New Beginnings: The Brian Gladney Legacy

[BrianG]

The Long Island Blackbirds held a press conference late yesterday afternoon to announce the hiring of Brian Gladney as their new head coach. "I'm exited to be here and we expexct great things to happen here." said Coach Gladney. Expectations are high with the bulk of the the team returning from last year. Coach Gladney said, "I expect our point guard to be our leader, no questions asked. We have a chance to be a special team. Some might say aiming for the NCAA's is too high of a goal right now but I believe we can not only make it, but do some damage while we're there.".

When asked about his previous tenure at Cal State Fulerton last year, Gladney was frank about the situation. " Both the Athetic Director and I were looking to be on the same page last year. After upsetting Minnesota in the Kush Invitational we were set to play UConn in the next round. They pulled out of the tournament for some unknown reason and when I tried to reschedule the game neither they nor our AD wanted to do it. Promises were not kept by the CSU administration so I had no choice but to leave a bad situation.".

Coach Gladney left the podium and a sense of optimism about the program still lingered after he was gone.


***NOTE*** I started a legacy last year with CSU and during the tournament I ran into a glitch that wouldn't let me finish the pre-season tournament. I figured I would just work that into my new legacy. More to come later.

[vandnbyriver5]

Welcome back to the land of legacies BrianG, hope this one doesnt end as abrubtly as last year. (stupid glitches)

[BrianG]

Schedule
-----------

vs. Lehigh
@Columbia
@Boston College
@Wagner (Conference)
@Albany
@Hartford
@Harvard
@Arizona State

Conference Games
-----------------------

@St. Francis
vs. Wagner
vs. New York Colege
vs. Monmouth
@Farleigh Dickenson
@ Central Conneticut
vs. Mt. St. Mary's
@ Quineppiac
vs. Farleigh Dickenson
@ Monmouth
vs. Sacred Heart
@ New York College
vs. Quineppiac
vs. St. Francis
@ Sacred Heart
@ Robert Morris

[BrianG]

Andy Katz conducted a telephone interview with Long Island's Coach Gladney. Here is a transcript of their conversation:

Katz: Hi Coach. Many were surprised you came back to coach Long Island. How do you feel about your new team?

Gladney: I feel great. This team is going to surprise a lot of people. We have the talent and size to be a major factor this year.

Katz: Who is your most important player?

Gladney: Our point guard and and center, no question. They have the ability to be the best inside-outside combo in the conference and one of the best in the country if they so choose. It's all up to them. Not only is their play important but our 2-guard needs to step up with his scoring. There's no reason we can't have the best backcourt in the conference.

Katz: What style of play will you bring to the team?

Gladney: We will pressure the ball a lot and look to run when we can. We have the athletes to do it so we must use all of our weapons the best we can. We need to establish our post guys early in the game and make it easy for them to get good looks. If the defense focuses on the inside then our outside guys will have an easier time getting good looks. I plan on using my entire bench so everyone needs to be ready to play at a moment's notice.

Katz: What drew you to Long Island?

Gladney: Well I've always loved the area. New York breeds some of the best players in America and our staff plans to tap into that resource. In addition to that when you hear about Gary George taking over at Texas Southern, Lee Pettway at Alabama A&M, and Malcolm Payton going to Navy it makes you get that itch again. I wish them nothing but the best. This year will be interesting for all of us.

[CincyFan]

that is awesome how u tied in the legacy of last year into this one. This already seems like it is going to be a good legacy. it took 5 straight days to finish the first season of legacy for me. then again i only played half the games, my brother and friend played the rest. so i am already in my sesaon year and doing some damage. that is also cool how u added in the other coaches in other dynasties to yours.

[vandnbyriver5]

BrianG-Thanks for the plug on our legacies man, great way to tie it in...

[BrianG]

2004-2005 Roster

Starters
----------

#3 K. Newsom (PG) Sophmore
#5 E. Laurie (SG) Sophmore
#21 J. Forchion (SF) Sophmore
#22 D. Cable (PF) Sophmore
#1 R. Sokolov (C) Senior


Bench
-------

#33 N. Buggs (PF) Freshman
#2 J. Clemmons (PF) Sophmore
#35 J. Sessoms (SF) Sophmore
#23 A. Okafor (SF) Freshman
#44 M. Beck (PF) Freshman
#15 S. Clemmons (SF) Freshman
#4 T. Burnette (PG) Freshman
#14 D. Neskovic (SG) Freshman
#20 Z. Snow (PG) Senior

[elprez98]

BrianG-Thanks for the plug on our legacies man, great way to tie it in...

Yea B...that was hot!!!

[BrianG]

No problem. A few comments:

1) I started my legacy last night and I was playing really well but my wife wasn't feeling too hot so I turned it off mid-way through. I'll finish tonight though so look for an update tomorrow.

2) We're expecting our first child (BOY!!) next month so don't be surprised if things start to slip on my end. Hopefully I'll still get to play a lot and I WILL finish my legacy but don't be surprised if it takes me a little longer to post things.

3) Since we're expecting I'm hopefully going to get a digital camera this week. If I am able to get one I'll try to take a picture of the highlight of each game I play and work that into my legacy. I'll even try to sim a game that you guys would be playing that week and take a picture to put in the weekly SportsCenter. We'll see how all that plays out though......

[vandnbyriver5]

this is a great idea Cincy's had, and im glad to see that ur running with it

[Anonymous]

Brooklyn (AP) -- The Long Island Blackbirds started the game with an 18-4 opening run and went on to beat Lehigh 57-47. E. Laurie had 15 points in the first half and finished with a game high 22 points. " I just wanted to set the tone out there.", said Laurie.

K. Newsom and R. Sokolov, both preseason favorites to win the conference Player of the Year Award, struggled. Newsom had 8 points, 1 assist, and 2 steals while Sokolov had 3 points and 8 rebounds. Freshmen M. Beck and A. Okafor had stellar games. Beck finished with 4 points and 5 rebounds while Okafor had 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and a team high 4 assists playing SF.

After the game Coach Gladney gave his thoughts: " We had a 36-22 halftime lead and we practically gave it away. Lehigh's R. Norman got 17 points on us and he's not that great a scorer. E. Kilgore got 5 assists against us but my starting SF J. Forchion responded well and fouled him out. He had a great game for us. He's 6'4 but he got us 4 points and 7 rebounds. He's our defensive leader our there, no question. I was surprised with the poise our freshmen showed out there and also disappointed with 3 of our starters. We need a better effort from them.".


Top 3 Players

E. Laurie: 22 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
A. Okafor: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 assists
J. Forchion: 4 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block

[BrianG]

Long Island (1-0) vs. Columbia (0-1)


Manhattan (AP) -- Long Island found themselves down early but battled back for a 68-60 win over Columbia. The Blackbirds started the game sluggish and were unable to capitalize on the turnovers they forced Columbia into. They picked it up and were able to take a 34-28 lead going into halftime. E. Laurie played a big part in disrupting the offense as he had 6 points and 3 steals in the first half. He finished the game with 20 points and 5 steals. " Laurie continues to amaze me.", said Coach Gladney. " He wasn't having a great shooting night but he did find a way to get us points by getting to the foul line. This kid's basketball IQ is really high.".

K. Newsom had a solid night with 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals while big man R. Sokolov had 8 points and 5 rebounds. " They're still not off the hook with me", said Gladney. "They can still do better than that."

Columbia was led by A. Jackette who looked like Larry Bird tonight. He finished the game with 23 points and 11 rebounds. "We had no answer for him and that's really sad. No one on our team took the challenge.", said Gladney.

Long Island's M. Beck had another outstanding game finishing with 8 points and a team high 9 rebounds. " I feel like I'm getting in a groove out there.", said Beck. " I want to help my team win and I'm not afraid to be physical out there.". J. Forchion had another great all-around game with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, and 3 assists. A. Okafor had 0 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists.

Coach Gladney had some parting comments as his team boarded the bus: "Okafor is by far the best athlete on the team but physical gifts won't always get it done. We need him to step up and be more consistant. We're heading to Boston to take on #23 Boston College. Our players know the importance of this game so I'll need a maximum effort from all of them. D. Cable has a lot of heart and is playing out of position as a 6'5 PF. Don't be surprised if you see a lot more of Beck next game."


Top 3 Players

J. Forchion: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, 3 assists
E. Laurie: 20 points, 5 steals
M. Beck: 8 points, 9 rebounds

[Champteezy]

It looks like Laurie is a scoring machine, so far after 2 games no one else is in double figures. Hopefully someone else is able to step up incase he starts to get double teamed in later games.

[BrianG]

We need some serious help in the post. My big men get virtually no offensive boards and they can't make any shots in the paint outside of dunks (Which they miss most of the time).

If I can get better post play then that will open up my outside game. Luckily for me I've been getting the other team into foul trouble so that's how I'm getting a lot of my points. I'm usually in the bonus situation midway through each half.

[nickm]

Well for #2, congrats on the baby boy coming soon.

And for #3 that sounds pretty cool, I would like to see how you work the games news articles into your dynasty. Keep up the good work.

[BrianG]

Boston (AP) -- Boston college led LIU 39-19 at halftime in route to a 80-51 victory. M. O'Bannon lead BC with 19 pts and 11 rebounds. "We simply got outplayed tonight and that's a shame.", said Coach Gladney.

E. Laurie had 10 points and 2 steals for Long Island. J. Forchion had 5 points and 9 rebounds while R. Sokolov had 8 points and 8 rebounds. No player other than Laurie got into double digits in scoring.

"I hope our team understands the level of effort you need to bring every game. With this loss maybe they'll snap into it!.", said Coach Gladney.


Top Players:

E Laurie: 10 points, 2 steals
J. Forchion: 5 points, 9 rebounds
R. Sokolov: 8 points, 8 rebounds

[BrianG]

Queens (AP) -- E. Laurie continues to amaze the basketball world. Laurie hit a shot as time expired to beat conference foe Wagner 59-57. LIU had a 33-24 hafltime lead and Laurie had 16 points at the halfway mark. Wagner battled back and tied the game with 3 seconds left. Coach Gladney called a timeout and drew up a play that led to the game winning basket.

"We were lucky to escape with this win. We let our lead go but we battled back and showed our toughness.", said Coach Gladney.


Top Players
--------------

E. Laurie: 25 points 1 assist
J. Forchion: 7 points 9 rebounds
A. Okafor: 6 points 9rebounds, 1 steal, 3 assists



***Sorry everything is so short. Busy weekend. I'll post better on Monday.***

[vandnbyriver5]

nice wins, tough loss against BC,


seems like little schools cant compete with Big East Powerhouses :shock:

Its like, i think, therefore i... nope i lost it
:D
Good luck in the future,
River

[BrianG]

( Coach Brian Gladney sits at a table following LIU's win over Wagner. The media begins to ask questions. )


Reporter: Coach, how do you think your team has played so far?

Gladney: We have played poorly. It seems as if every game the team has a new identity and that is very frustrating. We get big leads and then we lose them. We have to take buzzer beating shots against teams that we're better than. The teams that we need to step up against we play scared against. The coaching staff WILL address these issues with the team.

Reporter: What have been the positives, if any, for your team?

Gladney: E. Laurie is our lone bright spot. He's averaging 19.5 points per game and has really become our team leader. He's getting it done both offensively and defensively. I just wish we had more help for him on the offensive end. I can't say enough about what he's done and what he means to our team.

Reporter: What about your bench?

Gladney: What about them? We need consistency from them. Our staff has made the decision to put M. Beck back on the bench and let D. Cable resume his starting role. We have no offensive firepower at all from the bench. I like the effort they give me defensively but offensively we don't have anything.

Reporter: Since you now have a 3-1 record do you still think you can make the NCAA tournament?

Gladney: In a word: Yes. This team has the talent. We just need to find the right mix of players on the court. Newsom and Sokolov need to play to their potential and not play down to the level of opposition. Maybe Sokolov needs to come off the bench? Right now I'm not sure. All I know is we need to get our act together leading into our big game vs. Arizona State. Like I keep saying, this team has a chance to do some special things but it's completely up to the players if they fufill their destiny.

( Coach Gladney gets up and leaves the interview area. )

[BrianG]

Long Island (3-1) vs. Albany (4-1)


Albany (AP) -- Miracles do happen. E. Laurie continues to show the basketball world why he's Mr. Clutch by rallying his team to a 66-64 victory over Albany. Laurie had 11 points at halftime and finished with 17 but no shot was bigger than the last shot he took. With 5 seconds left in a tied ballgame K. Newsom handed out his 2nd assist of the night by feeding Laurie the ball for a pull up jumper at the buzzer to win it for the Blackbirds.

4 players for Long Island scored in double figures. Newsom finished with 12 points and 2 assists, M. Beck had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, and Reggie Sokolov had 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Sokolov, who was criticized by his coach throughout the week, had a dominating game inside. The play of the night came when Beck fed Sokolov the ball and Sokolov spun off his defended and threw down a two hand slam over 2 other defenders. Feeling good about himself he then flexed at the crowd and almost got a technical.

D. Crisp led the Albany Great Danes with 30 points.

" Tonight we finally got balanced scoring.", said a relieved Coach Gladney. " We fought back and pulled of a win. The team finally showed a nasty streak and did whatever it took to win. We still need a more consistant effort from start to finish but we'll take this win and move on.".

Top Players:

E. Laurie: 17 points, 3 assists, 2 steals
K. Newsom: 12 points, 2 assists
M. Beck: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals,
Reggie Sokolov: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals.