The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 21

"THE SALINA JOURNAL SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1996 C3 NBA ROUNDUP Sonics set sights on Rockets Having blown 2-0 lead, Jazz face another first- round playoff fizzle By The Assolcated Press SEATTLE The Sacramento Kings were one team. The Houston Rockets are another. "They're the champions and you must give them all the ultimate respect in the world," coach George Karl said Friday after his Super- Sonics got out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in three seasons by beating the Kings The Rockets, two-time NBA Champions, will open a best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal series against the Sonics this afternoon. Game 2 is set for Seattle on Monday, with Games 3 and 4 at Houston next weekend. "What they are better than anything else is a great road team and they're a great team at the end of the game," Karl said.

"They have no fear of your home court and they have a lot of confidence down the stretch in games." SALINE COUNTY ROUNDUP Tf Despite Houston's consecutive championships, Seattle has owned the Rockets during the regular season in recent years. The Sonics were 4-0 this season, including a 112-106 victory at The Summit April 15. Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, Houston's 1-2 scoring missed the third game between the teams, a 118-103 Sonics victory at Seattle on April 3. Because the Sonics had a best-in- the-West and franchise-record 64 victories this season, they will have the homecourt advantage in the series. Seattle has beaten Houston nine times in a row in the regular season, but the Rockets become a different team in the playoffs, Karl said.

"They understand who they are very, very well," he said. "They know the game's going to go to Hakeem, and if Hakeem's not in there it's going to go to Drexler." While Seattle was finishing off Sacramento 101-87 as Gary Payton scored 29 points and Shawn Kemp 23, Houston was taking care of the Los Angeles Lakers 102-94 as Olaju- won had 25 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots. In the Seattle-Sacramento series, Payton averaged 20.8 points, while Kemp averaged 17.0 after missing the playoff opener because he was serving a one-game suspension for fighting. Against the Lakers, Olajuwon averaged 26.5 points and Drexler 14.0. FAMILIAR SCENARIO FOR JAZZ For coach Jerry Sloan, it's a frustratingly familiar story: The Utah Jazz have blown an early playoff lead and face the specter of yet another first-round fizzle.

Last year, it was Game 5 in the Delta Center against Houston. The Rockets, who had trailed in the series 2-1, won 95-91 and went on to successfully defend their NBA title. So forgive Sloan if he dismisses Utah's homecourt advantage as questionable in Sunday afternoon's finale of his best-of-5 matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers. The winner goes on to play the victor in the San Antonio-Phoenix series. "You've got to realize this team (Portland) has had two do-or-die situations.

We will only have had one," he said Friday. "They've been in that situation and they've suc- ceeded, and I'm sure they feel confident they can succeed again." To avoid repeating the Houston debacle, the Jazz need Karl Malone to return to form. The Mailman is averaging 28 points in the series, but after hitting 26-of-44 shots in Utah's Game 1 and 2 victories, he went 17-for-56 in Games 3 and 4 including just 4-for-16 and 15 points in a 98-90 loss Wednesday. With Buck Williams, Cliff Robinson and Harvey Grant keeping Malone at bay hi Game 4, the Blazers' Rod Strickland and Arvydas Sabonis combined for 52 points. While Strickland, with 27 points, played his best game of the series, Sabonis has been a consistent, 7- foot-3 nightmare for Utah.

The 32- year-old Lithuanian rookie scored 25 points in Game 4 including three 3-pointers and is averaging 26 against the Jazz in the postseason. "They're awfully good at what they do, I know that," said Utah's John Stockton, who was held to 11 points and 11 assists Wednesday. "Strickland has a lot of strengths. He can shoot the ball, he can penetrate, pass." The Assoicated Press Seattle's Gary Payton, right, looks for help as Sacramento's Mitch Richmond defends during their game Thursday night. South claims 2nd straight 1-70 title baseball falls twice in Hays Classic; Southeast drops two By The Journal staff Salina South its fifth 1-70 League title in the last six years following a split of its doubleheader Friday, losing the first game 4-3 and winning the second 10-2.

iSouth and its ace, David Gardner, dropped a heartbreaking 4-3, eight-inning decision in game one the Cougars responded with a league-title clinching 10-2 victory in the nightcap. "I was so proud of how the kids held their composure after losing ''the first game," Salina South coach Tim Puvogel said. South prevailed by getting a solid pitching performance from Doug Hill and a supportive defense that did not commit an error. The Cougars collected nine hits in the win, including a 2-for-3 performance from Troy Gillund. 11 In the opener, back-to-back one- out, eighth-inning doubles by Neil Hackborn and Doug Reed enabled Manhattan to snap a 3-3 tie.

Now 12-6 overall and 8-2 in the I- 70, South entertains McPherson on Monday at Evans Stadium. LINCOLN (Neb.) EAST 12, SALINA CENTRAL 2 At Hays, walks cost the Mustangs in an Opening-round loss of the Hays Dia- Classic. Despite out-hitting Lincoln 7-6, Central permitted seven walks and five of those batters came around to score in the five-inning contest. Parker Wallace went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI to pace Central. Bobby Bartow knocked in the Mustangs' other run with a double, while Jeff Brin added a pair of hits.

HAYS 3, SALINA CENTRAL 0 At Hays, Junior Jason Peters fired a one-hit shutout to lead Hays. Aaron Willey's sixth-inning single accounted for Central's lone hit. "We hit the ball better than they did," Central coach Bill Bartow said. "But we hit it right at them." Junior Curt Norris pitched well in defeat. The Mustang left-hander struck out nine, permitted just three hits and walked four.

Now 4-12, Central completes tournament play with games today at Hays High field against defending tournament champion Derby (10:45 a.m.) and Ulysses (1 p.m.). RUSSELL TRIANGULAR Southeast of Saline had trouble generating runs Friday and dropped a pair of games as a result. Sylvan edged Southeast, 2-1, while Russell blanked the Trojans 8-0. Thane Douglas' fifth-inning RBI double accounted for the Trojans' only run against Sylvan's Ben Labertew. Southeast loaded the bases an inning earlier only to line into a inning-ending double play.

"We had our chances and we couldn't get the runs in," Southeast coach Dee Kolzow said. "They made the plays." Andy Thiel was the tough-luck loser, permitting just four hits. Against Russell, Southeast didn't have an answer for pitcher Cole Wasinger, who allowed just two hits. BUTLER COUNTY 12, BROWN MACKIE 3 At Hutchinson, designated hitter Justin Henne drove in five runs to back the seven-hit pitching of Mike Lemon as Butler County downed Brown Mackie Thursday night in a loser's bracket game of the NJCAA Region 6 baseball tournament at Hobart-Detter Field. The loss eliminates Brown Mackie from the tournament after a loss earlier Thursday to Barton County.

The Lions finish the season with a 9-37 record. Henne hit a two-run double in.the first inning and highlighted a six- run second with a three-run homer. Philip Schwarz had two hits for Brown Mackie. Jon Little drove in two runs with a fifth-inning double. Sheldon Card (1-8) was the losing pitcher.

"Butler has a good squad and a great tradition," Brown Mackie coach Bill Houltberg said. "They had lost to Colby earlier in the day and came out hitting the ball." SOFTBALL REGION VI TOURNAMENT At Shawnee, Cloud County reached today's winners' bracket finals after winning all three of its games Friday. Meanwhile, Brown Mackie had its season end after compiling a 1-2 mark in the 16-team, double-elimination tournament. Cloud County, the No. 4 seed, posted victories against Allen County (9-0), Butler County (3-2) and top-seed and nationally-ranked Johnson County (1-0).

Against Johnson County, Cloud County scored the game's only run in the first inning. Lead-off hitter Becky Broers walked, stole second and scored on Christy Brown's single. Kelli Silvey, who pitched in all three Cloud victories on the day, and the Thunderbird defense made sure the run stood up. Flowers' two-run double keyed a five-run third inning and Brown went 3-for-3 to key Cloud's opening- round victory against Allen County. Silvey shut out the Red Devils on just one hit.

Flowers provided the big hit for Cloud in its win against Butler County, delivering a two-run, third-inning triple that erased a 2-1 deficit. Cloud County takes a 39-10 record into today's 11 a.m. game against Cowley County. Brown Mackie, the No. 10 seed, dropped into the losers' bracket following an 8-5 opening-round loss to Coffeyville.

The Lions responded with a 9-4 victory.over Hutchinson before being eliminated by Colby, 5-0. SE-SALINE 12-7, TMP-MAR- IAN 3-3 At Hays, surging Southeast improved to 13-5 with a doubleheader sweep of the Monarchs. "These were real good, competitive games for us," Southeast coach Mike Garretson said. "Our defense was solid." In the opener, Southeast scored six fifth-inning runs to snap a 2-2 tie. The Trojans finished with 13 hits, including three each from Tara Schroeder and Wendy Trimble.

The Trojans had to rally in game two, falling behind 3-0 before scoring seven unanswered runs to complete the sweep. Crystal Giersch's two-run, game-tying triple with two outs in the fifth paved the way for Southeast's five-run inning. GOLF QUIVIRA HEIGHTS INVITATIONAL At Claflin, top 10 performances by Cain Frazier, Chris Mergen, Kevin Evel and Ryan Prickett helped Sacred Heart to a second-place finish. The Knights' 314 total was 12 strokes in back of Ness City. Frazier led the way for Sacred Heart with a 8-over-par 76, which was good for fifth.

Merge'n placed seventh (79), Evel eighth (79) and Prickett 10th (80). Stephens A friend to education and athletics FROM PAGE C1 "He's a former student, a former colleague and a very good friend through all these years," Bissell said. "It's really a loss to Bethany College and I think to athletics and education in gen- efal, especially here in Kansas." received his mas- tor's degree from Kansas State GOLF ROUNDUP University in 1966 and was a high school coach at Ruskin, Neb. (three years) and Lincoln (eight years) before becoming the head basketball coach at Bethany in 1970. In 23 seasons, Stephens' teams compiled a 282-291 record, including a 215-167 mark in the Kansas Conference.

Under Stephens, the Swedes won or shared five conference championships and qualified for the NAIA District 10 playoffs eight times. His overall coaching record spanning 34 years was 404-341. Twenty-one of Stephens' players earned first-team All- Kansas Conference honors and eight were recognized as NAIA All-District 10 selections. Stephens was recognized as athletic administrator of the year in District 10 in 1987-88 and 1992-93 and was elected district chairperson in 1990, a position he held until the district was dissolved in 1994. "He had a winsome way about him," Pearson said.

"As an administrator and as a coach, he did it with a flare." Survivors include his wife, Dixie; a son, Bret; and a daughter, Jill Stephens Pihl. Brooks leads Houston Open By The Associated Press 'THE WOODLANDS, Texas Mark Brooks had a bogey for the tost time in two days but still shot '68 Friday for a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Shell Hous- fon Open. First-round co-leaders Tommy Tolles and Mike Springer each shot 70 to trail Brooks over the Tournament Players Course at The Woodlands. Doug Martin had a bogey-free 68 to join them in a tie for second place at 9-under 135. David Duval and Jeff Maggert, playing on his home course, were two shots off the lead.

Another shot back were Len Mattiace, Jay Delsing, Lee Janzen and Hisayuki Sasaki. Brooks, who won the Bob Hope in January and finished second at the Nissan Open in February, opened with a bogey-free 66, one shot off the lead. He finally got his first bogey of the tournament on the par-314th when he missed a 10- foot par putt after a chip. He bounced right back, though, witfc a birdie on the par-515th, and that put him in front. LPGA At Daytona Beach, Val Skinner is looking for the kind of round Karrie Webb had.

Still, Skinner's second straight 67 was good enough for a one- stroke lead after two rounds of the Sprint Titleholders Championship. Skinner recovered from a double-bogey by making a 35-foot eagle putt on the next hole and finished at 10-under 134. She led by one over Catrin Nils- mark, who shot a 66, and two strokes over Webb, who tied the course record at LPGA International with a 7-under 65. PGA Seniors At Charlotte, N.C., Brian Barnes took a big step in his bid to establish himself on the tour, shooting a 6-under-par 66 that gave him a share of the first- round lead at the PaineWebber Invitational. Five under par over his last five holes at the Tournament Players Club at Piper Glen, Barnes finished with his best opening-round score of the year and tied Australia's Graham Marsh for the top spot in the event.

West On Crawford South on Burma Road '96 SEASON OPENER This Saturday, May 4 2:00 PM Main Gates Open 12:00 5 Classes; Mini Stock Strictly Stock Pro-Stock, IMCA Modified Outlaws, Sprints Program Info: 825-0077 Tickets: Adults: $8.00 Sr. Citizens $7.00 Kids 6-11 $3.00 5 Under Free KATE MCEWEN Player will keep her athletic grant Nebraska reverses decision to revoke McEwen's scholarship By The Associated Press LINCOLN, Neb. The University of Nebraska reversed itself Friday and decided to renew the athletic scholarship of a female basketball player who was assaulted by football player Lawrence Phillips. The announcement came two weeks after women's basketball coach Angela Beck said Kate McEwen's athletic scholarship was withdrawn because McEwen has not played weD for the past two years. Although the university said McEwen could complete her education with an academic scholarship, the decision brought strong criticism to the university, which had vowed to support McEwen after the attack by Phillips.

"We recognize that a non-renewal of Kate's scholarship was inconsistent with the supportive system we have been providing her over the past year," athletic director Bill Byrne said Friday. "Typically, a decision on an athlete's scholarship renewal or non-renewal follows standard procedure," he said in a written statement. "However, we recognize this is a special situation that requires special sensitivity." McEwen did not return messages left Friday on her answering machine at her Lincoln residence. In a prepared written statement, Beck said Friday: "I told her that her spot on the team is available to her and that she will always be welcome." When charges were filed against Phillips in the Sept. 10 incident, Byrne and Beck said the university would stand behind McEwen, a business administration major from Topeka.

PhiUips, the first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault for beating McEwen, his former girlfriend, and was sentenced to one year of probation. He was suspended for six games at Nebraska but returned to play as the Corn- huskers won a second national championship. Byrne apologized for any misperception about the handling of McEwen's scholarship. "We have the utmost concern about our student-athletes' total well-being as well as their athletic development," he said.

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