Sports > November 15, 2007

By Ryan Durham | Sports editor

The Deacons’ home opener against Fairfield proved to be an emotional one, not because of any amazing play on the part of the players but because of what it meant for both the fans and players alike.

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Sophomore L.D. Williams prepares to defend the basket during the Deacs’ win over Fairfield Nov. 9. (Roger Kirkpatrick/Old Gold & Black)

In a pregame ceremony, a banner honoring the late Skip Prosser was unveiled in a touching pregame ceremony, but the Deacons did not let thoughts of their old coach visibily affect their game as they easily topped Fairfield 85-60.

“A lot of emotion went into this game, all the way (back to) July,” Head Coach Dino Gaudio said in his postgame press conference. “I thought our guys handled it very well.”

The Deacons did not spend much time getting started on the 2007-’08 season, scoring 13 points in the first five minutes of play and only allowing the Stags three points.

Sophomore L.D. Williams was a large part of this strong attack contributing eight of the opening minute points, including a dunk.

Fairfield attempted to regain some composure, pulling back to within five points, but the Deacs were determined not to allow the Stags back into the game.

The Deacs used their momentum to take a 20-point lead into the locker room at the halftime buzzer, a lead that they would not relinquish for the rest of the game.

Besides Williams’ contribution of 10 points in the first half, freshman James Johnson and sophomore Jamie Skeen proved their talent once again with 11 and eight points, respectively, from the floor.

The second half of the game played out much like the first with the Deacons dominating the ball.

Fairfield never came to within 15 points of the Wake Forest lead in the second half. This was facilitated by 12 Stag turnovers and six Deacon steals in the second half.

Also coming up big for the Deacs in the second half was junior Harvey Hale, who scored 14 points in the second half.

On the night, the Deacs forced 23 turnovers and 14 steals en route to their 85-60 win over the Stags.

Defense is something Coach Gaudio and his staff have stressed all season and the team’s performance seems to be a step in the right direction.

“It’s mission started, it’s not mission accomplished. We worked diligently on the defensive end of the floor,” Gaudio said. “What we didn’t do well was guarding the three-point shoots.”

The Stags were 10 of 16 from three-point range accounting for 30 of their 60 points.

The Deacons did their own damage from behind the arc, sinking 14 of 29 three-point attempts and shooting over 50 percent in the second half.

“My hat goes off to them, making 14 threes, I believe,” Fairfield Head Coach Ed Cooley said. “Harvey Hale really came out of his shell and shot the ball well. I think everybody in the building made a three against us tonight.”

The combination of Hale and Johnson led the team offensively on the night with 17 points apiece.

Johnson also had yet another double-double as he pulled down 10 of the Deacons’ 30 boards.

Williams and Skeen rounded out the Deacons in double-digit points with 12 and 10 respectively, but a few newcomers were also close to the mark.

Freshmen Jeff Teague and Gary Clark each had nine points.

Wake Forest has a short break before returning to action 7 p.m. Nov. 19 when they play host to N.C. Central.

They then travel to Iowa for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge Nov. 26.

“Last year, we had 24 practices before the first game,” Gaudio said.

“This year, we had 22 practices. So I’m glad we’re going to have a little layoff so we can tighten some things up.”