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Thursday, Nov. 14

Lynx down Black Hawk

[NOV. 14, 2002]  Rueben Trotter led a balanced Lincoln College attack as the Lynx downed Black Hawk 93-50 in men’s basketball action at Lincoln Wednesday night.

Five Lincoln College players were in double figures, with Trotter netting 20 to lead the way. Josh Clark added 17 points for the Lynx, while Terrance Chapman added 14.  Michael Fowler and James Roberson each chipped in with 11 points as the Lynx had 10 players dent the scoring column.

Clark connected on a 3-point basket with a little over 18 minutes to play in the first half to break a 5-5 tie, and Lincoln never trailed the rest of the way. Black Hawk stayed close, trailing just 15-12 with 13:03 left, before the Lynx ran off six straight points to stretch the lead to 21-12. Black Hawk was never able to get any closer than six points the rest of the way.      

Lincoln connected on seven of its nine 3-point baskets in the first half and posted a 49-33 halftime advantage.

In the second half, Black Hawk turned the ball over six of its first seven possessions, and the Lynx turned them into seven points, three goals being on dunks by Chapman.  That stretched the LC lead to 56-33, and the visitors were never able to get back in the game. The first Black Hawk goal in the second half was a 3-pointer by Josh Kays with 14:39 left.

[to top of second column in this article]

"I felt we played real good defense the last 30 minutes of the game," said LC coach B.J. McCullum. "Our bench was a lot deeper than Black Hawk, and I felt like we kind of wore them down. Our students really pump our players up. When we get a slam, the students get excited, and our kids really step up the intensity. We have been playing pretty good defense all year, but we haven’t shot the ball real well."

Lincoln College (93) — Clark 7-0-17, Carlson 1-0-2, Fowler 4-1-11, Trotter 10-0-20, Bowen 1-0-2, Major 2-3-7, Chapman 4-6-14, Hollyfield 1-0-3, Roberson 4-0-11, Lazzerini 3-0-6.  Totals: 37-10-93. Three-point goals: Clark 3, Fowler 2, Hollyfield, Roberson 3.

Black Hawk (50) — Carson 2-0-5, Henton 1-0-2, Heubach 3-0-6, Fore 1-1-3, Kays 5-0-11, Ridenour 2-0-4, Michels 1-1-4, Spruille 4-1-10, Steele 1-0-2, Carothers 1-0-2, Bond 1-0-2. Totals: 22-2-50.  Three-point goals: Carson, Kays, Michels, Spruille.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

Redbirds’ Reichle plagued with knee problems

[NOV. 14, 2002]  NORMAL — In basketball preseason exhibition games, most coaches believe that the outcomes are more important than the final score. Illinois State coach Jenny Yopp buys into that philosophy.

In the wake of a 78-51 loss to Ohio Premier All-Stars, Yopp saw some good things. That day, she saw strength and balance in her post position players, led by Zora Skrabalova’s 12 points and seven rebounds. The other position is still up for grabs among senior Sharon Blade and sophomores Michelle Harakas and Erin Keeney.

"I saw the depth in our post positions," said Yopp, whose team plays the Chicago Challengers at 2 p.m. Sunday at Redbird Arena.

The ’Birds played the first exhibition without former starters Taren O’Brien, Jaci McCormack and Katie Donovan — all serving a one-game suspension for violation of team rules. This week, Yopp is looking forward to seeing the depth in her perimeter positions come through.

"Unless things change dramatically in practice later this week, Jaci, Katie and Taren all will start on Sunday," said Yopp. "I see great possibilities for our depth on the perimeter, with players like senior Steph Reichle contributing."

[to top of second column in this article]

Reichle, who has been battling knee problems most of her career, is limited in what she can do in practice, and Yopp said they will limit her minutes to maximize her effectiveness and allow her to continue to play. Yopp admires Reichle’s drive to keep playing through physical ailments.

"Steph helps us in so many ways," said Yopp. "We will protect her by limiting her in practice. We need her experience and her guts on the court. Things aren’t likely to change for her physically, but she has the passion and still contributes in so many ways."

Reichle is joined off the perimeter bench by junior Stacey White — another former starter — junior point guard Desiree Gutierrez, freshman Sara Stevenson and junior Beth Huston.

"Our depth is definitely a strength," said Yopp, whose team opens the regular season Nov. 23 at Western Michigan and plays its first home game at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 vs. Butler at Redbird Arena.

[ISU news release]

Three sign with Illinois men’s basketball

[NOV. 14, 2002]  CHAMPAIGN — University of Illinois men’s basketball coach Bill Self announced the signing of Warren Carter, Richard McBride and Brian Randle to national letters of intent on the first day of the fall signing period.

"We’re very excited about this class, although it is kind of anticlimactic since all three committed over the summer," said Illinois coach Bill Self. "This is a skilled, athletic class that will be a good addition to the two previous classes. Our entire staff of Norm Roberts, Wayne McClain and Billy Gillispie all played a pivotal role in the recruitment of these young men. All three young men have been well-coached and have had a high level of success with their high school and AAU programs."

McBride and Randle are both multiple all-state selections in the state of Illinois, while Carter is the fourth Texas native to join the Illini in the last two years, joining current UI freshmen Deron Williams and Kyle Wilson and Tulsa transfer Jack Ingram.

Carter, a 6-foot-9 forward, is a consensus national Top 100 player who averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots last year at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas. He was the first player to commit to Illinois in May. Carter has good athleticism to run the floor and shooting range out to the 3-point line.

McBride, a powerful 6-foot-3 guard from Springfield Lanphier High School, has started on Lanphier’s varsity since his freshman season and earned all-state honors following his sophomore and junior seasons. He averaged 18 points, five rebounds and four assists last season in helping Lanphier to a 32-2 record and second-place finish in the Illinois state tournament.

Randle, a 6-foot-8 forward from Peoria Notre Dame High School, also has earned all-state honors as a sophomore and junior and enters his senior year ranked among the consensus Top 70 players in the nation. Randle averaged 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots a game last season and continues a tradition of outstanding Peoria players for the Fighting Illini.

Illinois has one remaining scholarship, which can be issued during the signing period in April.

Warren Carter

Forward

6-9, 210

Dallas, Texas

High school: Lake Highlands

High school coach: Rob Wylie

Notes: Ranked No. 73 by TheInsidersHoops.com, No. 25 power forward by RivalsHoops.com and No. 96 by The Hoop Scoop. ... Last year, he averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots for his 20-12 Class 5A high school team. ... Brother, Kevin, plays basketball at Collin County Community College in Texas. ... Played AAU ball with the Fort Worth Lions, coached by Mike Hatch, the same team on which future Illini teammate Deron Williams played last year.

Self on Carter: "Warren Carter is the sleeper of this class. He’s a legitimate 6-foot-9-inches who is very active, can run and jump, and is very skilled. Even though we know he needs weight and strength, we feel his upside is tremendous. He gives us a much-needed shot blocker. We appreciate Warren and his family as well as coach Rob Wylie’s loyalty throughout the recruitment and coaching change, when Billy Gillispie, who was the point man on Warren’s recruitment, went to UTEP."

[to top of second column in this article]

Richard McBride

Guard

6-3, 200

Springfield, Ill.

High school: Springfield Lanphier

High school coach: Craig Patton

Notes: Started on Lanphier’s varsity team since his freshman year. ... Lanphier is 81-11 combined during his three years as a starter. ... Lanphier made it to the title game of the 2002 IHSA Class AA State Tournament, finishing the season 32-2. ... In 76-72 loss to Chicago Westinghouse in the title game, McBride led Lanphier, finishing with 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists and torching the nets for six second-half 3-pointers. ... Averaged 18 points, five rebounds and four assists last season while shooting 49 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point range. ... Three-time all-conference selection. ... Conference player of the year as a sophomore. ... All-state selection as a sophomore and junior by Chicago Sun-Times. ... First team all-state selection by Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette as a sophomore and junior. ... Ranked No. 27 by The Hoop Scoop, No. 5 shooting guard and No. 32 player overall by RivalsHoops.com, No.33 by TheInsidersHoops.com. ... Played on USA North team at the 2002 USA Basketball Men’s Youth Development Festival. ... AAU teammate with Brian Randle on the Fort SOOY team coached by Verdell Jones.

Self on McBride: "Richard McBride is a young man who people at the University of Illinois, whether under coach Kruger or our staff, have wanted to sign since he was a freshman in high school. He is strong, very skilled and deceptively explosive. We feel Rich is one of the very premier perimeter players in America. He’s used to winning and has had great success under the tutelage of Craig Patton. Rich already has a Big Ten body and is big enough to play all three perimeter positions. He can create opportunities for others, but he can score as well."

Brian Randle

Forward

6-8, 190

East Peoria, Ill.

High school: Peoria Notre Dame

High school coach: Eddie Matthews

Notes: All-conference as a junior. ... Ranked No. 49 by ESPN.com, No. 52 by The Hoop Scoop, No. 71 by TheInsidersHoops.com, No. 18 small forward and No. 70 player overall by RivalsHoops.com. ... Averaged 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots a game last season. ... 4.0 student at Peoria Notre Dame High School. ... First team all-state selection by Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette as a sophomore and junior. ... Sister, Marisa, is a sophomore at Illinois. ... AAU teammate with Richard McBride on the Fort SOOY team, coached by Verdell Jones.

Self on Randle: "Brian Randle is a young man whom we have been recruiting since he was at our basketball camp three summers ago. His first step is as explosive as anyone you’ll find at 6-feet-8. He is a tall perimeter player who could be a great rebounder and defensive stopper. Brian will have to adjust his game to the perimeter after primarily being an inside player throughout high school, but we feel his best position at the college level will be on the perimeter. We feel Brian is finally healthy after struggling over the last year with injuries and is looking forward to showing everyone the improvements he’s made in his game. He joins a long list of Peorians who have put their stamps on the Illinois program."

[Kent Brown, U of I assistant athletics director
and sports information director]

Articles from the past week

Preachers preview

By Brandt Wilson

[NOV. 11, 2002]  November is here and many people are already decorating for Christmas. The fall is over, and in central Illinois that means below-freezing weather, cold rain and college basketball. It’s been a long off-season that’s seen the Lakers win yet another title, the Angels win their first and a BCS that still can’t get things right. So I think I speak for all college basketball fans when I say, ditch the BCS and NBA and bring on the NCCAA. No, that’s not a typo. You did see an extra "C" in that abbreviation. That’s because no fans are crazier about college basketball than the fans on the small campus of Lincoln Christian College.

But things seem to be different for this year’s Preachers. Is it the beautiful new athletic facility? Is it the promising new recruits? Maybe. However, fans are a little uneasy because when the ball goes up for the first time in the ’02-’03 season, Matt Clark won’t be on the floor. You might call this the "post-Clark era." How do you replace 2,744 career points, a three-time All-American and National Player of the Year, not to mention veteran leadership? If you have the answer to that question, give coach Randy Kirk a call. The biggest challenge for Kirk’s team this year is replacing the heart and soul of this team for the past four seasons. This team has to develop a new identity and new habits. This team has to learn how to play without the school’s all-time leading scorer.

The Preachers have 11 new faces on a team that returns three starters. Coach Kirk is optimistic about this year’s recruiting class: "The good news is this is the deepest recruiting class I’ve had since I’ve been here." Kirk says several of these players will have significant roles this year, while others may be a year or so away.

Caleb Edson, true freshman out of Centralia, is one who will have immediate impact. Edson has an impressive resume that includes two appearances in the state finals of the 3-point competition. "He’s a very athletic kid who can shoot the ball very well," says Kirk. Edson will start at shooting guard at the beginning of the season.

Another recruit who will have an immediate impact is Chad Nelson. Nelson is a transfer from Grace Bible College, where he started as a freshman. With a 6-foot-7 frame, Nelson provides the Preachers with a big body who can also shoot the ball. He will also start for the Preachers.

Tim Schultz has been a surprise for Kirk and the Preachers. Schultz ran the second fastest 800-meter in Indiana as a high school senior. Kirk points out, "He’s been a pleasant surprise for us and brings a lot of energy to this team."

Two transfers who will help the Preachers are Cory Rayhorn and Brian Dunaway. Both have been injured in the preseason and haven’t had much practice time. However, Kirk believes they will help the team as soon as they get healthy. Rayhorn is four years out of high school but a true freshman. Even though he’s only 5-foot-8, Rayhorn is extremely quick. "He’s the quickest player with the ball I’ve ever coached," claims Kirk. Brian Dunaway will also bring a lot to this team. He is a transfer from the D-I school Southern Louisiana. Dunaway is extremely athletic and will provide the Preachers with both an inside and outside threat.

[to top of second column in this article]

Who will lead this young, inexperienced team? The Preachers will look to senior Joel Searby for leadership. Searby averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds last year. A U-High grad and former D-III player, Searby will need to step up and anchor this team of new faces. Senior Zach Below also returns. Below averaged 12 points a game last year and will be looked on to take up the slack, not only of Clark’s scoring but also senior leadership. How far the Preachers go may rely on how well these two seniors can lead them. The Preachers also return key upperclassmen Jake Raymer, John Holderby and Jim Turney. So that gives them something to build around.

The schedule is extremely tough, and November will make or break this young team. They play five nationally ranked NAIA schools as well as potentially six NCCAA nationally ranked teams. The stretch in November includes three of these ranked NAIA teams and D-II team Alaska Anchorage.

Kirk talked about the Preachers’ rough schedule: "This is a very ambitious stretch. If we can survive this with a thread of confidence, we’ll be a very good team in February. However, this is a stretch that could destroy a young team."

The Preachers have never been to the national tournament. Maranatha Baptist returns all five starters, and the Preachers have to get by them if they want to get the monkey off their back. Upsets and heartbreaks have kept the Preachers out of nationals in years past. They have an advantage this year because they are host to the regional tournament.

If this team wants to shed the reputation of not being good in the postseason, two things must happen. One, they have to establish good chemistry. Talented as they may be, if they don’t play well together, you can guarantee an early exit. The second thing they have to do is have people step up. When the Preachers needed a score, Matt Clark was always up to the task. Who will take on that role? It’s essential that the Preachers find someone to step up and want the ball in the final two minutes.

The question still remains if this is the Preachers’ year. The talent is there, but will they gel together? The trip to nationals is well overdue, so Preacher fans, get out the rally monkey and let’s go to Oklahoma.

[Brandt Wilson]

By Jeff Mayfield

[NOV. 12, 2002] 

Lady Railers denied trip to state

You had a feeling that the Lady Railers volleyball team was due to break out this weekend and take a much-deserved trip on that wild, magic carpet ride known as the state tournament. But once again fate stood in their way in the manifestation of Normal Community High School. However, that match does NOT take away the accomplishments of this great group of girls.

For me personally it is always hard to say goodbye to the seniors. They had great careers here, and we wish them nothing but the best. For the returning players, I can only say that next year I plan to watch them in Redbird Arena.

CONGRATULATIONS on another outstanding season, Lady Railers!

When you dispose of the No. 1-ranked team in the nation earlier in the day, you have to figure that your chances for bringing home some national hardware were looking pretty good. However, the denial bug hit another local team as the Lincoln Christian College Angels went down in the quarterfinal round and were unceremoniously bounced right out of medal play. Again, that will NOT diminish what these young ladies accomplished.

The LDN will REALLY miss Breanne Prunty banging home the game winners, but congratulations to her, Christen O’Malley and Lauren Cox for making this year’s All-American squad. Also, kudos to coach Kevin Crawford, who won an unprecedented fourth or fifth (or was it 12th) National Coach of the Year award. (Editor’s note: The LCC athletic director who hired Mr. Crawford is now a semiprofessional sports writer with the LDN.)

I have watched and re-watched the highlights of this game, and I can tell you Bears fans only one thing: You were robbed! First it somehow took them an hour and 10 minutes to play the third quarter! Not the second half, BUT the third quarter! I don’t know who keeps stats, but IF that’s not a record… it should be. It was nuts! Then the last two minutes of the game was just a calamity of errors.

However, I don’t know why so many people are surprised. IF you go back and watch the tapes of last year’s AFC championship game between these same Pats and the Oakland Raiders, you will see at least three blown calls that ensured that the Pats would win!

They’re pretty lucky that they didn’t have a riot on their hands at the end of this ballgame. I haven’t seen this many mistakes by one crew in a Pop Warner league game! First there was no measurement on a crucial fourth and short play. While I’m guessing they did pick up the first down, in a crucial situation like that, you just have to measure it. Integrity demands it! Next, NO ONE even signals first down. Then an extra down appears to have been given… and I haven’t even mentioned the addition of nine seconds to the game clock.

Now don’t get me wrong. Perhaps every one of these WAS the right call. BUT, you would’ve never been convinced of it watching this circus act, EVEN if you were a Patriots fan! I don’t understand why and how crews can make some of these seemingly easy things appear so complicated. And to stand there and discuss some of them for several seconds or minutes takes away from the fluidity of the game!

I’m not going to comment on where I think they were wrong or right. I’d just like to see improvement, especially in the area of consistency.

In the grand scheme of things the Bears aren’t going ANYwhere this year except back to their luxury boxes next to the lake and their stinkin’ PSLs, but WHAT IF they were in the playoff hunt? What kind of a brouhaha do you think that would have set off Sunday night? Has ANYone figured out the draft order yet and who the Bears might get IF they stay on course the rest of the way?

The St. Louis Rams did NOT let the denial bug deny them an amazing comeback victory over the San Diego Chargers, 28-24. Is it the system or is it Marc Bulger? YOU make the call.

The Indianapolis Colts also had an incredible road victory AT Philadelphia.

How in the world can bookies ever make any money in the world of sports? I wouldn’t EVEN bet on what I’m gonna do in the next five minutes, much less who’s gonna cover the spread in an NFL game! Are you kidding me???

In my 10 years of coaching out at LCC, I don’t remember ever going 3-0 on the opening weekend. We usually played only two! However, this group of LCC cagers may be worth the viewing to you community hoops junkies. First of all, the new Laughlin Center is a perfect spot to view a hoops contest. Second, coach Randy Kirk’s intense, aggressive style makes his teams competitive against virtually anyone they line up against. Third, he’s got some nice players — Normal U High’s Joel Searby and a D-I import from somewhere in Louisiana (God bless ’em, and keep ’em coming!) in the person of Brian Dunaway, just to name a couple.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7 p.m., right here on the beautiful eastern edge of Lincoln, you can see this vaunted attack take on Robert Morris College. Plenty of good seats still available, BUT there is ONLY one more home game for the first semester: Nov. 26. SO, get out there Tuesday night and start becoming an LCC backer… This train is NOW BOARDING!!!

We have not yet seen this year’s edition of the Lynx, but we hear that they take no prisoners! B.J. ALWAYS does a great job, and we love watching games over at LC!

[to top of second column in this article]

Can someone please explain the Illini to us?

Just when you thought that the forks were firmly embedded in your sick and fading Illini, lo and behold they go up to Wisconsin, a place they haven’t played well over the years, and pummel Bucky and his brothers, 37-20! And Channel 3’s Chris Widlick told me it wasn’t that close. He went on to say that the Illini dominated them in spite of committing five turnovers! Five turnovers usually gets you a seat next to WhatsamattaU!

Jon Beutjer seems to be coming into his own, but can Illinois even HOPE to upset Ohio State? I have been so skeptical the last two years, and even though I’ve had a lot of right picks, I’ve also had a lot of wrong ones (the Cards-Arizona one sticks in my mind). I don’t know why, but I’m smelling upset in Chambana next Saturday. I hate to make predictions, but since you’re forcing me, I’m going with Illinois 24, Ohio State 23!

By the way, the Illini MUST upset OSU on Saturday to even hope for a bowl bid. I know it’s a long shot, but nothing ventured, nothing gained!

The denial bug showed up in Normal in the form of two huge miscues as the Redbirds snatched defeat right out of the jaws of victory before over 6,000 windblown fans on Saturday. The LDN couldn’t believe, with ISU leading 17-10 midway in the third, that an ill-advised screen pass ended up going for a big interception and a couple of plays later Youngtown State had tied the game. On the ensuing kickoff, the ball headed for the stratosphere with Dorothy, and Toto and the Birds refused to cover the ball! If that wasn’t enough to sink your stomach, on fourth and three the Penquins fired a deep pass in the corner of the end zone that resulted in the game-winning touchdown, 24-17.

With so many weird things happening to our city and area teams, could SOMEbody PLEASE call the Ghostbusters?!!!

You are now entering my favorite time of the year — college basketball season. Some have even suggested that I quit coaching because I was too big a fan of the game. While those reports are greatly exaggerated, I won’t deny that I love hoops sometimes more than life itself! When the Birds or the Preachers or the Illini or the Railers go on an 11-0 run featuring a couple of 3s and a nasty dunk, I just have to get up and dance. And don’t be surprised that the people in my section usually REALLY appreciate my exuberance! Well, it’s that time again, as LCC and Illinois host games Tuesday, ISU hosts one on Thursday, and the Illini unfurl their BIG TEN champions banner on Friday! I don’t have an LC schedule in front of me, but I’m sure they’ve got some exciting contests on tap as well! Get on out and support your favorite team(s)! It’s FANtastic!!!

IF you are junior high age or younger and IF you have NEVER been to an ILLINI basketball game and IF you have someone who can take you to a game this week, send a note to jmayfield@lccs.edu. I will give two FREE tickets  to one of Illinois’ games this week to the first person who contacts me via e-mail. Good luck!!!

Again, I want to take this opportunity to thank the many viewers and listeners of our Monday night sports call-in show for your many kind comments and reviews.

•  The purpose of our show is to:

•  Talk about college and pro sports of area interest

•  To promote our local college, high school and junior high coaches and athletes.

•  To give non-major sports the publicity that they deserve but seldom receive

And it is gratifying to Greg and me that you loyal and outstanding viewers have captured our concepts and have been quick to embrace them. Also, everyone who has called or e-mailed with an idea so far has been heard or responded to. PLEASE keep those calls, cards and e-mails coming… This is YOUR show! You can catch us right here on the LDN by clicking on the live link every Monday night at 6. Or you can watch us on CITV Channel 5 or listen to us on FIX 96.3 on your FM dial.

Our format is:

•  First segment — Area pro and college reports and banter of interest with callers

•  Second segment — Live interviews with local college, high and junior high coaches and athletes

•  Third segment — Follow-ups, giveaways and wrap-up

Last night’s guest was Lincoln High School soccer coach Tom Mauhar. We also hope to have football coach John Oaks sometime soon to wrap up a successful year of Railer gridiron work.

Future shows: We hope to showcase more area volleyball teams, and soon we’ll be starting through the winter sports. Look for a BIG basketball showcase in the next few weeks. IF you have ANY suggestions, call us at the LDN at 732-7443 or e-mail us at ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com.

YOU are the reason that this show has been so successful! Thanks again, as Greg and I really appreciate you helping us focus some positive light on the great young people of our community and our county!

[Jeff Mayfield]

• "November mutterings," posted Nov. 4
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