Letters to the Editor

Analysis: Evans' hot play has women's basketball poised for run

Elon University women's basketball senior forward Kelsey Evans has had a week that has raised more than a few eyebrows. The Raleigh, N.C., native narrowly missed out on a double-double in Elon’s 65-41 blowout win Saturday against Samford with 18 points and 9 rebounds.  Two days later, Evans had a monster performance by posting 19 points and grabbing 21 rebounds as well as 5 blocks in the 70-60 win versus the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Evans’ 21 rebounds were a season high as well as a career high, and her 19 points was her second highest tally this season. Going into Monday’s game, the 6-2 frontcourt star was averaging just over 14 points a game and 9.2 rebounds per contest. Evans’ strong showing in the past two games has helped the Phoenix defeat arguably the two best team in the Southern Conference in Samford, who has gone to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and are the two-time defending conference champions, and Chattanooga, who upset highly-ranked Tennessee earlier in the season. Evans’ senior season has already been a special one, as on December 1, she eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her Elon career.  The 2012-2013 season has Evans averaging career highs in several categories, including: field goal percentage (46.5 percent), three-point percentage (25 percent), free throw percentage (78.8 percent) and points per game (14.5). Monday night’s performance was Evans' sixth double-double of the season, which has included an impressive stretch of games where she had three consecutive double-doubles. The four-year starter has had a memorable career sporting the maroon and gold.  Her presence and leadership both on and off the court will surely be missed. Phoenix fans will have eight more chances to see the senior forward in a home jersey.  The next chance to see her will come on January 14 when the University of North Carolina at Greensboro comes to Alumni Gym. Until then, the Phoenix faces Wofford College (5-6, 0-3) tonight at 6 attempting to improve its conference mark to 4-1.

Alexis Gray's trial continued, new date set

Alexis Gray's trial, which was scheduled for Jan. 7, was continued. She will now be tried April 10, 2013. Gray, an 18-year-old student at Penn State University, entered Elon University’s campus Nov.

Airsoft Galore

Elon University technician Wayne Thompson is the co-owner of the new store, Airsoft R Us, a local business that caters to Airsoft players.

January 7 Newscast

Kyle Bowen discusses potential of ‘digital badges’ for students seeking employment

The way we learn is changing, according to Kyle Bowen, director of informatics at Purdue University — and it might just come in the form of computer icons. “It is increasingly important to recognize learning in all of its forms,” said Bowen in a Webinar Jan 7.

Upset special: Women's basketball dumps UT-Chattanooga in overtime thriller

“We’re going to win this game." The Elon University women’s basketball team held a firm belief all night long that it was destined to defeat the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Lady Mocs, a team that came into Monday’s game with seven more wins on the season and a 17-2 advantage in the all-time series. Behind senior leaders, guard Ali Ford and forward Kelsey Evans, the Phoenix did just that, claiming a 70-60 overtime triumph Monday night in Alumni Gym. Evans had a double-double on the night, scoring 19 points and snaring 21 rebounds.

Holly's Holidays

Fears of falling off the fiscal cliff were expected to hurt holiday sales. But locally, that was not the case. The management at Holly Hill Mall in Burlington says that sales were better this holiday season than in recent years. Samantha Story, a sales associate at Fashion Express in Holly Hill Mall says she was very surprised by the holiday turn out. "They were super busy all the time, like the entire store was filled with people," Story said. The same was true at other stores. Levarrick Enoch, Manager of the Burlington Brands, said his store had a great holiday season. "This year we really ran through those numbers, almost doubled the numbers to be honest with you, so the parking lot was full every night," Enoch said. Holly Hill Mall management says the success is due to many new stores brought to the mall by new ownership.

Gubernatorial Inauguration Festivities

ELN will be reporting on the upcoming Gubernatorial and Presidential Inauguration festivities this month.

Spring Convocation for Honors Speakers

Elon Local News has learned that along with founder and Executive Director of Interfaith Youth Core Eboo Patel, several other notable religious and spiritual figures will be attending the Convocation for Honors on April 30. Along with starting the interfaith movement in Chicago, Eboo Patel also wrote the book, Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim.

‘Snowflakes for Sandy Hook’ brightens community in wake of tragedy

As classes at Elon commenced on the morning of Jan. 3, the students of Sandy Hook Elementary had their first day of school since the Dec.

Elon alumnus premieres feature-length film in Burlington

An Elon University alumnus debuted his first full-length film production this past weekend at Walter M.

Defense helps women's basketball defeat Samford

It is said that defense wins championships, and it was defense that helped the Elon Phoenix women’s basketball team earn its second win in the Southern Conference this season by defeating the Samford Bulldogs 65-41. After losing three straight tough games on the road, the Phoenix showed that it was very happy to be back in the friendly confines of Alumni Gym by defeating the team that not only ended its season last year but won its second straight conference tournament. “I’m very excited about today’s game,” Elon head coach Charlotte Smith told ElonPhoenix.com. “I’m glad we got the win and I feel like everyone played well.

Early hole dooms Elon as Princeton defeats men's basketball

Just three seconds into a non-conference men's basketball matchup between the Princeton University Tigers and Elon University Phoenix, Princeton senior forward Ian Hummer took the tip-off win by freshman forward Hans Brace to the basket for an easy lay-up.

Analysis: Elon women's basketball preps for SoCon play

The conclusion of winter break and the start of a new year mean one thing in college basketball: conference play is on the horizon. Although the Elon University women’s basketball team (4-7, 1-1 SoCon) has played two games in the Southern Conference thus far, the team has finished non-conference action and will play 18 straight conference games in the last two-thirds of the regular season. The Phoenix will enter the grind of SoCon play on a sour note, however.

Elon dining program designed to encourage balanced eating

With the realities of hectic schedules, long study hours and late nights, maintaining a balanced diet can get lost in the shuffle of college life.

Men’s basketball dominates visiting Manchester

From start to finish, the Elon University men’s basketball team was in total control, ending the 2012 portion of the season with a convincing 84-49 win over Manchester University Dec.

North Carolina A&T closes out women’s basketball late

Down by three with 3:54 remaining, the Elon University women’s basketball team couldn't close out North Carolina A&T State University Dec.

Late run helps East Carolina top Elon

Battling another slow start, senior guard Ali Ford pulled the Elon University women’s basketball team within two at the halftime break with back-to-back 3-pointers, but the Phoenix ultimately dropped their second straight game Dec.

Brief: Elon clinches men's basketball win with 2 seconds to spare

On a night of much-improved shooting all the way around for the Elon University men's basketball team, a single shot from a player who had been struggling from the field as of late counted the most. Junior guard Jack Isenbarger hit a three-pointer from the right wing with 2.3 seconds left to give the Phoenix a 70-69 victory over the Columbia University Lions Saturday afternoon. In the Phoenix's last game before Christmas, Elon (7-5 overall, 1-1 Southern Conference) found itself down two with time winding down.

DOJ files civil rights suit against Alamance County Sheriff

The United States Department of Justice filed a civil rights lawsuit against Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson Thursday, after he was faced with allegations of racial profiling and discrimination. The lawsuit claims that Johnson has violated the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments and Section 14141 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which guard against unreasonable search and seizure and guarantee due process. The DOJ has investigated the Sheriff's Office since 2009, and on Sept.