Saluqi Corner

by Keith Gentry

Cedric Henderson named men’s basketball head coach

Former University of Memphis star and NBA veteran Cedric Henderson is the new head men’s basketball coach, replacing Jerry Nichols who has accepted an assistant coaching position at Tennessee State University. Henderson is no stranger to the Saluqi basketball program, having served as an assistant coach during the 2012-13 season.  He also coached at Trezevant and Wooddale high schools in Memphis.

A product of East High School in Memphis where he was a McDonald’s High School All-American. He went on to play four years at the University of Memphis under Head Coach Larry Finch where he scored 1,697 points in his career, placing him sixth on the university’s all-time scoring list.  Selected in the second round of the 1997 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Henderson was named to the NBA’s second team All-Rookie Team in 1998. Henderson played four seasons for the Cavaliers before being traded to the Golden State Warriors in 2001.  Following the NBA, he went on to play professionally in France, Lebanon, Cyprus and Ukraine.

Henderson is optimistic about the upcoming season.  “I believe we will have a good year with the guys I have on the roster,” he said.  “The players are young and ready to prove themselves, so I think we will be an aggressive team on offense and defense.”

Henderson says his first year coaching goals are simple.  “I want to build a strong-minded group of guys that compete day in and day out,” he said.  “I'm old-fashioned in my approach to the game and to developing players who are bigger, stronger and faster. I expect my team to play hard and play together. No man is bigger than the team.”

With the Saluqis coming off a 24-5 season last year, Henderson knows expectations are high.  “Last year’s coach was very good, so I plan on trying to keep Southwest striving for the same goals. Doesn't mean we will win it all, but we plan on competing every night on the floor and hopefully that translates into wins.”

Saluqi men kick off the season Nov. 2 at the Orscheln Properties Classic. Opponent and location are to be announced.  First home game for the Lady Saluqis is Nov. 6 against Arkansas Baptist at 5:30 p.m. in the Verties Sails Gymnasium.  First men’s home game is Nov. 26 against Holmes Community College at 7:30 p.m.  Click here to download the Saluqi Men and Women’s Basketball Schedule.

Saluqi Soccer on a roll in second season

Defeat conference rival Columbia State in thrilling double-overtime

The Southwest women's soccer team did not win a single game during its inaugural season last year.  They didn’t score a goal, either.  But that did not stop them from hustling on and off the field.  The work is paying off.

The team defeated conference rival Columbia State 3-2 September 12 at St. George’s Independent School in a thrilling double-overtime match. With the win, the Lady Saluqis improved to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA). It was their third straight victory, all in conference play.

After falling behind 1-0 to Columbia State midway through the first half, Southwest answered with a goal by Caitlan Dew (assisted by Thaina Aparecida de Paula) to tie the match at 1-1 with 11:38 left in the first period. Columbia State regained the lead 2-1 with 12:32 left in regulation before the Lady Saluqis again answered, this time on a goal by Anna Trotter (assisted by Steffany Olivares) with just 4:32 remaining.

With the score tied 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes of play, the two teams played a 10-minute overtime in which neither team scored, forcing a second 10-minute (sudden death) overtime. Dew, the TCCAA’s leader in goals, scored her second of the game (again assisted by Aparecida de Paula) to give Southwest a hard-fought 3-2 victory. 

Way to go, Saluqis!