Byrd hopes for a long run in March with West Alabama

Ever since graduating from Lynn English in 2010 as one of the city?s all-time greats in high school basketball, Jarell Byrd, a senior at the University of West Alabama, has done his fair share of moving around.
First came a year with St. Thomas More Prep in Connecticut, culminating in a National Prep Championship. Next was a two-year stint with Wofford College, a Division I program, located in Spartanburg, S.C.
Now, with his collegiate career drawing to a close, the well-traveled Byrd is hoping for a lengthy stay in West Alabama?s second consecutive trip to the Division II tournament, beginning with Saturday?s first-round South Regional matchup with Gulf South Conference rival and No. 4 West Georgia in Lakeland, Fla.
After the teams split their regular season series, UWA knocked off the Wolves in the GSC Tournament before a loss to No. 1 Alabama Huntsville in the finals. The three teams shared the regular season crown with matching 15-7 records.
?It?s been a record-setting season for the program and a lot of fun to be a part of,” said Byrd, who averaged 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds as a guard/forward, helping the No.5 Tigers to a 22-11 record overall, the most wins in team history.
?We welcomed in a new coach [Allen Sharpe] with a new system, so we got off to a bit of a bumpy start but as the season progressed so have we. Working the clock is something we have thrived on and our execution with picks and ball movement has continuously improved along the way.”
As a junior playing in departed coach Mark Downey?s offensive oriented schemes, Byrd enjoyed a strong season last year, averaging 11.5 points per game and 6.3 rebounds.
?Last year we pressed a lot on defense which created more of an up and down style of play, which suited my game well as it meant a lot of offense,” Byrd said. “This season has been a bit of an adjustment but I?ve worked hard and learned a lot.”
UWA finished 17-11 to earn the seventh seed in the NCAA tournament before a disappointing first-round loss to Saint Leo (FL) preceded Downey?s move to Bowling Green.
?We didn?t have a strong enough regular-season to know where we stood entering the tournament last year; it was more of a waiting game,” he said.
?This season, we put together a strong resume for ourselves and earned a first-round game against a very familiar team that we match up extremely well with.”
For Byrd, the past four semesters spent on campus in Livingston, Ala., have stood out as a stark contrast to his hometown, where he started high school with Lynn Classical before transferring to English as a junior.
?They?re nothing alike; its real country and quiet down here, which has helped me stay focused on basketball these past few years.”
Although any thoughts of his future are on the back-burner for the time being, Byrd explained that his travels are likely unfinished following graduation.
?As of right now, I?m looking into a potential playing career overseas, but for the time being my entire focus is on becoming a part of history with my team.”
Names and Notes
Lynn native Cam O?Neill was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week, marking the second time the freshman second baseman has earned the honor this season, according to the Holy Cross athletics website. O?Neill?s award is for the week of March 2-March 8, in which he hit .333 with a homerun and 6 RBIs for the Crusaders. The former St. Mary?s star was previously named Rookie of the Week on Feb. 23.
The Salem State University men?s baseball team kicks off its 2015 season with a doubleheader against Lakeland College on Friday afternoon at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, according to the team?s website. Captaining this season?s team are Lynn natives Ryan Beliveau and Matt Turmenne, both seniors and graduates of St. Mary?s. Beliveau, the team?s starting shortstop, finished his 2014 campaign with a solid .302 batting average and 24 RBIs. Turmenne, a right-handed pitcher, made nine appearances for the Vikings last season, finishin