Published: November 15, 2008 01:14 am      

Former Woodrow Wilson standouts fly into Beckley

Ironic that it’s homecoming at today’s Mountain State University-Alice Lloyd game at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

It’s also a homecoming for Alice Lloyd’s William Dillard and Corey Hairston.

The former Woodrow Wilson standouts are starters for the 5-0 Eagles.

Dillard, in fact, is off to a huge start, leading the nation in scoring at 29 points per game. He is fourth nationally in field goal percentage, hitting .745 percent of his shots.

Hairston is averaging 13 points a game for Alice Lloyd.

“I’m sure that William and Corey will be real excited to play back here,” MSU coach Bob Bolen said. “Those two young men had a lot of success in that building back in high school.”

Of course, Mountain State is off to a quick start as well, 4-0 overall and No. 3 in the NAIA Division I preseason poll.

The Cougars have averaged 101 points in their perfect start, all their wins coming at the BRCCC.

“We just have to continue to improve,” Bolen said. “I thought we played a good second half against Virginia Intermont (a 101-78 win Tuesday). But a good second half isn’t going to get it done every night. We had two real good practices this week and we’ll have to see if that carries over.

“We did some in-depth film work on us for the first time this year. Coach (Dave) Barksdale had the WVU (exhibition) and Virginia Intermont tapes. That was a great teaching tool. We just have to go out and execute and play.”

MSU still shows six players in double figures, including four starters.

Andrew Lee leads the way at 18.5 points per game and A.J. Pigram is netting 17.5 per game. Bo Harris is averaging 14.3 and 10.8 rebounds and point guard Tony Brown 12.3 and 7.5 assists per game.

Adison Mosquera, who made his first start in the Virginia Intermont game, is averaging 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Off the bench, Marcus Hunter is averaging 10.8 and Greg Grimes 10.0.

“We’ve scored, but there are so many areas in which we can improve,” Bolen said. “One thing I have been pleased with is we are sharing the ball. The guys don’t seem to care who scores the points. I don’t know if that is developed or if it’s something within a person, but that is the first step in developing chemistry.”

Alice Lloyd is the first team that has come into the BRCCC that might be able to match MSU point-for-point.

The Eagles are averaging 94.5 points per game.

In addition to Dillard and Hairston, Rodney Mitchell averages 15.7 points per game.

“They have all five starters back and a new coaching staff that is really pushing the ball,” Bolen said. “Alice Lloyd is coming in undefeated. I’ve watched them on film. They are playing good basketball, they enjoy playing and they play hard. So we have to be prepared. And I think we will be.”

The game is set for a 4 p.m. tip-off.

The Cougars will go on the road for the first time when they visit the University of the Cumberlands Thursday.

— E-mail:

demorrison@register-herald.com