The Daily Journal from Franklin, Indiana • Page 11

DAILY JOURNAL. JOHNSON COUNTY. IND. DAILY JOURNAL SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MARCH 31 -APRIL 1, 2001 SECTION www.Uicjoiinialnet.com INSIDE SPORTS Are you ready for nCAA WOMEN LruU vi7 LI LJ CSL (Mi Indoor game full of action, high scoring -(, i i'i I i M. 1 i 1 (H A 5 mno 4' By Rick Morwick OPENING DAILY JOURNAL ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR fmorwicklhejoufnalnet.com DAY IS i rJ- 7i Southwest Missouri State's Carly tt Deer grabs Purdue's Shalicia Hums during an NCAA Women's Final Four semifinal game in St.

Louis on Friday. Boilers, mi SUNDAY 1 Texas and Toronto will meet in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the 2001 Major League Baseball season gets under way. SEASON PREVIEW, PAGE B6 Irish will meet in title game Are you ready for some football? The Indiana Firebirds are banking that you are. If not, team officials are certain fans soon will be ready, now that the Arena Football League has thundered into town. "There's never a dull moment," said Joe Hennessy, general manager of Indianapolis' newest pro- 1 fessional 111 1 sports fran- Inn i I chise.

"There's always something going on. "You'll never go home bored after an Indiana Firebirds game." One of the AFL's most successful franchises, the Firebirds moved from Albany, N.Y., on Oct. 19 and kick off the regular-season April 14 in Conseco Fieldhouse. Fans on hand will be treated to a frenetic, high-octane, hybrid brand of football that has attracted a loyal following during its 15-year existence. Played in the boxed confines of an indoor arena, passing and scoring are prized.

Rushing and defense are afterthoughts. Punting is forbidden. And loud music, pyrotechnics and unfettered postgame access to players lend to the unique charm. "In arena football, you're close to the action, and it is wide open," said Firebirds (SEE INDOOR, PAGE B5) The Associated Press ST. LOUIS Jackie Stiles fought back tears as her fabulous college career ended on a frustrating note.

Purdue shut down the NCAA's career leading scorer, earning a shot at its sec- TITLE GAME ond NCAA women's champi What: NCAA PHOTO BY JAM TaLUTIKMI onship in three women's tournament Indiana Firebirds placekicker Nelson Garner boots the ball during an open house at Conseco Fieldhouse on Tuesday. The Firebirds moved to Indianapolis from Albany, N.Y. seasons, in an finals 81-64 Final 730 Four victory Sundav Who: Purdue (31-over Southwest 6) vs Nolre Dame Missouri State (33-2) Large market, arena lure Firebirds to Indy on Friday. Where: St. Louis TV: ESPN The Boiler CLASSIC HALTED Indiana University officials decide tomtit' annual Indiana.CtessiC" on hold; Hoosier Classic ground for a proven commodity real in 1990 when he purchased By RickMorwick i spared for now.

STORY, PAGE B2 Sole owner of the franchise, Mazula reluctantly moved it from Albany on Oct. 19 to tap a broader, more lucrative audience. Indianapolis is a far larger media market than Albany and features one of the world's premier sports entertainment facilities in Conseco Fieldhouse. In addition, Indianapolis boasts a nationally recognized professional and amateur sports reputation that makes it fertile to further blossom. "I'm not the type of person that just makes these decisions.

It's a tough move," said Mazula, whose team enjoyed staunch support in Albany. "Obviously, I was looking for a larger market. That's no secret. But I liked Indianapolis for two reasons. "One was, it's a sports town.

I really honestly believe it is. (SEE INDY, PAGE B5) the 1-year-old Albany Firebirds. But 11 years after his bold investment, Mazula has no regrets. Instead, he has the AFL's longest continuously running team and an expansive new home for it. "The league just outgrew the city of Albany," said Mazula, whose re-christened Indiana Firebirds are gearing for their inaugural season in Indianapolis.

DAILY JOURNAL ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR fmofwicklhejoufnalnel com Glenn Mazula knew he was taking a risk when he ventured into the uncertain financial realm of the Arena Football League. Though confident that a potentially vast audience existed for the fledgling AFL, the Albany, N.Y., businessman also knew the potential for failure was very SPRING BREAK Coaches have to deal with halt to practices during annual vacation. STORY, PAGE B4 Schedule FYI American Conference Western Division GRAND RAPIDS 7 p.m. April 14 April 20 April 28 May 5 May 12 May 19 May 25 June 7 June 15 at Milwaukee 7:30 p.m. ORLANDO 7 p.m." NEW YORK 7 p.m.' at Chicago 7 p.m.

at Arizona 9 p.m. DETROIT 7 p.m. at Toronto 6:30 p.m. CHICAGO 7 p.m. Los Angeles Avengers Arizona Houston San Jose Rattlers Thunderbears SaberCats Oklahoma Wranglers makers will face Notre Dame in.

Monday's title game. The Irish beat Connecticut 90-75 in Friday's second semifinals game. Stiles, who entered with a 30.6-point average, was held to 22 points on 7-of-21 shooting. That's far off the mark for a player who entered the game shooting 57 percent on the season. "You never want something as good as this to end," Stiles said.

"You never prepare yourself for this moment." AU-American Katie Douglas had 25 points for the Boilermakers, who dominated inside and out. Purdue, the 1999 winners, will play Connecticut or Notre Dame in the final Sunday night. "I have to give our kids all the credit in the world," coach Kristy Curry said. "I thought they executed the game plan to a Purdue has two starters back from the championship team, Douglas and Camille Cooper, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Purdue (31-6) overwhelmed the Lady Bears (29-6) inside with a 47-29 rebounding advantage, scoring on numerous second-chance shots.

The Boilermakers had 21 offensive rebounds. "I just know rebounds win championships," Cooper said. "I wanted to give us second and third chances. I think everyone was crashing the boards." Freshman Shalicia Hurns had 12 rebounds, Douglas seven and Shereka Wright six. Erika Rante led SMS with five rebounds.

Rebounding hadn't been a strong suit earlier in the tournament for Purdue, which has a front line that goes 6-4, 6-3 and 5- (SEE TITLE, PAGE B3) Central Division Milwaukee Chicago Indiana Firebirds Detroit Fury Grand Rapids Rampage Rush Mustangs National Conference What Arena Football League Who Nineteen teams in four divisions and two conferences. The Indiana Firebirds (formerly the Albany Firebirds) play in the American Conference's Central Division. What It Is Football played indoors on 50-yard fields When Opening day is April 13, with Orlando visiting Nashville. The Firebirds begin their season on April 14 with a home game against the Grand Rapids Rampage. Where The Firebirds will play their home games in Conseco Fieldhouse.

The fieldhouse will seat 15,490 for arena football game. TV Select games will be broadcast on ABC. TNN and ESPN. Eastern Division it June 23 at Grand Rapids 6:30 p.m. June 30 MILWAUKEE 7 p.m.

July 7 at New Jersey 6:30 p.m. July 14 SAN JOSE 8 p.m. July 22 at Detroit 6:30 p.m. Home games in CAPS 'Game times subject to change Notebook Tickets Indiana Firebirds have sold about 4,240 season tickets. Ticket prices range from $5 to $99 per ticket Minimum salaries per game First year: $950 Second year: $1,250 Third and fourth years: $1 ,450 Top salaries Because of free agency, elite players make close to $200,000 Web site www.arenafootball.com Toronto Phantoms Carolina Cobras New Jersey New York Gladiators Dragons Southern Division If Orlando Tampa Bay Predators Storm Buffalo Destroyers Nashville Kats THE MASTERS Columnist takes a look ahead to golf's most important event.

STORY, PAGE B4 Florida BobCats NCAA TOURNAMENT Balance key trait among finalists Scripps Howard News Service FINAL FOUR At the Hubert Humphrey 1 coach in Mike Krzyzewski (54-14 tournament record including nine Final Fours), and two consensus All-Americans in Williams and forward Shane Battier. "Duke certainly has been one of those who has been up there all year long," said Olson. "If you're talking about a favorite, you'd have to say them." "I think, on paper, I guess everybody would be looking at Duke because of what they've done throughout the whole year," Michigan State coach (SEE BALANCE, PAGE B3) sense of balance, both on and off the court. Unlike the past two years when Duke and Michigan State stormed into the Final Four as prohibitive favorites, this year's title seems totally up for grabs. "It's definitely wide open," said Arizona coach Lute Olson.

Added All-America Duke guard Jason Williams: "I don't think anyone stands out." Actually, Duke may be the nominal favorite, but not by much. The Blue Devils have the best record (33-4), the most successful MINNEAPOLIS Each Final Four team dazzled the fans for precisely 50 minutes at Friday afternoon's showcase practices for the fans at the Metrodome. Every coach answered the media's questions for exactly fifteen minutes. Every school had the same number of signs on the walls (a whopping one). If there's one pervasive theme entering today's NCAA Tournament semifinals, it's a stunning PMDOnfli oemmm Today's game Michigan State (28-4) vs.

Arizona (27-7). 5:42 p.m., WISH-Channel 8 Duke (33-4) vs Maryland (25-10). following first game. WISH-Channel 8 National Ouvnpkvwhlp Monday Semifinal winners. 8 18 WISH-Channel 8 HIOTO DIG WIN Indiana moves into tie with Celtics in race for final playoff position.

STORY, PAGE B2 Djke's Shane Battier is mobbed by fans as he arrives at the court for practice at the Metrodome in Minneapolis on Friday..