The Press-Tribune from Roseville, California • 19

Press-Tribune Monday, December 22, 1986 19 iige I 1 Malone hits last-second shot to edge Oakmont in OT, 48-46 tiff iij 4 :.0 i AS;" -'A i 2 Casa Roble has quickly put everything together. After finishing seventh in their own tournament a week before, the Rams come through with three of their best games of the season to win the Christmas Classic. Davis led the Vikings with 14 points and Frei added 10. "We're a young team," Ryan said "We are improving daily. Four of our losses came by a total of 11 points and we were in all of our games.

The kids are still working hard and coming out and playing hard every night." Jason Sitterud was the one playing hard when the Vikings needed it, coming off the bench to score 12 points, eight of them in the secoiid quarter as Oakmont rallied back from an early six point deficit. Mark Hasik provided the Rams inspiration. Hasik scored an important 12 points and pulled down several key offensive rebounds, and also played the final 10 minutes with four fouls. The championship game of the 16th annual Christmas Classic saw a couple of firsts recorded. It was the first time in the history of the event that Oakmont has ever made the finals, and it was the first basketball tournament title that Casa Roble has ever won.

CENTER 48, IODI 39: Ronal Earp led the Cougars to a third place finish with the in over the Flames. With Center leading 22 20 in the final minute of the first half Earp followed up offensive rebound a basket and then hit an eight footer over a double team for a 26-20 advantage. Digol Heily put the Cougars up by eight at intermission with a steal and coast to-coast drive for a layup in the final five seconds of the half. Center was never challenged after that, and Earp finished ith a game-high 12 points. J'Beily had nine points.

Varen Manago had eight and Rich Manning seven. HIGHLANDS 47. SAN JUAN 39: The Spartans lost their bid for the By RON HENDER Of The Presi-Tribune staff ROSEVILIJ: It took eight days, but Todd Malone and his teammates got their revenge Saturday night. Malone's eight-foot jumper from the baseline with a second left in overtime lifted Casa Roble to a 48-46 win over the host Vikings in the championship game of the Oakmont Christmas Classic tournament. Exactly a week and a day earlier, playing in the semi final round of the Casa Koble Invitational, Malone missed a similar last-second shot that would have sent the Rams into overtime against the very same Vikings.

"I remembed missing that shot," Malone said. "There were only two seconds left and I took a jumper from the free throw line and missed it. And now that I get the one that wins the game it just feels great." Oakmont center Ken Davis had just tied the game at 46-46 with 10 seconds remaining in overtime when the Rams took possession for the last time. Malone worked the ball upcourt quickly and headed for his favorite shooting spot along the left baseline. Behind a pick set by teammate Dodd Seim, he dropped in the game winner as time ran out.

"I had to go to the hoop because there wasn't much time left." Malone said "I had to go and try to get a foul or shoot it. "After I took the shot my knees got so wobbly I almost couldn't walk." "We talked atnuit what we would do in that situation at the end of regulation," Casa Roble coach Norm Ryan said "We went into our scramble situation to see if could create an opportunity, and ended up having our best shooter taking one from hislest spot." Malone and Rams forward Bill McCnin shared team high scoring honors with 16 points apiece. Both received all tournament honors, with McCoin taking home the Most Valuable Player award thanks in part to a 32. point effort in Casa Roble semi i final win over Ixxli on now that they've snaped the worst homecourt losing streak in the club's history. "I'm more pleased with out team play." Theus said.

"I happy I'm able to distribute it (the basketball all over the court Theus had a season high 15 assists against Phoenix and is ranked in the top 10 in the NBA for assists ith 180 to date. "Derek Smith is a lot more active this the Suns coach John MacLeod said. "I think that Regggie and Derek complement each other very well. We have a very young team and I think it's going to take Oakmont Christmas Classic Tournament Friday. McCoin, who was a center at the JV level last season, is quickly becoming a top-flight forward.

"It's different facing the basket instead of playing with your back against it all the time," McCoin said. "And I'm not the biggest guy out on the court anymore. Everyone is my height now and I didn't think I could get shots off against them at first." McCoin has not only been getting the shots off, he's been making most of them. And he did it Saturday against a very goodVikings team. "They play great defense," McCoin said of Oakmont.

"They really get in your face. Ken Davis played great it was like he was in my jersey all night. I couldn't get an inch between us." Oakmont point guard Tim Frei and center Davis were also named to the all-tourney team along with Center forward Ronal Earp and Highlands forw ard Tony Quinn. Oakmont and Casa Roble both had chances to in the tournament title in regulation but could not manage to get off a good shot The Rams ran a minute off the clock before a three-second violation turned the ball over to the Vikings at 1:12. Oakmont ran another 30 seconds off before Sean Randall stole the ball away from Jeff Clark with 25 seconds to play.

Casa Roble turned the ball right back over to the Vikings when Tim Frei trapped Randall into a five-second violation. Oakmont ran a final play after calling time out but Clark's 20 footer from the baseline was blocked, sending the game into overtime and Malone's eventual game winner. "We had our opportunities," Oakmont coach Jason Rrandes said "We got to the top but just couldn't plant the flag I think Casa just laved better than we did when they ad to. We won a lot of those kind of games this year and this time we didn't, that's all." 'Boca time for them to get things together." We're starting to come around," Sacramento coach Phil Johnson said. "Othell Wilson has been good for us.

We are able to rest Reggie some now." The Kings obtained Wilson Tuesday to handle point guard duties as a reserve. Wilson had played five games with the Topcka Sizzlcrs in the Continental Basketball Association He was a 14 second round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors. Wilson replaced Bruce Douglas who was waived last Monday by the (Preii-Tribune photo by Ron Henrler) Christmas Classic on Saturday. Malone scored 16 points, includ'ng the game-winning basket at the buzzer in overtime, as the Rams edged the Vikings 48-46. Todd Malone (center) drives between Oakmont defenders Jason Sitferud (left) and Brad Durante (right) during the championship game of the Oakmont liosf Apparently their performance against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Suns two NBA teams that aren't exactly hot stuff right now has convinced the Kings they can succeed "I'm starrting to feel niy good about my basketball game." Smith said.

"My confidence level is rising The entire team's confidence level is rising Smith said the team has made a mental turnaround. Smith scored 27 points to pace the Kings against the Suns Starting guard Reggie Tln us said the team "can give a sigh of relief" tit. By DENNIS WYATT Press-Tribune sports editor SACRAMENTO The Sacramento Kings are talking like they are 17 8 instead of 8 17. With the Los Angeles Lakers coming up Tuesday, Dr. and the Sixers on Saturday and the Boston Celtics on Monday, one would think a team coming off the franchise worst homecourt losing streak of six games would be talking about survival.

Instead the Kings are talking victory. "I'm glad we're playing those three teams next." Derek Smith said Niners defense rips Rams 24-14 San Francisco wins NFC West title Ole Miss holds off Texas Tech 20-17 Noblin's interception preserves Independence Bowl victory i ft -dtm See CASA, page 22 Kings In other NBA action, Golden State Warriors Coach George Karl's plan to give the ball to Seattle SuperSonic Dale Ellis worked to perfection Sunday Ellis, learning to play guard after three years at forward, had nine turnovers in a 121 112 loss to the Warriors The Sonics had a total of 32 turnovers, an NBA season high for one game "We wanted Ellis to handle the ball more. It worked and exploded from there," Karl said See NBA, page 21 An emotional Coach Billy Brewer broke down in tears in the RcM dressing room after presenting game balls to assistants Mickey Merritt and George Smith, who were released In the wake of the NCAA-ordered sanctions. "This victory means so, so much to all of us. It was a very emotional game.

I think we won it in part for George and Mickey." Brewer said Record setting sophomore quarterback Mark Young and a big goalhne stand made the difference as Ole Miss spoiled the coaching debut of Texas Tech's Spike Dykes Although Young didn't throw a touchdown pass, his completions set up all the Ole Miss scoring touchdown runs of one yara by tailback Willie Goodlne and nine yards by fullback Joe Mickles and field goals of 21 and 48 yards by Bryan thcn assured of at least a wildcard berth if Cincinnati and Kansas City had lost Sunday, but both the Bengals and the Chiefs won That means Miami can send New England home for the holidays with a victory in the last NFL game played in the Orange Bowl The Dolphirs ill move to the new Dolphin Stadium in northern Dade County next year. like it that way," said Patriots ide receiver Stanley Morgan of the must win situation. "We seem to play better with our backs up against the wall ore Lakers vs Kings At Arco Arena Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Radio coverage KFBK 1530 AM Television coverage KOVR Channel 13 following the Kings' 122 114 in over the Phoenix Suns Saturday night. "They haven't been playing all that well lately." Dickerson when asked about the 4'tcrs ability to stop him.

hen I'm playing I'm not worried about how-many times I've carried the ball or I haven't carried the ball in the last 10 plays Dickcrson's only flash of bnllance came in second quarter. The Rams, trailing 10 0, were sparked to life by an interception by Vince Newsomc. Dickerson carried the Kill on the drive's last two plays, the first for five yard gain and the second a 15-yard dash for the touchdown that made it 10 7 The offense also appeared to be in peak form against the Rams. With guards Randy Cross and Guy Mclntyre pulling effectively, the San Francisco ground game chewed up the Hams front wall. Roge Craig gained 80 yards in 21 carries and Joe Cnbbs added 62 yards on 18 carries and one touchdown In the season's first 14 games.

Cnbbs scored just two touchdowns, Over the last two. he has scored three times. Montana completed 23 of 36 attempts for 238 yards, one touchdown and one interception However, after the game Montana look time to reflect on a season in which he has rrbounded from career saving back surgery in September. "The feeling of being in a big game like this is Impossible to deMTibe," the quarterback said. "The thrill of winning our first Super Bowl is still the best.

But coming back from surgery like I did this year, well, this is a different kind of triumph The 4ers victory means San Francisco will now take a week off while Los Angeles travels lo ashington to take on the Redskins in next week's NF Wild Card game From The Atsocio'ed Press SHREVEPORT. La. During a roller coaster season, nothing came easy for the University of Mississippi football team And the Rebels lived up lo the script in their season-ending Independence Bowl victory. "Thai's about the way the season went good times, bad times and in the end we had our backs lo the wall." senior safety Jeff Noblin said after his last minute interception preserved a 20 17 victory over Texas Tech in the Uth Independence Bowl Saturday night. The bow I victory topped off an 8 3 I season, Mississippi's best since 1971, and put a happy ending to a season that saw the Rebels break into the Top 20 for the first time in a decade and then get slapped with a two-year NCAA probation for recruiting violations.

By WILLIAM D.MURRAY Of United Press International SAN FRANCISCO The San Francisco NFC est 'championship regular season began and ended with a capital I). The defense, leaders in the NFL in takeaways, forced three costly interceptions and sacked 1-os Angeles rookie quarterback Jim Everett three times to lead San Francisco to a 24 14 victory over the Friday night to clinch the team's fourth NFC West title in six years. "They had our scheme igured out well," said Everett of the 49ers defense "So far they're the best I've face, as far as and "Tmixing things up The Rams offensive plan coming -tn was to attack the 4'Hts rookie cornerbacks Tim McKyer and Don 'Griffin on first down. McKyer responded to the challenge with a of third quarter interceptions Griffin knocked away a pass in the fourth quarter. I' "I'm happv.

I'm rcialic for them." Raid veteran San Francisco I Safety Ronnie Lott. "We put them 'J the rookie corner) on the island all long and it's unlelicvable that I they've done what they've done people would have drowned out there. but they paddled on in While the defensive backs were folding Everett and his receivers in 'check, the rushing defense was once "again frustrating Eric Dickerson I-The Rams sunerback came into the Cgame with five straight looyard -rushing games and II for the season. -IBut San Francisco held him under loo yards yards on 18 carries tfor the sixth straight time. I''.

"My main concern is to win." said II i A 4 Dolphins looking to end Patriots season tonight By JOEY HOLLEMAN Of The Aitocioted Pfen MIAMI (API It's payback time for the Miami Dolphins Last January, the New England Patriots ended Miami's season with a 31-14 victory in the AFC Championship game. Tne Dolphins will be trying to return the favor tonight, when the two teams meet In the final game of the MX regular season. The Patriots. 10 5. have to beat or tie the Dolphins, 8 7.

lo make the playoffs as AFC East champions. They could have backed in and been (United Press International) Celebrating their NFC West-clinching 2414 win over the Rams on Friday are 49er defensive standouts Riki Ellison (center), Ronnie Lott (right) and Tim McKyer (background)..