LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (February 19, 2008) – Although Virginia Union defeated the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team, 108-68, Tuesday night at Manuel Rivero Hall, it did not spoil the special nights of Garrick Wooten (Baltimore, MD/Randallstown), Julian Hall (Baltmore, MD/Archbishop Curley) and Khalif Johnson. (BOXSCORE).
Wooten, Hall and Johnson were honored before the game as part of Senior Night festivities. Hall, who reached double digits in scoring for the second time in three games, along with junior Dante Blanton-Holcombe (Baltimore, MD/Dunbar) led Lincoln (3-21 overall) in scoring with 17 points each. Blanton-Holcombe has scored in double figures in 27 consecutive games. Sophomore Ladaye Johnson (Wilmington, DE/Hodgson Vo-Tech) added 16 points and Wooten grabbed 10 rebounds.
Virginia Union (19-6) had six players reach double figures highlighted by Gregg Thondique's 17 points and 14 rebounds. Also reaching double digits for the Panthers was Braxton Byerson (15 points), Greg Redford (14 points), Brandon Byerson (13 points), Tim Young (11 points) and LeMoyne Williams (10 points). In posting its highest point total of the season and handing Lincoln its worst home loss under fourth year coach Garfield Yuille, Virginia Union finished with 26 assists on 44 field goals.
Wooten, a four-year member of the Lions' basketball squad, earned the loudest cheer. Wooten has enjoyed a remarkable career at Lincoln on and off the court. Wooten was saluted for his dedication to the Lincoln basketball program, overcoming several obstacles and becoming a success story instead of a statistic.
“This night was a blessing for me,” Wooten said. “I've been through everything here at Lincoln, the wins, losses, school records and more. I just like to thank coach Garfield and Brian (Winfield), every time I felt down (during my four years), they always picked me up.”
Wooten's journey would not have been possible had judge Alfred Nance, one of the toughest judges in Baltimore, not gave the 6-7 center a second chance. Wooten was in danger of landing behind bars instead of a college classroom, but Nance was flexible and allowed Wooten the opportunity to turn his life around under one condition: That Wooten maintained satisfactory academic progress. Nance was in attendance and participated in the ceremony by delivering a heartfelt speech.
Wooten did more than turn his life around over the last four years. He became a leader, and developed into a positive role model. He is on track to receive his degree in psychology in May. A member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Wooten made the Dean's List three consecutive years, received numerous academic honors, participated in several campus functions and served as a Student Leader, Student Activities Assistant and volunteered his time to work with troubled teenagers. That's just a few of Wooten's extra-circular activities.
“Honestly four years ago, I was like how am I going to accomplish all of this,” Wooten said. “My focus was to make the most of this chance because I know a lot of people from where I came from never got this opportunity. I wanted to make sure I was a perfect role model. I thank God for everything.”
While Wooten and the Lions have endured plenty of struggles and defeats during their transition from Division III to Division II, he was a part of the renaissance of the men's basketball program. With Wooten playing a solid supporting role, Lincoln advanced to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 two consecutive years, won a school record 25 games in 2006, and hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament in 2006.
Wooten is enjoying his best stretch of games in his career. He has grabbed at least seven rebounds in five straight games, including 10 against Virginia Union. Wooten also provided one of the few highlights when he threw down a two-handed dunk in the first half against Virginia Union.
Also helping Wooten during his time at Lincoln were several Lincoln administrators including Dean Thelma Ross, Dean Jerryl Briggs, Student Life and Housing Director Geneye Royal, track and field coach Cyrus D. Jones and Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. William Bynum. Wooten publicly acknowledged them during the Senior Day ceremony.
“They all took me in and treated me like one of their own,” Wooten said. “My mom, Val, has been my inspiration. I just thank (judge Nance) for giving me the opportunity to do what I always wanted to do.”
Against Virginia Union, Lincoln won the opening tip and scored the first basket, an Aaron Lloyd (Cheltenham, PA/Cheltenham) 3-pointer for an early 3-0 lead. Virginia Union took control of the game by scoring 13 consecutive points.
Wooten and the Lions will play their final home game of the 2007-08 season Thursday night when they host Penn State-Brandywine beginning at 8:00 p.m.
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