FAIRMONT —
While Jerrod Calhoun won’t ever admit to being satisfied with how Fairmont State’s men’s hoops season has gone — coaches, especially ones with his vision, aren’t exactly poster boys for complacency — he has to like the spot the Falcons are in.
No, FSU isn’t perched atop the West Virginia Intercollegiate Conference standings — that would be 20-1, No. 3-ranked West Liberty. But the Falcons have seemingly found their groove in Calhoun’s first year in charge, winning 10 of their past 11 games.
Saturday afternoon brought more of the same, as the team won its fifth straight with a 78-67 road victory at West Virginian Wesleyan.
If anything, the hallmarks of this current run have been shooting and defense.
In all but one of the past five games, FSU has shot 50 percent or better from the floor, including a scorching 55.2 percent in Thursday’s huge home win against Charleston.
And on the glass the Falcons are making gains, too, having won or tied the rebounding battle in each of the last three times out. They clearly had the upper hand on Saturday — pulling down 39 boards to Wesleyan’s 27, and adding 16 on the offensive end.
But maybe the best part in all this? FSU is still learning to play together.
After bringing in transfers and freshmen and a whole new coaching staff, it’s taken time and who knows how many odd hours in the gym to reach this point. Imagine where the Falcons could be with a few more weeks of fine-tuning — which, perhaps coincidentally, is about the same time the conference tournament gets under way.
Good timing indeed.
o o o o o o
Speaking of time, now is as good as one as ever to check out the Falcons in person. They’re quick, skilled, gritty and probably the deepest and most talented in maroon since the 1997-98 Elite Eight squad.
And with five of seven contests home at Joe Retton Arena to close the regular season — starting with Monday’s women’s-men’s doubleheader with Wheeling Jesuit at 5:30 p.m. — this is a team worth watching, whether someone’s giving out free T-shirts or not.
Email Nick Cammuso at ncammuso@timeswv.com or follow him on Twitter@NickCammusoTWV.
Fairmont State Sports
COLUMN: FSU men in prime position
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Westchester Village holding a meet, greet
Meeting and greeting.
Westchester Village and Fairmont State University are pairing for a meet-and-greet dinner with the Fighting Falcon football coaches at Westchester Village on June 28 at 7 p.m. -
FSU’s Cooper gets international experience
Fairmont State basketball player Brendan Cooper traveled this offseason, but not the kind that results in a turnover and an earful from a coach.
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Businesses pitch in for FSU hoops camp
Fairmont State basketball coach Jerrod Calhoun was teaching the athletes about ball handling and shooting and defense during last year’s basketball camp, but one student — no more than fourth or fifth-grade — just couldn't pay attention.
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FSU’s Woodman excited for football season
It’s getting exciting in Fighting Falcon country.
Fairmont State University’s new head football coach, Jason Woodman, has some renovating ahead of him this season. -
Fairmont State signs dynamic guard
Fairmont State’s men’s basketball team has added a key player to its roster.
Shammgod Wells, a native of the Bronx, N.Y., signed his letter of intent to play basketball for Fairmont State Thursday. -
Six home games, three Thursday contests mark FSU schedule
Fairmont State University’s football schedule was far from favorable during a 4-6 2012 season.
The Falcons had only four home games — none before Sept. 22 and three on or after Oct. 13. -
East’s Summers signs to play softball at FSU
East Fairmont softball player Kayla Summers always dreamed about playing softball in college.
On Tuesday, Summers signed her letter of intent to play at Fairmont State University.
“Ever since I started playing softball, I always told my parents that I was going to go to college and play softball,” she said. -
Horton signs with Fairmont State
One Fairmont Senior basketball player’s dreams of playing in college has become a reality.
On Tuesday, Travon Horton signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Fairmont State University.
He said staying in Fairmont means a lot because of the support he has. -
FSU, MVB team up for successful tournament
The Falcons and MVB paired to complete th 21st annual MVB-Fairmont State Athletic Association Golf Tournament at the Bridgeport Country Club on Friday.
Fairmont State’s mission during the event was to sell out, so thar FSU could raise as much money as possible for the athletic department. -
Cobb named Atlantic Player of the Year
Fairmont State’s Chelsea Cobb was named the Daktronics Atlantic Region Player of the Year and outfielder Holly Frampton was a first team all-region selection. Freshman Courtney Iacobacci was a second team all-region selection.
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Westchester Village holding a meet, greet
