6 days Ago
It didn’t take long for Coach Corey Thompson to show his Winston-Salem State men's basketball team how much he cares. Sporting a red cast on his right hand for Saturday’s game with Francis Marion in his debut as coach of his alma mater at the Gaines Center, Thompson sheepishly said how it happened. “It was in our first game, and I slammed it on the scorer’s table,” Thompson said.
“I guess I showed a little too much passion.” Unfortunately, his team didn’t show enough passion in a 77-71 loss to Francis Marion in front of around 1,000 fans. A scoring drought late in the second half gave the Patriots a chance to seize control of the game and they did.
Winston-Salem State head coach Corey Thompson speaks with his team during a timeout in the second half of the Rams' 77-71 loss to the Francis Marion Patriots in an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday at the Gaines Center. The Rams (0-3) are looking for Thompson’s first win as a college coach and the script could have been different in his home debut. They went up early and was using the crowd’s energy to their advantage but not enough stops on defense and some poor shot selection late led to the loss.
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He's a former player for the Rams who is coaching the men's program Thompson played at the Gaines Center 25 years ago as a center and is the first alum to coach in the Gaines Center in the history of the men’s program. Getting that first college win, however, will have to wait. “I really want to make it about the guys because my time as a player as come and gone, so it’s about them,” Thompson said about a team he had to build in about three months after he was hired in the summer.
His family that includes wife, Kesi, played for the Rams on the women’s team the same time Corey was on the men’s team. Before the game she said her husband wasn't nervous but more excited to get out there. Coach Thompson’s family and friends sit behind the team to watch the game “I think he wasn’t that nervous, but I think it’s more about wanting his team to play well,” she said.
“All of that stuff about being back here after us graduating from here, that’s not the focal point. He just wants to have success now.” With about two minutes to play Thompson was close to the scorer’s table again and the Rams hoisted up an inadvertent 3-point attempt.
He nearly slammed the scorer’s table again, but stopped short and said, “I can’t break my other hand.” The Rams went nearly eight minutes without a basket in the second half that ultimately cost them. Also coming to see Thompson’s debut was one of his former teammates, Chea Johnson, who is a high-school coach in Charlotte.
Letita Duckett, the widow of Rick who coached Thompson 25 years ago at WSSU, was also there showing her support. He's an alum coaching for the first time at the Gaines Center since his playing days 25 years ago Kesi and Corey’s three children were also there. Tyson, who is their oldest and plays basketball for Winston-Salem Christian, is a highly ranked player in the state.
“He’s been OK, and he’s been looking forward to this so he’s excited,” Tyson said before the game. “I think my mom was a little more nervous.” Kesi said seeing her husband coaching at WSSU where they met and started dating is something that is like a dream.
“This has always been his dream job and to see it come to fruition is just amazing,” Kesi said. “I’m just so proud of him and what he’s doing.” One of Thompson’s new players is Wesley Tubbs, who last played at Tallahassee Community College.
He played for the first time at the Gaines Center and had 14 points and five rebounds. Winston-Salem State's Wesley Tubbs III (3) has a layup blocked by Francis Marion's Alex Atkinson (12) in the second half. Tubbs didn’t sense that his coach was nervous at all.
“We all want the same and that’s get our first win,” Tubbs said. “There’s no pressure. He doesn’t really talk that much about when he played here because he’s trying to make his mark as a coach.
” The Rams will get some time to fix their problems, such as the 19 turnovers against the Patriots, who improved to 2-2. The Rams don’t play again until Nov. 26 at the Gaines Center against Lander.
“We need to execute better down the stretch and that’s what hurt us the most,” Thompson said. “At times we executed early but then when adversity hit, we kind of reverted to bad habits so we’ll correct those here as we get back into practice.” The Rams allowed the Patriots to score 52 points in the paint, and that can’t happen.
“We have to be able to guard your man better,” Thompson said. What is an ironic touch to his debut in the Gaines Center is that he once hurt his right hand in a game while playing for the Rams. “It’s kind of crazy I did hurt this hand when I was a player,” Thompson said.
“I just love what I do, and I love coaching, and I just want the guys to play better together.” PHOTOS: Winston-Salem State falls to Francis Marion, 77-71, in men's basketball Francis Marion's Ibrahim Wattara (11) grabs a rebound over Winston-Salem State's Lorenzo Caldwell (1) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.
C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State's Jeremy Dixon (23) goes in for a layup while pressured by Francis Marion's Jordyn Surratt (1) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71.
Winston-Salem State's Wesley Tubbs III (3) and Winston-Salem State's Micah Jones (5) apply pressure to Francis Marion's Jordyn Surratt (1) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State head coach Corey Thompson speaks with Tyre Boykin (11) and Khyelle Ingram (22) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.
C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State's Micah Jones (5) goes in for a layup over Francis Marion's Horaces Jacques Jr.
(30) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State's Tyre Boykin (11) shoots over Francis Marion's Ibrahim Wattara (11) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.
C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Francis Marion's Ramez Zayed (32) grabs a rebound over Winston-Salem State's Jeremy Dixon (23) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71.
Winston-Salem State's Wesley Tubbs III (3) shoots over Francis Marion's Latavian Lawrence (13) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State's Lorenzo Caldwell (1) and Francis Marion's Latavian Lawrence (13) reach for a pass intended for Caldwell in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.
C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State's Wesley Tubbs III (3) is pressured by Francis Marion's Alex Atkinson (12) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71.
Winston-Salem State's Lorenzo Caldwell (1) grabs a rebound over Francis Marion's Jordyn Surratt (1) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Francis Marion's Horaces Jacques Jr. (30) grabs a rebound over Winston-Salem State's Tyre Boykin (11) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71.
Winston-Salem State's Micah Jones (5) applies pressure to Francis Marion's Horaces Jacques Jr. (30) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.
C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Francis Marion's Jordyn Surratt (1) grabs a rebound over Winston-Salem State's Lorenzo Caldwell (1) in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71.
Winston-Salem State head coach Corey Thompson directs his team in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State head coach Corey Thompson reacts in the first half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.
C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State assistant coach Alphonza Kee, II (from left), assistant coach Tony Jones and head coach Corey Thompson talk in the hallway during halftime of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71.
Winston-Salem State head coach Corey Thompson come together for a huddle with his team in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State's Wesley Tubbs III (3) dunks the ball in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.
C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State's Wesley Tubbs III (3) celebrates in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71.
Winston-Salem State Powerhouse cheerleaders perform during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State head coach Corey Thompson’s family and friends sit behind the team to watch the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.
C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State head coach Corey Thompson speaks with his team during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71.
Winston-Salem State's Lance Gill (13, from left), Khyelle Ingram (22) and Samuel Newkirk (24) cheer in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Francis Marion head coach Jake Zehnder directs his team in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.
C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State's Abou Camara (30) celebrates with teammate Masaun Moore-Bryant (2) after blocking a shot by Francis Marion in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71.
Winston-Salem State's Masaun Moore-Bryant (2) goes in for a layup in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State's Jaiden Thompson (0) loses his shoe as he take the ball up the court in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.
C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71. Winston-Salem State's Wesley Tubbs III (3) has a layup blocked by Francis Marion's Alex Atkinson (12) in the second half of an NCAA men’s basketball game on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, at the Gaines Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Winston-Salem State Rams, 77-71.
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