(To subscribe to ‘Yotes Notes, email Mike Safford Jr. at msafford@albertson.edu or call (208) 459-5681)
GENERAL ATHLETIC NEWS:
HAPPY 2002: To all of the Albertson College students, staff, boosters, and the ‘Yotes media outlets, the athletic department wishes each of you a Happy New Year to you and your families.
ALPINE SKIING:
LATEST SNOW REPORTS: At Brundage Mountain (site of the Albertson College Invitational, January 12-13) - no new snow, 60 inch base; at Bogus Basin (site of the USCSA Western Regional Championships), 1 inch of new snow, 54-55 inch base.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: 8-5
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: At Concordia Holiday Classic - defeated Bethany (99-36), lost to Concordia (58-54)
THIS WEEK’S GAMES: Host Southern Oregon, Friday, 5:30 p.m.; host Western Baptist, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
RECORD FALLS IN CALIFORNIA: The Albertson offense exploded last Friday afternoon as the Lady ’Yotes ran to a 60-17 halftime lead, en route to a 99-36 win over Bethany of California. Five different Coyotes scored in double figures, led by sophomore Heidi Goicoechea (Burley), who scored 23 points. As a team, Albertson broke a school record for rebounds in a game with 67, one more than they had against the same Bethany team in 1998. The 63 point margin of victory was the most by the Lady ’Yotes since a 102-17 victory over Maine-Fort Kent last year.
HENRICHS NAMED PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK, AGAIN: After earning a Cascade Conference Player-of-the-Week nod after an outstanding performance at the Great Falls Tournament, Megan Henrichs (Preston) decided once was not enough. Henrichs was consistent at the Concordia tournament, consistent enough to win her second award from the women’s basketball voting committee. The junior averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds in the Lady ‘Yotes two games. She currently ranks third in the CCC in rebound average (7.9), and seventh in both scoring average (13.6) and field goal percentage (.482).
BIG NIGHT FOR BAILEY: Head coach Reagan Rossi has been looking for post Kristen Bailey (Fountain Green, Utah) to begin to assert herself as an offensive force. The junior had a breakout game against Bethany, scoring a season-high 19 points, to go along with 17 rebounds. The 17 boards were two off Alyson Pincock’s school record of 19. Bailey currently leads the Cascade Conference in blocked shots with 27, and is sixth in both rebounding average (7.1) and field goal percentage (.484).
YOUNGSTERS GET TO PLAY: In the rout, Rossi was able to play all ten players on her roster for extended minutes for the first time this season. Sophomore guard Carley Williams (Boise) was 4-for-4 from the field, including three treys, for a career high 11 points. Equally impressive was fellow sophomore Tia Sinclair (Boise), who had career highs with eight points and seven rebounds. Freshmen Andra Peterson (Boise) and Heather Olson (Salmon) also got into the act. Peterson, who has started the last three games with an injury to senior Jeannie Thompson (Everett, Wash.), scored ten points and pulled down 12 rebounds, while Olson scored her first collegiate points in the second half. Peterson also recorded seven steals in the championship game against Concordia, the most steals by a ‘Yote player this season.
‘YOTES FALL IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: After rallying from an 11-point second half deficit, a critical intentional foul call within the final minute allowed host Concordia-Irvine to escape with a 58-54 victory in Saturday’s championship game. Although the Coyotes out boarded the NAIA Division I hosts 49-32, a 18-for-53 shooting performance eventually did Albertson in.
INJURY REPORT: Albertson was without the services of Jeannie Thompson who has missed the past three games with a stress fracture in her foot. She is questionable for this week’s games against Southern Oregon and Western Baptist. Thompson leads the CCC in rebounding average (9.6) and is third in scoring average (14.3). Also questionable this weekend is back-up post Jan Marchiano (Martinez, Calif.). The senior sustained a concussion in the win over Bethany and did not play in the loss to Concordia. Marchiano is tied for third in the CCC with 10 blocks this season.
WELCOME HOME: After logging 5,502 miles in buses and planes over the past month, the Lady ‘Yotes finally return home after a six-game road trip. Up first for the squad is Southern Oregon (6-6, 2-0), currently in a three-way tie atop the conference. The Raiders record is a bit deceiving, considering of their six losses, none came to a team with a losing record (two to NAIA No. 10 Holy Names, two to NCAA II Western Oregon, one each to Chico State and Pacific Lutheran). SOU has won eight of the previous 14 meetings, but the Lady ‘Yotes have won the last four in a row. Saturday, Western Baptist (10-6, 2-0) makes their first trip to Caldwell since upsetting the Coyotes in the CCC tournament last year. Eighth-year head coach Terry Williams was dealt a blow early in the season, losing NCCAA All-American Kylie Miller to a knee injury, but the team has persevered, winning 6-of-7, joining Southern as a conference leader. Albertson leads the all-time series with a 10-5 record.
NOTE CHANGE IN GAME TIME: Because of a double-header with the men’s team this weekend, both women’s games will be played at 5:30 p.m., instead of the typical 7 p.m. starting time.
DON’T MISS SATURDAY NIGHT’S FESTIVITIES: Following the conclusion of Saturday’s game with Western Baptist, Albertson College will honor the 2000-01 women’s basketball team for their accomplishments - winning their first-ever Cascade Conference regular-season title, and advancing to the NAIA Championship game. In attendance will be former Coyote coach Todd Corman, along with former players Alyson Pincock and Linsi Sloan. A banner commemorating the season will be unveiled, along with recognition of Pincock and Sloan as the newest members of the coveted 1,000 point club.
CASCADE CONFERENCE STANDINGS: Concordia (2-0 CCC, 10-5 overall), Western Baptist (2-0, 10-6), Southern Oregon (2-0, 6-6), Eastern Oregon (1-0, 8-1), Albertson (1-0, 8-5), Cascade (0-1, 1-13), Northwest (0-2, 2-14), Evergreen (0-2, 1-14), Warner Pacific (0-3, 2-13).
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm
MEN’S BASKETBALL: 13-5
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS: Defeated Northwest (89-75), lost to Evergreen (89-82)
THIS WEEK’S GAMES: Host Warner Pacific, Friday, 7:30 p.m.; host Cascade, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
‘YOTES CLAMMED UP AT EVERGREEN: After trailing by as many as 12 points Saturday night at Evergreen, a 9-0 second half run rallied Albertson back into the game. However, offensive and defensive lapses occurred down the stretch, as the Coyotes suffered their first Cascade Conference loss of the season, an 89-82 decision to the Geoducks. A Tennison Tripple (Pocatello) three tied the game at 54-54, and a Dave Webb (Boise) three-point play gave the ‘Yotes their first lead at 61-60 with just over ten minutes left. However, on subsequent possessions, Albertson did not run the intended play bellowed by head coach Mark Owen, and let Evergreen’s Andre Stewart rattle of seven straight points for the hosts, giving the Geoducks an advantage they never relinquished.
ALBERTSON RALLIES PAST NORTHWEST: In four previous trips to the Northwest Pavilion, the ‘Yotes managed just a 2-2 record. Last Friday, it was just as tough, as the squad rallied from a six-point halftime deficit to stop Northwest College 89-75. Kris Cox (Provo, Utah) and Neal Robertson (Richland, Wash.) combined for 35 second half points for the Coyotes.
ROBERTSON FINDS HIS STROKE: The senior guard had his best weekend of the season, averaging 23 points, along with nine rebounds and assists. More importantly, however, was the fact that the his long-range artillery found the target - hitting 9-of-15 three point attempts. Robertson leads the CCC with 3.28 treys a game and is fifth in scoring average (16.8).
STRANGE STAT: Here is a strange stat for you - Albertson’s record when post Mike Homik (Hamilton, N.Z.) scores more than 20 points in a game - 0-3. The ‘Yotes have tainted “Kiwi’s” big games with a loss, including a 23 point, 14 rebound night against Evergreen on Saturday. In the game, the senior was 11-of-14 from the floor. Homik is among the top-ten in the CCC in rebounding, field goal percentage, and blocked shots.
PICTURE PERFECT: With a pair of free throws against Northwest, senior Tennison Tripple has now converted 35 consecutive charity tosses. He is the only player in the conference yet to miss a free throw (Southern Oregon guard Moses Olson hit his first 27-in-a-row before missing last weekend) and is 14 makes away from tying the school-record of 49 set by Kade Wilson.
CONFERENCE LEADER COMES TO TOWN: It isn’t No. 4 ranked Oregon Tech, or No. 11 Western Baptist, nor Albertson leading the CCC. It’s upstart Warner Pacific (3-0, 10-6) who dons the hat of the leader coming into this Friday’s game in Caldwell. The Knights staked claim at the top spot with an impressive 88-74 win over OIT on Saturday, a game in which they led by as many as 29 points. Guard Andrew Twiss (18.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and forward Matt Segrin (14.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg) lead Bart Valentine’s squad, which has won three in a row. Warner has dropped nine consecutive games to Albertson, and has won just 2-of-15 meetings with the ‘Yotes since 1983. On Saturday, the Coyotes hope to take care of business against much improved Cascade (1-2, 9-7). The Thunderbirds finished in the basement of the CCC last year, but opened up the 2001-02 campaign 5-1, including a 94-91 upset of Western Washington, ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division II. Second-year head coach Craig Moody tips his cap towards transfers Will Walker (16.2 ppg) and Ronald Patterson (10.0 ppg) as major reasons for the success. Cascade (formally Columbia Christian) has struggled over the years against the ‘Yotes, holding a 2-25 record against Albertson.
CONFERENCE STANDINGS: Warner Pacific (3-0 CCC, 10-6 overall), Oregon Tech (3-1, 13-4), Albertson (3-1, 13-5), Evergreen (3-1, 9-5), Western Baptist (2-1, 13-3), Northwest (2-2, 6-10), Cascade (1-2, 9-7), Eastern Oregon (1-3, 4-7), Concordia (0-3, 4-9), Southern Oregon (0-4, 4-10)
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. Both games this weekend will be on the air, with the pregame show beginning at 7:15 p.m., with the tip-off at 7:30 p.m. A return to the internet for the broadcasts should take place this weekend, which will allow those Coyote fans outside the KCID listening area to hear the action. Log onto the men’s basketball website to find the direct link to the broadcast.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm