Wednesday, January 28, 2004
The Ingram Family: Road Warriors
The Ingrams and my group were the only AU fans at the Colgate game in Hamilton, and I couldn't have hoped for a more enthusiastic group to cheer with.
Richmond Times Dispatch (Virginia)
January 14, 2004 Wednesday City Edition
YOUR SECTION EAST; Pg. K-12
AIR INGRAMS/ ANDRE AND LUCIOUS ARE IN THE CLOUDS WITH AMERICAN EAGLES/
FRED JETER/ Times-Dispatch Staff Writer/ Contact Fred Jeter at (804) 739-2219 or fjeter@timesdispatch.com,
This is an "All-American" story about hoops: basketball hoops and hula hoops.
Former Highland Springs High star Andre Ingram has been a freshman sensation for American University, pacing coach Jeff Jones' Eagles in scoring in eight of his first 15 games.
Big brother Lucious Ingram hasn't done badly, either, on his visits to the school's Washington D.C. campus.
Andre leads the Patriot League squad in scoring, minutes played and 3-point shooting.
Richmonder Lucious, one of his brothers' biggest fans, is the AU leader in . . . well, in good luck.
Taking a chance on a raffle ticket at AU's season-opener against Delaware, Lucious (another former Springer) won two free tickets to Honolulu, Hawaii.
"His number got called," Andre said with a chuckle. "That was great. But it was kind of fitting, because I've had a family member at every game I've played - home and away."
Lucious' tickets to Hawaii came in handy as he watched Andre play three-games at the Rainbow Classic during the holidays.
Andre had a season-high 23 points in a loss to Notre Dame, and he enjoyed his first college double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) in a third-place victory over East Tennessee.
Last winter, Ingram led coach George Lancaster's Springers to the state Group AAA title. He made his final college between American and William and Mary.
"I wrote down everything about both schools, and after I factored it all it, I picked American," the 6-2 shooting guard said.
Then he added: "And I'm happy with my decision."
Eagles coach Jones, a former University of Virginia player and coach, is just as delighted. Ingram is fourth in the Patriot League in scoring (13.7) and second in 3-pointers made (2.79).
"He's been terrific - an absolute joy to coach," said Jones, who team improved to 7-8 overall with a win Saturday over Bucknell.
"I knew we were getting a great person and very good player. What I may not have known was what a good learner Andre is. He's impressed our entire staff with his ability to pick things up so fast."
Ingram, a confident shooter, scored more than 20 points per game as a junior and senior for Highland Springs. His shot is not from a textbook. He sort of lunges forward on his release instead of going straight up and down. That bothered some recruiters, but not Jones.
"I had Curtis Staples at Virginia and he had an odd shot, too. He sort of shot it with two hands from the front of his head, and he wound up being the NCAA all-time leader in 3s.
"I'm smart enough to know not to mess with a successful shooter."
Adjusting to college hoops is one thing. Ingram admits that adjusting to the fast pace of one of the world's most hectic cities might be a bit tougher.
"I don't have a car here, and I'm glad," he said. "The traffic is crazy . . . much different than at home. Mostly, I just take the Metro or the shuttles."
Also learning to cope with D.C. traffic are parents Lucious Sr. and Eva, who have made all the games except for the trip to Hawaii.
"The Ingrams are some of our best fans," AU Sports Information Director Shaun May said. "It's like the game isn't official until the Ingrams arrive."
Jones has made it easier for traveling fans by scheduling most of the home games at 1 p.m.
"I just hate waiting for a game," Jones said. "The earlier we play, the better I like it."
That way, the Ingrams have dinner with Andre after the game and still get back to eastern Henrico at a decent hour.
It's a nice deal the Ingram family has worked out. Andre does the 'hoopin' and they do the hollerin.'/
@ 2:31 PM
The Ingrams and my group were the only AU fans at the Colgate game in Hamilton, and I couldn't have hoped for a more enthusiastic group to cheer with.
Richmond Times Dispatch (Virginia)
January 14, 2004 Wednesday City Edition
YOUR SECTION EAST; Pg. K-12
AIR INGRAMS/ ANDRE AND LUCIOUS ARE IN THE CLOUDS WITH AMERICAN EAGLES/
FRED JETER/ Times-Dispatch Staff Writer/ Contact Fred Jeter at (804) 739-2219 or fjeter@timesdispatch.com,
This is an "All-American" story about hoops: basketball hoops and hula hoops.
Former Highland Springs High star Andre Ingram has been a freshman sensation for American University, pacing coach Jeff Jones' Eagles in scoring in eight of his first 15 games.
Big brother Lucious Ingram hasn't done badly, either, on his visits to the school's Washington D.C. campus.
Andre leads the Patriot League squad in scoring, minutes played and 3-point shooting.
Richmonder Lucious, one of his brothers' biggest fans, is the AU leader in . . . well, in good luck.
Taking a chance on a raffle ticket at AU's season-opener against Delaware, Lucious (another former Springer) won two free tickets to Honolulu, Hawaii.
"His number got called," Andre said with a chuckle. "That was great. But it was kind of fitting, because I've had a family member at every game I've played - home and away."
Lucious' tickets to Hawaii came in handy as he watched Andre play three-games at the Rainbow Classic during the holidays.
Andre had a season-high 23 points in a loss to Notre Dame, and he enjoyed his first college double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) in a third-place victory over East Tennessee.
Last winter, Ingram led coach George Lancaster's Springers to the state Group AAA title. He made his final college between American and William and Mary.
"I wrote down everything about both schools, and after I factored it all it, I picked American," the 6-2 shooting guard said.
Then he added: "And I'm happy with my decision."
Eagles coach Jones, a former University of Virginia player and coach, is just as delighted. Ingram is fourth in the Patriot League in scoring (13.7) and second in 3-pointers made (2.79).
"He's been terrific - an absolute joy to coach," said Jones, who team improved to 7-8 overall with a win Saturday over Bucknell.
"I knew we were getting a great person and very good player. What I may not have known was what a good learner Andre is. He's impressed our entire staff with his ability to pick things up so fast."
Ingram, a confident shooter, scored more than 20 points per game as a junior and senior for Highland Springs. His shot is not from a textbook. He sort of lunges forward on his release instead of going straight up and down. That bothered some recruiters, but not Jones.
"I had Curtis Staples at Virginia and he had an odd shot, too. He sort of shot it with two hands from the front of his head, and he wound up being the NCAA all-time leader in 3s.
"I'm smart enough to know not to mess with a successful shooter."
Adjusting to college hoops is one thing. Ingram admits that adjusting to the fast pace of one of the world's most hectic cities might be a bit tougher.
"I don't have a car here, and I'm glad," he said. "The traffic is crazy . . . much different than at home. Mostly, I just take the Metro or the shuttles."
Also learning to cope with D.C. traffic are parents Lucious Sr. and Eva, who have made all the games except for the trip to Hawaii.
"The Ingrams are some of our best fans," AU Sports Information Director Shaun May said. "It's like the game isn't official until the Ingrams arrive."
Jones has made it easier for traveling fans by scheduling most of the home games at 1 p.m.
"I just hate waiting for a game," Jones said. "The earlier we play, the better I like it."
That way, the Ingrams have dinner with Andre after the game and still get back to eastern Henrico at a decent hour.
It's a nice deal the Ingram family has worked out. Andre does the 'hoopin' and they do the hollerin.'/
@ 2:31 PM
