‘Yote Notes –
Jan. 21, 2003
|
|
Mike Safford Jr.
– Sports Info. Director
msafford@albertson.edu
GENERAL
ATHLETICS NEWS:
C.A.A. BOOSTER CLUB DINNERS SET
FOR NEXT TWO MONTHS: The
first Coyote Athletic Association booster club dinners have been set for the
next two months. The first dinner is set
for this Thursday – with men’s and women’s basketball as the theme, with the
February dinner set for Thursday, Feb. 20 – with playoff basketball, along with
skiing and spring sports the focus.
Both dinners will take place in the Simplot Dining Hall on the Albertson
campus at 7 p.m.
BONE DADDY TO PLAY AFTER SATURDAY
HOOP TWINBILL: Local
recording artists, Bone Daddy, will bring their mix of rock and blues to the
McCain Center on the Albertson campus, following Saturday's basketball
doubleheader. The concert is free, and is slated to begin around 10 p.m.
TAILGATE PARTY: The Albertson alumni office is
hosting a pair of tailgate parties for Coyote boosters and fans prior to the
next pair of Friday doubleheaders (Jan. 24 and Feb. 7). Festivities begin
in Blatchley Hall at 5:30 p.m., with food and drinks provided for a $5.00
donation. Contact the alumni office to RSVP at 459-5300.
ALPINE
SKIING:
COMING UP: Northwest Conference Qualifier #2,
Mount Hood Meadows, Jan. Friday-Sunday.
'YOTES OFF TO MOUNT HOOD: The
Albertson alpine programs are off to Mount Hood this weekend in search of their
second consecutive weekend sweep of men's and women's events. Both teams
will compete in slalom events on Saturday and Sunday, as part of the second
Northwest Conference qualifier.
SNOW
REPORT: Bogus Basin – 38 inch base, 40 inches at the summit;
Brundage Mountain – 51 inch base, 75 inches at the summit.
MEN’S BASKETBALL (3-5 CCC, 10-11): Weekend
split leaves ‘Yotes in 7th-place, two games out of second
LAST WEEK: Defeated
Southern Oregon, 91-69; lost to No. 1 Oregon Tech, 85-66.
COMING UP: vs. No. 21 Concordia, Friday, 8 p.m.; vs. Western
Baptist, Saturday, 8 p.m.
COYOTES CAN’T STOP BUZZSAW: “They are a very good basketball team,” said head
coach Mark Owen following the 85-66 loss to No. 1 ranked Oregon Tech on
Saturday night. “We needed to knock
down shots to stay close and we didn’t.”
Playing the top-ranked team in the nation at home for the first-time in
school history, Albertson jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, but it was the
Hooters the rest of the way. A 15-2 run
– all five buckets from outside the arc – allowed OIT to build a 46-30 halftime
advantage, with the ‘Yotes never cutting the lead into single digits. “Our game plan was to try and control the
tempo, keep the game in the 50s and 60s, but that didn’t happen,” Owen said,
after OIT knocked down 12-of-28 shots from outside the three-point line.
LIVE AND DIE BY THE GUARDS: The numbers do not lie – when the Coyote guards
shoot the ball well, Albertson wins – when they don’t, the ‘Yotes fall. Through the first eight Cascade Conference
games, ‘Yote guards are shooting 47-percent from the floor in the victories,
but just 34-percent in the losses.
During the same time, the big men are shooting above 50-percent
regardless of the outcome – 53-percent in the losses, 61-percent in the victories.
SOUTHERN FALTERS IN CALDWELL: Dominating the paint was the key for Albertson on
Friday night, as the Coyotes defeated Southern Oregon, 91-69. The ‘Yote timbers inside combined for
21-of-30 shooting from the floor and 52 points in the win. Using a 17-2 first half run, Albertson
opened up a 44-30 halftime edge and never trailed by less than 12 in the second
half.
LARGEST CROWDS IN FOUR YEARS: The J.A. Albertson Activities Center was loud all
weekend, thanks in part to the biggest men’s basketball crowds since the
1999-2000 season. The Coyotes averaged
nearly 1,900 fans for the two games, the largest two-game average since the
1999 Golden Rule Shoot-Out when Albertson hosted both Simpson College and rival
Northwest Nazarene. The ‘Yotes lead the
Cascade Conference in attendance, outdrawing Oregon Tech by just over 100 fans
with five home dates remaining.
MOST POINTS SINCE?: A weekend explosion from Tom Perkes (Spokane,
Wash. / Big Bend CC) included one of the top scoring performances in the
last 20 years. The junior scored 33
points on 14-of-17 shooting from the floor against Southern, tying him with six
other ‘Yotes for No. 12 on the single-game scoring list. His 14 field goals made was also two off the
school record held by Johnnie Hilliard in 1991. Perkes also scored 23 points in the loss to Oregon Tech, the 11th
time this season that he has scored 20-or-more points.
MOM INSPIRES BROWN: With his mom, Alice, in town over the weekend,
freshman guard Derek Brown (Las Vegas, Nev. / Desert Pines HS) picked
the right time for a career night. The
youngster scored a career-high 16 points in the win over Southern Oregon, going
4-of-5 from the floor and 5-of-6 from the stripe. Brown was key to the ‘Yote success in the second half of the
game, nailing three consecutive three-pointers in a three minute stretch. He also had a team-high five assists against
Oregon Tech. Brown leads the Cascade
Conference in three-point percentage through the first eight league counters,
hitting 8-of-15 outside shots.
TIGHTLY PACKED BUNCH: With Oregon Tech seemingly running away with the
CCC, no other team has stepped up to stake hold of the No. 2 spot. Albertson, sitting in a tied for
seventh-place, is just two games out of that No. 2 spot – as is seven other
teams. With ten games left, the ‘Yotes
have a balanced schedule – five games at home, five on the road.
GAME SHAPE ONLY: Injuries are finally taking its toll on the
battered body of forward Eric Hare (San Miguel de Allende, Mex. /
West Valley CC). Sore knees, a
separated shoulder, and a broken left index finger have the senior in so much
discomfort that his practice time has been limited. “We feel we need Eric ready for game time, not for the rigors of
practice,” said coach Mark Owen. “We
will hold him out of practice for most of the week, and hope it will pay off on
the weekend.” The plan paid off Friday
night, as Hare scored 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting in the win against Southern.
CONFERENCE NUMBERS: The Coyotes have both ends of the spectrum with
team statistics – Albertson leads the Cascade Conference in overall field goal
percentage (.481), free throw percentage (.773 – No. 2 in the NAIA), and ranks
No. 3 in three-point percentage (.358).
However, the ‘Yotes rank last in offensive production (75.3 points per
game), blocked shots, and offensive rebounds.
The numbers are different tallying only conference games, as Albertson
ranks sixth in field goal percentage (.454), fifth in both free throw
percentage (.720) and three-point percentage (.369). On an individual note, Tom Perkes leads the league in foul
shooting (.871 percent), is fourth in field goal percentage (.585), and fifth
in the loop in scoring average (19.5 ppg).
His numbers are even better in league play – hitting .915 percent of his
foul shots, scoring 22.1 points a game, and knocking home .628 percent of his
field goals. Also among the league’s
elite are Joe Green (Pocatello, Idaho / BYU-Idaho), who is third
in the CCC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.28), fourth in steals per game (2.5),
ninth in three-point percentage (.416), and tenth in assists per game (3.9), Jon
Thomas (Nampa, Idaho / Gem State Academy), who is fourth in
three-pointers made, and Andy Harper (Idaho Falls, Idaho / Columbia
Basin CC), who is fifth in three-pointers made.
REMATCH OF TOUGH LOSSES: With the second half of the Cascade Conference
schedule beginning this weekend, it is up to the ‘Yotes to try and avenge a pair
of road losses within the league.
Nemesis Concordia comes to town, winners of two games against
Albertson this season. The Cavaliers
(5-3, 11-6), ranked No. 21 in last week’s NAIA Division II national poll, had
won seven consecutive games – but have faltered as of late, losing three of
their last four. Concordia used a late
rally to top the Coyotes, 80-79, at the CCC Tip-Off Tourney, and dominated an
84-53 decision in December.
All-American Keith Childs (15.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg) is one of four starters averaging
in double figures. Albertson holds a
32-8 all-time advantage over Concordia, and has won the past five meetings
between the teams in Caldwell (last CU road win vs. Albertson – 76-61 during
the 1996-97 season). Saturday, the
surprise team of the 2002-03 season, Western Baptist, makes its seasonal
journey east. The Warriors (5-3, 7-12)
were not expected to challenge the league’s elite after losing four starters
and their coach from last year’s CCC tournament championship squad. However, first-year chief Justin Sherwood
has developed both senior guard Marty Reid (20.2 ppg, 5.8 apg) and freshman
post Eric Fiegi (20.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg) into scoring monsters. Western had a three-game winning streak
halted at home on Saturday against Cascade.
It is the 51st overall meeting between the two teams, with Albertson
holding a 32-18 all-time edge in the series.
ON THE AIR: Listen to both weekend games (Friday vs.
Concordia, Saturday vs. Western Baptist) live on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford
Jr. calling the action, with the pregame show beginning around 7:50 p.m. each
night. For those outside the Treasure
Valley, the games can also be heard via the Albertson athletic website at the
following address: www.collegeofidaho.edu/webcam/Athletics.asx.
CORPORATE SPONSORS AND EVENTS:
Weekend sponsors for Coyote basketball
include S.S.I. night on Friday, along with Re/Max Realty night on
Saturday. A tailgate party, sponsored by
the Albertson Alumni office will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday night
in Blatchley Hall (RSVP’s can be made by calling 459-5300), while a post-game
dance will take place in the McCain Center following Saturday’s game.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES:
For game stories, statistics, and
information regarding the Albertson men’s basketball program, head to the
official site of Coyote basketball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm.
CASCADE CONFERENCE HOTLINE: For up-to-date scores from the Cascade Conference,
call the Cascade Conference Hotline at (208) 459-5135. Each night, scores and updated standings are
posted on the Conference Standings page within the Albertson men’s basketball
website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mbasketball/stats/standings.htm.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (4-4 CCC, 10-12): Homestand continues for Lady ‘Yotes, trying to break
record-tying losing skid
LAST
WEEK: Lost to No. 21 Southern Oregon, 92-66; lost
to Oregon Tech, 65-52.
COMING
UP: vs. Concordia, Friday, 6 p.m.; vs. Western
Baptist, Saturday, 6 p.m.
LOSING
STREAK HITS FOUR: The continuing downward
spiral for the Albertson women’s basketball team hit bottom last weekend, as
the Lady ‘Yotes dropped back-to-back Cascade Conference home games for only the
third time in school history. The
Coyotes have now lost four consecutive game, equaling a school-record set
during Feburary of 1997.
THEY
COULDN’T MISS: It was a shooting
exhibition unlike anything seen before.
“Our goal was to play zone and make Southern beat us from the outside,”
said Reagan Rossi after No. 21 ranked Southern Oregon’s 92-66
dismantling of the Lady ‘Yotes on Friday night. “Boy did they shoot the ball well.” The Raiders, a 30-percent three-point shooting team on the
season, made 14-of-21 shots from behind the arc, including six consecutive
three’s during a first half stretch.
Albertson clawed back to tie the score at 44-44 with 13:50 remaining,
but watched in horror as Southern outscored the hosts 25-4 over the next seven
minutes. NAIA National
Player-of-the-Week Kara Magee-Arick set an SOU school record with nine treys,
torching the Coyotes for 33 points.
UGLY
LOSS: The J.A. Albertson Activities Center has been
a coveted place for the Albertson women over the years. The Lady ‘Yotes had won 74-percent of their
home games since the 1995-96 season (60-21) coming into this season’s
campaign. However, the loss to
Southern, the worst Cascade Conference home loss in school history (and the
second worst home loss ever), coupled with a Saturday loss to OIT – puts the Coyotes
at 4-5 at home this year.
TECH
BATTLES WAY TO WIN: Typically, first-year
programs are supposed to start with a season laying the foundation of the
program. Not at Oregon Tech. The Owls, currently alone in second-place in
the CCC standings, came to Caldwell for the first time, handing the Lady ‘Yotes
a 68-55 defeat on Saturday. OIT played
solid defense all night, limiting the Coyotes to a season-low 16-of-64 shooting
percentage. 6-3 post Pam Frei had her
way in the middle, scoring 17 points, to go along with 13 boards and seven
blocks. After trailing by 16 at the
break, Albertson cut the margin to 50-48 with seven minutes left, but the Owls
responded with a 10-0 to put the game away.
3-POINT
WOES: Calling all doctors – the Lady ‘Yotes need a
remedy to find their stroke from outside the three-point stripe. During the current losing streak, Albertson
has made just 27-percent of their three-point attempts – including a woeful
6-of-30 performance against Oregon Tech.
In the OIT game, Albertson starters made just 4-of-25 attempts.
THACKER
LONE THREAT ALL WEEKEND: During the tough
weekend, the most consistent performer for the Coyotes was Krystal Thacker (Elko, Nev. / BYU-Idaho), who recorded double-figure games each night. The point guard scored a season-high 18
points on 7-of-9 shooting against Southern, followed by an 11 point, four steal
performance against Oregon Tech.
END OF ONE ROAD, BEGINNING OF ANOTHER FOR
HENRICHS: In the end, the knee
injury proved to much for senior Megan
Henrichs (Preston, Idaho /
Preston HS), who suited up for the
final time in her four-year Coyote career on Saturday. Henrichs, a 2002 All-Cascade Conference
selection, injured her knee during the preseason and was unable to make a full
recovery. The senior, however, begins
her new role as the Lady ‘Yotes student-assistant for head coach Reagan Rossi
this week. During her Lady ‘Yote
career, Henrichs scored 560 points (11th all-time), grabbed 323 rebounds (10th
all-time), and played in 87 games (seventh all-time).
BAILEY
BREAKS OWN SWAT MARK: Although it
wasn’t one of her best weekends, Kristen
Bailey (Fountain Green, Utah /
Snow CC) continues to make news
on the record front. The senior
recorded eight blocked shots last weekend, giving her 88 on the season, which surpassed
her own school record of 85, set last season.
Bailey also recorded her 22nd career double-double against Oregon Tech
with a ten point, 12 rebound performance.
She ranks ninth in the NAIA Division II in rebounds per game (10.2), and
is the only CCC player currently averaging a double-double a night.
MORE
ON BAILEY: Bailey also moved into
seventh-place on the all-time scoring list, having scored 652 points in her
career. She currently has 499 rebounds,
sixth-best in school history.
GOICOECHEA
RECORD WATCH: Leading scorer Heidi Goicoechea (Burley, Idaho / Burley HS) broke the 900-point plateau during the Oregon Tech
game, as she is closing in on the 1,000-club before the end of her junior
season. “Goic” has scored 905 points in
her career, the sixth-highest tally in school history and just five points
behind Cecilie Bates and fifth-place.
At her current pace, Goicoechea would break 1,000 at Oregon Tech in
mid-February. She also currently leads
the Cascade Conference in free throw percentage (.867 percent) and ranks No. 9
in the NAIA in the category.
TRYING
TO RIGHT THE SHIP: A pair of teams the Lady
‘Yotes have already defeated soundly head to Caldwell this weekend – hopefully
the tonic to end this long losing streak.
A much improved Concordia
team makes an appearance on Friday night,
definitely not the team the Lady ‘Yotes defeated 81-50 back in December. The Cavaliers (4-4, 7-13) have won four of
their last six games, thanks in part to forward Heather Seyfert (13.2 ppg, 8.6
rpg), who has scored 24-or-more point in three of the last four games. Leading scorer Amanda Tweedy (15.2 ppg, 9.6
rpg) is a workhorse inside for Concordia, who shot just 18-for-67 in the loss
to Albertson this season. The Lady
‘Yotes have won two straight in the series and hold a 12-4 all-time advantage
over Concordia. Saturday, an
up-and-down Western
Baptist team will battle the
Coyotes, coming off a 74-73 victory over Cascade on Saturday night. The Warriors (4-4, 8-10) have lost only
three times this season by double digits – with one of those being a 71-52 loss
to Albertson in December. Western is
led by forward Amber Mathews (11.5 ppg), who had just two points in the first
meeting between the teams, along with shooting guard Tati Gallardo (10.5
ppg). The big question mark is post
Toran Lundgren (12.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg), who has missed the past six games with a
hip injury – but is scheduled to play on the trip. Albertson has won three consecutive games over Western, and hold
a 13-5 all-time advantage.
INTERNET BROADCAST INFORMATION: Both weekend games (Friday vs. Concordia and Saturday vs. Western Baptist) will be broadcast live on the internet at www.collegeofidaho.edu/webcam/Athletics.asx with Jordan Komoto and Jake McClean calling the play-by-play. Tip-off on both evenings begins at 6 p.m.
WEEKEND PROMOTIONS: During the weekend doubleheaders, awards will be
given to the faculty and staff members of the game, as selected by the
Albertson student senate. Friday night,
Albertson volleyball coach Liz Mendiola will be the recipient of the
staff award, while music professor Lisa Derry will be honored with the
faculty award. Also, following the
Saturday doubleheader, local recording group “Bone Daddy” will rock the McCain
Center – free of charge.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE LADY
‘YOTES: For game stories, statistics,
and information regarding the Albertson women’s basketball program, head to the
official site of Lady ‘Yote basketball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm.
- ALBERTSON -