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Wilson, a 6-foot-8-inch freshman from
Plano, Texas, and Dallas Jesuit High School, earned a letter after
playing in 18 games for the Illini during the 2002-03 season and
averaging 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.
"With everything that happened this
year, I was looking to get closer to home," Wilson said. "I am very
comfortable with the coaches and environment at Wichita State. My
parents grew up in Wichita, I was born there and have a lot of
family still living there. My year at Illinois was a great
experience. I love coach Self and the players on the team, but this
move was best for me."
[to top of second column in this
article] |
Wilson's best games came in the first
two games of the season when he scored a season-high14 points in a
win over Lehigh and 11 points in the victory over Arkansas-Pine
Bluff. On the season, Wilson made 14-of-37 shots (.378) and was
four-of-16 (.250) from 3-point range.
Illinois finished the season 25-7 after
winning the Big Ten Tournament title and advancing to the second
round of the NCAA Tournament.
"We know
Kyle Wilson will go to Wichita State and have a great career both on
and off the court," Illinois coach Bill Self said. "We wish him
nothing but the best of luck as he has a chance to move a little
closer to home."
[Kent Brown, assistant
athletics director
and sports information director,
University of Illinois] |
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The Lincoln Railers baseball
team evened their CS8 record last week in a gritty 2-1 victory over
SH-G. It was great to see the good guys come back and beat such a
good team, having lost to them 8-0 previously. The win put Lincoln
at 3-4 on the year going into the weekend tournament in Harristown.
No info on those games was available at posting time.
The Lady Railers have struggled
a bit in their opening games, but look for them to come out of it
soon.
The Chicago Cubs had a nice
come-from-behind win over the Bucos yesterday at the friendly
confines. Their new closer got the job done, and they may have won
another game that they shouldn't have. How many seasons has it been
since we've been able to say that? The Cubbies are only a half a
game out of first.
The St. Louis Cardinals beat
the first-place Houston Astros for the second time in three days by
rallying from a four-run deficit to win another thrilling defensive
struggle, 11-8!
What is up with these teams?
Can anyone explain what is happening between them? Houston comes to
St. Louis and escapes with wins. The Cards go into Minute Maid (Is
that a drink or a band box?) and beat the tar out of the 'Stros. It
just doesn't make any sense.
Hopefully it IS a good sign
that the battered Cards are beating a very strong Houston club,
especially when you consider that they pounded wonder boy Roy Oswalt
yesterday!
Cardinal starters were
averaging six-plus innings per start going into Sunday's game! With
the offense so up and down and the shaky state of the bullpen, the
starting pitching has carried the Birds so far.
Next up for St. Louis is a
swing through Milwaukee.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
And of course the plum sports
story of the week… golf. How 'bout that Masters golf tournament? If
you watched any of it yesterday, then you don't need me to tell you
why it is one of the premier sporting events in America, if not the
world. Exciting, gritty play encompassed the whole tourney. Would
Phil finally win his major? Would Jeff Maggert or Len Mattiace shock
the golfing world? Or would the first Canadian win it? If you said,
"Take off, hoser," you made the right call. Mike Weir, the red-hot
Canadian, became the first left-hander in 30 years to win a major
since Bob Charles last turned the feat! He did it on the first hole
of a sudden-death playoff, but it was enough to get the job done.
LC and LCC teams are back in
action, with LC in both softball and baseball and LCC with just
baseball. My son and I took in some of the Lynx action on a
beautiful Saturday afternoon as Lincoln hosted a doubleheader with
Spoon River. Final scores and stats were not available at time of
post.
I see where ISU hired a
basketball coach while I was gone. They hired former UALR coach
Porter Moser to take over the reigns. Don't know him personally,
but I like his upbeat and contagious personality so far. Personally,
I hated to see coach Tom Richardson go. However, now that the
decision has been made, I hope the fans will get behind Moser, and
more importantly the Redbird players, and get this thing turned
around. The fandom there needs improvement in all areas, and
hopefully the new coaching staff will turn the trick! Good luck to
Moser and to the Redbirds!
Now is a good time to get your
golf, biking or swimming plans in shape. All these and more can make
you so much healthier going into the summer months. Get out and
enjoy this outstanding weather…
And
have a great week, everybody!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
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