The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 15

DB THE SALl 99 URNAL Sports HIGH SCHOOL C3 COLLEGE FOOTBALL C4 PRO FOOTBALL CB PRO FOOTBALL Chiefs once again NFL's best at turnover ratio Schottenheimer may be in the broadcast booth, but Martyball is still alive in KC By DOUG TUCKER The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. Even with a new head coach, the Kansas City Chiefs are still undisputed kings of the turnover ratio, the game-within- the-game that has defined their personality throughout the '90s. For 10 years under Marty Schotten- heimer, the Chiefs hammered the point without letup. Schottenheimer would Walk around during pregame warmups trying to bat the ball out of players' hands and established the "Seattle Rule," where a player was fined $50 if he failed to hand the ball to a make-believe official after be- ing tackled during practice. As a result of this long-term, never-ending commitment, winning the turnover battle became embedded in the culture of the team.

Schottenheimer is gone now. So is the Seattle Rule. But the Chiefs (9-5) are again leading the league with a plus-23 turnover ratio, much to Ounther Cunningham's relief. Cunningham was almost intimidated by the Chiefs' reputation in the turnover department when he came over from the Raiders as defensive coordinator in 1995. "When I took over this defense I was nervous about it.

I really was," said Cunningham, who replaced Schottenheimer as head coach after last season. "You don't want to come into an organization and have something as great as this turnover ratio is and let them down. Fortunately for me, we've kind of held our own." Actually, they've done more than hold their own. The Chiefs have scored either on defense or special teams each week during a four-game winning streak which has vaulted them into the lead in the AFC West. The defense has scored eight touchdowns, tying the team record set in 1992.

In last week's 35-19 victory over Pittsburgh, linebacker Donnie Edwards scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 28-yard return of his fifth interception. "There's no question it's a giant momentum swing for your team when the de- said Cunningham. "It's When: Sunday, 3:05 p.m. Wlwra: King- dome, Seattle. Records: Sea hawks 8-3; Chiefs 9-5.

Television: CBS (Salina Cable fense about as big a play as you can have when the defense scores." Nevertheless, dropping the Seattle Rule was one of many changes Cunningham made after taking over from Schotten- heimer. "I don't do a lot of those things," he said. "I look at it as playing and playing to win." The importance of turnovers is underscored by the difference in the fortunes these past four weeks of the Seahawks and Chiefs. Since beating Kansas City 3119 four weeks ago and taking a three- game lead in the AFC West, the Seahawks have lost four straight while going minus- 10 in turnover ratio. While winning four straight, the Chiefs have been plus-six.

To Cunningham, this continued dominance in turnover ratio is simply a result of good players working hard to make good plays. "There are defensive coaches, when your offense turns the ball over, they hud- dle up and make a big issue of sudden change," he said. Chtoft sign klckotf specialist from CFL KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jon Baker, who played for Edmonton of the CFL this season, signed a three-year contract Tuesday with the Kansas City Chiefs, who made him the second kickoff specialist to be signed by the club this year. Baker led the CFL in kickoff depth, averaging 60.5 yards per kickoff.

Distance on kickoffs has been a problem all season for the Chiefs. Coach Oun- ther Cunningham has been critical of Pete Stoyanovich's short kickoffs, which routinely result in good field position for opponents. Baker, 27, appeared in three games with the Dallas Cowboys in 1995 and signed with San Francisco in 1996, but was released before the season. HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL Beloit blasts No. 9 Trojans sprint out to 25-4 first-quarter lead against Sacred Heart By CHRISTIAN ORR The Saltna Journal BELOIT Playing scared against one of the top teams in Class 3A is not exactly the best game plan for a 2A school.

On Tuesday night it did in the Sacred Heart Knights. The Knights, taking on No. 9- ranked Beloit, came out timid early, and it was all the Trojans needed as they cruised to a 71-33 victory at Beloit High School gymnasium. "We were intimidated by them early on and you could tell it," said Sacred Heart coach Brian Gormley, whose team fell behind 25-4 in the Sacred Hurt 33 Beloit 71 first quarter. "We started playing better in the second quarter, and it was like we were a different team.

"We started playing more aggressively and more relaxed. But early on it was just like we were standing around saying 'Wow, these guys are good." Beloit did look good early as the used 25-2 run over a span in the first quarter to 'take control of the contest. Beloit seemed to score every way imaginable. David Fuller canned shots underneath and from around the lane while Jim Zimmer lit things up from beyond the 3-point arc. "That was huge for us," said Beloit coach Darrell Kelley.

"We were 1-2 coming in here, but we really hadn't played the bad. But, we hadn't played that good either and we didn't have a lot of confidence so we needed to get off to a quick After finding themselves in a hole, the Knights settled down, cutting the lead to 18 points at the end of the first quarter. Sacred Heart closed to within 13 of the Trojans after a pair of Bryan Kelly field goals and a jumper by Jeremy Ryan with 4:37 left before half. "Once we settled down we started realizing that we could play with these guys," Gormley said, "We just needed to realize that we could play basketball with them." Heart trailed just 37-22 heading to the locker room at the but the 15-point margin was as close the Knights came the rest of the way. Sacred Heart went cold in the third quar- See KNIGHTS, Page C5 PRIP scoRua B.OY8 QlHW BELOIT MID .33 ,71 ,70 -69 ,,,,60 32 .32 .99 Up In the air JEFF COOPER The Salina Journal Ell-Sallna'a Erica Landla (25) battlaa for a rabound, whlla Sadgwick'a Saml Harzot (13) polsaa heraalf for a looaa ball during tha flrat half Tuaaday night In Brookvllla.

Reserve April Pickering led Ell-Saline with 10 polnta aa the hoat Cardinals won the game 33-32. Complete story, C3. COLLEGE BASKETBALL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Garden City coach investigated Buffaloes' Meadows accused of using horse ointment on his players By Tht Associated Prsss GARDEN CITY The Garden City School Board is investigating whether a high school football coach rubbed down his players with an ointment known to cause liver and kidney damage when used on humans. Head coach Dave Meadows is accused of applying the ointment dimethyl sulfoxide, or DM- SO, to players on his state championship football team. School board President John Scheopner said the board is looking into the allegations made by an assistant football coach who says he saw Meadows using the ointment on a student.

"There were some very serious allegations about use of these substances," he said. Martin Segovia, an assistant football coach and head wrestling coach, said he saw Meadows pull out a bottle of DM- SO and apply it to a player in the football coaches' office Nov. 11 before the 6A sub-state championship victory over Junction City. I didn't know if it was legal with the state, but I know its not good, Martin Segovia Garden City assistant football coach Segovia said he walked out of the office when Meadows began applying the ointment, which is used on horses to relieve muscle soreness and inflammation of joints or muscles. It is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

"It is not licensed for humans or approved for human use," said David Sell, veterinarian at Garden City Veterinary Clinic. Segovia said he has since been told by Steve Barrett, athletics trainer at Garden City Community College and employee of Sandhill Orthopedic Sports Medicine, that professional athletes who have used DMSO in the past have been known to have liver and kidney problems, "I didn't know if it was illegal with the state, but I know it's not good," Segovia said. Segovia said the matter has been reported to. the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Wayne Morris, the school's athletic trainer, said he also witnessed Meadows apply a substance to a student he later learned was DMSO.

Morris said a school official questioned.him about the substance in November. He refused to identify the school official and couldn't remember whether the inquiry came before the Buffaloes defeated Olathe South Nov. 20 in the 6A state championship game. Meadows remains a district employee. He was not immediately available for comment.

Scheopner said Meadows' status was in the hands of Superintendent Milt Pippenger. "We as a school board do not want to get into the hiring and firing of personnel. We do not have the time or the personnel skills to do that," Scheopner said. "If there is a problem, it is Milt's duty to get the job done. If he doesn't, then Milt is in trouble with me.

This will not be swept under the carpet." KU prepares for slow-down game Princeton coming jnto Allen Fieldhouse riding 5-game winning streak By HAROLD BECHARD The Salina Journal LAWRENCE Princeton is the basketball team everyone loves to watch, but no one wants to play in the NCAA Tournament. In the decade of the '90s, the Tigers from the Ivy League have used their patient, disciplined style to beat UNLV and UCLA in tournament play and nearly knock off the likes of California, Syracuse, Villanova and Arkansas. The Tigers milk the shot clock, lull opponents to sleep and then whip a bounce pass to a teammate cutting in for a backdoor layup. The Kansas Jayhawks get to see that style up close and personal tonight when they face Princeton in a 7:05 game in Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas is 8-2 following an 84-70 loss to No.

20 Illinois Saturday at Chicago's United Center, while Princeton is 6-4 and riding a five- game winning streak after a 64-41 win over Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday. The Tigers are starting to look like the recent Princeton teams that made six NCAA Tournament appearances in the 1990s. After losing four of its first five games to teams that included Syracuse, Missouri and UNLV, Princeton has been on a roll. The Tigers rank among the nation's leaders in scoring defense allowing opponents to just 55.5 points per game and are also among the nation's leaders in field goal percentage defense, (6-9, 9.0) Colliion (6-6, 6.8) Bradford (7-1, 10.3) Chenowlth (6-5, 15.5) Gregory (8-1, 11.2)Bo«chet Princeton at Kansas STARTING LINEUPS PRINCETON ((-4) POS. (8-2) KANSAS Rocca (6-9, 14.5) Gloger(6-6, 12.4) 12.0) Baah (6-5, 5.9) EI-Nokali (6-4, 5.1) Tlpoff 7:05 p.m.

Where Allen Fieldhouse Lawrence. Television WIBW (5); KWCH (12). Serin First meeting. Coaches Princeton's Bill Carmody (4th year, 79- 1B); Kansas' Roy Williams (12th year, 313-74). limiting opponents to just 37.4 percent shooting.

"Nobody wants to play Princeton in the (NCAA) Tournament because they're afraid they'll get beat," KU head coach Roy Williams said. "They're very difficult to play. Their style of play is unique. I love watching them play. I love the way they play." The Tigers are led by 6-foot-9 senior Mason Rocca, who averages 14.5 points per game.

Freshman Spencer Gloger averages 12.4 points a game and made 10 of 12 shots from beyond the 3-point arc against UAB. "The game is going to be a test of our defense," Kansas guard Jeff Boschee said. "I know Princeton teams of the past have been well disciplined. They are going to slow it down and it's going to be very important that we concentrate the entire 35 seconds on defense." Boschee is making opponents concentrate on his as well. The 6-1 sophomore has been on fire from the 3-point arc this season, hitting 26 of 41 for 63.4 percent, which ranks No.

4 in the country. "My shot does feel good," Boschee said. "I've been fortunate to get some open looks. I think I'm taking better shots than I have in the past. My feet have been set and I think the biggest thing is just not forcing the shots." Wildcats in need of home cooking Kansas State returns to Bramlage after two straight road losses By The Ssllns Journal MANHATTAN The Kansas State Wildcats return to the comfort zone that is Bramlage Coliseum tonight in need of some home cooking.

The Wildcats, 5-3, are coming off two straight road losses and will face a 4-6 Old Dominion team in what will be their final home game of the century. Tipoff is at K-State is 5-0 at home this year, including one- point victories over Saint Louis and Memphis. But an 81-48 loss at Illinois on Dec. 11 brought a five- game winning streak to a grinding halt. Then there was Sunday's 69-64 setback against Loyola Chicago, a team the Wildcats beat by 28 a year ago in Manhattan.

The Wildcats had 21 turnovers and were outscored 19-6 from the foul line. One bit of welcome news in the Loyola game was the return of senior guard Cortez Groves from a hamstring tear. Groves, who had missed the two previous games, started and scored 13 points in 25 minutes. He was 3-for-5 from 3- Old Dominion at Kanaaa State STARTINO LINEUPS OLD DOMINION (4-6) POS. (5-3) KANSAS STATE (6-8, 14.3) Kin (6-7, S.9) (6-9, 3.5) Leonard (6-6, 9.8) Reid (6-6, 14.5) Groves McCullum (B-6, 12.1) Hemphlll (6-3 2.7) Jones (6-7.

5.6) Greene (6-2, 5.6) Williams (6-0, 11.6) Tlpolf Where Bramlage Coliseum Manhattan. None. Series First meeting. Coaches Old Dominion's Jeff Capel (6th year, 102-67); Kansas Slate's Tom Asbury (6th year, 61-72). point range, but also made six turnovers.

Backup point guard Galen Morrison, also on the mend from a knee injury, led the Wildcats with 14 points with four 3-pointers. Old Dominion last played on Saturday, losing 60-49 at home to North Carolina-Wilmington to drop to 0-2 in the Colonial League. The Monarchs lost their league opener Dec. 1 at East Carolina. The teams have one common opponent.

Old Dominion beat New Orleans 65-60 and K-State knocked off the Privateers, 62-47 The Monarchs are led by backup center Skipper Youngblood at 13.9 points and 7,3 rebounds per game. Starting forward Andre McCullum adds 12. i points and 6.6 rebounds, with guard Michael Williams averaging u.6 points Groves averages 14.5 points aiiH forward Tony Kitt 14 3 points and 9-4 to lead Kansas State Josh Reid averages 9.8 points" SUGGESTIONS? CALL BOi DAVIDSON, SPORTS EDITOR, AT (789) 823-6363 OR 1400-8274363 OR E-MAIL AT 9jbdavldson9sgljournal.com.