover said.
“I should be back in a few weeks, two at the most.”
The beginning of the game saw a fast up and down pace with plenty of bodies banging.
Sloppy play; however, in addition to poor free throw shooting and a running clock led to low15-9 first half score.
“This game was really just to give the guys an opportunity to play,” said head coach Mike Gillespie.
“It gave the redshirts and freshmen a chance to play in front of people.”
While each Rattler is still trying to learn his role on the team, Gillespie pointed out that he wanted to see some improvement.
“Our execution is a problem right now,” Gillespie said.
“We’ve only had 12 days of practice and we have some new guys around, but we need to improve on that.”
Contact LeMont Calloway at thefamuansports@hotmail.com