Penguins streaks reach two

YOUNGSTOWN -- In case you haven't noticed, and by the looks of the many empty seats in Beeghly Center most of you haven't, the YSU men and women basketball teams are on a two-game winning streak.
Yes, it was a Merry Christmas for both men's head coach Jerry Slocum and women's coach Tisha Hill. To steal a quote from long-time YSU sport fan Bob Camardo: "It's actually fun again to go watch the Penguins play."
Since this is a relatively quiet time in the local sports world, I had some time to look up just when was the last time both the men and the women's teams were on a two-game winning streak at the same time.
Well, you have to go back to the 2000-01 basketball season to find it. Actually, both teams had three-game streaks during January of that season.
The men, under coach John Robic (who had his only winning season that year), defeated: Southern Utah, 73-67; Western Illinois, 84-71; and Chicago State, 71-68. At the same time, the women under Ed DiGregorio, knocked off: Valparaiso, 73-64; Chicago State, 72-59; and Western Illinois, 52-51.
Both teamson the road
This week, the two teams return to action with the men scheduled to play Wednesday at 8 p.m. against Siena in Loudonville, N.Y., while the women return to action on Thursday when they make their Horizon League debut on the road at Butler in a 7 p.m. tip in Indianapolis.
Neither team has a winning record -- the men are at 3-6 and the women 4-7. But in almost every game, they are giving themselves the opportunity to win and that has been a big improvement.
Since he's basically playing most of the same players from a year ago, Slocum has been the big difference in the men's program.
After 31 years in the profession, he knows what it takes to turn a program around since this is the fourth one that he's come into at rock bottom.
He's instilled something into the Penguins that hasn't been seen here in six seasons -- the desire to win.
Penguins giving100 percent
The Penguins are probably not the most talented team in the Horizon League this year, but you can be sure after watching them play nine games that they're going to give 100 percent against anybody they play.
Some of these kids now leading the team never really got a chance to play a year ago. Did Domonique Crawford, John Barber, Colin LaForme and Mike Adams just learn how to play in the last few months? I don't think so.
Quin Humphrey always has been a proven Division I player and newcomer Keston Roberts is on his way to becoming another one. The big key to the success has been Slocum's ability to put it all together. It hasn't been easy since the Penguins have lost so much for so long, but it is gradually taking shape.
The Penguins still need a big man inside who can score and take some of the load off the outside shooters and you can bet that Slocum is working every day to find one.
Point guard Derrick Harris is a senior, but next season junior Byron Davis will join the team. The transfer from New Mexico State is sitting out this year as per the NCAA transfer rule.
Harris has done an outstanding job directing the Penguin attack this season. He really hasn't played the point since high school, but he's getting more and more comfortable at the spot.
Russo, Gaudiosetake leadership
Hill's Lady Penguins were hit hard by graduation, losing their top three scorers and top two rebounders.
Like the men the women lack a big scoring threat inside, although seniors Michelle Holmes and sophomore Jessica Schloemp have been doing a great job to date.
Just as they did in high school, local standouts Ashlee Russo (Boardman) and Kristy Gaudiose (Poland) have stepped up to take over the leadership that was lacking early in this season. Russo, a senior, has battled through injuries for four years now, while Gaudiose, a junior, is really coming into her own this season.
Hill has a bench full of young talent and before this season ends you will see a lot of them contributing more to this team's success.
Really, the only thing that's missing right now is the fans in the seats. The men return home on Jan. 5 and the women on Jan. 7.
XPete Mollica covers YSU athletics for The Vindicator. Write to him at mollica@vindy.com.