The 2002-03 season was a roller coaster ride for Morgan State point guard Cedrick Barrow. In some games he was an All-conference performer, while in other games, he struggled.On March 8th, Barrow and his MSU teammates played in the most exciting game of the 2002-03 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Basketball Tournament. The Bears ran out of time against Bethune-Cookman and fell 104-103 in a heartbreaking double-overtime loss. It was one of the best games the Bears had played all season, and Barrow played a large role in it.
While Morgan State as a team may have learned a lot last season, Barrow may have been the player who gained the most. “We were down in that game and showed a lot of heart to dig our way out of the hole. We fought to the very last second. What I gained most from the game was to be mentally tough and lead by example. This season I want to push everyone to improve. Whether it be in the weight room, on the court, or in the classroom, I have to set the pace for the team this year, and that’s the bottom line.”
Nearly five months later, Barrow and his teammates have been preparing themselves to erase the misfortunes of last season. Barrow and the Bears have plenty of motivation for the upcoming campaign.
While having a winning season would definitely be a milestone for the Morgan State biology major, winning a MEAC title would go down as one of the fondest memories of his life.
“Finishing with a winning season would be excellent,” said Barrow. “It would be the first winning season I’ve been a part of since I was a senior in high school, and that’s motivation enough for me. I’m anxious to get this season started and I’m confident this will be a great year for my team.”
Morgan State hasn’t had a non-losing season since coach Chris Fuller led his Bears to a 14-14 record during the 1998-99 season. The last time the Bears were over .500 was 1976-77 when they finished with an 18-11 record and a MEAC Championship Title.
Motivation should be a no-brainer. The bottom-line is Morgan State needs to win games, and Cedrick Barrow needs to help them get the job done.
Barrow joined Morgan State four years ago, following an outstanding prep career at Jesuit Prep in Sacramento, CA. While at Jesuit, Barrow averaged 24 points and 5 assists while leading his team to state runners-up with a 33-2 record. “Ced” was selected as the Sacramento Player of the Year and also received a number of other postseason accolades. Upon graduation, Barrow earned a scholarship to Morgan State and flew to Baltimore to suit up in the blue and orange jersey.
Barrow saw immediate action in his first season as a Bear under head coach Chris Fuller. Against North Carolina A&T, the freshman led Morgan State to a 68-61 victory by torching the Aggies for 25 points in Hill Field House. It was just a sign of things to come for the 6’0 playmaker.
''Ced was already here (MSU) as an experienced sophomore when we put him on the court,” said 3rd year head coach Alfred “Butch” Beard. “He was skilled and full of potential that had not yet been tapped. Our coaching staff gave him an opportunity to really display his abilities in our offense, and over the years he has really matured as both a player and a young man.”
“He’s a hard worker and a great motivator,” said teammate Ron Timus. “He makes other players step-up their game, and he leads by example.” Reggie Winkfield, another teammate, says “Ced is unselfish, plays his role, and is the best point guard in the MEAC.” “I’m looking forward to playing with him this season, and as a co-senior and roommate we want a championship ring.”
One of the knocks on Barrow with the Bears is that he's still learning to be a better leader. With long-time Bear star Randy Dukes departed and Barrow continuing to play the crucial point guard position, the time is now for him to become that vocal leader for Morgan State.
This season will be Cedrick Barrow’s last dance with the Morgan State basketball program.
Barrow is a gifted ball-handler and a legit scoring threat who scored a high of 27 points in a game, averages 3.4 assists per game and hit 37% of his threes in the regular season. The Sacramento, CA native has been a staple in the Bears’ backcourt at the point guard position and the coaching staff feels he will have to step up and be a more vocal leader this season.
But, is Cedrick ready to be a vocal leader?
"He will have to be our coach on the court," said Beard. “Ced needs to be able to bark out orders and point his teammates into position on the floor. He needs to make the decisions necessary to give us the best chance to win.”
Some folks say he’s too laid-back on the court, but there is no doubt Barrow is the heart and soul of Morgan State’s team. He may have been a little reluctant to take that lead role last year, but now, the pieces to the puzzle have once again changed and he's got to be ready to step it up.
Barrow will definitely face challenges as the Bears enter this season. The first challenge will be working around the loss of both shooting guard Randy Dukes (14.8 ppg) and the interior play of Douglas Sims (4.3 rpg). The second challenge will be trying to blend with a team that has acquired five new players during the offseason.
The Bears’ coaching staff has been working hard to make sure the team meshes long before its first tip-off on November 22nd and so far the preseason regiment has been led everyday by Barrow.
While many folks were vacationing and enjoying the summer, Barrow and his new teammates were working on their game and battling in pick-up ballgames throughout the Baltimore region, including Towson, UMBC and Loyola.
Barrow believes that the scoring situation will be a thing of the past. Three-point specialist Sam Brand teams-up to join Barrow in the backcourt, and along with the return of Ron Timus and Reggie Winkfield, the Bears will be one of the most talented backcourts in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Association.
“Our combination of veterans and young talented freshman and JuCo transfers will make us a very competitive team,” said Beard.
After winning the most games its won in 5 years, the Bears are poised to push for a winning season and may actually compete for the MEAC Championship.
Following the departure of three seniors, the Bears added a 6’8 freshman center Timothy Berkeley. Newcomers Theodore Terrell and Alphonso Ellis will join Morgan State swingman Reggie Winkfield. The Bears also acquired Canadian Karanvir Aujla and JuCo transfer forward Chris Grant. Shooting guard Sam Brand is expected to continue to improve and shoot-the-lights-out for his junior season. Aaron Andrews will return to the center position and should push for All-MEAC accolades.
“The newcomers have been impressed with Ced’s work ethic,” said Beard. “The young man comes to work and plays hard every night. He’s a real competitor and our new guys are learning through the example he sets everyday during training.”
''I think we'll be better because we have a good nucleus and better options now,'' said Barrow, who averaged 10.5 points and 3.4 assists last season.
And overall, the Bears need a breakthrough season from Barrow as a player and leader to aid their hopes of finishing with a winning season and recapturing the glory days of Morgan State basketball.
