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Tuesday, April 22

High school baseball

[APRIL 22, 2003] 

At Bloomington (O'Neil Park)

Olympia               000 409 3 - 16-13-4

Central Catholic    421 010 0 - 8-9-1

Dusty Hayes, Derek Dudgeon (2), name unavailable (W, 5) and Rush Olson; Paul Kabbes, Dan Lootens (6, L, 1-1), Nick Pate (6), Andrew King (7) and Eric Bill.

Olympia (7-7) - Two hits - Hayes, Ross Thompson, Olson, Derek Foley, Dudgeon, Kale Williams. 2B - Thompson, Olson, Foley. 3B - Thompson. RBIs - Hays 2, Thompson 2, Olson 2, Foley 4, Dudgeon 3. Pitching - Hays (1 1/3 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 H, 0K, 5 W), Dudgeon (2 2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 K, 0 W).

At Hartsburg

Illini Central              000 004 4 - 8-7-2

Hartsburg-Emden     000 320 1 - 6-7-1

Matt Birch (W), Chris Norton (5) and Travis Scott; Blaen Fletcher, Ryan Anderson (6, L) and Matt Gleason.

Home runs - Illini Central - Travis Scott (1 on in sixth), Bryce Cunningham (1 on in seventh); Hartsburg-Emden - Kyle Hoerbert (1 on in fourth), Drew Olson (1 on in fifth).

Records - Illini Central - 9-3 overall, 2-1 in Tomahawk Conference; Hartsburg-Emden 5-3. 1-2.

At Mount Pulaski

Lutheran               000 00 - 0-2-6

Mount Pulaski     701 11 - 10-6-0

Called because of 10-run rule

Haramia (L), Meyer (4); Josh Blaum (W), Zach Moore (5).

Hitting star - Mount Pulaski - Justin Anderson (3 hits).

Pitching star - Mount Pulaski - Blaum (4 strikeouts, 1 hit).

Records - Lutheran 3-6, Mount Pulaski 8-4.

High school softball

[APRIL 22, 2003] 

At Stanford

Delevan     001 000 0 - 1-2-1

Olympia    002 520 x - 9-8-2

Jenna Waters (L) and Jessica Dunlap; Megan Rich (W) and Katie Tucker.

Hitting stars - Olympia - Megan Rich (double, 2 RBIs), Tiff Prager (2 hits, double, RBI).

Pitching star - Rich (7 IP, 2 hits, 5 walks, 11 strikeouts).

Records - Olympia 12-1.

At Emden

Illini Central              000 00 - 0-1-0

Hartsburg-Emden     314 (10)x - 18-17-1

Called because of 10-run rule

Claire Bitner (L), Kellie Klassen; Nikki Chapman (W, 5-3) and Alyssa Moehring.

Home runs - Hartem - Nicole Buse 2, (1 on in fourth, grand slam in fourth).

Hitting stars - Hartem - Chapman (2 hits, 2 RBIs), Ashley Luken (2 hits, 2 RBIs), Erin Dial (2 hits), Molly Klokkenga (2 RBIs).

Records - Hartem 6-4 overall, 2-1 in Tomahawk Conference.

High school track and field

[APRIL 22, 2003] 

Boys

At Clinton

Warrensburg-Latham 96, Clinton 91, Heyworth 63, Delavan 58, Riverton 57.

100 meters - Robertson (W), 12.2.

3,200 - Reed (W), 9:23.7.

110 hurdles - Keenan (W), 17.4.

300 hurdles - Platt (W), 44.2.

High jump - Kronshagen  (W), 5-10.

Long jump - Platt (W), 17-4 1/4.

Triple jump - Swango (W), 38-10 1/2.

400 relay - Warrensburg-Latham, 47.8.

Girls

At Clinton

Heyworth 99, Warrensburg-Latham 81, Clinton 74, Delavan 69, Riverton 45.

100 hurdles - Fozard (W), 18.4.

300 hurdles - Fozard (W), 54.9

High jump - Loerzel (W), 5-6.

800 medley relay - Warrensburg-Latham, 2:09.1.

Self gone -- Who is next?

By Greg Taylor

[APRIL 22, 2003]  On Saturday evening, Illinois coach Bill Self decided to pull the trigger on his offer from Kansas University and thus forced A.D. Ron Guenther to begin his third search in under seven years for a basketball coach at the U of I. Today, we want to look at three things: (1) Why did Self leave? (2) What is the state of Illinois basketball? and (3) Who could be the next coach at Illinois?

I have heard many so-called experts share several reasons why Self would leave a program on the rise like Illinois for Kansas. Many fans are feeling what Guenther is feeling: sadness, hurt and even anger. But, understand this: Self left for three primary reasons, and I really believe money was not one of these reasons (Self's new salary is $1.1 million per year, compared with the $1.025 million average he would have earned at Illinois). Let's look at the reasons, in order:

First, Kansas is one of the top five coaching jobs. I know many are saying -- isn't Illinois a great job? Yes, without a doubt, but at this point it is not on the level of a Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina or Kansas. Self realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to coach what he called "the premier head coaching seat in all of America." He might be right.

Second, the University of Kansas is just 3½ hours from home for both Bill and Cindy Self. Natives of Oklahoma, they are returning to Big 8-Big 12 land and will be able to get home much more frequently. Self realizes he is a Big 12 guy, and Kansas is the best job, without a doubt, in the conference that was the best in the country last season and could be the best in the country next year as well.

Finally, timing. Self had confided in friends he would leave Illinois only for three jobs: Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina. He realized that with Tubby Smith signing an eight-year extension and Roy Williams going to UNC to retire, and with Kansas talking to coaches like 37-year-old Tom Crean from Marquette, he might never have a chance for one of these three jobs again. Timing wasn't great for Illini players and fans, but timing was a factor for the Self family.

To summarize -- Am I glad Self is gone? Not at all -- I will really miss him, and in many ways Illinois will never have another coach like Self, no matter who is hired. But, Illinois basketball will be OK. The man at Illinois that cannot be replaced is not Self or Ron Turner, but instead, Guenther. In '96, I wanted Coach K from Duke, but Kruger (an unknown in Illinois) came and hit a home run in many ways. In '00, I wanted Rick Majerus or Kelvin Sampson, but Guenther hit a grand slam with Self. My guess is '03 will be just like '96 and '00.

In a word -- excellent. In 1996, when head coach Lou Henson finally called it quits, Illinois was at best an average job in the Big Ten. Big time recruits didn't even mention Illinois, and the days of signing the Nick Andersons, the Marcus Libertys and the Deon Thomases were long gone. Juwan Howard went to hated Michigan, Michael Finley and Rashard Griffeth went to Wisconson, and even two central Illinois studs, A.J. Guyton and Brian Cardinal, escaped to the Hoosier state and played for Indiana and Purdue respectively. Illinois basketball was as low as it had been since the late 1970s.

All that has happened in the last seven seasons is this:

• Three Big Ten season championships ('98, '01, '02).
• Six trips to the NCAA Tournament.
• Three appearances in the Big Ten tourney final, including the championship this season
• Two Big Ten Conference players of the year in Frank Williams (2001) and Brian Cook (2003)
• Big name recruits from the state of Illinois like Sergio McClain, Marcus Griffen, Brian Cook, Frank Williams, Dee Brown, Richard McBride and Brian Randle have signed to play for Illinois.

• Illinois has gained a national recruiting presence with successful players like Corey Bradford from Memphis, Deron Williams and Warren Carter from Dallas, and Nick Smith from Florida.

Simply put, Illinois basketball is in good shape. I really believe it is the best job in the Big Ten right now, although Michigan State and Indiana could probably make a case as well, and is a top 15 job in America. The returning and new player base for the 2003-2004 season will be the most athletic and talented group in Champaign since the 1989 Final Four season. The ceiling on this group and this program is really unlimited at this point. Looking back to 1996, it is borderline miraculous how far the Illinois program has gone in these seven short years.

Several different directions Guenther could go with the search. Let's look at four possible "categories" of coaches the A.D. might turn to:

1. The young, up-and-coming coach

This is where Self was in 2000 when Guenther called. He may look this direction again.

1.  Tom Crean -- Marquette -- The top of every list, he took the Eagles to the Final Four this year. However, this 37-year-old Tom Izzo disciple may want to wait until Izzo leaves Michigan State and succeed him in East Lansing. Would be a great choice if he is gettable.

[to top of second column in this article]

2.  Thad Matta -- Xavier -- Grew up in nearby Hoopston, is only 35 and coached one of the best players in America in David West. Sounds good and would be a player favorite but may not have the Self intensity and likability.

3.  Jeff Lebo -- Chattanooga -- Won big at Tennessee Tech, where no one had won before, and took over a terrible Chattanooga team and did great. This former Carolina player looks like the real deal but might not consider Illinois a "destination" job, but instead a "steppingstone."

4.  Bruce Weber -- Southern Illinois -- Ditto the Lebo comments, but again, most think he will follow Keady at Purdue.

2. The proven coach ready for a new challenge

This would be the Lon Kruger category, and Guenther found success here in 1996. Listed are five options:

1.  Mike Montgomery -- Stanford -- took the Cardinal to the Final Four in 1998 and has elevated the Stanford program to new levels. I really like him and think he may be the favorite to succeed Self.

2.  Ben Braun -- California -- Chicago suburban native has recruited Chicago area well and would be a solid selection.

3.  Steve Alford -- Iowa -- I really like him, even though he is an Indiana boy, but his star is on the decline in Iowa and might consider a jump down Interstate 74. Can recruit, but has struggled with player unity and character issues in the program. A long shot, but a new to consider.

4.  Mike Jarvis -- St. John's -- Unlikely to leave NYC but would bring national recruiting to Illinois and a toughness beyond the Self teams.

5.  John Calipari -- Memphis -- I love him, but he would be another who would only stay three to five years. Players would eat him up, and the banners would continue to fly.

3. A loyal coach (Lou Henson type)

Many fans are calling for a coach who will never be tempted to leave and would be so loyal to Illinois this would be a career-ending job. Three names come to mind in this area:

1. Rob Judson -- Former Illini player and assistant coach, head coach at Northern Illinois. We like Rob a bunch and think someday he will be the head coach at Illinois, but not this time. He has been a college head coach for only two years, and the UNC-Matt Doherty soap opera is a case in point why this might not be a good idea. Doherty had only one year of head coaching experience and wasn't ready to lead his alma mater. Same could be said for Judson.

2.  Jimmy Collins -- Sorry, not going to happen. Jimmy burned too many bridges when he didn't get the job in '96 and hasn't been all that successful at UIC.

3.  Lou Henson returns? -- Not a chance, I hope and pray.

4. A great coach at a school where basketball will never be the big dog

This area is most intriguing in my opinion. I love the idea of getting an awesome coach from a great program where football is the big sport on campus. Five names come to mind:

1.  Billy Donavan -- Florida -- Illinois did well the last time they looked to Florida for a coach (Kruger), and Donavan might consider a jump. His teams are really exciting, and he is one of the best three national recruiters, with Tubby and Coach K. I'd love him, but he would cost Illinois much more than Self was making.

2.  Kelvin Sampson -- Oklahoma -- Sampson was Guenther's first choice in 2000 but couldn't leave his program at that time. He would bring an interesting twist to the Chief debate, as he is one-quarter Native American. He is a winner!

3.  Mike Brey -- Notre Dame -- He is good, and ND kicked Illinois out of the NCAAs this year. But I don't see the passion and intensity in Brey that I see in Self or Donavan or Sampson. A good fallback candidate, however.

4.  Rick Barnes -- Texas -- He took Texas to the Final Four this year and would give Guenther revenge on Texas for stealing football coach Mackovic in 1991. Not a top five name on my list.

5.  Tommy Amaker -- Michigan -- Makes sense because Michigan is facing potentially dark days from the Weber, Fisher and Ed Martin scandal. But he isn't one of the top two Coach K disciples, and Illinois can do better.

Bottom line? We as Illini fans need to move on! Within 14 days, probably sooner, we will have a new coach, and I cannot wait! My top five choices are:

1. Sampson

2. Donavan

3. Montgomery

4. Lebo

5. Judson

However, only time will tell who takes the reigns from Self. Only one thing left to say: GO ILLINOIS!

[Greg Taylor]

Articles from the past week

[APRIL 21, 2003]  Trusting that one and all had a joyous and meaningful Easter. We sure did. I will apologize right up front and say that sports was not a part of our holiday experience. So, if you were like me and never had access to a TV or a paper, let's get caught up together…

I'm not going to comment on the Self to Kansas story… I'm too emotionally involved. My only thought is to wish him and his family well. They made a very positive impact while they were here…

What is up with Easter Sundays and Busch Stadium? There's more action there than there is at a WWE or WWF (or whatever the right letters are) match!

Cards still find themselves in second place but seem to be riding the roller coaster. Can't seem to get much sustained over several days. The Cubs, on the other hand, continue to march on. Many have suggested that this is the same old Cubs formula. Start hot and then fade… but, most of those people have never seen Dusty Baker work his magic. They will be there for the long haul.

I had the White Sox at the top when many were skeptical… I just NEVER figured on them having to chase the Royals for even a day. Boy, have they been playing some hot baseball?! However, when the weather starts to warm, I look for the Sox to really heat up.

[to top of second column in this article]

I told you that I was really worried about the Blues?

Any guessers on if anyone has what it takes to dethrone the Lakers?

As spring football grabs the attention of all gridder fans, the NFL draft looms on the horizon. Are you ready for some football?

Local sports: Sorry, I was gone all weekend, so I don't know how any of our teams did. If you do, give us a call.

Join us on "FANdamonium" tonight at 6 here on the LDN live link, or on CITV Lincoln Channel 5 or on FIX 96.3 on your FM radio dial. I have no idea what we're going to be talking about, so we'll REALLY need your help tonight!

[Jeff Mayfield]

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