Pictured from left to right: NSU Students Amana Leonard, Cameron Allen, Sumiyah Jackson-Santiago, and Gabrielle Pippen
Norfolk State students made the Sweet Sixteen in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Qualifying Tournament. They finished 4 and 2 in the Purple Division. Even though the students did not make the Elite 8, they made a big impression on the tournament organizers, coaches, and competing students.
NSU's team consisted of Amana Leonard, Cameron Allen, Sumiyah Jackson-Santiago, and Gabrielle Pippen on the A-team and Joi Hicks, Rakaya Johnson, Tamia James and Nia Grant on the B-team. Out of 128 students, Allen was one of eight to receive a Honda All-Star Medallion for the most points scored by a player in head-to-head competition, earning NSU an additional $2,500. One student from each division, eight in total, was singled out for this distinction.
“Cameron is a freshman and first-time competitor, and he managed a distinction I have not seen since I have been with the program, almost ten years. While he is new to HCASC competition, he plays with a fearlessness that belies his age and experience,” says HCASC Coach, Michael Cotter.