(To subscribe to ‘Yotes Notes, email Mike Safford Jr. at msafford@albertson.edu or call (208) 459-5681)
GENERAL ATHLETIC NEWS:
LISTEN TO WEEKLY RECAP ONLINE: Sick of having to scroll through the lengthy ‘Yote Notes each week. The Albertson athletic department unveiled last week a new way to get news on the Coyotes - the Weekly Recap Show on the athletics website (www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/default.asp). The show, hosted by sports information director Mike Safford, will recap events from the past week, including game highlights, and preview the upcoming week. Interviews with coaches and student-athletes will also be apart of the format, which will run between 15-and-30 minutes. New shows will be posted each Monday.
BOOSTER CLUB MEETING SET: After consultation with the new Albertson College food service provider, Bon Appetite, the next Coyote Athletic Association meeting is scheduled for January 23 at 6 p.m. in the Simplot Dining Hall. All parents, fans, and friends are invited to attend the dinner, which cost $8.00 at the door. Reservations can be made by calling the athletic department at 459-5512.
CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER: Albertson College is one of 112 schools in the NAIA to complete all five phases of the Champions of Character initiative in 2001. The focus of the program is on emphasizing the character-building aspects of sport to NAIA student-athletes and to youth level participants. Five core character values, respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship, are emphasized in a number of ways. In conjunction with the start of the program, the NAIA initiated a Champions of Character Institution Recognition Program. In order to be recognized, an institution needed to have taken action steps in all five core character value areas and needed to have self-reported its accomplished goals. The Coyotes join Cascade Conference members Concordia University, Northwest College, and Oregon Tech as Champions of Character schools.
MICHAELSON NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT: Junior men’s soccer standout Coe Michaelson (East Wenatchee, Wash.) was named Thursday to the Verizon / CoSIDA District VIII All-Academic team. Michaelson, who maintains a 3.75 GPA in Spanish, scored 21 goals during the 2001 season, leading the ‘Yotes to the Cascade Conference regular-season title. The Verizon All-America team will be announced in February.
ALPINE SKIING:
LAST WEEK: Hosted Albertson College Invitational (Men - two seconds, Women - second and third)
COMING UP: Preparing for the second Northwest Conference qualifier, at Mount Spokane, Wash., Jan. 26-27.
‘YOTES TAKE TRIO OF SECONDS IN SEASON OPENING EVENT: Conditions were ideal in McCall this weekend, as the Coyote Alpine Ski Teams hosted the Albertson College Invitational at Brundage Mountain. The weekend saw the men’s squad place as a team in both giant slalom events, with the women improving Sunday on its third-place Saturday finish, moving into second in the finale. Whitman College swept all four events, as the top-rated team in the Northwest Conference flexed its muscles early.
GOOD PERFORMANCES: Logan Thurber (Bennington, Vt.) had the top finish on both days for the ladies, as the sophomore placed ninth on Saturday, improving to sixth on Sunday, knocking three seconds off her run. Sam Elias (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) had the best run of the weekend for the Albertson men, completing the giant slalom in 1:16.88 to place fourth. Tyler Maxwell (Bozeman, Mont.) improved his Sunday run by four seconds moving from 16th place into eighth.
WOMEN’S TIMES: Logan Thurber (1:24.97 Saturday, 1:21.66 Sunday), Kira Marsh (1:27.64, 1:25.98), Sandy Betters (1:29.34, 1:25.98), Melody Buell (1:30.68, 1:28.29), Amanda Pfleeger (1:41.85, 1:33.34), Shay Doll (1:53.06, 1:48.70). Team Scores - Saturday, Whitman 366, Puget Sound 378, Albertson 381, University of Oregon 406, Seattle 411; Sunday, Whitman 354, Albertson 373, Puget Sound 374, University of Washington 396, University of Idaho 408.
MEN’S TIMES: Sam Elias (1:16.88 Saturday, No Time Sunday), Tyler Maxwell (1:23.85, 1:19.59), Harlan Sangrey (1:24.79, 1:22.24), Vince Ferracuti (1:26.87, 1:24.41), Zach Stephanie (1:29.04, 1:28.14), Kyle Westfall (1:29.89, 1:28.50). Team Scores - Saturday, Whitman 348, Albertson 365, University of Washington 376, Puget Sound 378, Seattle 380; Sunday, Whitman 345, Albertson 366, University of Washington 367, University of Oregon 371, University of Idaho 376.
LATEST SNOW REPORTS: At Bogus Basin (site of the USCSA Western Regional Championships), no new snow, 48-49 inch base.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: 12-6, 5-1 in CCC play
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: Lost 84-62 at Eastern Oregon, defeated Evergreen 88-56, defeated Northwest 63-52
THIS WEEK’S GAMES: At Concordia, Friday, 6:30 p.m. (MST); at Cascade, Saturday, 6 p.m. (MST)
LADY ‘YOTES ALONE IN SECOND PLACE: Last week, the Albertson women’s basketball team was one of three teams with undefeated records - now there is just one. With Eastern Oregon’s 84-62 win over the Lady ‘Yotes, not only did the Mountaineers knock Albertson from the ranks of the unbeaten, but out of first place. However, a pair of Coyote wins coupled with a pair of Concordia losses on the road, leaves Albertson alone in second place, a game behind Eastern Oregon, with a key four-game road trip looming.
BAILEY, THOMPSON STOP NORTHWEST: Behind a pair of great efforts from Jeannie Thompson (Everett, Wash.) and Kristen Bailey (Fountain Green, Utah), the Lady ‘Yotes withstood a late Northwest College rally, defeating the Eagles 63-52. Albertson jumped out to a 18-point halftime lead and extended the margin to 55-32 with 10:23 left. However, Northwest rebounded, cutting the lead to seven late in the game, but the Coyotes remained strong. Bailey led all scorers with 17 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and tying her own school-record with five blocked shots. Thompson had a monster game as well, scoring 12 points and pulling down a career-high 17 rebounds.
MORE ON THE DUO: Looking at the rebounding charts for the Cascade Conference finds Jeannie Thompson leading the pack, averaging 9.8 rebounds a game. Guess who’s right behind her - Kristen Bailey, averaging 8.8 rebounds a game (and an astounding 12.5 rebounds a game in CCC play). Thompson also ranks third in scoring average (15.0), with Bailey leading the league in blocks (46) and fourth in field goal percentage (.476). Career records are in jeopardy, thanks to the duo - Thompson is just 57 rebounds shy of the career record held by Alyson Pincock, and just 128 points away from 1,000, with Bailey just 15 blocks behind Linsi Sloan’s mark of 61.
CLAMS REMAIN OH-FER AGAINST ALBERTSON: On paper, it was a mismatch. For 20 minutes, it was. After blowing a 20-2 lead, the Lady ‘Yotes outscored Evergreen 54-29 in the second half en route to an 88-56 victory, their eighth in as many games with the Geoducks. Sophomore Heidi Goicoechea (Burley) led the charge with 17 points and six rebounds, one of four Coyotes in double figures. Post Jan Marchiano (Martinez, Calif.) scored nine points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in her first action since missing three games with a concussion.
WELCOME TO A PAIR OF NEW LADY ‘YOTES: The win over Evergreen marked the first action of the season for transfers Stefanie Dalling (Hamer) and Ashley Ward (Murtaugh). Dalling, a junior forward, transferred to Albertson during the winter break from Westminster College in Utah, while Ward, a freshman guard, came to the Lady ‘Yotes from Gonzaga University in Washington. Albertson now has 12 players on its roster, giving head coach Reagan Rossi a few more options in practice and in games.
EASTERN HANDS ALBERTSON FIRST CONFERENCE LOSS: Jaime Jo Cant keyed a 21-6 second half run with a pair of treys as Eastern Oregon ran away from Albertson College, 84-62, in Tuesday’s battle of unbeaten Cascade Conference women’s basketball teams in Quinn Coliseum. Eastern jumped out to a 15-2 lead, as Cant hit two of her five three-point baskets in the run. The Coyotes rallied to within 33-26 at the half, and closed the gap to 39-35 on a Jeannie Thompson basket with 17:08 left, but could not get closer. Thompson led Albertson, tying a career-high with 24 points, 16 coming in the second half. The senior hit 10-of-20 from the floor and added nine rebounds.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: A crucial stretch in the 2001-02 season stares the Lady ‘Yotes in the face. Four straight road games, with three games against teams battling with Albertson and Eastern Oregon for the conference crown, loom ahead. The trip begins Friday night at Concordia University, who faced a similar trip last weekend and came home empty. The Cavaliers (12-7, 4-2), ranked No. 18 in last week’s NAIA Division II poll, were swept on the road by Western Baptist (70-65) and Southern Oregon (90-79), the two teams Albertson will meet next week. First-year head coach Miriam Jenkins had her team to win the CCC in the preseason, thanks in part to a strong returning cast. All-American guard Niecee Madrigal (13.6 ppg), along with posts Amanda Tweedy (14.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and Heather Seyfert (11.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg) give the Cavs a potent attack. Albertson has won the last four meetings with Concordia last year and holds a 10-2 all-time edge. Saturday, the road-show moves down Burnside Street to Cascade College and a meeting with the Thunderbirds (3-16, 2-4). Although the T-Birds struggled with its difficult preseason schedule, first-year head coach Eric Sakshaug has the team positioned for a chance at the sixth and final spot in the CCC postseason tournament. Cascade boasts one of the top newcomers in the league in Becci Randall (11.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg), along with former Concordia guard Imani Mohammed (10.8 ppg). Scoring has been the downfall for the T-Birds, as Cascade averages a conference-worst 49 points a game. Albertson won the only two previous meetings, both last season, by lopsided margins.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Team - Scoring Average (67.7 - 5th in CCC), Scoring Defense (61.9 - 2nd), Field Goal Percentage (.402 - 4th), Three-Point Percentage (.294 - 5th), Free Throw Percentage (.689 - 4th), Rebounds (46.7 - 1st), Rebound Margin (+6.7 - 1st), Blocked Shots (76 - 1st), Turnovers (20.9 - 4th). Individual: Scoring Average (Jeannie Thompson - 15.0), Field Goal Percentage (Kristen Bailey - .476), Three-Point Percentage (Megan Henrichs (Preston) - .444), Free Throw Percentage (Heidi Goicoechea - .900), Rebound Average (Jeannie Thompson - 9.8), Assists (Krystal Thacker (Elko, Nev.) - 48), Steals (Krystal Thacker - 31), Blocked Shots (Kristen Bailey - 46).
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
|
Conference |
Overall |
|||||
|
TEAM |
W |
L |
PCT |
W |
L |
|
|
Eastern Oregon |
6 |
0 |
1.000 |
13 |
1 |
|
|
Albertson |
5 |
1 |
.833 |
12 |
6 |
|
|
Concordia |
4 |
2 |
.667 |
12 |
7 |
|
|
Southern Oregon |
4 |
2 |
.667 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
Western Baptist |
4 |
2 |
.667 |
13 |
8 |
|
|
Cascade |
2 |
4 |
.333 |
3 |
16 |
|
|
Northwest |
1 |
5 |
.167 |
3 |
17 |
|
|
Warner Pacific |
0 |
4 |
.000 |
3 |
15 |
|
|
Evergreen |
0 |
6 |
.000 |
1 |
18 |
|
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm
MEN’S BASKETBALL: 14-8, 4-4 in CCC play
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: Lost 102-95 at Oregon Tech, lost 75-67 at Southern Oregon
THIS WEEK’S GAMES: At Western Baptist, Friday, 8:30 p.m. (MST); at Concordia, Saturday, 8:30 p.m. (MST)
STRUGGLES ABOUND FOR COYOTES: Road woes continue for the Albertson men’s basketball team, the Coyotes saw their losing skid (and road losing streak) move to three games with losses at Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon. With the defeats, the ‘Yotes are now on the outside looking in when it comes to a home playoff berth, as the team sits in a tie for fifth-place in the standings. The losing skid equals the three-game streak Albertson had to begin the 2000-01 season, and is just two off the school-record, set during the 1997-98 campaign.
RALLY COMES UP SHORT AT SOUTHERN: Despite trailing by as many as 21 points in the second half, the ‘Yotes mounted a furious rally Saturday night at Southern Oregon, only to see the Raiders prevail 75-67. Albertson trailed 64-43 with just under ten minutes to play, but outscored the hosts 17-0 over the next seven minutes to get back into the game, including a 14-for-14 performance from the line in the half. Trailing 66-64, junior guard T.J. Caughell buried a 18-footer for the hosts, and following an Albertson turnover, saw post Matt Zosel miss a pair of free throws. The senior grabbed his own miss and put it back in for a 70-64 lead and Southern was never headed. Albertson shot just 4-of-15 from three-point range. It was the first time that the Raiders have beaten Albertson two times in a season (dating back to 1961-62).
CAREER NIGHT WASTED: The loss at Southern spoiled a career scoring performance from guard Dave Webb (Boise). The senior, who had been mired in a shooting slump midway through the season, scored 18 points for the ‘Yotes, one more than he did against Westminster last season. Webb was 5-of-11 from the floor and made 7-of-7 free throws. The Borah High product has seen high field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and scoring average rise during conference play.
GREAT GAME FOR FANS AT TECH: For those who were in attendance at Danny Miles Court or listening on the radio Friday night were treated to a great game – one between two class coaches and two very classy teams. Oregon Tech broke open a close game late in the second half, pulling away for a 102-95 win over the ‘Yotes. Owl forward (and Cascade Conference Player-of-the-Week) LaMont Swinson scored 13 of his 27 points during an eight minute stretch that saw a 66-65 OIT lead balloon to 98-82. It was the second-straight game that Albertson had given up 100 points, the first-time in school history that opponents had posted back-to-back 100 nights against the Coyotes.
CAREER NIGHT WASTED (PART TWO): The Oregon Tech loss was not without another impressive individual performance by center Mike Homik (Hamilton, N.Z.). The senior scored a career-high 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field, working against NCAA Division I transfer Alassane Bakayoko. The Kiwi is among the Top-20 in the NAIA in field goal percentage (.604), and leads the loop in shooting in conference play (.726).
WELCOME BACK TY: The weekend games also featured the return of forward Ty Shaw (Nampa) from injury. The senior tore the ACL in his left knee during the ‘Yotes 82-77 victory over Rocky Mountain on Nov. 17. After missing 12 games, and spending countless hours in the training room, Shaw saw two minutes of action at OIT, and 20 minutes of play at Southern. Against SOU, Shaw showed flashes of his former self, scoring seven points and grabbing five rebounds.
ONE SUCCESS - FREE THROWS: Over the weekend, foul shooting kept the ‘Yotes in position to win both games. Albertson connected on 50-of-58 free throws in the two games, or a 86-percent clip. On the season, the ‘Yotes lead the Cascade Conference in the category (.756 percent), and rank fifth in the NAIA behind Cornerstone of Michigan (.778). Guard Tennison Tripple (Pocatello) extended his consecutive free throw streak to 42, hitting all five of his attempts at Southern Oregon. The senior is just seven makes away from tying Kade Wilson’s school record of 49, set during the 1991-92 season. Tripple is the only player in the Cascade Conference yet to miss a foul shot.
THE ROAD SWING CONTINUES: Two games into the five-game road trip sees Albertson make its first of two flights into Portland International Airport. This Coyotes hope to break their losing ways on Friday night at Western Baptist, whom it defeated 71-56 in December, holding the Salem, Ore. club to a season-low 33-percent shooting clip. The Warriors (17-4, 6-2), much like the Coyotes, went through a tailspin earlier in the year, dropping 3-of-6, but have rebounded to win three-in-a-row. Forward Drew Langstraat has had a monster season for Western, ranking second in the CCC in field goal percentage (.611) and rebounding (9.3), and fifth in scoring average (17.0). Three other players – Nick Plotts (13.4 ppg), Ryan Roberts (12.5) and Mick Jacobsen (12.3) each average in double figures. It marks the 40th meeting between the two clubs, with the Coyotes winning 28 of the previous 39 encounters. Saturday, Albertson heads to Concordia, to meet a much-improved Cavalier club. The Cavs (6-13, 2-6) conference record is a bit deceiving, considering three of their CCC defeats have been by five points or less, and another was in overtime. Concordia led by 11 at halftime in the first meeting between the clubs this season, but a 44-8 second half Albertson run paved the way to an 89-77 win. The Cavaliers are led by forward Keith Childs (20.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg), who is among the top-two in the CCC in both categories. Albertson has won three straight against Concordia, and holds a 30-5 all-time advantage over the Portland school.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Team - Scoring Average (82.0 3rd in CCC), Scoring Defense (76.5 – 6th), Field Goal Percentage (.464 - 6th), Three-Point Percentage (.378 – 3rd), Free Throw Percentage (.756 – 1st), Rebounds (34.3 – 6th), Rebound Margin –2.5 – 7th), Turnovers (13.0 – 1st). Individual: Scoring Average (Neal Robertson (Richland, Wash.) – 16.7), Field Goal Percentage (Mike Homik - .604), Three-Point Percentage (Jon Thomas (Nampa) - .471), Free Throw Percentage (Tennison Tripple – 41-of-41, 1.000), Rebound Average (Eric Hare (San Miguel de Alleude, Mexico) – 7.0), Assists (Kris Cox (Provo, Utah) - 69), Steals (Kris Cox - 38), Blocked Shots (Mike Homik - 27).
CONFERENCE STANDINGS:
|
Conference |
Overall |
|||||
|
TEAM |
W |
L |
PCT |
W |
L |
|
|
Evergreen |
7 |
1 |
.875 |
13 |
5 |
|
|
Western Baptist |
6 |
2 |
.750 |
17 |
4 |
|
|
Oregon Tech |
6 |
2 |
.750 |
16 |
5 |
|
|
Warner Pacific |
5 |
3 |
.625 |
12 |
9 |
|
|
Albertson |
4 |
4 |
.500 |
14 |
8 |
|
|
Cascade |
4 |
4 |
.500 |
12 |
9 |
|
|
Southern Oregon |
3 |
5 |
.375 |
7 |
11 |
|
|
Concordia |
2 |
6 |
.250 |
6 |
13 |
|
|
Northwest |
2 |
6 |
.250 |
6 |
14 |
|
|
Eastern Oregon |
1 |
7 |
.125 |
4 |
11 |
|
ON THE AIR AND INTERNET: All 32 regular season men’s basketball games can be heard live on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford Jr. calling the play-by-play. Catch both weekend games from Oregon, beginning at 8:15 p.m., with the tip-off at 8:30 p.m. If you cannot find a radio or are outside of the KCID listening area, log on your computer to www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mbasketball/profiles/0102/AthleticsLive.asx to listen to the game live via the internet.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.