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Saturday, Nov. 16

Mount Pulaski in state championship

[NOV. 16, 2002] Mount Pulaski defeated Colchester (30-10) in yesterday's Class A state quarterfinals game.  They also defeated Lena (31-6) this morning in the semifinals.  They play against Wheaton (32-8) for the state championship at 6:15 tonight at the Redbird Arena, ISU.  Click here to follow the game score online.

Quarterfinals

Mount Pulaski def. Colchester 15-10, 15-8.

Click here for full game results.

Semifinals

Mount Pulaski def. Lena 15-10, 15-0.

Click here for full game results.

Record:  Mount Pulaski 38-2

Cook’s late bucket
preserves win

By Jeff Mayfield

[NOV. 16, 2002]  Brian Cook hit a crucial baseline jumper with less than a minute to go in the game to preserve a 79-76 hard-fought win over EA Sports. The Illini end their exhibition season 2-0 and, more importantly, gain some much-needed confidence for a young team entering the official NCAA season. EA Sports refused to go quietly into the night, mostly because the team was led by three former Illini: Lucas Johnson, Sergio McClain and Marcus Griffin.

Cook didn’t start last night’s contest because of a wrist injury he suffered earlier in the week. His left wrist was fitted with a brace and was wrapped for the game in which he played less than 20 minutes. That may have had more to do with his upcoming two-game suspension than it did with his injury. The always-fair-and-just NCAA has ruled that Brian must sit the first two games of the year, which are against LeHigh and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, for playing in a non-sanctioned summer basketball tournament. Good thing he didn’t bet on baseball or he may have been banned from the Hall of Fame and been forced to go on the Home Shopping Network with Pete Rose!

Conventional wisdom says that the Illini should win those first two games anyway, but most college basketball games are NOT usually played on paper!

[Photos by Tom Seggelke]
[Payne Mayfield lands a date at his
first Illini basketball game!]

[to top of second column in this article]

Even though Cook tallied eight points in the first half, he was not the real story Friday night. That would have to be freshman sensations Dee Brown and James Augustine. Dee Brown was lightning in a bottle, and he just kept showing up time after time! He fired in 23 points to lead all scorers, including 5-of-7 from 3-point land. He also amazingly pulled down five rebounds and dished out two assists. Augustine showed the poise of a seasoned veteran by fighting for seven rebounds and just playing an all-around good floor game. He finished with eight points.

Also in double figures for the Illini were Nick Smith with 12 and Luther Head with 10.

The Illini open the regular season versus LeHigh on Sunday night, Nov. 24.

[Jeff Mayfield]

Hollyfield signs

[NOV. 16, 2002]  Lincoln College sophomore Derik Hollyfield signed a letter of intent on Wednesday, the first official day of signing, to continue his college basketball career at Eastern Illinois University.

Hollyfield, a 6-4 graduate of Aurora West High School, averaged 15.8 for Lincoln College last season as a freshman. He connected on 65 of 172 points from 3-point land and was 181 for 382 overall. Hollyfield made 96 of 123 free-throw attempts, pulled down 128 rebounds and had 71 assists for the Lynx, who finished the season at 24-9.

"I visited the campus at Eastern during their homecoming and really liked the coaches and the players," said Hollyfield. "I watched them practice, and I felt like I would be able to fit in with the players. Eastern was the only school I visited, as I was leaning in that direction from the start. It is about two or three hours from my home, and I wanted to stay in the state of Illinois to play."

B.J. McCullum, Lincoln College coach, said, "I am happy to see Derik get an opportunity to play for Eastern. Their coach does a great job, not only on the court, but making sure the kids do well academically. Derik has been a very good player for us. He has been a team leader and has been fun to coach. He has done a good job both on the court and in the classroom, and I would expect him to continue the same way at Eastern."

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

LC wrestling

[NOV. 16, 2002]  MUSKEGON, Mich. -- Frank Beasley and A.J. Blahut were each double winners as Lincoln College split its opening dual wrestling meet here Friday night. Lincoln College defeated Grand Valley State 28-19 and lost to Niagra Community College 28-15. Pete Mueller also won both of his bouts by pinning his opponents for the Lynx.

Beasley, wrestling at 157 pounds, defeated Andrew Emmitt of Grand Valley State 6-0 and then won over Rob Luciano of Niagra 13-6.   Blahut beat Rick Bolhuis 8-4 from Grand Valley State and then handed Brian Feltz of Niagra an 8-3 defeat.

The Lynx will compete in the Muskegon open tourney Saturday in their next competition

Grand Valley results (Lincoln wrestler first)

125 - Lucas Gardner lost to Kurt Phelps, 4:52

133 - Justin Collins lost to Vince Gervals, 13-11

141 - Chris Ravenna defeated Greg Bishop, 18-5

149 - Steve Woeckener lost to Alan Smith, 13-2

157 - Frank Beasley defeated Andrew Emmitt, 6-0

165 - Scott Hubbard lost to Matt Stepanovich, 1:44

174 - Steve Zanoni defeated Jeremiah Gitchel, 5:26

184 - A. J. Blahut defeated Rick Bolhuis, 8-4

197 - Bryan Morgan defeated Brian Thomas, 3:06

Heavy - Pete Mueller defeated Adam Schaller, 4:25

[to top of second column in this article]

Niagra results (Lincoln wrestler listed first)

125 - Lucas Gardner lost to Rod Brown, 3-0

133 - Justin Collins defeated Andy Litto, 8-2

141 - Chris Ravenna lost to Billy Morello, 11-2

149 - Steve Woeckener lost to Derek Ostrowski, 3:06

157 - Frank Beasley defeated Rob Luciano, 13-6

165 - Scott Hubbard lost to Bill Hetherington, 12-8

174 - Steve Zanoni lost to Eric Wiseman, 5:17

184 - A. J. Blahut defeated Brian Feltz, 8-3

197 - Bryan Morgon lost to Alonzo Roane, 1:55

Heavy - Pete Mueller defeated J. R. Balling, 1:53

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

LC women’s basketball

[NOV. 16, 2002]  Lincoln College outlasted Forest Park 71-57 in women's basketball action here Friday night in the opening round of the Lady Lynx Classic. Meramec College defeated Moraine Valley 66-56 in the first game. Forest Park meets Moraine Valley at noon Saturday, and Lincoln College will play Meramec at 2 p.m.

Erica Ernst led the Lynx with 17 points, while Victoria Scott added 12 and Nicole Dearing chipped in with 11.  Shantel Mays led the losers with 20 points.

Neither team shot the ball very well, with Lincoln College connecting on 28 of 63 attempts while the visitors needed the same number of shot to make 21 goals.  The Lynx turned the ball over 27 times and also made just 14 of 35 free-throw attempts.  Forest Park was 14-of-31 from the foul line.

Lincoln held a 13-11 lead in the first half and then ran off 14 straight points to stretch the lead to 27-11 with 6:24 left in the first half.  The Lynx went on to post a 32-21 halftime lead.

In the second half, Lincoln led 38-30 before scoring 10 straight points to break the game open. The Lynx then had a stretch of just over five minutes without a field goal, but Forest Park was never able to seriously challenge the rest of the way.

[to top of second column in this article]

"It was a pretty ragged game and an ugly win, but a win is a win and we will take it," said coach Carol Wilson. "I thought Nicole (Dearing) played pretty well. We need to cut down on our turnovers and do a better job on the boards. We got to the foul line a lot, but we didn't shoot well and we need to pick up our game in that area. We shoot them well in practice, but we haven't done well in games."

Lincoln College (71) — Lamb 2-2-6, Scott 5-2-12, Hinrichsen 0-1-1, Bell 1-0-2, Spears 2-0-4, Calhoun 1-1-3, Dearing 4-3-11, Sims 2-0-4, Rossio 0-1-1, Harper 3-1-8, Ernst 7-3-17, Future 1-0-2.  Totals: 28-14-71.  Three-point goals: Harper.

Forest Park (57) — Baskin 1-1-3, Connelly 3-1-8, Hall 1-3-5, Wilken 4-1-9, Foster 2-4-8, West 2-0-4, Mays 8-4-20.  Totals: 21-14-57. Three-point goals: Connelly.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
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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