OldTimer

ENTON (11/10/04) – North Texas head men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones has announced that the Mean Green has signed Texas high school standouts Harold Stewart and Justin Howerton to National Letters of Intent. Stewart, a 6-8, 185 pound forward is set to lead 19th ranked Crowley High School in the upcoming season, while Howerton is a 6-10, 240 pound center that is set for his senior season at Howe High School after leading the Bulldogs to a 29-7 record and the Region II Semifinals last season. "Harold and Justin both come from solid high school programs and we are thrilled to have players of their caliber joining our team as we continue to build a championship program," said Jones. Stewart is the 26th ranked player in the state of Texas by TexasHoops.com and has also been named to the Ft. Worth Star-Telgram’s list of area players to watch in 2004-05. He is coming off his junior season in which he averaged 11.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.5 blocks on his way to earning second team All-Region honors. Stewart led Crowley to a 19-13 record last season and is a big part of why the Eagles are ranked fourth in the area by the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. While playing AAU ball over the summer, he received praise from The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy, who said Stewart was "one of the most dynamic athletes on the summer circuit". Stewart was also recruited by the likes of Boston College, New Mexico State, SMU and Tulsa. "We are excited about the addition of Harold Stewart to our UNT family," said Jones. "He is very versatile. His speed and quickness will allow him to play both forward spots. He has the strength to defend a power forward, the quickness to defend a perimeter player and the ability to score inside or outside." Ranked No. 52 by TexasHoops.com, Howerton is also a highly touted recruit in the state of Texas. He is also a preseason third team All-State selection, which includes all classifications, by Texas Basketball Magazine. Howerton averaged 16 points, 11.4 rebounds 3.8 blocks per game as a junior while leading Howe HS to a district championship under head coach Tim Rose. "Justin has tremendous athletic ability," said Rose. "Not only is he big and very strong, he runs the floor really well. He is developing a touch inside and his range is improving." Howerton was also recruited by schools such as Texas A&M, Texas State, Stephen F. Austin and TCU. "Justin Howerton will be a great addition to our Mean Green family," said Jones. "He will give us an added presence inside next season with his ability to defend the low post, rebound and block shots. Justin has the strength to control a game down low, but also has the speed to run the floor like a small forward. He has excellent hands a knack for scoring around the basket. With his size and power, this should help solidify our center spot for the next few years." Coach Jones also commended assistant coaches Kobie Baker and Fred Rike for their efforts in signing the two high school standouts. EMAIL ADDRESS PASSWORD MORE INFO RENEW SUBSCRIBE EVENTS RESULTS Nov 12 7 p.m. VB at Louisiana-Lafayette* Nov 12 7 p.m. MBB vs SE Oklahoma State (Exhib.) Nov 12 7 p.m. SOC NCAA Tournament First Round Texas - NCAA Tournament First Round Nov 13 All Day XC NCAA South Central Regional Nov 13 6 pm FB vs Idaho Nov 14 1 p.m. VB vs Western Kentucky* Nov 18 6 pm FB at Arkansas State Nov 18 TBA VB Sun Belt Conference Championships Nov 6 MBB vs Cameron (Exhib.) 91 - 67 (W) Uploaded Ad

I understand from public releases that the womens BB has 3 commits: TX Hoops # 17, Tricia Lee from Haltom 5-8 #23 Jo Hall Cedar Park 5-8 #35 Ashley Vation, Mansfield Summit 6-0 Men has two commits: TX Hoops # 28 Harold Stewart 6-8, 185 PF Crowley # 52 Justin Howerton Howe HS, 16 pts 11.5 rebound 4 blk average changed committment from T$M .

NT has only 12 ship players at this time with at least a couple of seniors so they have more ships to offer. No info on additional prospects. It has been in the papers and posted that Dez Willingham has chosen SMU over NT and TCU....based on prior head coach association...which is probably why he left KState in the first place.

Men's Basketball: Mean Green look to take full advantage of court this season 08:03 AM CST on Saturday, November 6, 2004 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer North Texas men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones has given the Mean Green the green light to run the open floor in tonight’s exhibition game against Cameron. Last season, UNT often settled into a halfcourt game to take advantage of a series of standout frontline players, including third-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection Shawnson Johnson. The Mean Green won’t have as much size and experience down low this year, but they will have a group of athletic guards and forwards. The asset is one UNT wants to begin to take advantage of in its first real action of the season at 7 p.m. tonight at The Super Pit. "We will have an opportunity to play faster," Jones said. "Our post guys will be able to score, but I do feel good about our guards." Senior guard Leonard Hopkins is a preseason first-team All-Sun Belt selection while fellow guard Calvin Watson is coming off of a solid freshman season. The Mean Green also added former Collin County Community College point guard Isaac Hines to their starting lineup. The trio is expected to lead what could be one of UNT’s best backcourts in recent years. Hopkins has endured a series of injuries at UNT, but enters the season in the best shape of his career. The former Dallas Lincoln standout lost 30 pounds over the summer and has displayed the athletic ability in practice that made him one of the top high school players in the state a few years ago. "I am real excited about this year’s team because coach is going to let us get up and down the floor," Hopkins said. "Last year we had Shawnson and played more in the halfcourt. Isaac will get the ball up the floor and we have wing players who can run. We are going to do a lot of running and gunning." Hines heads a class of newcomers that could make an immediate impact. The junior was known for his abilities as a defender as well as a floor leader during his junior college career. UNT will also look to its recruiting class to help fill the void in the frontcourt left when Johnson and forwards Michael DeGrate and Will Smith completed their careers last season. Jeffrey Simpson and Quincy Williams could see time in the frontcourt. Simpson played at Eastern Oklahoma State College last season, while Williams played at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Okla. UNT is hoping those additions will complement a core of players who suffered a stunning double overtime loss to New Orleans in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament last season and finished with a 13-15 record. UNT will host the conference tournament this season and hopes to capitalize on the opportunity to play on their home court at the end of the year. "I’m ready," senior forward Michael Jones said. "We will play a more exciting game that will make people want to come back out and see us." BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870.

The Miami of Ohio player is shown on their current roster...guess he decided to stay there.

Did anyone get any information on who the prospective players were and where they were from. Same for two BB prospects at the scrimmage.

I meant Basketball players...I understand we were to have two here this weekend. One instate and one out of state, both guards.

Ryan McCoy, who was to have visited Tulsa, NT and Liberty, Top 25 in texas committed to Tulsa. McCoy was a 5-11 pt. guard. Hope NT gets the subject of the mean green reportt

nfm

Basketball: Hoop time at UNT Mean Green, Lady Eagles open up workouts today 09:01 AM CDT on Saturday, October 16, 2004 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer North Texas men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones anticipates a pleasant change when the Mean Green open practice for the 2004-05 campaign today. Baring an unforeseen development, UNT will have a completely healthy team. Johnny Jones That luxury was one the Mean Green didn’t have early on last year when Leonard Hopkins was coming back from a foot injury, Calvin Watson had a broken foot and Justin Barnett’s back was still bothering him on the first day of practice. "We are excited to be starting practice with a full team for a change," Jones said. "It will help with our chemistry to have everyone together from Day 1." Both the UNT men and women will conduct their first workout of the season this morning at the Super Pit. The UNT men will begin their preseason workouts looking to integrate a few key newcomers, while the Lady Eagles will undergo a dramatic change in their lineup. Both teams are looking to build for what could be a key season in the history of their programs. UNT is scheduled to host the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at the end of the year. The UNT men, who will host a scrimmage that is open to the public at 1 p.m. on Oct. 23, will also have the advantage of playing 15 regular season home games. The Mean Green will build for what they hope is a long run in the tournament around Hopkins and Watson. Hopkins averaged 14.0 points a game last season when UNT finished 13-15 and was named second-team All-Sun Belt Conference. Watson played in just 17 games, but averaged 8.3 points after a late-season surge. UNT will add point guard Isaac Hines to what should be one of the Mean Green’s strongest backcourts in years. Hines was a second-team JUCO All-American last season at Collin County Community College. "Hines has done a good job leading just in our workouts," Jones said. "He has been impressive." One of the key challenges UNT will face in its preseason workouts is developing consistency in the frontcourt. The Mean Green lost third-team All-Sun Belt Conference forward Shawnson Johnson and fellow forwards Michael DeGrate and Will Smith after last season. "The question mark will be how we do inside," Jones said. UNT will look to 6-10 junior Justin Barnett and a pair of 6-8 newcomers in Jeffrey Simpson and Quincy Williams to provide a presence in the paint. Simpson transferred to UNT from Eastern Oklahoma State College, while Williams played for Carl Albert High in Midwest City, Okla. Simpson has a 30-inch vertical jump and long arms that could help him anchor the middle of UNT’s defense. "I have been impressed with our new guys," Jones said. "They have done well in their workouts and our conditioning program." Tina Slinker The UNT women will also depend on several new players this season when the team will shuffle its lineup after finishing 11-17 last season. Erika Bobo will move to shooting guard after playing at the point in each of her first two seasons. Junior Natalie Mireles will take on a more prominent role at point guard, while sophomore DiDi Wali has moved from shooting guard to small forward. "I think it will help our break to have Bobo at the two because she is so fast," UNT coach Tina Slinker said. "It will also help our scoring situation because it will free her from the point duties so she can look to score." UNT lost its top three scorers from last season’s team, including forward Kim Blanton. The two-time all-conference selection averaged 11.6 points a game as a senior last season. UNT will turn to Kelsie Edwards to help fill the void. The sophomore forward scored 212 points last year, the top total for a UNT freshman since the 1998-99 season. Edwards averaged 7.6 points a game and is UNT’s leading returning scorer. A talented group of newcomers could also help UNT offensively. Freshman post Erica Howard averaged 22 points a game at Morrilton High and was named all state in Arkansas as a senior last season. The Lady Eagles are hoping that their combination of veterans in new roles and talented newcomers will help the team improve on an 11-17 record. "We are going to spend a lot of time on offense and scoring," Slinker said. "We want to find answers for where we struggled last year. I don’t think we will have to depend on one or two people to score." BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870.

I don't believe we should single out and name players and say they suck etc. Kevin Moore and others have busted their tails working for NT football. Some are better and some are not so good.,,,,,but do not single out a player and critize (sp?) him or her.

It has already been reported that NT has received a commit from Justin Howerton from Howe, a 6-10 Center ranked # 52 in Texas by Rivals. Now they have a commit fromHarold Stewart from Crowley HS, a 6-8/6-7 forward ranked # 26 in Texa by Rivals.. NT over Boston College, SMU, Tulsa and Liberty NT is on Ryan McCoy, Houston Madison Pt guard ranked by 42 in Texas by Rivals. He is considering NT, Tulsa and Liberty. He was scheduled to visit NT but cancelled due to attending a AAU teammates funeral. He states he will visit all three.l McCoy is listed as 6-1, 160.

Volleyball: UNT falls to Tulsa in season opener 08:24 AM CDT on Thursday, September 2, 2004 TULSA, Okla. — The North Texas volleyball team took the first game off Tulsa in both squad’s season-opening match, but the Golden Hurricane responded with wins in the next three games to claim a 26-30, 30-25, 30-25, 30-25 victory on Wednesday at the Donald W. Reynolds Center. North Texas (0-1) managed to hit over .200 in Games 2 and 4, while the Golden Hurricane (1-0) rebounded from a sluggish start to record at least a .200 attack percentage in the final three games. Tulsa posted just one more kill than the Mean Green, but finished with a .259 overall hitting percentage in comparison to NT’s .190. Led by Taylor Lawrence’s career-high 18 kills, the Mean Green had three players record double-figure kills. True freshman Katy Prokof tallied 15 and was followed by junior Brittney Gregory with 14. Heidi Johnson recorded a career-high 50 assists and 15 digs to post her first career double-double. Gregory also finished with a double-double, adding 11 digs to go along with her 14 kills. North Texas will get a one-day break before beginning play in the ORU Classic on Friday. The Mean Green will open play at the tournament against Oral Roberts on Friday at 7 p.m.

Volleyball: Mean Green volleyball to lean on recruits Gregory, Pope have most of team’s match experience 09:30 AM CDT on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 By Matthew Postins / Staff Writer For North Texas volleyball, youth will be served this season. It pretty much has to be. Gone are the five seniors, players like Corina Marginas and Kristin Sheppard, that helped turn around the Mean Green program. In their place come six freshmen, plenty of underclassmen and just two seniors that must try and build on last year’s 22-win season. But don’t cry for fifth-year coach Cassie Headrick, because she’s not crying either. "We did this four years ago when I got here," said Headrick. "I don’t look at this like a rebuilding job. I like what I see. The future is right in front of us, and I like it." Headrick is optimistic because she has a Sun Belt first-team performer returning in middle blocker Brittney Gregory. Headrick is optimistic because she might get to play middle blocker Anne Pope inside or outside this season. Headrick is optimistic because sophomores like outside hitter Taylor Lawrence and setter Heidi Johnson did great work in spring practice and appear ready to start. Headrick is optimistic because the six freshmen she recruited may be the best class the program has had in years. And, after being voted to finish third in the preseason Sun Belt Conference coaches’ poll, the pressure is off. "That’s about right where we want to be," she said about the poll. "The pressure is not on us. New Mexico State has a little pressure on it now, and we’ll let them take it for now." After four years of Marginas being the focus of UNT’s offense, Headrick expects her team to be more balanced this season. But if one player has the potential to dominate, it’s Gregory. The junior earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors last season, ranking in the SBC’s Top 10 in kills per game at 3.45. While Gregory also emerged as one of the team’s best servers last year, she didn’t play back-row defense. That will change this season. "Brittney’s finally finding a rhythm in practice," said Headrick. "She’s finally communicating well with the setter [Johnson]. She had a real good practice the other day. She played well, and her teammates played well around her." Gregory also might have a chip on her shoulder. She wasn’t a preseason All-SBC selection. "We’ll see if that’s any extra motivation for her," Headrick said, grinning. Pope has practiced both on the outside and the inside during fall practices. Teaming with Gregory in the middle last year, the pair gave the Mean Green defensive stability. Pope also had career highs in five categories a year ago, including blocks (89) and kills (262). "We’ve put Anne back in the middle for now," said Headrick. "We’ve tried to move her outside because that’s where we wanted her in the first place. She’s the consummate team player." The Mean Green’s other senior, Amber Clearman, will be a defensive specialist. Part of the reason Pope is back in the middle is Erica Wendell, a 6-1 freshman middle blocker. Wendell is pushing for playing time, but a knee injury has kept her out of several practices. She’ll play in the opener today against Tulsa, but Headrick wants to lean on Pope’s experience for now. Wendell is the freshman recruiting class’ only nationally-ranked recruit and Headrick expects her to make an impact. Like Wendell, the rest of the team is an intriguing mix of unknowns and potential. It’s made for a competitive fall, and Headrick says one freshman will start, and three other will see playing time. Katy Prokof, a six-footer from Waxahachie, will start at one of the outside hitter positions. Prokof had an impressive scrimmage last Saturday, finishing with 11 kills. She showed the jumping ability and live right arm Headrick has talked about during fall workouts. Sophomore Taylor Lawrence will start at left outside hitter. The 6-0 sophomore had just 19 kills last year in limited duty, but Headrick says she’s impressed with Lawrence’s improvement and work ethic. She can also play middle blocker. Tara Hooser (6-0) will start at right outside hitter, though she’s been locked in an intense competition with freshman Brooke Engle (6-0). Hooser started just two matches a year ago but played enough to notch 37 blocks. Both are left-handers, an option Headrick admits she’s never had in five years at UNT. "We hope to have them open up the right side," said Headrick. "It’s a rare situation to have two leftys like that." Freshman Jessica Hulsebosch has nailed down the libero job. She played three years for the Texas Tornadoes 18, the state’s No. 1 18s team this year, in addition to a standout career at Spring High School. Headrick says she’s done a great job grasping the "team concept." Johnson has the unenviable job of replacing Sheppard, the program’s all-time assist leader. The sophomore started 11 matches last year as a redshirt freshman, finishing with 84 assists, including a 37-assist contest against Arkansas. Johnson has the advantage of being in the program for two years and having worked with most of the returning players. She walked on at UNT after a solid career at Garland Christian. "Heidi has the upper hand," said Headrick. "She seems to be on the same page with her hitters. We really need her experience at the start of the season." But that doesn’t mean her job is safe. Freshman Ashley Bass has pushed Johnson in practice. Bass left Hurst Bell early and enrolled at UNT in January so she could go through spring practice with the rest of the team. She was the only member of the freshman class to do so. In 2002-03, Bass had 1,069 assists for Bell and her club team, Team North Texas. Additionally, Headrick has other options. Sophomores Ashley Hull and Kaydee Fuller are also back. Hull, a middle blocker, played in four matches last year, and Fuller, a defensive specialist, walked on last year and played in one game. Freshman Brittney Hays is a defensive specialist. MATTHEW POSTINS can be reached at 940-566-6874. 2004 UNT volleyball schedule Date Opponent Time Sept. 1 at Tulsa 7 p.m. Sept. 3 vs. Oral Roberts-1 7 p.m. Sept. 4 vs. Kansas-1 10 a.m. Sept. 4 vs. Loyola-Chicago-1 5 p.m. Sept. 10 vs. UT-El Paso-2 10 a.m. Sept. 10 vs. UT-Pan American-2 5 p.m. Sept. 11 vs. Texas Tech-2 2 p.m. Sept. 14 Texas Southern 7 p.m. Sept. 17 vs. Saint Louis-3 noon Sept. 18 vs. Valparaiso-3 2 p.m. Sept. 18 vs. Saint Louis-3 7 p.m. Sept. 24 Louisiana-Lafayette 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at Middle Tennessee* 1 p.m. Oct. 1 at Denver* 8 p.m. Oct. 3 at New Mexico State* 2 p.m. Oct. 8 South Alabama* 7 p.m. Oct. 9 New Orleans* 1 p.m. Oct. 12 at Stephen F. Austin 7 p.m. Oct. 16 Florida International* 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Arkansas-Little Rock* 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at Arkansas State* 7 p.m. Oct. 26 TCU 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at New Orleans* 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at South Alabama* 1 p.m. Nov. 5 New Mexico State* 7 p.m. Nov. 7 Denver* 1 p.m. Nov. 10 SMU 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Louisiana-Lafayette* 7 p.m. Nov. 14 Western Kentucky* 1 p.m. * — Denotes Sun Belt Conference games 1-Oral Roberts Tournament; 2-Texas Tech Tournament; 3-Saint Louis Tournament 2004 UNT volleyball roster No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown 3 Ashley Bass S 6-0 Fr. Bedford (L.D. Bell HS) 11 Amber Clearman S 5-7 Sr. Austin (Lake Travis HS) 5 Brooke Engel OH 6-0 Fr. New Braunfels (Canyon HS) 10 Kaydee Fuller DS 5-8 So. Minot, N.D. (Minot HS) 37 Brittney Gregory MB 5-11 Jr. Spring (Klein HS) 4 Brittany Hayes DS 5-2 Fr. Amarillo (Palo Duro HS) 2 Tara Hooser OH 6-0 So. Montgomery (Montgomery HS) 1 Ashley Hull MB 6-1 So. Sugar Land (Elkins HS) 8 Jessica Hulsebosch L 5-10 Fr. Spring (Klein HS) 9 Heidi Johnson S 5-9 So. Garland (Garland Christian) 7 Taylor Lawrence OH 6-0 So. Conway Springs, Ark. (Conway Springs HS) 13 Anne Pope MB 6-0 Sr. Aurora, Colo. (Smoky Hill HS) 6 Katy Prokof OH 5-11 Fr. Waxahachie (Waxahachie HS) 24 Erica Wendell MB 6-1 Fr. New Braunfels (New Braunfels HS)

Volleyball: UNT tops alumni Mean Green tunes up for season opener 09:06 AM CDT on Sunday, August 29, 2004 By Matthew Postins / Staff Writer The balance and depth was there. But it will take time for the North Texas volleyball team to figure out what to do with it. At least that was the impression head coach Cassie Headrick gave after her Mean Green defeated the "Hazbens" in the program’s first alumni match at Snake Pit Gym on Saturday. The Mean Green won, 30-22, 30-16, 30-19, 30-24, with four players — Brittney Gregory (12), Anne Pope (11), Katy Prokof (11) and Taylor Lawrence (10) — registering double-digit kills. The performance was emblematic of the options Headrick feels this team gives her. But they were also sluggish at times, a result of blending six new freshmen and underclassmen with limited experience with the team’s top two returnees, Pope and Gregory. "This is the first time we’ve played anyone besides ourselves in three weeks," said Pope. "We played all right, but we obviously have things to work on." The Hazbens, a collection of former UNT volleyball players, were led by Tanya Samples, a 2002 graduate, who had 11 kills. The team also included the program’s all-time kills leader, Corina Marginas, and the all-time assists leader, Kristin Sheppard, both of whom graduated this past spring. The Hazbens treated the match as serious fun, but the Mean Green treated it as serious for obvious reasons. The team has its season opener on Wednesday in Tulsa, and starting jobs are on the line. Prokof, one of those six freshmen signees, quite possibly nailed down a starting job with her performance. She’s competing for an outside hitter spot, and Prokof looked quite comfortable on the floor all night, displaying her cannon for a right arm. "I think it’s a start," said Prokof. "We haven’t had a chance to play any games together and we’re still trying to get our timing down." Lawrence, who played little last season as a true freshman, displayed the improvement Headrick saw during spring and summer workouts, and Brooke Engel, another freshman, didn’t show any ill effects from a knee injury that has limited her the past week. Headrick mixed up her lineups, but Heidi Johnson got three games at setter and responded with 33 assists. Ashley Bass, a freshman from Hurst Bell, had 12. Saturday’s match served as UNT’s only scrimmage. They’ll have one more practice session before leaving for Tulsa on Tuesday afternoon. In all, UNT will play just one home match before the Sun Belt Conference opener in late September. "We’re deep, and we’ve got a lot out there to choose from," said Headrick. "This is a starting point." Briefly ... Sophomore Ashley Hull sat out the scrimmage with a groin pull. Headrick said Hull will rest the next few days, and her status for the opener is uncertain. MATTHEW POSTINS can be reached at 940-566-6874.

Soccer: Pina now team’s go-to player 09:04 AM CDT on Sunday, August 29, 2004 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer For the first three years of her college soccer career, Melina Pina was able to quietly build her reputation as one of the top players in the Sun Belt Conference. Pina finished tied for sixth nationally with 21 goals last season when she was named first team All-Sun Belt Conference. DRC/Hiroyuki Komae North Texas soccer player Melinda Pina has quietly built a reputation as one of the Sun Belt Conference’s top scorers the past three seasons. Now, after the graduation of Marilyn Marin, Pina will be the focal point of the Mean Green offense. Those accomplishments established Pina as a top player, but they couldn’t bring her entirely out of the shadow of her teammate Marilyn Marin. The former UNT forward finished her career as one of the all-time greats in NCAA women’s soccer history last year, leaving Pina as UNT’s top player heading into the 2004 season. UNT will open the campaign today with a 1 p.m. game against Houston at the Mean Green Soccer Complex. "This is a big year for Melinda," UNT coach John Hedlund said. "This is her team offensively. We will go through her." Pina spent the offseason preparing to fill that role while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. UNT was going through offseason workouts in March when Pina suffered the injury, putting her season in doubt. "I was hoping this would be my big year, but then I had the injury," Pina said. "It’s coming back really fast. We didn’t wait very long. We got right on it when I got hurt." Pina knew she would only have a few months to recover from surgery, so she and her coaches decided on a special procedure to have the knee repaired. Pina had an anterior cruciate ligament from a cadaver transplanted into her knee to cut down on the time she would need to recover. "Melinda is doing remarkably well," Hedlund said. "I didn’t think she would be this far along this soon. She is really not too far from being 100 percent." That is good news for the Mean Green, which has nine starters back from a team that tied the school record for wins with 15 last season. Pina and defender Krista Georgas were both named the preseason All-Sun Belt Conf-erence team. Hedlund added to that core with a recruiting class that could make an immediate impact. Forward Jamie Yates joined the class when she transferred to UNT from the University of Dayton, where she scored six goals as a freshman. Forward Heather Hutyra and midfielder Dani Slavonic are also expected to contribute immediately. "Despite the fact we lost [Marin], we will still have a good team," senior midfielder Richelle Magalhaes said. "We added a lot of good players and our chemistry seems to be good." UNT is hoping its new mix of players will push the team past Denver and to the top of the Sun Belt Conference. The Pioneers have won the last two regular season Sun Belt titles and the last three conference tournament titles. The Mean Green have been nipping at Denver’s heels during the Pioneers’ reign as the top team in the Sun Belt. UNT beat Denver in overtime during the regular season last year, but lost to the Pioneers in overtime in the finals of the Sun Belt tournament. "Denver is always a thorn in our side," Hedlund said. "It seems to be us and them battling for the conference title every year." UNT feels much better about its chances to challenge for the conference title again now that Pina has quickly come back from her offseason knee injury. "She came back quick," Magalhaes said. "Some of us think she looks even better than before. We look to her for inspiration." BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870.

basketball slates Season ends with SBC Tourney at Super Pit 09:02 AM CDT on Sunday, August 29, 2004 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer The North Texas men’s basketball team will be staying closer to home this season. The Mean Green have 15 regular season home games scheduled for the upcoming campaign, the most UNT has played in Denton since the 1973-74 season. Throw in hosting the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at the end of the campaign, and UNT will have a chance to make a run at the league title at home. The high number of home games for the Mean Green highlighted the schedules that were released for both the UNT men’s and women’s teams this week. "It’s a good schedule for us," UNT men’s coach Johnny Jones said. "We made an effort to go out on the road last year so people would return and play here this season." The Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball tournament will also take place at the Super Pit, giving the Lady Eagles the home court advantage. The UNT men have not hosted a conference tournament since the 1988-89 Southland Conference Tour-nament, while the UNT women have never hosted a conference tournament. Both the UNT men’s and women’s teams will face some of the top programs in the country while preparing for the Sun Belt season. The highlight of the non-conference season for the UNT women will be a home game against perennial power Texas on Dec. 16. The Longhorns won the Big 12 regular season title last season. "I am extremely excited about the opportunity to have the University of Texas come to the Super Pit," UNT coach Tina Slinker said. "Hopefully, a Final Four team can bring much excitement to our university." Texas is one of eight teams that advanced to the postseason last year on the schedule for the UNT women, including five that went to the NCAA Tournament. UNT will face LSU on the road in perhaps the Lady Eagles’ biggest challenge in non-conference play. The Lady Tigers advanced to the Final Four last season. The UNT women’s schedule also includes eight games against teams from Texas, including SMU, Houston and UT-Arlington. The UNT men will also face Texas during a non-conference schedule that includes a game against Alabama. Both games will be played on the road. "Texas and Alabama both have fine programs that will be ranked in the Top 25," Jones said. "Players look forward to those games. They will challenge them." One of the trademarks of Jones’ tenure at UNT has been a solid record at the Super Pit, a trend the Mean Green hope to continue this season. UNT posted a 9-3 record at home last season and is 22-14 at the Super Pit in Jones’ three years with the team. Both the UNT men’s and women’s teams are aiming for a longer run in the conference tournament this year after losing in the first round last season. The UNT men lost to New Orleans 91-89 in double overtime, while the Lady Eagles lost to Middle Tennessee 81-66. The UNT women finished with an 11-17 record, their lowest win total since finishing 10-17 in 1997-98. The UNT men finished 13-15. The teams will open the regular season with a doubleheader on Nov. 19. The Lady Eagles will face Binghamton at 5 p.m. before the Mean Green take on Angelo State at 7 p.m. BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. UNT basketball schedules Men NOVEMBER 6 Cameron (EXHIB.) 7 p.m. 12 Southeastern Oklahoma (EXHIB.) 7 p.m. 19 Angelo State 7 p.m. 21 at Alabama 2 p.m. 23 UNC-Wilmington 7 p.m. 27 Lamar 7 p.m. DECEMBER 4 TCU 7 p.m. 7 at Texas TBA 11 at UT-Pan American 7 p.m. 16 Southern 8 p.m. 22 Southeast Missouri State 7 p.m. 29-30 Dr. Pepper Classic Basketball Tournament 29 at Chattanooga TBA 30 vs. Tennessee-Martin or Birmingham-Southern Chattanooga, Tenn. TBA JANURY 8 at New Mexico State* 8:05 p.m. 13 at Denver* 8 p.m. 17 at Florida International 8 p.m. 20 Arkansas-Little Rock* 7 p.m. 22 Arkansas State* 7 p.m. 27 at New Orleans* 7 p.m. 29 at South Alabama* 7:05 p.m. FEBRUARY 3 Louisiana-Lafayette* 7 p.m. 5 New Mexico State* 7 p.m. 10 at Middle Tennessee* 7:30 p.m. 12 Western Kentucky* 7 p.m. 14 UT-Permian Basin 7 p.m. 17 Denver* 7 p.m. 19 at Louisiana-Lafayette* 7:05 p.m. 24 New Orleans* 7 p.m. 26 South Alabama* 7 p.m. MARCH 4-8 SBC Tournament (Denton) TBA Women NOVEMBER 3 Houston Jaguars (exb.) 7 p.m. 10 Oklahoma Flyers (exb.) 7 p.m. 19 Binghamton 5 p.m. 21 at Houston 2 p.m. 27 at Sam Houston State 7 p.m. 30 at LSU 7 p.m. DECEMBER 3 Hampton 7 p.m. 5 at SMU 2 p.m. 11 Louisiana-Monroe 7 p.m. 16 Texas 6 p.m. 20 at UT-Pan American 7 p.m. 22 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 5 p.m. 30 Texas-Arlington 7 p.m. JANUARY 2 at Texas A&M 2 p.m. 8 New Mexico State* 7 p.m. 13 Denver* 7 p.m. 15 Florida International* 7 p.m. 20 at Arkansas State* TBA 22 at Arkansas-Little Rock* TBA 27 South Alabama* 7 p.m. 29 New Orleans* 7 p.m. FEBRUARY 2 at New Mexico State* 8:05 p.m. 5 at Louisiana-Lafayette* TBA 10 at Western Kentucky* TBA 12 Middle Tennessee* 5 p.m. 17 Louisiana-Lafayette* 5 p.m. 20 at Denver* 2 p.m. 24 at South Alabama* TBA 26 at New Orleans* TBA MARCH 4-8 SBC Tournament (Denton) TBA

North Texas loses basketball recruit Chris White, a 6-6 power forward from Moberly (Mo.) Area Community College, will not play with the men's basketball team this season after failing to meet NCAA academic requirements for a junior college transfer, UNT coach Johnny Jones said. White averaged 11.5 points and 5.3 rebounds last season.

Volleyball: UNT roster features much youth 09:55 AM CDT on Friday, August 13, 2004 By Matthew Postins / Staff Writer Most coaches might not be excited about a team with just two returning starters and two seniors coming off a trip to the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. But North Texas volleyball coach Cassie Headrick has a smile on her face when she talks about the upcoming season, even though 12 of her 15 players are either freshmen or sophomores. "I think we’ll get a chance to fly under the radar for a while," said Headrick, in her fifth season as head coach. "I just don’t know how long. If the chemistry on this team comes along, it may not be that long." Practice started for the Mean Green on Thursday, one day after team meetings to prepare for the season. The team will practice every day through Sunday, with two-a-days today and Saturday. The Mean Green graduated one of its best classes ever after last season, including the school’s all-time leading hitter, Corina Marginas, and all-time leading setter, Kristin Sheppard. They’re big shoes to fill for this squad, led by senior middle blocker Anne Pope and junior middle blocker Brittany Gregory, last year’s top holdovers. The other senior, Amanda Clearman, started 14 matches a year ago and should be the team’s top defensive specialist. But Headrick believes the depth of this team — the Mean Green are three-deep at all positions except setter — could offset the inexperience. "One thing that will happen is our offense will be totally different," said Headrick. "Last year, you pretty much knew that the offense would flow through Corina. This year we could be much more balanced." Headrick says the sophomores came along well in spring practices, including setter Heidi Johnson, who appears to have the inside track for the starting job. Tara Hooser, who saw time as an outside hitter as a freshman, had good practices at the right side position. But what has Headrick most excited is her freshman class, which she says could be the best the school has ever recruited. It’s a class Headrick says she couldn’t have hoped to recruit when she came to the school five years ago. What sets the class apart is that five of the six players have elite club volleyball experience. Setter Ashley Bass enrolled at UNT in the spring so she could go through spring practices with the Mean Green, and could push Johnson for playing time. New Braunfels’ Erica Wendell, a 6-1 middle blocker, was named one of the country’s top 250 recruits by PrepVolleyball.com when UNT signed her. Jessica Hulsebosch, a 5-10 libero; Katy Prokof, a 5-11 outside hitter; and Brittney Hays, a 5-2 defensive specialist also have club volleyball experience. "I think we have some spots that are wide open," said Headrick. "It’ll be real interesting, because we’re three-deep at just about every position and they’re going to push each other from the start." UNT begins the regular season Sept. 1 at Tulsa. Briefly ... The Mean Green will have an alumni match on Aug. 28. The alumni team is slated to feature all five of last year’s seniors — Corina Marginas, Kristin Sheppard, Stephanie Connors, Jill Ruskowski and Brieanne Fowler. Head coach Cassie Headrick also said other alumni scheduled to appear include Laura Gomez (1995-99), Michelle Jacobs (1998-99) and Tanya Samples (1999-02). MATTHEW POSTINS can be reached at 940-566-6874.

This came from the womens BB site on the NT athletic board. Weibling Named North Texas Assistant Basketball Coach DENTON - University of North Texas head women’s basketball coach Tina Slinker has announced that Sean Weibling has been named an assistant coach. Weibling, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Garden City Community College , will replace Scott Stoehr on the North Texas coaching staff. “I’m really excited about the addition of Sean to our staff,” said North Texas head coach Tina Slinker. “He brings us a great work ethic along with having great experience in recruiting. I’m also excited because he fits right in with us and we won’t skip a beat”. Weibling’s spent the last three seasons at Garden City handling their recruiting, preparing scouting reports, perimeter player development, and serving as the team’s academic coordinator. Weibling was an integral part at Garden City the past three seasons. In 2002-03 Weibling helped guide Garden City to the 2003 NJCAA Final Four with a 31-7 record. Garden City compiled 63 wins in the three seasons that Weibling was part of the coaching staff. Prior to coaching at Garden City, Weibling was the head coach at Coyle (OK) High School. There he took a Lady Bluejacket team into the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Weibling began his coaching career at Covington-Douglas (OK) Public School, where he served as both High School and Junior High Head Coach. Weibling is a 1999 graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics education. He was a student assistant coach for the men’s basketball team while earning his degree.

Two great tournments in a row...NT sure gets facilities exposure for its BB program. Hopefully it will help in recruiting. Basketball tournament starts today 07:23 AM CDT on Friday, July 16, 2004 By Ethan B. Szatmary / Staff Writer Denton remains basketball central this weekend. The 16th Annual 2004 Pontiac Great American Shoot-Out for high school boys ended Monday, giving way to this weekend’s 6th Annual Denton Summer Shoot-out, sponsored by Mid-America Youth Basketball. Like the Great American Shoot-Out, the Denton Summer Shootout will be played at gyms around the area — TWU’s Kitty Magee Arena, Ryan, Denton, Argyle, Krum, Ponder and Lake Dallas high school and Calhoun, Strickland, McMath and Crownover middle schools. But unlike the Great American Shoot-Out, the Denton Summer Shootout is open for boys and girls, and the Denton Summer Shootout is further divided into different age groups, starting with fourth grade boys and fourth/fifth grade girls and running through the 11th-12th-grade bracket for both boys and girls. "We like to think we’ve got a different skill level for every player from fourth grade on up," said tournament director Stephen Martin. "Every team is guaranteed at least five games, and some of the brackets are double elimination so some teams will play six or seven games. We’ve got 200 teams coming, and it should be a great tournament." Pool play begins today and continues Saturday, with bracket play starting Saturday afternoon and concluding Sunday. The top two teams from each bracket advance to Bracket A, with the others relegated to Bracket B. In the 11th-12th grade divisions, Martin said he expects the Oklahoma Starz, OKC Heat, Tulsa Titans and Temple Ballerz to be the teams to beat. However, local squads the Denton Bronx, Liberty Warriors, Krum and North Texas Wildcats (Argyle) will also make a run at the title. In girls 11th-12th grade play, local teams the Krum Lady Longhorns, Ryan Lady Raiders and Denton Bronx will all field teams. Martin cited the Colorado Springs Storm, Oklahoma Lady Warriors, Team Ichiban 17s and Texas Starz as the favorites. Several other local squads will compete at various age levels. Admission for the tournament is $7 for adults and $5 for students for all-tournament passes or $3 for adults and $3 for students for day passes. ETHAN B. SZATMAY can be reached at 940-566-6869.

Star center's potential gets body in motion MacArthur's Mayfield puts energy into work in summer camps (inserted...Mayfield is 6-10) 12:06 AM CDT on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 By JOHNNY DALY / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News When the summer started, Jeremy Mayfield knew his time was limited. In his first three years at MacArthur, the 6-9 senior center had always heard his name and "potential" used in the same breath. He's ready to shed that image. "I've been working my tail off, lifting weights and shooting by myself for a couple hours a day," Mayfield said. "I'm a completely different player than I was this time last year." The work has paid off with success on the summer basketball circuit. Mayfield is one of many Irving players who have traveled the country this summer attending some of the nation's most prestigious basketball camps. Last weekend, Mayfield was part of the Adidas Superstar Camp in Atlanta. Mayfield, who said he had eight blocks in one of the games, was one of 263 players invited from 50 states. In June, Mayfield went to the NBA Players Camp at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. This weekend, he's headed back to Georgia for the Nike Peach Jam, an invitation-only camp in Augusta, considered one of the nation's premier senior camps. "Jeremy's taken his game to the next level, and you can see a definite change in his attitude and confidence," said Craig Roberts, an assistant coach on Team Fort Worth, Mayfield's summer team. "He's turned himself into a major college prospect." Along with Mayfield, Team Fort Worth has strong Irving representation. MacArthur's Reed Huffstetler and Irving's Tommy Moffitt and Willie Sweat have played an average of six games per week since the beginning of June. With Mayfield in Atlanta most of the time, Team Fort Worth had a tough time last weekend at the Great American Shootout in Denton, going 1-4. It was 0-4 without Mayfield. The team will travel to Las Vegas for the Reebok Big Time Tournament from Monday through July 26. One of the biggest draws for players to summer basketball is the exposure to scouts from colleges and recruiting services. Though college coaches cannot talk with the players, the stands at summer league games are filled with discerning eyes. "When you play well against the top players in the state and nation, you know who's watching you," Sweat said. "My dream is to play college basketball, and if you want recruiters coming to your games in the winter, you have to perform now." To impress scouts, MacArthur's Kristen Moore and Nimitz's Marquez Haynes have had to streamline their style of play. Moore, who plays for the Lady Jammers of Arlington, has moved to a swing spot, away from her regular post spot for the Cardinals. Haynes, playing with the Dallas Pump N Run, is spending his time as a pure point guard, after posting up many times in Nimitz's offense. "It's a little weird not getting to move around a lot, but select teams are so full of talent," Moore said. "I love playing with so many good players and getting to travel." Irving's Adron Tennell has also had his share of travel for the Texas Top Prospects. Tennell, ranked No. 18 in the state for the Class of 2006 by texasroundball .com, has gone to tournaments in Kansas City and California and will be in Las Vegas in two weeks. Though he enjoys seeing the country, Tennell has spent most of his time at Tiger Gym, working on his shooting. "I've spent hours with those machines that send the balls right back to you," Tennell said. "The big tournaments are a lot more fun when you score more points."

is the "head" coach of those teams both of which have good things to say about NT and both teams have numereous NT prospects. asketball: Home again UNT’s Davis returns to Super Pit as coach 08:17 AM CDT on Monday, July 12, 2004 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Chris Davis could be making his last appearance in the Super Pit for the foreseeable future this week. The former North Texas guard, who thrilled crowds during a four-year career with the Mean Green, is working as an assistant coach for Dallas Pump N Run during the Pontiac Great American Shoot-Out. The tournament has served as a break in Davis’ preparation for a professional summer event in Los Angeles next weekend and a possible move overseas. Former North Texas swingman Chris Davis, now an assistant coach for the Dallas Pump N Run Blue, far left, watches their basketball game against Gulf Coast Stars I during the 16th annual Pontiac Denton Great American Shoot-Out at the Super Pit Sunday. Nick Smith, second from left is another assistant coach for the Dallas Pump N Run. "I am probably going to end up playing in the ABA or overseas in England," Davis said. "I feel like I have a future in pro ball. Once I get started everything will take care of itself." Davis finished his career as one of the most decorated players in UNT history. The former Dallas Kimball standout averaged at least 18 points a game in all four seasons of his career at UNT and finished as the Mean Green’s second all-time leading scorer. Davis worked out for a few professional teams after his college career ended following the 2002-03 campaign but ended up sitting out the season. Even though he had no games to play, Davis continued to work out. UNT coach Johnny Jones anticipates that work paying off in the next few months. "Chris will probably wind up overseas," Jones said. "I thought he would be playing professionally already. He has taken some time off but has made some good professional decisions that will allow him to play overseas." Davis has coached summer basketball while preparing for what he hopes will be a long professional career. Erven Davis, Chris’ brother, helps run the Dallas Pump N Run summer program. The organization has two teams participating in the Shoot-Out. Chris is working as an assistant with both teams, including Pump N Run Blue. The team, which features several elite college prospects, got off to a quick start in the first two days of the tournament. The team’s players credited their success in part to Chris, who works with Erven, the head coach. "I have learned a lot from Chris," Pump N Run forward Harold Stewart said. "It’s a good experience to learn from someone who has played in college. He has taught us to work hard on our games. We respect him for what he has done in his career." Chris will often pick the team’s players up at night and take them to the gym to work out. He has also been known to get on the floor and teach them a lesson or two. "Chris came on in a player development role and then took a more active role in coaching," Erven said. "It gives our program a lot of credibility to have a player like Chris in the gym with us." Chris’ role with his brother’s program brought him back to the site of some of his greatest triumphs during his career at UNT, where he scored 2,254 points. "I am always out here at UNT," said Chris, a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection. "It’s like a second home." While Chris’ return to the Super Pit isn’t rare, he has enjoyed coaching on his old home court. "I have been here for games since I graduated, but this is the first time I have coached," Chris said. "It’s a good experience to be around the kids." Jones is recruiting multiple players on Dallas Pump N Run Blue and has watched the team play several times. Scouting the team has also given Jones a chance to see his former player in action as a coach. Jones is not surprised by seeing Chris succeed on the sidelines like he did on the floor at UNT. "I have always known that Chris has a knack for coaching," Jones said. "He has a love for the game. It’s a joy to see him give back to the young kids and share his knowledge with them." BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870.

Basketball: Jones enjoying having Shoot-Out at UNT once again Some of country’s top players in town 08:50 AM CDT on Saturday, July 10, 2004 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Johnny Jones is enjoying one of the perks of his job as the men’s basketball coach at North Texas this week. While other college coaches are jetting to tournaments across the country to watch the nation’s elite high school players, Jones is scouting the Pontiac Great American Shoot-Out in his own backyard. The all-star event started Friday at UNT. "The Shoot-Out is as important as any other place we go in the summer," Jones said. "There are a lot of kids from areas we concentrate on recruiting and there are a lot of good players there." UNT will have at least three scholarships available for the 2005 recruiting class. If the Mean Green’s past is any indication, some of the players Jones picks to fill those spots are playing in Denton this weekend. Michael Sturns, a guard from North Crowley, and Quincy Williams, a forward from Carl Albert High in Midwest City, Okla., both played in the Shoot-Out before signing with the Mean Green earlier this year. The other three members of UNT’s 2004 class were junior college players. Those players form what Jones described as a balanced recruiting class that addressed the team’s immediate needs. The success Jones had on the road last year will impact his approach heading into the key summer recruiting period in the next few weeks. "We have to go and recruit the best guys available," Jones said. "We need both guards and big guys in this class." Having a series of players who could fit UNT’s needs play on campus each year helps the team’s cause. The players UNT is recruiting get a chance to play at UNT and see the campus during the Shoot-Out Jones is hoping the experience of playing in Denton will help sway a few highly-regarded players to join a recruiting class that already includes one player. Kendrick Davis, a 6-4 shooting guard, transferred to UNT from Arkansas and will play his first game with the Mean Green in the 2005-06 season. Davis averaged 10.3 points a game as a freshman at Arkansas in the 2002-03 season. He averaged 5.4 points per game last season as a sophomore. Two of the top players in the tournament are considering joining Davis in UNT’s next recruiting class. Marquez Haynes lists UNT, Houston, TCU, SMU, Rice, UTEP, Tulsa, Wyoming and Colorado State among the schools he is considering. The 6-3 guard from Irving Nimitz is playing with Dallas Pump N Run Blue in the NBA Division of the tournament. Haynes’ teammate Jonathan Amos, a 6-4 guard from Dallas Hillcrest, also lists UNT among the schools he is considering attending along with SMU, Colorado State, Nevada and UNT’s Sun Belt Conference rival Arkansas-Little Rock. Mike Kunstadt’s Texas hoops.com, a Web site that follows high school basketball recruiting, listed both players among the elite prospects in the tournament. "It helps to come and play in a tournament at UNT," Amos said. "It gives you the feel of what the school is like." Haynes has already received an offer from UNT and is comfortable with Jones and the rest of his coaching staff. "I am open right now, but UNT has shown a lot of interest," Haynes said. "I am a hometown kid and would like to stay close so my parents can come see me play." Both players had a favorable first experience at UNT during the tournament. Pump N Run Blue jumped out to an early lead and hung on for a 77-73 win over Kansas City Keys in the NBA Division of the event. Jones and Houston coach Tom Penders were among the college coaches who watched the game. BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. In addition to these players Rivals Tickler shows NT being considered by two other BB players: 1. Power Forward Jeremy Mayfield, Irving MacArthur 6-10, 225 lists Baylor, LSU, Michigan, Neb, Syrcuse, Wake Forest, NT and Portland State. 2. Shooting Guard Roderick Ollie 6-5, Moorehead MS Gentry lists Old Miss, Miss St, So Miss, LaTech, Middle TN,NT, Alabama..has two offer who"

Women's Basketball: Stoehr leaving for Little Rock UNT assistant’s exit comes at height of recruiting season 09:05 AM CDT on Friday, July 9, 2004 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer North Texas women’s basketball coach Tina Slinker is expecting to see one of her longtime assistants on the opposite side of the court this fall. Scott Stoehr, who spent six seasons as an assistant coach at UNT, has left the program and is expected to be named an assistant coach at Arkansas-Little Rock in the next few weeks. Stoehr has already moved to Little Rock and is among a handful of candidates for an open spot on head coach Joe Foley’s staff. Brooke Lassiter, an assistant coach at UALR, and Stoehr are engaged and are planning to marry in the next few months. "It’s a great opportunity for them because they wanted to work on the same staff," Slinker said. "When you lose an assistant like Scott, it affects your program. He did a great job." Stoehr spent five years as an assistant coach at UNT before spending one year at Florida State, where he met Lassiter. Stoehr returned in 2003 for what turned out to be a final one-year stint with the team. "It was difficult to leave North Texas, but I am thrilled to be here and have the opportunity to work with my fiancee," Stoehr said by phone from Little Rock. "It’s a blessing. Being a college basketball coach is difficult while having a family with the amount of time you spend on the road. This way we will be able to see each other more." Slinker is in the process of interviewing potential replacements for Stoehr and expects to hire a new coach in the next few weeks. UNT is approaching a critical part of the offseason when coaches can travel the country to scout players. Slinker said the rest of her staff will have to pick up the slack left by Stoehr’s departure during the recruiting period. UNT’s newest coach will join a veteran staff that has been together for several years. Slinker is entering her 16th year with the team, while assistant coaches Angela Ortega and Janice Dziuk have been with the Lady Eagles for 12 and six years, respectively. Slinker said the staff would miss Stoehr’s work ethic and the knowledge of the program. Stoehr’s decision to coach for another team in the Sun Belt Conference will set up an interesting game next season when he will have the chance to face one of his mentors. "It will be interesting to face Tina, but it is not something I am looking forward to," Stoehr said. "I will be excited for UNT in 27 of the 28 games they play this year." Stoehr expected to stay with UNT until recently when UALR had an opening on its staff. Lassiter was looking for an opening on the high school level in the Dallas area when another coach left UALR’s staff to go into private business. Stoehr is leaving a UNT team that finished with an 11-17 record after losing to Middle Tennessee in the first round of the Sun Belt Tournament to join a UALR team that is in the midst of the rebuilding process. The Trojans finished with a 10-17 record in the 2003-04 season. UALR had not won 10 games in a season since the 1980-81 campaign. UNT trounced UALR 63-41 last year. Stoehr is hoping to help the Trojans turn the corner after playing a role in UNT moving into position for what he feels will be a breakout season in the fall. "I think UNT will have a good year," Stoehr said. "The sophomores have learned to work hard. They have been working their tails off this summer and knows what it takes to win." BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870.