The Dispatch from Moline, Illinois • 31

D3' COLLEGE SPORTS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1997 THE DISPATCH AND THE ROCK ISLAND ARGUS Valpo ices No. 1 Mid-Con seed Gory wins family feud battle over Monte r.I.d-Ccntlncnt Ccnf crenco cizr.Z'.r.z Conf Season 7. Yngstwn St. 4 10 9 14 WL 7, Chicago St 4 10 3 20 1. Valparaiso 12 2 20 5 8.

C. Conn. St 3 10 7 16 2. Western III. 9 5 14 9 Saturday's im 3.

Troy State 8 5 14 10 Chi. St. 74, Youngstown St 69 3. Buffalo 9 5 14 10 Valparaiso 83, W. Illinois 74 5.

7 7 10 14 C. Conn St 72, 67 6. NE Illinois 6 8 13 11 Buffalo beat NE Illinois (OT) ing Lithuanian 7-footer An tanas" Vilcinsakas and 6-11 Viskovic) he scored on all three." A 20-point Crusader lead was cut to a dozen with seven minutes but then Bryce Drew converted a steal and a 3-pointer to boost it back -to an 18-point game. It was a 17-pointer inside the final; minute, with WIU making a surge1 to make the final score somewhat respectable. The Western student body cer tainly was aware of Valpo's Mid- Con clinching accomplishment.

In the last 30 seconds of the they started chanting, "See you at ThcMark; see you at The Mark." Joseph, too, took note of the possibility of a Mid-Con finals rematch, with Valpo. With Western owning an 8-3 record on the road and only 6-3 at home, the WIU star said, "I think like playing in my purple uniform better any way." And though Valpo does own tha No. 1 seed, there's no guarantee art-NCAA berth comes with it, since the automatic entry goes to tourney champ. Asked, if he th6ught a fourth' straight 20-win accomplishment would be enough to get into NCAA anyway. Drew, answered, "We still have two games left.

guess that's a good, diplomatic an-i, swer." Crusaders on the mark with victory over Western Illinois Valparaiso 83, WIU 74 By Marc Nesseler Sports editor MACOMB The icing came with the ice. Clinching a fourth straight 20-win season was merely the icing for the Valparaiso Crusaders Saturday night at Western Illinois University. Even sweeter was what came with it icing the No. 1 seed for the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament to be held at The Mark of the Quad Cities March 2-4. And the 83-74 win over Western Illinois gave the Crusaders their third straight conference championship, something very few 1996-97 Division I teams can boast.

"Those were two of our goals," Valpo coach Homer Drew said of the 20 wins and the Mid-Con title, "but it's just nice that all the hard work really pays off for the kids. That's the joy, to see the satisfaction." Ironically, it was the team that the Crusaders beat in last year's Mid-Con Finals that provided the competition for the history-maker. And they did it with the same com-fortability that gave that gave them the automatic NCAA berth just less than a year ago. The Crusaders made quick work of the conference's No. 2 team, pulling off a season split with WIU.

Their lead was never less than double figures after the 4:27 mark in the first half. Last year, the Leathernecks swept Valpo in the regular season, but lost 75-52 in the title game. With two games left in the regular season, Valpo now stands at 20-5, 12-2 in the Mid-Con. Western (14-9, 9-5) is now in a tie for second with Buffalo. With great balance, four players being within a basket of double-figures, Valpo jumped out to a 44-29 halftime lead.

That same balance carried throughout the second half. Four Crusaders wound up in double-digits, led by guards Bryce Drew and Jamie Sykes with 18 each. Croatian Zoran Viskovic had 14 and Chris Artis added a dozen. A 25-foot 3-pointer by former Rochelle star Brandon Creason (18 points) cut WIU's decifit to 10 at 44-34, but that was as close as the game would get until Janthony Joseph's two free throws with two seconds left. The fact that Valpo couldn't put away WIU wasn't lost on Drew, es-; pecially the play of Leatherneck forward Joseph.

He finished with 31 points, 20 in the second half. "Without a doubt, he's the premier big man in our conference," the Valpo coach said. "We tried three different guys on him (includ Associated Press Jason Daisy scored 34 points, including five free throws in the final minutes, in leading Northern Iowa over Southern Illinois 92-81 Saturday night. Northern Iowa's Cory Jenkins got the better of his brother Monte, a forward for the Southern Illinois. Cory scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds to Monte' 12-point night The brothers are former Rock Island standouts.

Northern Iowa went up 67-51 on a Sean Hawkins' tip-in midway through the second half of the Missouri Valley Conference game. The Salukis (13-13, 6-9) closed to 69-61 on a 3-pointer by Shane Hawkins. But that's as close as the Salukis would come. The Panthers (14 9 overall, 10-5 MVC), who used turnovers and their height advantage to offset the Salukis' quickness and uptempo offense, remain in second place behind Illinois State, which beat Drake Saturday night to go 12-3 in league play. Northern Iowa went on an early 12-0 run to take a 16-6 lead.

Southern Illinois rallied to go ahead 26-24. But the Panthers then outscored the Salukis 20-9 to take a 44-35 halftime lead. Jason Daisy paced Northern Iowa with 19 first-half points. Illinois Stat 82, Drake SI: Dan Muller scored 19 points, 15 on 3-point shots, to lead the Red-birds. The win kept the first-place Redbirds (19-5 overall, 12-3 MVC) ahead of second-place Northern Iowa, which won 92-81 at Southern Illinois to go 10-5 in league play.

It was the 14th consecutive loss for the Bulldogs (1-22, 0-15), who are last in the league. Mlddi Tenn. 77, E. Illinois SB: Torre Moore scored 17 and Roni Bailey added 15 as the Blue Raiders (17-10, 10-6) pounded the pesky Panthers (11-10, 8-7) in a key Ohio Valley Conference contest. Eastern Illinois was paced by Chad Peckinpaugh's 15 points and Rick Kaye had 13 points and eight rebounds.

Former United Township star Marc Polite chipped in seven points. Chicago St 74, Younfstown STATEMIDWEST St 69: Kory. Billups had 15 points and 17 rebounds as surprising Chicago State won its second straight game. Rahsaan Mitchell scored a game-high 24 points, scoring the Cougars' first go-ahead basket in the first half and a 3-pointer that tied it late in the game. Terry Smith-Harris added 17 points, including four 3-pointers, for Chicago State (4-20, 4-10 Mid-Continent).

Marcus Culbreth and Willie Spellman each had 17 points for Youngstown State (9-15, 4-10), and Hank Raber added 15. Loyola 72, Cleveland St 61: Donyale Bush scored 16 points and Loyola of Chicago (11-12, 6-7) held off a second-half rally by Cleveland State (8-16, 6-8) in Midwestern Collegiate Conference action. Derek Molis (15 points) and Charles Smith (14) were also in double digits for the Ramblers. Cornell (Iowa) 63, Illinois College 60: Chad Griffeth scored 25 points, including three crucial free throws in the final minute of this Midwest Conference contest. The Blueboys (7-13, 3-10) were led by Jason Ford's 22 points and RolfSchildman'sl7.

Olivet Nazarene 79, Rosary 63: Jack Michaels scored 16 points as Olivet Nazarene (18-12, 10-1) ripped Rosary (1-25, 0-9) in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action. Trinity 98, Clarke 79: Josh Wayne scored 21 points and Joe Mann 19 as Trinity (24-5) topped Clarke (8-22) despite Jaron Warner's 21 points for the Dubuque school. Aurora 88, Benedictine 80: David Eshaya scored 29 points to lead Aurora (15-7, 5 2) over Benedictine (15-7, 7-2) in NIIC action. Eureka 84, Concordia 76: Mark VanWinkle scored 21 points, including four free throws in the final minute, as Eureka downed Concordia. Illinois Wesleyan 96, North Park 62: Brent Niebrugge scored 22 points to lead Illinois Wesleyan to a 96-62 CCIW win.

Wesleyan (21-1, 11-1 CCIW) led handily throughout. Corey Coon added 15 points for the Titans. Douglas getting impatient to beat Iowa The Cyclones certainly should get that done at 150 pounds, where No. Chris Bono won't have to face top-ranked Lincoln Mcllravy. McIK' ravy, who beat Bono 8-2 in Iowa City, hasn't wrestled since Jan.

18 because, of headaches resulting from a con- cussion. He's being held out to eiir sure that he'll be ready for the Big Ten Conference meet next month. in a long time and it certainly is time for us to do that. And we're doing everything that we can possibly do to prepare for that day. "I hope that day is Sunday." Seventh-ranked Iowa State (7-6-1) would have to turn around only a couple of matches from the first meet with the No.

2-ranked Hawkeyes (14-1) to make things interesting. latest a 26-13 victory in Iowa City in December that ran the Hawkeyes' winning streak in the series to 19. The Cyclones and Douglas will get another shot at their nemesis today when Iowa visits Hilton Coliseum for a dual meet starting at 2 p.m. "I think I'm developing the patience of Job," Douglas said. "We certainly haven't beaten this team AMES, Iowa (AP) Bobby Douglas fears his patience might "be running out.

Now in his fifth season as Iowa State's wrestling coach, Douglas has yet to beat Iowa, which was one of his stated goals when he took the job. Iowa State and Iowa have wrestled five times since Douglas came on board and Iowa has won all five, the 1 "r5 W- (335(33!" rrrz 55,000 Mile DUNIROYALD 60,000 Mile DUNIROYALD Laredo' Tiger Paw GTH 49 49 Jr A'ter Alter Rebate 'TP18560HR14 fUfUr P23575R15 gpj Rebate 1 Mile lf'M 11 DUNIROYALD iNJ DUNIROYALD Tiger Paw ASC Tiger Paw AWP 1p15580R13 4SBReb'te P14580R13B Alter I 1 Res. Price Rebate .1 Rej. Price Bbsl P16580R13 42.99. 35.49 iL P15580R13B 42.99 35.49 P17580R13 45.99 38.49 1 1 P18575R14 64.99 57.49 P18580R13 46.99 39.49 P19575R14 65.99 58.49 P18575R14 49.99 42.49 1 P20575R14 67.99 60.49 P19575R14 51.99 44.49 P20575R15 71.99 64.49 P20575R14 52.99 45.49 P2355R 5 79.99 72.49 It P20575R15 54.99 47.49 V.

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"I figured it was just a matter of time before I could do really what I want to do," Mickeal said. "It was hard but it's working out. I just had to listen and be patient and work hard and do whatever the team needed me to do." Carroll, who took over the Indian Hills program seven years ago and has guided it into a national power, has used Rock Island as a recruiting pipeline. It started six years ago with David Robinson, who went on to star at St. Louis University and then played with the CBA's Quad City Thunder last season.

The Rock Island to Ottumwa trail has included Robinson's brother, Daniyal, and David Watts. jm. r-- i p- P20575R15 50.99 54.99 'v I P18560SR14 49.99 KaV P19560SR14 52.99 esgCk SS. P21560SR14 53.99 V3Rt. TslA P20570SR14 51.99 VTi i'VCa, P21570SR14 53.99 Hft '1 P19560SR15 54.99 Jrf? P20560SR15 55.99 'i P21565SR15 59.99 P21560SR16 60.99 P22560SR16 62.99 P23575R15 P23575R15XL 30x9.50R15 31x10.50R15 LX21585R16D LT22575R16D LT23585R16E 58.99 63.99 68.99 74.99 86.99 88.99 89.99 95.99 I P165BUH13 22WW--.

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I Na carryou.s. No Dea.er,. JSgj 1 1 91.99 LT26575R16C Tread design may van. I I lClCI 1 PlSiUet U.AIi sjsJl.li wa -mmvm State to being named Most Valuable Player at every tournament at which the Rocks competed to being Player of the Year for The Rock Island Argus and The Dispatch. He also wound up his career at Rock Island as the leader in points (1,312) in basically two years of work.

He's the school leader in season points (733) and averaged 23.6 points per game during the 1995-96 high school season. Still, even with all of his offensive skills, it's defense on which Mickeal prides himself. Mickeal says his defensive work ethic can be traced back to the many practices at Rock Island and the influence of coach Duncan Reid. "That's where it is from, all of those drills at Rock Island. Right out of his book," said Mickeal with a laugh.

Carroll is also glad Reid taught Mickeal chapter and verse when it comes to playing defense. "Defensively, he's always been good," Carroll said. "He has such long arms and has quick feet and anticipates real well. I liken him to David Robinson." Right now the future may be one of many decisions for Mickeal concerning where he attends college when he graduates from Indian Hills. Several Division I colleges such as the University of Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa State, Ohio State and Cincinnati have shown interest in Mickeal.

"I saw a lot of (college) coaches in Las Vegas. We had a big tournament there where we went 3-0," said Mickeal, who added he's also doing well in the classroom. "I talked to coaches from Cincinnati and Ohio State and they've also been writing to me." If Mickeal can make the transition from JUCO ball to the big-time of the Division I basketball courts, it will indeed be a huge leap. Then again Mickeal has always been known as a great leaper and playing Division I ball is just another lofty goal at which to shoot. Oeneseo treks: Carroll didn't just stop at Rock Island, turning his attentions toward Geneseo High School where he recruited former Leaf star Brad Johnson two years ago.

He is now a reserve on the Iowa State team. Another Geneseo product, sophomore guard Jason Ohlsen, is also having a good season for the Warriors. Ohlsen is averaging seven points per game and leads the team in 3-point goals made. "He (Ohlsen) is really playing good and shooting the ball well. He's started 10 games for us," said Carroll.

"Last week in a game against Olive Harvey, he hit five 39 and hit the game-winning shot with four seconds left. "It was a huge win for us because it gave us a two-game lead in the conference with three games left and they're all at home." NiPsaSr? SSL ZTtSSBw 111 P20575R15 66.99 jftre stone LT23575R15CRWL 88.99 30X9.60R15CRWL 93.99 l1' 'X atx $739 P23575R15 Ht uknDeanioor II 70 99 1 III LT22575R166P 109.99 7399 LY COOOfYEAR LT235B5R1610P PL 83.99 LT24575R16 10P 119.99 fi sl Wrangler $QQ39 32xii.5ori5crwl iuB.3 njyAsXl r4i ltz3585bi6erwl 19-99 Lpl P23575R15 WW Firestone ATX Pictured III Outline Raised ,03 'rt' 'He's been good from Day One, but he's gotten better as the year's gone along. He's learned to play the game a little bit more as far as what he can and can not do at this Terry Carroll, Indian Hills And, like the other Rocks before him, Mickeal has grown on the job. "He's been good from Day One, but he'9 gotten better as the year's gone along," said the amiable Carroll, who sports a 217-50 record at Indian Hills. "He's learned to play the game a little bit more as far as what he can and can not do at this level.

"At first, he wanted to take everything to the basket and dunk it. He found out now that going up against 6-8 or 6-9 guys that you have to stop and shoot that 6- or 7-footer off of the glass." Mickeal added that he didn't mind Carroll tinkering with hi9 game, especially if it meant becoming a better outside shooter. "That's what he had me work on (the outside shot)," Mickeal said. "That's what he's making me Into here, a shooter." If you recall, Mickeal received about every possible high school basketball accolade during his senior year at Rock Island from All- itandard front or rear fi MIS9' most cars if I UmJ f. ill Stfsa if! f3fg Free'V 'I' ill IJ Oneff Add to 5 quarts ol -jr- JJ THRUST $29 $0099 Ranlnre oudsshoos Dniiirlan) rnlnrirlnirT)S Ropack non scaled bearings I Limited Guafanieo in" Uif II Somi-molallic pads (20 aaoi $30 mm vntvc ia9 reauira Any combination inol.

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