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Area eighth-grade girls to be in state tournament action

[DEC. 6, 2001]   Pairings have been released for the 12th annual Illinois Elementary School Association "Little Sweet 16" Class 8A and 8AA Girls’ State Basketball Tournament.

Chester-East Lincoln girls will play in the first round of Class 8A action at Fieldcrest East Middle School in Wenona. The game between C-EL (15-7) and Catlin (18-2) will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

More pairings at the tournament will be posted later.

In the first round of the Class 8AA tournament, Stanford Olympia (17-4) will meet Chatham Glenwood (19-3) at 4:30 p.m. at Stephen Decatur Middle School in Decatur.

More pairings from that tournament will also be posted later.

This is the 23rd year of the IESA girls basketball state tournament series.

Scores will be posted on the IESA website (www.iesa.org).

[DEC. 6, 2001]   NORMAL — It took a date change to accommodate an ESPN televised game which put Illinois State in a position to have to play Thursday at Illinois, the Redbirds’ sixth game in 12 days.

Redbird coach Jenny Yopp says it’s more than worth it. Illinois State plays at 7 p.m. at the Assembly Hall in a game originally scheduled for Dec. 17.

"Coach (Theresa) Grentz called in August and said they had a chance for a TV game against Oklahoma (slated for Dec. 16) and would we be willing to move," said Yopp. "We have finals (final examinations) week next week, so we had to move it back to this date. I knew it put us in the position of playing a lot of games (in a short time), but this game and this rivalry is worth that effort."

Yopp, who grew up on North Carolina’s Tobacco Road — where she was a ball shagger at North Carolina State games as a youngster before playing at North Carolina in college — understands the value of geographic rivalries.

"This is a fantastic rivalry and a great opportunity for our basketball team," said Yopp, whose team plays host to Northern Illinois (Dec. 20) and Western Illinois (Dec. 22) as its final non-conference games. "We have a diverse team from different points on the compass, but our Illinois rivalries mean a lot to our fans and to our players from Illinois. The challenge of playing those (Illinois) teams is an important part of our basketball program."

The challenge of playing Illinois includes defending the Illini front line, which features Cindy Dallas and Dawn Vana (both 6-foot-2) and 6-foot-4 Iveta Marcauskaite. Led by Marcauskaite’s 14.8 points per game and 60 percent field goal shooting, the trio combines for 38 points and 22 rebounds per game. That’s more than half the Illinois total in both departments for veteran coach Theresa Grentz’s team.

"We respect the success the Illinois program has had," said Yopp. "They are a tall and talented basketball team."

[to top of second column in this article]

Yopp’s tallest player had, perhaps, her best game as a Redbird Tuesday against Ball State. Kristi Larson, the Redbirds’ lone senior, has battled a succession of injuries from nearly the start of her career to recent days, but she put together an 18-point, 13-rebound effort against Ball State.

The output not only impressed Yopp, but gladdened the third-year Redbird coach.

"Kristi’s finally having some of the success people believed she could have in her career," said Yopp. "She has had some unfortunate injuries which kept her out until January last year and slowed her progress early this year. But she put all that aside and played with great confidence. Kristi believes in hanging in there, and it’s great to see that paying off for her."

Larson’s 13 rebounds were a career high, and the 18 points are the most she has scored since her sophomore season. Her performance was even more amazing considering she totaled no points and two rebounds in the previous two games at Indiana, where she was suffering the effects of bronchitis and some bruised ribs.

"A healthy Kristi is a key to our improvement as a team," said Yopp, whose team takes a 14-day game break, which includes final exams, after the Illinois game.

[ISU news release]

[DEC. 5, 2001]   

Boys

At Hartsburg

Illini Central                13  28  41  64
Hartsburg-Emden       13  28  41  54

Ke. Leesman 3-2-9,  Wrage 1-1-3, Anderson  2-2-6, Gleason  9-0-23, Jones  1-0-3, Westen 1-0-2

Totals 17-5-46

At Mount Pulaski

Maroa-Forsyth             13  26  31  43
Mount Pulaski               15  30  45  67

Wilson 1-0-2,  C. Erlenbush  1-0-2,  Coers  1-0-3,  Tierney  0-2-2,  Schilling  0-2-2,  Olson  1-0-2,  Blaum  4-3-11,  Anderson  9-2-24,  Deibest  0-2-2,  Smith  5-3-13,  B. Erlenbush  2-0-4.

Totals 24-14-67

[to top of second column in this article]

Girls

At Normal

Olympia                        12  20  28  40
Normal West                  7  11  21  29

Floyd  3-0-7,  Brand  3-0-6,  Gaither  8-0-16,  Canopy  1-2-4,  Goebel  2-0-4,  Litwiller  1-0-3.

Totals 18-2-40

Junior varsity:  Olympia  44, Normal-West  39

Junior high:  Olympia 33, Parkside 31

[DEC. 5, 2001]   

Lincoln College connected on 21 of 38 first-half shots as they raced to a 50-17 halftime advantage in men’s basketball at Moline Tuesday night. The Lynx, now 6-2 for the season, posted a 90-58 victory.

Leading the way for coach B.J. McCullum with 15 points was Mike Sams. The sophomore forward was joined in double figures by Derik Hollyfield, 13; Gene Reed, 12; and Steve Turner, 11. Mike Fowler dished out seven assists for the victorious Lynx, and Sams was the rebounding leader with nine.  

Lincoln College finished the game shooting 49 percent from the floor. The Lynx had a 47-36 rebounding advantage. The bench scored 35 points for the Lynx, and McCullum received scoring from 10 different players.

Lincoln College (90) — Paris Williams 1-2-0-0-3; James Roberson 4-9-1-1-9; Josh Clark 3-4-2-2-8; Gene Reed 5-8-0-0-12; Mike Fowler 4-7-0-0-9; Steve Turner 4-9-2-2-11; Andrew Kehr 1-2-0-0-3; Mike Sams 6-15-3-4-15; Amir Major 3-7-0-2-7; Derik Hollyfield 5-11-2-2-13.  Totals 36-74-10-13-90.  Three-point goals: Williams, Reed 2, Fowler, Turner, Kehr, Major, Hollyfield.

Black Hawk (58) — Jesse Collum 3-9-0-1-7; Tom McConnell 1-4-0-0-3; Brandon Hoffman 0-2-0-0-0; Dan Colbrese 1-2-0-0-2; Devarra Purefoy 1-7-2-4-4; Chris Hickey 4-11-0-0-11; Maurice Williams 4-8-2-2-12; Matt Calef 4-8-0-0-9; Joe Spruille 1-6-0-1-2; D’Mico Vallejo 3-5-0-0-8.  Totals 22-62-4-8-58.  Three-point goals: Collum, McConnell, Hickey 3, Williams 2, Calef, Vallejo 2.

[to top of second column in this article]

Black Hawk handed Lincoln College its first loss of the season in women’s basketball at Moline Tuesday, 65-58.   The loss drops Lincoln to 10-1 for the season while Black Hawk runs its record to 3-7.

Coach Carol Wilson said, "We did not show up to play.  We had no intensity, and if it hadn’t been for Ronni (Beebe) and Angie (Bossingham) it would have been a lot worse.  Angie was our leading rebounder, and we got beat bad on the boards, especially the offensive end. We gave up 18 offensive rebounds, and we only had eight."

Bossingham and Beebe combined for half of the Lady Lynx points, with Bossingham keeping the game close with three goals from 3-point range. Bossingham finished with 15 points and Beebe added 14. Black Hawk led by five at the half and was led in scoring by Jones with 12 points.

Lincoln College (58) — Tammy Bausley 1-0-0-2; Jenny Story 0-2-2-2; Victoria Scott 4-0-0-8; Sarah McLaughlin 2-0-0-4; Angie Bossingham 5-2-2-15; Ronni Beebe 5-3-6-14; Ashley Sims 1-0-0-2; Tiffany Thomas 2-2-3-6; Zabrina Harper 2-1-2-5.  Totals 22-10-15-58. Three-point goals: Bossingham 3, Beebe.

Black Hawk (65) — Jones 3-6-6-12; Johnson 0-2-2-2; Belitz 1-1-2-4; Widdep 2-0-0-4; Bea 4-1-2-9; Haynes 1-1-2-4; Stenger 1-0-0-3; Browless 4-1-2-10; Thorpe 2-3-7-7; Barron 3-4-5-10. Totals 21-19-28-65. Three-point goals: Belitz, Haynes, Stenger, Browless.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

[DEC. 5, 2001]   The men's team played at Eureka.  High scorer was Matt Clark with 57 points.

LCC                31 51 3   85
Eureka             49 33 5   87

Matt Clark 13-4-57; Jake Raymer 2-0-4; John Holderby 1-1-3; Zach Below 2-0-4; Jim Turney 3-0-9; Antoni Okusami 3-2-8; Josh Grooms 3-0-6; Joel Searby 6-2-14.

Totals 33-9-85

[DEC. 5, 2001]   NORMAL — Reigning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Tamara Bowie scored 24 points in the first 30 minutes of the game to lead Ball State past Illinois State, 78-61, in women’s college basketball action Tuesday at Redbird Arena.

Kristi Larson led the Redbirds with 18 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. ISU controlled the boards against the Cardinals with a 43-37 rebounding advantage for the game. Taren O’Brien backed Larson with 11 points. Bowie led four Ball State players in double figures, including Kate Endress with 15 and Amy Fuller and Johna Goff with 10 points each.

The Redbirds, 0-6, took an early 12-11 lead on Katie Donovan’s layup with 14:49 left in the half. Then Bowie kicked her offense into overdrive, scoring three-straight baskets over the next two minutes to put Ball State on top 20-12. ISU closed the gap to within one twice on Kristi Larson baskets at 5:35 and 4:59 left in the half.

ISU took a brief lead 33-32 with 1:10 left, when Steph Reichle of Lincoln pressured Ball State into a turnover near the Redbird basket and Michelle Harakas intercepted a pass and scored a layup. Julie Just answered with a long 3-pointer 21 seconds later and ISU had the last shot, but Beth Huston’s 3-pointer rimmed out and BSU led 35-33 at intermission. Bowie had 14 points at intermission.

The Cardinals hit eight of 13 field goals in the first eight minutes of the second half. Bowie scored 10 points as BSU out-pointed ISU 21-11 in that run to take a 56-44 lead.

Ball State, 4-2, led the entire second half before the Redbirds pulled within 62-57 on Larson’s jumper with 5:48 left and could have closed to within two on the next possession, when O’Brien’s trey swirled out of the basket. Goff buried a 3 for BSU; then Fuller hit a pair of free throws and Endress followed with another long trey, and the Cards led 70-57 with 4:05 remaining.

BSU led 56-49 with 10:25 left when Bowie twisted her right ankle going for a rebound. Bowie returned five minutes later and played the remainder of the game.

[to top of second column in this article]

Larson was pleased that she and her teammates were able to utilize their offense and have better ball movement against the Cardinals. "We took care of the ball and moved the ball and ran our offense," she said. "It feels like it worked for us."

"The point guard and the post have to work hand in hand, and Kristi is a great post to feed the ball to," said O’Brien. "We’re trying to look better on defense and offense, and I think we’re doing that. Ball State is a potential Top 25 team, and what better way to challenge yourself to be better than to face a team like that?"

EIU coach Tracy Roller applauded Illinois State’s play.

"Illinois State proved they are a better team than their record," said Roller. "They took us out of our game. Defensively, they outplayed us in every facet of the game. Larson killed us inside. She’s so strong, and I think she’ll really help them in the future. Illinois State isolated every weakness we had. We got a couple of lucky breaks, and seniors step up at the end of the game. When these young players for Illinois State get to be seniors, they’re going to have a great team."

The game was the fifth of six games in a span of 12 days for the Redbirds. The rugged schedule ends with a 7 p.m. Thursday match against Illinois at the Assembly Hall.

[Erica Fricke,
ISU assistant director of media relations]

[DEC. 5, 2001]   NORMAL — With four first-team selections, Illinois State tied for the largest representation on the All-Gateway Football Conference Academic Team, which was announced Tuesday. Northern Iowa equaled the feat, but the ’Birds have had nine first-team honorees in the past two years.

Illinois State first-team honorees were Dusty Burk (3.66 in marketing, Tuscola), offensive tackle Andy King (3.49 in telecommunications management, Lincoln), linebacker Adam Waugh (4.00 in political science, Libertyville) and center Teddy Wulf (3.44 in finance, Bloomington).

Redbird offensive tackle Aaron Peterson (3.63 in anthropology, Rhinelander, Wis.) and tight end Mark Schaeve (3.31 in political science, Verona, Wis.) were each named to the second team.

Players must be starters or important reserves with at least a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average (4.0 scale). Student-athletes must have reached sophomore academic and athletic standing at their institutions (freshmen are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at their institution. League sports information directors voted on the team by designating 11 players for first-team honors and 11 players for second-team honors. This year’s teams included 13 players because of a tie in the voting.

[Todd Kober, ISU director of media relations]

[DEC. 4, 2001]   NORMAL — Jenny Yopp respects Ball State. But the Illinois State head basketball coach is more focused on what her team is able to do in preparing for Tuesday’s 7:05 p.m. game with the Cardinals at Redbird Arena.

"We have to improve our half-court offensive execution," said Yopp. "We need better decision-making and better passing so that we can run our offense effectively. We have to get better at getting the defense to move in order to create opportunities for our offense to get the best shot."

Yopp’s youngsters are averaging just 58.2 points per game. The balanced scoring totals are led by freshman Katie Donovan, who averages 8.4 points per game. But the consistency hasn’t been there, according to Yopp.

"We have been inconsistent because we have not created enough action away from the ball," said Yopp. "Also, with our style of play, pushing the ball up-court offensively will always be a big part of our offense, but it is important to recognize when we have those opportunities to run and when we have to go to our half-court offense."

Yopp is confident her team will get better.

"Decision-making is one of those things that all teams do better as the season goes along," said Yopp, "so I still believe what I said before the season began: We’ll have a better team in late December than we had at the start of the season and a better team still by late January."

But, the immediate challenge is a Ball State team that is 3-2. The only BSU losses have been a two-pointer to Arkansas State and a 103-69 decision at No. 1-ranked Connecticut last week. Despite the score, the Cardinals impressed UConn coach Geno Auriemma.

[to top of second column in this article]

"Ball State, Tracy Roller and her staff were well-prepared," said Auriemma who saw BSU hang with his team until just before halftime. "It was the best game anyone has played against us this year. Those shots they knocked in during the first half were huge."

Yopp agrees with Auriemma about Ball State's offensive options.

"Ball State is an experienced team with a lot of options on offense," said Yopp, whose 0-5 Redbirds are meeting Ball State for the first time. "We expect them to challenge us defensively with the versatility of their players to score in the post and on the perimeter."

A decade ago, first-year BSU head coach Tracy Roller was coming to Redbird Arena as an Eastern Illinois player challenging Jill Hutchison’s Redbird teams. Now, she features 2001 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Tamara Bowie, whose 14.8 points per game combine with Jessica Reiter’s 16.4 and Johna Goff’s 13.2 to give BSU a trio of top scorers. The Cardinals average 81.8 points per game and average 10.2 3-pointers per game.

Tuesday’s game is the fifth of six games in a span of 12 days for the Redbirds. The rugged schedule ends with a 7 p.m. Thursday match against Illinois at the Assembly Hall.

[ISU news release]

[DEC. 4, 2001]   BLOOMINGTON, IND. — Despite an 8-0 start in the game, the Illinois State women’s basketball team fell to Murray State 65-55 Saturday at Indiana University’s Assembly Hall in the finals of the Holiday Inn Fazoli’s Classic.

Three-pointers made the difference for Murray State, now 3-3. The Racers out-shot the ’Birds from beyond the arc, making 7-of-18 to Illinois State’s 3-of-13 for the game. Two of ISU’s 3-pointers came in the final minutes after Murray State was safely ahead.

Brittany Park, who had made just six 3-pointers in the first five games of the season, made five against the Redbirds. Her 17 points led all scorers. Susan Tackett had the other two Murray treys among her 16 points.

Taren O’Brien led the Redbirds with 11 points off the bench. Stacey White led ISU in rebounding for the third-straight game with eight and led all players with three steals. ISU had a 39-36 rebounding edge and shot better overall against the Racers, .382 to .362 for the game. Murray State had eight more free-throw attempts, converting six more.

Redbird coach Jenny Yopp was pleased that her team showed improvement over a 101-53 thrashing from Indiana the night before, but the outcome still wasn’t what she wanted.

"We played a heck of a lot better," said Yopp.  "Last night we were outplayed in every facet of the game. Today, we executed our offense better and were more aggressive, but we still need better shot selection, and we just have to take better care of the ball."

ISU had 23 turnovers to 17 for Murray State.

[to top of second column in this article]

The Redbirds, 0-5, came out focused at both ends of the court. Blade and Donovan each scored a pair of baskets in the first five minutes, and ISU’s defense dogged the Racers into an 0-7 start from the field and four turnovers in their first 10 possessions.

Tackett’s first 3-pointer with 13:50 left got Murray State on the scoreboard. But the Racers came back to tie the score with 9:56 left. The teams traded baskets until Murray State went on an 11-2 run to take a 25-18 lead into the final minute of the half. Steph Reichle of Lincoln and Michelle Harakas scored after MSU turnovers in the final minute to cut the lead to 25-22 at intermission.

Following a 4-7 start from the field, the Redbirds made just three of their next 19 before Reichle’s and Harakas’ late first-half baskets.

Murray led despite shooting just 9-of-30 in the first half from the field, because the Racers were 4-6 from the free-throw line and Illinois State didn’t get a free throw attempt and because ISU had 13 turnovers to eight for MSU.

Early in the second half the Redbirds couldn’t get a shot to fall, and they fell behind 35-23 as Murray State had a 10-1 run in the first four minutes of the half. ISU cut the lead to single digits four times, but each time the Racers responded by hitting a jump shot.

[ISU news release]

[DEC. 4, 2001]   BLOOMINGTON, IND. — Bloomington, Ind. — Jill Hartman’s 18 points led six Hoosiers in double-figure scoring and her basket with :00.8 left put Indiana over 100 as the Hoosiers downed Illinois State 101-53 in the first round of the Holiday Inn-Fazoli’s Classic Friday at Indiana’s Assembly Hall.

The Redbirds, 0-4, gave up 100 points for the first time in seven seasons, since a 105-68 loss at Drake March 5, 1995.

Hoosier native Stacey White led the Redbirds with 12 points and nine rebounds, matching her career highs in both. Sharon Blade had nine points for ISU, all in the first half.

The Hoosiers, 3-2, became the first team this season to out-rebound the Redbirds, taking the battle of the boards 55-28. Former Dunlap High School star Heather Cassady, returning to the point guard position for IU because of an injury to Kristen Bodine, had 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists for IU. Jenny DeMuth had 17, Erin McGinnis added 14, Jill Chapman 11 and Allison Skapin 10 points to round out Indiana’s scoring.

"We know what a fantastic senior leader and player Heather Cassady is," said Redbird head coach Jenny Yopp. "This is a team which has faced some adversity and came out very focused tonight. They had great scoring balance, hit their open shots and obviously got the ball inside as well. We’ve seen all four of IU’s (previous games) on tape, and this is far and away the best they’ve played."

Indiana’s losses have come against No. 9 Stanford and No. 10 North Carolina State. Hoosier coach Kathi Bennett, the daughter of former Wisconsin coach Dick Bennett, who built Evansville into a Missouri Valley power in the late 1990s, agreed with Yopp about her team’s focus.

"We came together tonight," said Bennett. "Our players realize that everybody has to step up, and it’s exciting to see that every one of our players had the opportunity tonight and took advantage of it."

Yopp understood the lift IU got from passing the century mark.

[to top of second column in this article]

"At the end of the game, it was about stopping them for one possession in the final 14 seconds and, for them, it was about reaching for a goal and getting a score," said Yopp. "For our young team, tonight was a learning experience. We were taught a lot of lessons, and, hopefully, we’ll go out (Saturday night) and be able to accomplish our goal of going home with a victory."

With Cassady at the controls, IU opened with its running game in high gear, racing to an 18-5 lead in the first eight minutes before Blade drained her first career 3-point attempt, cutting the lead to 10.

ISU was within eight at 20-12 when both Blade and Kristi Larson went to the bench with two fouls each and the Hoosiers went on a 12-4 run behind a pair of Cassady 3-pointers to take a 34-16 lead into the final five minutes of the first half. IU led 45-23 at halftime. The Birds made just 8-of-25 field goals in the first half and were below .500 at the free-throw line at 5-12.

The Hoosiers put the game out of reach in the first four minutes of the second half with a 15-2 run featuring three baskets by McGinnis and 7-of-9 IU shooting. That built the lead to 60-25 for Indiana. The Hoosiers never slowed down after that.

After the tournament, the Redbirds return home to play Ball State at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday in Redbird Arena.

[ISU news release]

[DEC. 3, 2001]   

At Pleasant Plains

Mount Pulaski               8 15 31   47
Pleasant Plains            25 45 61   72

C. Erlenbush 1-0-2; Coers 1-2-4; . Tierney 0-2-2; Schilling 2-0-5; Olsen 4-0-8; Blaum 1-2-4; Anderson 2-3-8; Waymire 1-1-3; Diebert 2-0-4; Smith 3-0-6; B. Erlenbus 0-1-1; Wilson 0-0-0; Clements 0-0-0; J. Tierney 0-0-0.

Totals 17-11-47

At Hartsburg

Peoria Christian            14 27 39   55
Hartsburg-Emden         14 24 31   41

Leesman 4-1-9; Fletcher 0-2-2; Wrage 2-0-4; Anderson 3-1-7; Gleason 6-0-16; Westen 3-3-3.

Totals 15-7-41

[DEC. 3, 2001]   The men's team is playing in the Tip-Off Tournament at Watertown, Wis.  High scorers were Matt Clark (37) and Joel Searby (26).

LCC                37 56   93
CBC                38 37   75

Clark 16-3-37; Raymer 1-0-2; Holderby 2-1-5; Johnson 0-0-0; Below 4-2-11; Brodfueher 0-0-0; Turney 0-0-0; O’Connor 0-0-0; Okusami 2-1-5; Grooms 3-1-7; Searby 11-2-26; Lirot 0-0-0.

Totals 39-10-93

[DEC. 3, 2001]   Once again Lincoln College rode a balanced attack to an easy victory. The 86-72 win over Black Hawk East in the Courier Classic on Saturday afternoon in Lincoln gives the Lady Lynx a 10-0 record.

Angie Bossingham led the balanced attack with 13 points, and Sarah McLaughlin added 10.  Coach Carol Wilson had 14 players crack the scoring column.  

Ronnie Beebe and Jessie Dullard were both selected to the all-Classic team. 

Coach Wilson said, "Our first half defense was pretty good.  We gave up a few second-chance opportunities, but overall we played well.  We do need to move the ball a little more offensively.  We are not making enough passes before taking a shot."

[to top of second column in this article]

Lincoln College (86) — Ariel Lamb 2-0-0-4; Tammy Bausley 1-0-0-2; Jenny Story 1-2-3-4; Victoria Scott 3-2-2-8; Sarah McLaughlin 4-1-2-10; Audrey Hinrichsen 0-0-0-0; Angie Bossingham 5-0-0-13; Ronni Beebe 1-7-12-9; Heather Dobey 1-1-1-4; Kim Calhoun 2-0-0-4; Kim Massenburg 0-0-0-0; Ashley Sims 2-5-7-9; Mary Rossio 0-0-0-0; Jessie Dullard 2-0-0-4; Sereida Melker 1-0-0-2; Tiffany Thomas 2-0-04; Zabrina Harper 4-1-2-9. Totals 31-19-29-86.  Three-point goals: McLaughlin, Bossingham 3, Dobey.

Black Hawk East (72) — Pearson 4-1-4-11; Moss 1-0-0-2; Jenkins 6-3-6-18; Salisbury 3-2-3-10; Strode 1-0-0-2; Herzeele 1-0-0-2; Robinson 3-4-6-10; Compton 2-3-7-7; Franlc 5-0-0-10.  Totals 26-13-26-72.  Three-point goals: Pearson 2, Jenkins 3, Salisbury 2.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

[DEC. 3, 2001]   

At Bloomington, Ind.

Murray State             25 40   65
ISU                           22 33   55

White 2-2-6; Blade 4-0-8; Donovan 2-2-6; Huston 2-0-6; Reichle 4-1-9; Harakas 2-0-4; O’Brien 3-4-11; Nickerson 1-0-2; McCormack 0-0-0; Kutschinski 1-1-3; Larson 0-0-0.

Totals 21-10-55

[DEC. 3, 2001]   Coming off their first loss of the season, Illinois bounced back into the victory column with a 24-point victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Senior guard Cory Bradford led the Illini in scoring with 23 points, including six 3-point baskets. Junior Frank Williams and senior Robert Archibald both hit double figures, each finishing with 12 points, and freshman Nick Smith added 11 points. Lincoln’s Brian Cook struggled once again with foul trouble, playing just 19 minutes and finishing with two points and five rebounds before fouling out.

Coach Bill Self did not seem pleased with the effort and stated, "I’m not mad. I am a little miffed in that in a short amount of time basketball has become a business to our players. I think we are approaching it like it’s a job, and we really don’t enjoy our job that much. We have to get that oomph back; we don’t have that right now."

Self experimented with a new starting lineup, adding Luther Head and Damir Krupalija, but didn’t appear overly pleased with the results. Illinois started slowly, not scoring on their first four possessions of the game, and Self quickly began to substitute.

Illinois shot 49 percent for the game and connected on nine of 21 3-point attempts. Illinois also out-rebounded the visitors from Texas, 33-24. Eleven Illinois players reached the scoring column. Illinois blocked eight shots, led by Cook’s three.

The Illini have a tough week ahead, traveling to Arizona for a showdown with the Wildcats and then returning Saturday to the United Center in Chicago to face an ultra-quick Arkansas team.

The team will then enjoy eight days off for final exams before returning to Assembly Hall for games with Western Illinois on the 16th and Illinois State on the 18th. Former LCHS standout Geoff Alexander is a coach for WIU, and all-time LCHS leading scorer Gregg Alexander is a freshman starter for ISU.

Illinois will face Missouri in St. Louis on Saturday, Dec. 22, in the annual Busch Braggin’ Rights game.

[to top of second column in this article]

Illini news and notes

•  Bradford moved into 10^th place on the all-time scoring list at Illinois, passing Kendall Gill and Jerry Hester. Bradford is just 32 points from Don Freeman and ninth place.

•  Coach Self started freshman Luther Head and senior Damir Krupalija in place of Sean Harrington and Robert Archibald. Self then started freshman Roger Powell in place of Krupalija for the second half of play.

•  At 7 feet 2 inches tall, freshman Nick Smith is the tallest player in Illinois basketball history.

•  Illinois made 10 of 11 free throws in the first half of play.

•  Illinois returns to action Tuesday night with a tough road game at Arizona. Game time is 7 p.m., and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Chicago. Arizona lost their first game of the season Saturday at home against Kansas.

•  Fatigue could become a factor with Bradford and Williams on Tuesday night against the quick Arizona guards, as each played 36 minutes Saturday night.

•  Illinois and Arizona met three times last season. Arizona beat Illinois 79-76 at Maui in late November; Illinois beat the Wildcats 81-73 at Chicago in December; and Arizona beat Illinois 87-81 at San Antonio in the Elite Eight.

[Greg Taylor]

[DEC. 3, 2001]   Josh Collins claimed the championship in the 125-pound class of the Indiana Little State wrestling tournament in North Manchester, Ind., on Saturday.  Collins defeated LC teammate Michel Moharreri 5-3 to win the title.

Justin Collins (133) decisioned Earl Wilson of the University of Indianapolis 14-12 to claim third place.  Also finishing third for the Lynx was Dave Tackett (149) with a 6-5 decision over Kevin Wilkinson of Millikin. 

Seth Tumey lost by fall to Cory Norvell of Wilmington to finish fifth in the 184-pound class. The Lynx had two seventh-place finishers, Ryan Skolasinski at 133 pounds and Bob Davis at 157 pounds.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

[DEC. 1, 2001]   

At Stanford

Mahomet            18 31 37   59
Olympia              13 18 28   46

Slager 0-1-1; Dillenburg 0-3-12; Cheek 0-1-7; Kendrick 1-0-2; Elliot 4-2-10; Olson 3-2-8; Wise 2-2-6.

Totals 10-11-46

At Lincoln

Springfield          9 19 35   54
Lincoln             16 35 59   77

Farmer 7-5-22; Komnick 2-0-7; Schonauer 3-0-6; Schrader 3-0-12; Welch 1-2-4; Young 5-2-12; Werner 1-0-5; Bust 0-2-2; Gallagher 2-1-5; Wilder 0-2-2.

Totals 24-14-77

[DEC. 1, 2001]   Men's team at Watertown, Wis.:

Lincoln Christian            41 26   67
Emmaus Bible               28 23   51

Clark 8-1-19; Raymer 2-0-4; Holderby 4-0-8; Johnson 1-0-2; Below 4-2-10; Brodfuehrer 0-0-0; Turney 3-0-6; O’Conner 0-0-0; Okusani 2-0-4; Grooms 2-0-4; Searby 4-2-10; Lirot 0-0-0.

Totals 30-5-67 

[DEC. 1, 2001]   Women's team at Lincoln:

Free Will                     10 16   26
Lincoln Christian          20 38   58

Robbins 6-1-18; Urton 1-0-3; Szostek 2-1-5; Wright 8-0-17; Westin 1-0-2; O’Malley 2-0-4; Devore 1-0-2; Jewell 2-0-4; Flaherty 0-0-0; Davis 1-0-3.

Totals 24-2-58  

[DEC. 1, 2001]   Women's team at Bloomington, Ind.:

ISU                  23 30     53
Indiana             45 56   101

Donovan 0-6-6; White 6-0-12; Larson 0-2-2; O’Brien 2-0-5; Reichle 2-0-4; Harakas 0-2-2; Huston 1-2-5; Nickerson 2-0-4; Blade 4-0-9; Kutschinski 1-2-4.

Totals 18-14-53  

[DEC. 1, 2001]   Jessie Dullard led the undefeated Lincoln College Lady Lynx to a 71-47 victory over Sauk Valley in the opening round of the Courier Classic at Lincoln Friday night.   Dullard led a balanced Lincoln attack with 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

Coach Carol Wilson said, "Jessie played an outstanding game.  She stayed out of foul trouble and played good defense. We played a better game against them than we did the first time.  It was a good team effort and good defensive effort."

Joining Dullard in double figures was Zabrina Harper with 12 points.  The Lady Lynx had 11 players crack the scoring column.   Lincoln was able to make 25 of 83 field goal attempts while Sauk Valley was limited to just 40 shots, making 17.

[to top of second column in this article]

Lincoln College (71) — Ariel Lamb 2-2-2-6; Jenny Story 1-0-0-2; Tammy Bausley 0-0-0-0; Victoria Scott 4-0-0-9; Sarah McLaughlin 2-3-4-8; Audrey Hinrichsen 0-0-0-0; Angie Bossingham 0-2-2--2; Ronni Beebe 3-0-0-6; Heather Dobey 0-0-0-0; Kim Calhoun 2-0-2-4; Kim Massenburg 0-0-0-0; Ashley Sims 2-1-1-5; Jessie Dullard 3-9-10-15; Mary Rossio 0-0-0-0; Sereida Melker 0-0-0-0; Tiffany Thomas 1-0-0-2; Zabrina Harper 5-0-0-12.  Totals 25-17-21-71.  Three-point goals: Scott, McLaughlin, Harper 2.

Sauk Valley (47) — Nicky Trotter 2-0-0-4; Josilyn Diehl 6-1-2-14; Sarah Lund 1-1-4-3; April Sullivan 1-1-2-3; Maggie Buck 0-0-2-0; Toccara Martin 3-1-5-7; Stephanie Vasquez 1-0-0-2; Melissa Harden 3-7-10-13; April Considine 0-1-2-1.  Totals 17-12-1-47. Three-point goals: Diehl.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

[NOV. 30, 2001]   

Seventh grade

Carroll              45
Springfield        12

Justin Ritchhart, 10 reb, 14 pts; Pat Washam, 5 reb, 5 steals, 10 pts; Josh Baker 9 pts; Brandon Endres, 6 pts.

Record 6-3

Eighth grade

Carroll              58
Springfield        27

Matt Schick, 8 reb, 21 pts; Derrick Schonauer, 7 reb, 6 steals, 5 assists, 16 pts; Jeff Oller, 5 steals, 15 pts.

Record 9-0

[NOV. 30, 2001]   

Girls

At Stanford

Mahomet-Seymour       8 20 35   53

Olympia                      16 33 45   61

Wilcox 0-1-1; Floyd 5-3-14; Short 6-2-14; Brand 2-0-4; Gaither 7-7-22; Canopy 3-0-6; Goebel 0-0-0.

Total 23-13-61

At Lincoln

Springfield SHG          16 25 31   45

Lincoln                          8 20 24   29

Dawson 2-1-5; Robbins 1-0-3; Freesmeier 1-0-2; Ingram 2-0-5; Froschauer 1-0-2; Moore 0-2-2; Schonauer 1-0-2; Carey 1-0-2; Verderber 3-0-6.

Totals 12-3-29

At Mount Pulaski

Rochester                     15 29 42   53

Mount Pulaski                1 12 18   24

Maske 2-1-5; Sanders 4-0-8; Rucks 0-2-2; Reeley 0-0-0; Tillquist 0-0-0; Hudson 1-0-2; Jason 1-0-2; Howe 2-1-5; Cyrulik 0-0-0; Stoll 0-0-0; Gleason 0-0-0.

Totals 10-4-24

[NOV. 30, 2001] 

LCC    36 27   63
MBI     17 39   56

Matt Clark 7-3-19; Jake Raymer 1-1-4; John Holderby 5-1-12; Aaron Johnson 0-0-0; Zach Below 3-0-6; Ben Brodfuehrer 0-0-0; Jim Turney 0-0-0; Antoni Okusami 3-6-12; Josh Grooms 2-0-4; Joel Searby 2-2-6.

Totals 23-13-63

[NOV. 30, 2001]   NORMAL — Jenny Yopp believes taking care of the basketball is as much about having a good head as having good hands.

As the Illinois State University head coach takes her team to this weekend’s Indiana Classic, she wants the Redbirds to take a step forward in cutting down turnovers. Illinois State, 0-3, plays Indiana, 2-2, at 5 p.m. (Central time) Friday.

"When you play the ‘94-40’ style (94 feet for 40 minutes) we like to play, there will be some turnovers because of the (large) number of possessions that tempo produces," said Yopp. "But, when we get into our half-court offense, we need to take better care of the ball. And that begins with making better decisions. You have to get the defense to move to create passing lanes."

Yopp acknowledges that, with young players, that can be easier said than done.

"Decision-making is the key to half-court offense. Obviously, it’s something we’re still working very hard on in practice," said Yopp. "I’m confident, and our players are confident, that we can do better."

Yopp has seen plenty of progress already in a lot of areas. Her team has out-rebounded all three of its opponents — on the offensive end and in total — so far this season, and that’s a good sign. Freshman Katie Donovan’s 14 rebounds vs. Louisville were the second-highest total in Redbird Arena by a freshman (teammate Steph Reichle of Lincoln had 15 against Southern Illinois as a freshman Jan. 2, 2000).

[to top of second column in this article]

"When you rebound well on the defensive end, you only give your opponent one shot," said Yopp. "When you are successful rebounding on the offensive end, it can negate some of those turnovers because you get another opportunity. Our defense is playing hard and our rebounding has been successful. Those are good signs."

Northern Arizona (4-0) and Murray State (2-2) are the other teams in the Indiana Classic; they play at 7 p.m. Central time on Friday.

For Yopp, the tournament is an opportunity to coach against friend and former Missouri Valley Conference rival Kathi Bennett. They opposed each other in Bennett’s last year at Evansville, where the daughter of former Wisconsin coach Dick Bennett built a perennial league doormat into an NCAA Tournament team.

"I spent two days at the IU basketball clinic before the season," said Yopp. "Our basketball philosophies, goals and objectives are very similar. Our personnel are different, so those things might be expressed on the court a bit differently."

IU features a trio of outstanding seniors in 6-foot-5 center Jill Chapman, 6-foot-1 forward Erin McGinnis and point guard Heather Cassady, a former Dunlap High School star. Together, that trio averages 47 points per game for Indiana.

After the tournament, the Redbirds return home to play Ball State at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday in Redbird Arena.

[ISU news release]

[NOV. 30, 2001]  STATESBORO, Ga. — Shawn Jeppson led Illinois State with 19 points and Baboucarr Bojang added 14, but Georgia Southern survived by shooting 59.6 percent from the field, downing the Redbirds 87-76 in men’s college basketball action on Thursday in Statesboro, Ga.

Bojang’s 14 points plus 10 boards, a team high for the night, marked his third double-double in five games.

It took the Redbirds seven minutes to score double digits in the first, as Jeppson hit a 3-point basket with 13 minutes to play, shrinking the Eagle lead to 17-11. Illinois State led 33-30, its only lead of the game, with 5:08 left in the first after Ford and Lincoln’s Gregg Alexander connected on matching, back-to back jumpers. But the Eagles broke out on an 18-7 run to end the half.

The score at the break was 48-40 Eagles, who shot 66.7 percent in the first 20 minutes.

[to top of second column in this article]

In the second half, the Redbirds came to within two points of their opponents, 56-54, with 13 minutes remaining, before Georgia Southern’s offensive fire was relit. They outscored Illinois State 10-2 in the next three minutes. Illinois State pulled to within six at the eight-minute mark, but Georgia Southern’s shooting power dominated as the Eagles ended the game on a 19-14 run.

Julius Jenkins of Georgia Southern led all scorers with 26 points, 18 of which came in the first half, and Kashien Latham added 20 with 11 rebounds. Vince Greene scored 12 for Illinois State while Shedrick Ford added 11.

Illinois State wraps up its five-game road swing when the Redbirds face Texas-San Antonio on Saturday at 2:05 p.m.

[Erica Fricke, assistant director of
media relations for ISU athletics]

By Jeff Mayfield

[DEC. 3, 2001]   Before I even start with sports let me tell you about my two best highlights of the week…

First was the annual "Christmas in the Chapel" out at Lincoln Christian College. The co-directors, Jeff Colleen and Tom Sowers, are Broadway-quality producers living right here in Lincoln. This year’s spectacular was set in the Civil War era but showed, as always, how the Christmas message is timeless and true in any era, now more than ever.

I am convinced that this production is by far the best-kept secret in central Illinois, and I would encourage everyone in Logan County to get it on their calendars in the future. I know that the Mayfield Christmas is not complete without it.

And as much as I love sports, I gladly and willingly gave up all of the super Saturday football games and the Illini game this weekend because I knew how great the show in the chapel would be. Once again, we were not disappointed.

I give this week’s game ball to Mr. Colleen and to Mr. Sowers. Nice going, fellas … as always!!!

I also had the occasion to take in the world-renowned Riverdance. Most of you who know me think that I’m so overloaded on sports that you’ve never seen my "fine arts" side. And it runs much deeper than even my closest friends could possibly imagine. I’ve been to Broadway and seen such shows as "The King and I" with Yul Brenner. I’ve seen Bob Fosse’s "Dancin,’" "Grease" and "Jesus Christ, Superstar." And my all-time favorite up until now has always been Richard Harris in "Camelot."

But Riverdance was so much better than all those other shows that it would be like comparing AAA baseball with the major leagues. There simply was no comparison. The dancing is spectacular if you like that sort of thing. The lead dancer from Ireland was also one of her country’s star basketball players before she joined the dance troupe. But even if you hate dancing, the music was to die for. I have heard several symphonies, and I’ve been to a lot of concerts in my day (remember, I’m from the Woodstock generation, although don’t look for any confessions here). But the music at Riverdance was by far the most inspiring I have ever heard. The guy on the tin flutes and other wind instruments could compete with Jethro Tull, but the lady who plays the violin has no rival in the world.

Let me just say, if you ever get a chance to see it, don’t roll your eyes … go … and I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.

Sorry for all the non-sports stuff, but there are a lot of things that I do that just happen to be more important than sports. I figured since some of our loyal readers are young and impressionable that it doesn’t hurt to remind them every once in a while that sports are not a very high priority in the grand scheme of life. With that being said, let’s roll right into this week’s take…

First, how about a nice hand for LCC’s Matt Clark. Clark just broke and is in the process of shattering the school’s all-time scoring record of 2,188 points that has been held by Olympia’s Jim Williamson for some 14 years (I believe that Larry Leatherman held it before that for an even longer period of time).

Math is not my strongest subject, but to score 2,000 points in your career, wouldn’t you have to play about 100 games and average 20 points per game? Talk about consistency! I didn’t score that many points combined in four years of practice, shoot arounds and pre-game drills. This point guard who hails from Evansville, Ind., and turned down a chance to play for the Purple Aces and several other notable programs is doing this while he’s double teamed, pushed and shoved and elbowed all night long.

The LDN takes our hat off to you, Matt Clark. CONGRATULATIONS!

The best thing about Matt is that he’s a better person than he is a player, and he’s a heckuva player. He’s the kind of kid you hope your daughter brings home to meet you. That may mean more than all of his records!

He and former U-High superstar Joel Searby are starting to lead the otherwise young LCC hoopsters to new heights. After a slow start, LCC is now 6-4 and trying to draw some community interest. Why? Someday they’ll be moving to their new home on the east side of campus, and there will finally be room to invite several fans from the community to come and see their exciting style of play. The LDN will keep you posted as to when that will come about.

The ladies team just came back from a wild trip to Alaska, and we’ll try to bring some details on that one as soon as we get them.

Meanwhile back at the ranch…

[to top of second column in this article]

Lincoln College’s hoopsters are off to exciting starts as well. You know that B.J. and the boys are going to be intense and focused, and that they are. But Carol Wilson’s cagers were 10-0 last time I looked. Coach Wilson had a field day while leading Taylorville High to 20-win seasons, year-in and year-out. Now she’s got the Lady Lynx buying into her philosophy, and look at the results! The LDN wishes both Lynx outfits nothing but great success. Wouldn’t it be great if both teams went deep in the playoffs this season? Both teams have former Railers getting it done between the lines. We encourage you to go on out and support these stellar ball clubs.

I haven’t been able to catch the Lady Railers yet this year, but I chuckle at all the second guessers I’ve been running into regarding the boys team this year. Several told me that the Railers (who are already 5-1) would be lucky to win 15 games this year. Oh ye of little faith. I’ve been watching Railer and IHSA basketball for many years, and if you don’t believe me when I say that our coach is one of the top five coaches in the state, would you at least grant me that LCHS is one of the top five programs in the state. And I mean that from top to bottom.

Some may say, "Well, how many state titles have they won?" It’s not all about state titles. While I love Clydesdales, if I’m running a horse in the Kentucky Derby, I want the best thoroughbred I can find. While Lincoln’s athletes are not chopped liver and are some of the best kids in the state, compare the athletes that they go up against every year from places like Peoria Manual or Central or Lanphier or Danville or Centralia. When you do that and realize how much work these coaches and players put in just to remain competitive, it is amazing. There are several small colleges that envy LCHS’s booster club, facilities, coaching staff, programs, scouting reports, and the list goes on and on.

As I said earlier, things like Lincoln High School basketball are not the most important in the world, but I still have a great deal of respect for the dedication and determination put forth by these players and coaches, and I don’t begrudge any of their successes.

Railers, I salute you! And as you go about winning 20 games again, I hope the naysayers take notice and turn over a positive new leaf. Is that too much to ask?

Memo to Athletic teams across the country

Re: Uniform colors

It may be time for all teams in all sports to take closer inventory of their team colors. For years teams tried to come up with some bright color combinations. Then for a while teams dressed in black after a study showed that refs and officials were more favorable to the darker-clad athletes.

The LDN has a new suggestion for teams everywhere: Why not consider orange and bue? It’s working for the Chicago Bears. My son and I just came home from church and watched the Bears come back again and win a game that they should have lost 11 different ways.

It’s worked for the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Orange and Blue were predicted by nearly every football expert in the land (except the LDN) to finish this season in the middle of the pack. Somehow, some way, the Illini finished 10-1.

Some say that we’re not the strongest 10-1 team they ever saw. Didn’t they say that about the 1980 U.S. hockey team? Didn’t they say it about Rocky Balboa? Didn’t they say about the 1964 Cardinals?

Critics can say what they want. The LDN says that there is some kind of mystic in the orange and blue color scheme, and we’d get on board as quick as we can if it was up to us! I hope those colors shine bright for the Illini hoopsters this season.

Everybody take notice…you’ve been warned by your friends at the LDN world headquarters!

This parting shot from the world of junior high boys basketball: Carroll Catholic is off to a tremendous start. Last time I looked they were 9-0, and it wasn’t that they were winning games, but they are winning them going away in a very convincing fashion. This could be a very special team. Coach Reilley’s got a pretty good little team over at Lincoln Junior High as well. Within one week’s time he and his hoopmeisters had claimed victories over both Morton and Mount Zion. And those were both in the same week. They could have a special season as well.

That’s it for now.

This is coach Mayfield reminding all to be good sports — on and off the court!

[Jeff Mayfield]

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