CULLOWHEE ó The athletic programs at Western Carolina University continue to be roiled with problems, the latest blow coming when the menís basketball teamís leading scorer, Nick Aldridge, quit the squad last Wednesday.

A sophomore from South Webster, Ohio, Aldridge was averaging 18.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for the Catamounts, who were 2-4 when he decided to leave.

Aldridge did not play in WCUís 59-49 loss to Elon on Nov. 27 because of an unspecified violation of team rules. Without their leading scorer in the Elon game, the Catamounts scored the lowest point total since the 2005-06 season

WCU coach Larry Hunter, who declined to answer questions about Aldridgeís departure, said the following in a prepared statement:
ìNick Aldridge has made a decision to no longer be a part of our basketball program. Nick had some issues that we felt were being detrimental to the development of our team, and we have for some time been trying to help him work through these issues. He has chosen not to work with us any longer. The bottom line is, he has quit our team. We are moving forward as a team and a program.î

WCU spokesman Daniel Hooker, who declined to provide specifics, said only that the rules violation occurred during practice before the Elon game and that Aldridge did not break the law.

The losses continue, as the College of Charleston beat WCU 86-84 last Saturday.

A few weeks ago, WCU caught some flak for its unceremonious firing of football coach Kent Briggs, a former Catamounts star quarterback and Asheville native, prior to the last game of the season ó his last as the coach.