Bulldogs Start Homecoming Week with Battle of Jefferson Street

NASHVILLE— It is Homecoming Week, and the Fisk University Bulldogs (0-1) will travel less than two miles down Jefferson Street to take on the Tennessee State University Tigers. For Jayden Lockett, this is a chance to play on the big stage against some familiar faces in, Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. and Jaylen Jones.

"It will be good for the city to come out and see us play," said Lockett. "Playing against two guys that I really respect will be fun. Also, I will look over at (TSU head) Coach Penny (Collins) when I score. A lot of us looked up to him when he played. I can't wait to get started."

Lockett, a 2018 graduate of East Magnet High School, was a 2017-18 Class AA Mr. Basketball Finalist. During his sophomore year at East, Tiger guard Fitzgerald Jr. played at East Middle School. Fitzgerald, who frequently scored 50 points in games at East Middle and his freshman year at Stratford High School, won a state championship when he played at Brentwood Academy.

In his senior year, Fitzgerald Jr. transferred to Pearl-Cohn High School and had a chance to win another state championship, but COVID-19 canceled the state final championships. That season, East trotted out Jones, who was a freshman point guard. Jones led his team to a berth in the championships as well. Jones won a state championship as a junior and was named Mr. Basketball after this past season.

Fitzgerald Jr. and Jones are now teammates at TSU. They, along with Lockett, Fisk assistant coach Russell Acklin (Pearl-Cohn Magnet), Collins (Whites Creek High School), and TSU assistants Ricky Collins (Pearl High) and Brandon Lockridge (Martin Luther King Magnet), are all graduates of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools programs. Tiger assistant Josh Bone coached two seasons at Antioch High School.

Last season, in front of over 8900 fans, the Bulldogs fell 85-75. In the first half, a Lockett basket with 35 seconds left in the first half tied the game. Fisk ended up down by two points at the break. Lockett scored five points, had two rebounds, two assists, and a steal in the first five minutes of the second half to keep his team in the game.  A three-point basket on the first possession of the second half and his assist to teammate Ralph Davenport (26 points) gave the Bulldogs a two-point lead. He ended up with 15 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in the game. Forward Michael Ashley had 18 points in the game.

In Fisk's first game this season, Blake Goodman exploded for 36 points in a loss to Faulkner (AL) University. Lockett once again filled up the stat sheet by scoring 21 points, grabbing five rebounds, and rejecting four shots. Tyon Thompson added 14 points, and Ashley had 13 rebounds. Fisk hopes having a game under their belt will help, as this will be TSU's season opener.

"Nashville is a progressive city, so we need to progress on supporting our athletes," said Penny Collins. "There was no better atmosphere than the game last year. Fisk plays hard, so we will need to be ready. Marcus, Jaylen, and Jayden are three guys that the city wants to see. It should be fun."

Game 2: Fisk University (0-1) at Tennessee State University (0-0)

Date/Time: Monday, November 6 | 7:30 p.m. (CST)
Watch: tennessee state - ESPN Search

Live Stats: https://tsutigers.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary

Location: Gentry Center, Nashville

QUICK HITS:

 New Athletic Director with Old Roots Brings New Direction

On October 6. 2023, Valencia Jordan was announced as the new Director of Athletics. Jordan returns to Fisk after playing basketball in 1981-82. She gained experience as the Assistant Athletic Director at Tennessee State University. She also coached volleyball and women's basketball there.

Honey, I'm Home

Head coach Kenny Anderson has scheduled a game with Long Island University. This is significant because it will be a homecoming for Anderson, who grew up 15 miles away in Queens, New York. Anderson and Lew Alcindor are the only players to be All-New York State in all four years of their high school career. LIU is coached by another New York great, Rod Strickland.

Anderson's Tough Schedule Will Be Key When Conference Play Starts

With three NCAA D1 teams (TSU, Austin Peay, and LIU) on the schedule, one might think that head coach Kenny Anderson is setting his team up for failure. Anderson scheduled them and NAIA power Faulkner (AL) University, Clark Atlanta, Freed-Hardeman University, Bethel University, Life University, and Wilberforce University to set his team up for success once the conference season rolls around.

 East Nashville Magnet Stars Meet

 2018 East Nashville Magnet grad Jayden Lockett and 2023 grad Jaylen Jones will meet for the first time in a regulation game. In 2018, Lockett was a Mr. Basketball candidate, and in 2023, Jones won the award. Lockett and his teammates his senior year were undefeated in the regular season. That team, along with others, helped to springboard a resurgence at East that eventually led to a state championship in 2022. Last season, Jones overtook Lockett as the all-time leading scorer at East.

The Trees Are Growing Around Good Trouble U

Anderson jumped into the transfer portal to get a much bigger lineup. Three transfer players will have to sit out until they are qualified. They are Brazilian import Hamilton Wallace is the tallest recruit for Anderson at 7'1. Tyree Martin is 6'9, and Solomon Mustafa-Reid is 6'8.

"We now look like a college team," said Anderson. "These guys will help us in the paint on both ends."

SCOUTING THE TSU TIGERS

• Brian "Penny" Collins is entering his sixth season as the head coach at TSU.
• The Tigers were picked to finish third in the OVC.
• Last season, TSU finished with an impressive 18-14 record, 13-4 at the Gentry Center.
• The Tigers return six players this season.
• Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. returns for his fourth season at TSU. He has scored 936 in his career.
• Fitzgerald Jr. and transfer Kinyon Hodges made the All-OVC Preseason Team.     

THIS WEEK:

The Bulldogs will travel to New York to take on Long Island University on Wednesday, then return to Nashville for Homecoming against Wilberforce University on Saturday.