Inside Sports
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Sports
NBA rookie Raef LaFrentz injured his knee last night in the first quarter of the Nuggets' game.
Kansas Tennis
The Mallaiah sisters provide young talent for the Kansas women's tennis team.
KANSAS TENNIS
Friday
February 26, 1999
Section:
B
Page 1
SEE PAGE 3B
SEE PAGE 2B
Kansas Swimming
Coach Gary Kempf is the Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year after his team finished third at the Big 12 Championships.
SEE PAGE 5B
Contact the Kansan
Sports Desk: (785) 864-4810
Sports Fax: (785) 864-0391
Sports e-mail: sports@ksansan.com
Selfless work is the secret to Johnson's team success
By Matt James
Kansan sportswriter
She isn't the Jayhawks' best shooter. She isn't their fastest runner. She isn't their best ball-handler, and she isn't even close to being Kansas's tallest player.
So why is Jaclyn Johnson one of only three Jayhawks to start all 28 games this season?
While she is a talented athlete, the answer cannot be found on the stat sheet—the only team category she leads is fouls—and it is something far more difficult to measure than sheer numbers.
Johnson may be the Jayhawks' hardest worker; a strong statement on a team where grit and determination are so abundant.
No. 22 Kansas will need every bit of Johnson's hustle and strong inside play when it finishes the regular season at 3 p.m. tomorrow on the road against in-state rival Kansas State.
When the two teams met earlier this season on Jan. 31 in Allen Fieldhouse, an enthusiastic Wildcat fan held a sign that read "Welcome to Bramlage East." He only hold the sign up once during the game, though, as the Jayhawks cruised to a 21-point victory on the strength of Brooke Reves' 23 points. The sign may have seemed ridiculous since K-State hasn't won in Lawrence since 1991, but it served as an ironic reminder of how hard it has been to win on the road in the sunflower showdown.
Admittedly, Kansas should be a heavy favorite in Saturday's game since the Wildcats are a mere 13-12 overall and a disappointing 6-9 in Big 12 Conference play, but the Kansas women's team doesn't share the same dominance as the men's team has in the rivalry.
In fact, Kansas State is the only former Big Eight school against which the Jayhawks don't hold an all-time series advantage, and the overachieving Wildcats beat the Jayhawks last year at Bramlage 53-47, a game in which only Johnson was able to score in double-digits.
What may be most impressive about Johnson this season is her ability to adjust her play to the team's needs. She averaged nearly 10 points per game last year as a freshman, but has taken significantly fewer shots and worked hard in other areas as this year's team has taken shape.
See JOHNSON'S on page 3B
Victory against Cyclones would secure No.2 seed
By Kevin C. Wilson Kansan sportswriter
However, the winning streak will not be the only thing at stake when the Jayhawks, 19-8 overall and 11-4 in the Big 12 Conference. travel to Ames.
The Kansas Jayhawks will look to continue their three-game winning streak at 1 p.m. Sunday when they close out their regular season schedule at Iowa State.
Although Texas wrapped up the conference title Wednesday, the Jayhawks can clinch second place in the Big 12 and secure the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament if they defeat the Cyclones.
Kansas center Eric Chenwith said although the Jayhawks were disappointed they didn't win their fifth straight conference title, it was not the end of the world.
"We really wanted to win the Big 12," Chenwith said. "But we're going to have the No. 2 seed so hopefully we can see Texas again in the Big 12 Tournament."
Before the Jayhawks can set their sights on the tournament championship, they must dispose of a struggling Cyclone team. Iowa State, 14-14 overall and 5-10 in the Big 12, has lost six of its last seven games under first-year coach Larry Eustachy, including a 75-64 loss Wednesday at Missouri.
Kansas has won the last six games against the Cyclones, but if it wants to continue that streak the Jayhawks will have to contain forward Marcus Fizer. The 6-8 ophomore is the second leading scorer in the Big 12, averaging 18.1 points per game in league play. He is tied for seventh in the conference in rebounding, pulling down 7.7 boards. He scored 23 points Jan. 9 in the Jayhawks' 74-60 victory against Iowa State.
"He is the focal point of their offense," Williams said. "He's having another very, very good year. He's a tough match-up for us because if you put size on him he can take you outside and drive on you. If you put a smaller person on him, he has the ability to take you inside."
Williams also said the Cyclones would try to shorten the game with a deliberately slow-paced attack.
"Their style of play is something else that you have to talk about because they try to use clock and limit the number of possessions in a game," Williams said. "That means we're going to have to play defense for a longer period of time and then you've got to be more efficient on the offend."
Although the Jayhawks have already clinched a bye in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament and appear to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament, Kansas sophomore Jeff Carey said they would not overlook the Cyclones.
"The game is just as important as any other one," Carey said. "It is important for us to go out and play hard and do the best we can to get some momentum going into the tournament."
After sitting through 11 Senior Nights as the Jayhawks head basketball coach, Williams will have the opportunity Saturday to experience one as a parent. His son Scott will be playing in his final game for North Carolina when the Tar Heels take on Duke at 8 p.m.
"I'll be so happy for him," Williams said. "He's really had a great experience and enjoyed the heck out of it. It's almost impossible to have a better college experience than he's had. The only negative is that I've had to pay for most of it."
— Edited by Aerica Veazey
Eric Chenowith, Kansos center, makes a dunk over an Oklahoma State defender. The Jayhawks will take on the Iowa State Cyclones this Sunday afternoon in Ames, Iowa, and needs to win to secure the No. 2 spot in the Big 12 Tournament. Photo by Dan Elavsky/KANSAN.
The Starting Lineup
KANSAS
JAYHAWKS
11-4 Big 12, 19-8 overall
G  RYAN ROBERTSON 6-5 SR.
G  JEEF BOSCHEE 6-1 FR.
F  NICK BRADFORD 6-6 JR.
F  T.J. PUGH 6-8 SR.
F  ERIC CHENOWITH 7-0 So.
G RODNEY HAMPTON 6-2 JR.
M GICHAEL NURSE 5-11 JR.
F MARCUS FIZER 6-8 So.
STEVIE JOHNSON 6-4 JR.
F MARTIN RANCIK 6-9 S0.
IOWA STATE CYCLONES 5-10 Big 12. 14-14 overall
Hilton Coliseum • Ames, Iowa, 1:05 p.m. • Radio: Javhawk Radio Network, 105.9 • TV: CBS, Ch, 5
Track to get last chance for NCAA qualification
Kansan Sportswriter
Bv Mike Miller
He had not lost a race all season, and the Emporia senior had won the first conference title of his career. Smiling, sweating and relishing the gold medal hanging around his neck, he could only think of two things: how great the win felt and what was next.
Forty minutes later, his prediction came true as sophomore Charlie Gruber won the 1,000-meter run. It was his first conference title and the first time he had ever fulfilled a prediction. Never mind it was his roommate and best friend making the prediction.
Winning the mile run at last weekend's Big 12 Championships left Kevin McGinn numped up.
"Make sure you watch Charlie in the 1,000," McGinn said, a grin spreading across his face. "He's going to win that."
"It's been great having other runners as my roommates." Gruber said. "It makes it easier to get up for morning practice and keeps me from doing stuff I shouldn't."
When Gruber and sophomore Brian Blachly were looking for a roommate last year, they learned that McGinn was looking for a place to live.-The three moved into an apartment, and the situation seemed like a natural fit.
The possible friendships were one of the reasons Gruber came to Kansas in the first place. He grew up in Avrada, Colo., and was heavily recruited by
"There was no clear cut reason to come here really," Gruber said. "I just liked the guys here and went with my gut feeling."
Colorado State University, but Gruber said he felt it was time to get out of Colorado.
"He's done a great job with us," Gruber said. "Kevin and I have believed in the training and the season. And I think that's very important to have a coach that you have confidence in."
They both are close to head track coach Gary Schwartz and are quick to praise him, both as a person and a coach.
McGinn, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, appreciates the loyalty shown to him.
"He's been great. He's stuck with me through injuries and I'm pretty grateful for that." McGinn said.
As middle-distance runners for the Kansas track team, Gruber and McGinn have been consistent scorers for the team throughout the indoor season. But despite their regular season indoor success, they were not overwhelming favorites to win last weekend.
"We knew coming in that they were capable of being conference champs." Schwartz said. "The difference is that they believed that they could do it."
Now with the indoor track season all
but over, the team's focus turns to the second most important race of the season: the last chance to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
The team competes at Iowa State today.
Because athletes must qualify by time or mark for the NCAA Championships, winning races becomes secondary to a fast time.
Other athletes competing at the meet are sophomore hurdler Eric Patterson, senior pole vaulter Colby Miller, junior pole vaulter Garrett Attig, sophomore pole vaulter Greg Steele, senior triple jumper Lester Smith, sophomore pole vaulter Andrea Branson, freshman pole vaulter Shannon Agee and sophomore threater Scott Russell.
The Iowa State meet has been a hot topic of conversation at McGinn and Gruber's apartment.
"Any other race I've just wanted to win and a fast time was secondary," McGinn said. "This weekend if I were to win and run slow, I'd be disappointed. But if I ran a 4:04 and was eighth, I'd be pretty happy."
Gruber not only wants to qualify for nationals. He also wants a piece of Kansas track history.
"I'm just gonna go for it all and try to pop a huge one," Gruber said.
- Edited by Liz Wristen
Baseball team ready to face its 'toughest opponent yet'
By Matt Tait
Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas baseball team, 2-5 overall, will travel to Texas Tech to face the 17th-ranked Red Raiders.
This weekend, half of the baseball teams in the Big 12 Conference will begin the battle for the conference title.
The three-game series marks the end of a three-series road trip, but head coach Bobby Randall said the Jayhawks would face their toughest opponent yet.
There is reason for optimism going into the first game of the series — the Jayhawks will place junior Rusty Philbrick (1-0) aton the mound.
"They're a good team, a very good team," Randall said. "But we will use the same preparation with them as we would with the 222nd ranked team, or the first."
Philbrick, who ranks second on the
team with a 4.91 ERA and leads the team with 11 strikeouts, has pitched well in both of his appearances this season. In the season-opening win at Texas-Arlington.
Philbrick pitched four innings and struck out six. In his second performance, against Pacific, he pitched seven innings and struck out five batters but received a no-decision because the team lost the game.
Randall said that for the team to have success this weekend, it would have to stay focused and execute.
"We've got to play better baseball and improve by a dramatic amount." Randall said. "We've got to expect to play well and do well."
Texas Tech features a powerful lineup led by one of the nation's best catchers, Josh Bard, the younger brother of Kansas assistant coach Mike Bard. Joining Bard is one of the country's finest pitchers, hard-throwing senior Shane Wright. Wright will start opposite Philbrick in the first game of the series.
Philbrick said he agreed with Randall that the team needed to play better. He stressed that while the Red Raiders were a top-notch team, he and the rest of the team needed to approach this series as they would any other.
"All around, I treat them like any other team," Philbrick said. "I know I can't make as many mistakes and get away with it, and I know I have to keep the ball down and throw strikes."
Randall said he expected Philbrick to do just that, especially since the game marked the first of Big 12 play for the Jayhawks.
"This isn't the end of the world or anything like that, but the conference is more difficult and there is a lot more at stake." Randall said.
Third basemen Sparky Wilhelm said that he felt this series was just what the team needed.
"Our confidence is pretty good right now, and we had a good week of practice." Wilhelm said. "I think this is what we need, a big conference game to forget about what happened, and focus on what we can do."
The team will have outfielders Brett Kappelmann and Harrison Hill back from injury. But the Jayhawks will be without pitcher Brian Schriner, who is expected to be out 10 days with a sore arm.
The rest of the Jayhawks' lineup will remain the same.
Seniors Colin Call and Chris Williams are scheduled to pitch the other two games of the series. Game One will begin at 3 p.m. today.
4
- Edited by Kelli Raybern