Another athlete gone in the Queen City

Charlotte, the largest city between Washington D.C. and Atlanta, is known for two things: banking and sports.

The "Queen City" is home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers and the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, and frequently hosts ACC Bastketball games. It's also the heart of NASCAR, the sight where the sport's Hall Of Fame will be housed.

By all accounts, it's one of the best places in the nation to live. Relocate-America.com thought enough of it to name the city the "Best Place to Live In America," in 2008.

Unfortunately, it's also one of the most dangerous. Morgan Quinto Press named the city the 12th "Most Dangerous Metro Area," in 2006.

The story is the same for professional athletes in the Queen City. Many athletes, including former Charlotte Hornets guards Muggsy Bogues and Dell Curry, have fallen in love with the city and continued to live there after their playing days where over.

For others, though, the city has not been so kind.

In fact, it's arguably been the most tragically hazardous city for professional athletes off the field in the past decade.

On Nov. 16, Cherica Adams, pregnant girlfriend of then-Panther's wide out Rae Carruth was gunned down in a drive by shooting and died just days after giving birth to Carruth's child. Carruth was later found guilty of plotting her death and is currently serving time in prison for the crime.

Just a few months later, Charlotte Hornet guard Bobby Phills was killed in a car accident while racing with teammate David Wesley.

In July 2000, former Carolina Panther running back Fred Lane was shot to death during an apparent argument with his wife, Diedra.

And now, Cincinati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry's name is added to the list of pro careers, and more importantly, lives lost in Charlotte. One day after falling off of the back of a pickup truck, during a dispute with his fiancee, Henry was pronounced dead. Henry's fiancee, Loleini Tonga is from Charlotte. The couple, who had three children together, where planning their wedding prior to Henry's fall.

Battle of Baltimore- Pt. 2 The First Half

Last season, Morgan State entered the MEAC tournament as heavily favorites to roll over the competiton and into the NCAA Tournament. But they ran into a huge problem in the form of the surging Coppin State Eagles and their star point guard, Tywain McKee. McKee scored a game-high 33 points, dished out 12 assists as the Eagles stunned the Bears. The two teams renew acquaintances today with a berth in the conference championship at steak.

1st Half

- Game tied at 7 all With 12:48 left in the first half.
- So far, the game has the intensity and the emotions of a championship game. Very physical.
- Morgan coach Todd Bozeman earned himself a little attention by letting out a yell after catching a loose ball out of bounds.
-MSU's Regie Holmes starts off 4 for 6, 3 for 4 from the 3pt line; has 12 points with a little more than 5 minutes remaining in the first half.
-Holmes finishes the half on fire, with 21 points, almost outscoring the whole Coppin team. MSU leads 36-22.

MEAC Thursday

---6:27 p.m. The evening's first men's game, Norfolk State vs. Bethune Cookman is now underway. The Spartan's are up 20-13 at the seven minute mark.

--- NSU's Corey Lyons has come out hot with 13 points. Lyons is shooting 4-4 from the field and 3-3 from the three-point line.

---BCU star Clifford Reed struggles in first half w/ 10 points on 4 of 11 shooting.

Caldwell out

Change is coming to Winston-Salem State Athletics in the form of a new athletic director. WSSU sent out a release stating that Percy "Chico" Caldwell has stepped down from his post, effective immediately. Caldwell, who has served as director of athletics since 2000, will be replaced by senior female adminstrator Tonia Walker on an interim basis. More to come on this later.    

Rams run through Bison; pick up win no. 1

Winston-Salem State managed to put together its' first complete game of the season against Howard on Saturday, coming away with a 34-10 win. Having lost all three previous home games plus the season opener to North Carolina A&T, the Rams were desperate. The Rams dominated the Bison in every facet of the game.

Quarterback Jarrett Dunston had a career night, completing ll 0f 16 passes for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added a 41 yard touchdown run. Defensive lineman-turned-fullback Devven Sutton scored 2 touchdowns, the first on a 7 yard catch from Dunston and the second via a 2 yard plunge into the endzone. Sutton's two touchdown's gave the Rams a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, their biggest of the season, and the route was on. Wide receiver Bryant Bayne also had a big day, catching 4 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown. Unfortunately for Bayne and the Rams, the rest of the senior's season seems in doubt as he suffered a broken ankle late in the first half.

That was about the only bad news for the Rams, as the Bison never got closer than 14-7 in the second quarter. Now the Rams look to carry the momentum of the win with them as they travel to Tallahassee, FL to take on Florida A&M on Thursday. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU HD. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm.

And the winner is.... Jefferson

The competition for Winston-Salem State's starting quarterback decision appears to be nearing an end. According to a report by the Winston-Salem Journal's John Dell, redshirt freshman Tienne Jefferson was named the starter for the team's opener against North Carolina A&T.

At the Rams most recent press conference, Blount said that no matter who was named the starter, both would likely see time under center on Saturday.

The Rams and the Aggies will kickoff at 6:00 p.m. at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro.

Rams to name starter Thursday

Just two days before his team's showdown with North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State coach Kermit Blount admitted that he doesn't quite know who will start at quarterback on Saturday. He said either redshirt freshman Tienne Jefferson or redshirt sophmore Jarrett Dunston will be named the starter on Thursday at the Rams weekly press conference.

"It's gonna be a tough decision for us," he said. "Hopefully both guys can get a chance to play."

Dunston saw limited action last year after transferring from Temple. Jefferson has yet to take a snap in college. Blount said that Dunston was having a strong camp, but his injury helped Jefferson get into the mix.

"Jefferson showed the ability to make things happen in the offense. Both of those guys were having really great camps," Blount said.

Blount said that no matter who is named the starter, he feels his offense will be in good hands.

"Either one of those guys can get it done," he said.