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[Photo courtesy of Ruth Sloot]
Winter All Conference First Team selections for LCHS in the
Central State 8. |
Row One
Sean Weaver, Swimming, Michael Kasa, Scholastic Bowl, Greg
Gandenberger, Scholastic Bowl, Cory Farmer, Basketball
Row Two
Josh Rogers, Wrestling, David Edwards, Wrestling
Row Three
Alejandro Valdes
Absent: Jessica Carey, Girls' Basketball; Eric Young and Chris
Bunch, Basketball |
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Cook's NCAA double-double
leads Illini to victory
Illini survive Western Kentucky 65-60
By LDN staff
[MARCH
21, 2003]
Survived,
escaped, Houdini act, were lucky, were fortunate, were blessed, were
opportunistic, squeaked by, close call, made it by this much, saved
our bacon, weathered the storm, eluded defeat, staved off, snatched
victory from the jaws of defeat, wriggled out of, abided, outlived,
outlasted, and endured. Those are just a few of the words and
phrases that might come to mind when describing Illinois' narrow
65-60 victory over Western Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA
tournament in Indianapolis.
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Lincoln's Brian Cook became the 15th
player in Illini history to record an NCAA tourney double-double.
However, if not for the freshmen, Cook's and the Illini's season
would have been over. James Augustine, Deron Williams and Dee Brown
united for 37 points, 16 boards and 13 dishes to seal the
Hilltoppers' fate.
WKU was everything they were advertised
to be and more. We're not so sure that they were the best No. 13
seed out there, although a strong case could be made for Tulsa.
It may be that there is so much parity
in today's game that there really are no longer ANY upsets in the
NCAA tournament -- just teams who either played well or didn't. Why
do you think the NBA plays a series of games for their postseason
play? Did you think it was only for the money? One and done changes
everything!
We don't think that WKU got the memo
before the game: "They don't know that this is an exhibition; they
think it's a stinkin' fight!" And for some reason they felt that
Illinois was the enemy. They came roaring out of their locker room
and may have even put some markers on the tote board before the
opening tip, judging by their 20-14 lead by the second television
timeout.
Luckily, by then, the Illini had waked
up and took it home from there. They survived and moved on, and
that's the best you can hope for on any day at the NCAAs!
Stray
arrows
--Brian Cook is now only six points
away from third place on the Illini's all-time scoring list, and
with his 10 boards he now has claimed sixth place on the all-time
rebounding chart.
--Cook also handled reporters'
questions on the officiating with style and grace.
--If Dennis Felton is not one of the
best young coaches in America, we don't know who is.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
[photos by Tom Seggelke]
--How 'bout Illini nation? Our fans are
just totally awesome. Showing the creativity that you would expect
from the Orange and Blue backers, they were found in every section
of the United Center Sunday as the Illinois outlasted Ohio State.
Thursday's opening round game in
Indiana was no different. It was a sea of orange, and it really
helped propel the Illini to victory, especially in the second half.
Illinois needs another strong fan
showing Saturday to even hope to fend off the Irish!
--How many of your brackets are already
busted? We were feeling good with our upset special of Tulsa over
Dayton but then got mauled in the No. 8-No. 9 games. We hate those
8-9 matchups!
--The RCA Dome is just not the best
place to hold a basketball game. Why not move the games to the
beautiful Conseco Fieldhouse and have the sponsors just kick in a
little more loot to offset the difference? You wouldn't see nearly
as much bad perimeter shooting as you see in dome games.
Not only that, but it makes
perimeter-oriented teams play totally differently than they have
played all season. In domes, there is a premium on shot selection.
Being the smart, knowledgeable, loyal LDN fans that you are, you're
saying -- how is that different from any other game during the
season? Great question.
The LDN response would be this: IF you
don't get a lot of points in the paint, and if you don't attack the
basket and get to the line, and if you don't hit your free throws,
you're going to get an early spring vacation. How do we know this?
Just ask Holy Cross or Southern Illinois.
Next up for
the Illini: A Saturday date with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
[LDN sports] |
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[MARCH
6, 2003]
The Lincoln PONY Association
will have its annual spring sign-up this year beginning March 9 and
running until March 29. Sign-up sheets can be obtained at the front
desk of the Lincoln Rec Center. On Saturday, March 29,
representatives of Lincoln PONY will be on hand to assist with
signups.
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Lincoln PONY ball is for both boys
baseball and girls softball, ages 8 through 14.
Additional
information can be obtained at the Lincoln PONY
website and
at http://www.pony.org/.
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