Norfolk State University

Diamond Johnson announced her commitment to Norfolk State Tuesday on Instagram. Johnson was named to the All-ACC second team last season.

Regan Kimtai and Kai Cole won two events each Thursday to help the Spartan men finish with 188.5 team points and hold off hold off Howard (176.5). Kimtai was named the meet’s Outstanding Runner with three gold medals. For the women, NSU's Mercyline Kimaiyo was named Outstanding Runner and Leslie Young was Outstanding Field Performer.

Gabby Vaughan and Morgan Johnson each hit two-run homers for the Spartans (24-22), who will face No. 4 seed Howard at 3 p.m. Thursday in the double-elimination tournament.

Regan Kimtai wins the steeplechase to help the Spartans collect 67.5 points. The NSU women stand in third place through eight events.

Gidion Sigei wins the 10,000 in 32 minutes, 22.78 seconds, while Victor Jumo is second (32:56.23) and Brian Rotich third (32:56.23) to give the Spartans 24 team points in the final event of the day. Meanwhile, Mercyline Kimaiyo wins the 10,000 meters for NSU's women, who stand in second place.

Senior Gabby Vaughan — a former standout for Western Branch High in Chesapeake — leads the team with 10 doubles, seven home runs and 31 RBIs and is batting. .292.

Norfolk State's run defense was worst in the MEAC last year, but the Spartans feel the front seven has already improved and will get back to its 2021 level.

Ray Pickering, an offensive analyst at Texas last season, is the Spartans' third offensive coordinator in as many years.

There is a growing phenomenon at historically Black colleges and universities. HBCUs are adding sports outside the more typical offerings of football, basketball, and track and field.

Cook, a California native, played a small role in “All-American: Homecoming,” a drama on the CW Network that chronicles the journey of two athletes at fictional Bringston University.

Norfolk State star Joe Bryant Jr. hopes to make the most of his opportunity at the Portsmouth Invitation Tournament this week. The former Lake Taylor star has played in this gym numerous times. Now he hopes to impress NBA scouts.

McGhee, a 5-9 guard from Roxboro, North Carolina, is a two-time Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year who averaged 24.6 points and 3.6 assists per game last season for the Flames.

The PIT is not the marquee destination it once was for college basketball’s top stars — Tim Hardaway, Dennis Rodman, John Stockton and Scottie Pippen are among the notable alums. But there’s plenty of intriguing talent on the court and on the sidelines.

After originally being an alternate for the 64-player field, the two-time MEAC Player of the Year is invited to compete, delighting Spartans coach Robert Jones.

Norfolk State held its Green & Gold Football Scrimmage at NSU's Dick Price Stadium in Norfolk, Va. on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Vickers guided the Spartans to a 26-7 record, their second straight MEAC regular-season title and their first conference tournament championship in more than 20 years.

Hampton softball defeated Norfolk State 6-3 during the first game of a double header at Hampton University in Hampton, Va. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Norfolk State's season might have ended with a big loss, but the future appears to be bright for the Spartans' women's basketball team.

The Gamecocks' depth proves to be too much for the Spartans, who made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 21 years and finished with a 26-7 record.

Jones, who guided the Spartans to a 22-11 record and the MEAC Tournament final this season, is a being considered along with Hall of Famer and Iona coach Rick Pitino as a candidate for the vacant job at St. John’s, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed.

Unbeaten South Carolina is the tournament’s overall top seed and the defending national champion.

South Carolina, led by star Aliyah Boston, is 32-0 and needs six wins to repeat as national champion and become the 10th women’s basketball program to go undefeated for an entire season.

The Spartans win their first MEAC title since 2002 to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Norfolk State Women celebrate after defeating Howard in the MEAC championship, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Norfolk, Va.

Jelani Williams scored 20 points and top-seeded Howard overcame a four-point deficit in the final 13.2 seconds Saturday in a dramatic 65-64 win over the third-seeded Spartans in the MEAC Tournament championship game at Scope Arena.