SPORTS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Monday, January 24, 1996
9
SPORTS EDITOR
KU guard prevails after tough year
Kansas freshman guard Tamecka Dixon moves the ball past Oklahoma State's Amy Scales and Cheri Westervelt. Dixon scored four points in yesterday's 79-68 victory.
Everyone faces adversity. And sometimes, only the strong-minded can overcome it. One year ago today, fate piled up a ton of that adversity and threw it upon the back of Jarod Haase.
Like most players in that situation, Haase blamed himself for the loss. He ignored the statistics next to his name that listed his 19 points, five steals, four assists and two three-pointers.
Hase, a sophomore shooting guard on the Kansas basketball team, played last season for California. Under NCAA transfer rules, he can practice but not play this season, and he will begin his final three years of playing eligibility next fall.
Since the Golden Bears played USC on Friday and UCLA Sunday, they decided to stay in Los Angeles rather than fly back to Berkeley for just one day off. The morning following the USC game, an assistant coach talked to Haase in his hotel room.
"That was quite a weekend," Haase said. "We played at USC, and I was playing the game of my life. Down the stretch, I hit a bunch of shots. Then I went up for a rebound and was called for a foul. USC hit the two free throws and won the game."
During a three-day span one year ago, situations both within and beyond Haase's control brought him frustration, heartbreak and ultimately victory.
Hase learned then his father, Gary, had died the night before.
Gary Haase had been hospitalized with an infection in his foot. The infection spread throughout his body, attacked the spleen, and rapidly — and surprisingly — killed him.
"That night, my mom and my sister went by the hospital and saw my dad, and the people there said that my dad would be fine," Haase said. "They went down to watch my brother's game. When they called back the hospital, they said that they'd better get back there. There was nothing they could do."
Haase's brother, Steven, was a senior basketball player for the Air Force Academy last season. While Jarod played against USC, Steven played a game at Fresno State.
Kansas downs Oklahoma State
The news of his father's death shocked Haase. While the loss to USC must have seemed like a distant memory, the Golden Bears still had a game to play the following night.
"I decided to stay one extra day down in LA. I play against UCLA, mainly because I think my dad would have wanted me to play in that game," Haase said. "And I was just fortunate enough to play well in that game."
Haase scored 16 points and had five assists in that game. He made three of three-pointers in 30 minutes of play. USA Today called it the "Most Courageous Performance of the Season."
Gary Haase never pressured his children into athletics. He did, however, encourage and cheer them on. Two of his sons became basketball players. Two of his daughters and another son became All-American cross country skiers.
"He wasn't a high school coach or anything, and he didn't know a whole lot about the game," Jerod Haase said of his father's basketball interest. "But he was probably the biggest fan ever. He never, ever said, 'I want you to score a lot of points.' He never put any pressure on me."
In the last year's NCAA Tournament, Haase learned first-hand about big-time college basketball. Against Duke, Haase scored 13 points and made three of four three-pointers. Ironically, Haase's last game as a Golden Bear came the following week against Kansas. Haase finished with 10 points in the loss to the Jayhawks.
And Haase, who finished his freshman season averaging 7.2 points a gam, will fit in well with the Jayhawks. With guard Steve Woodberry a senior, Haase could find himself starting alongside Jacque Vaughn. Instead of being part of the best freshman backcourt, as he was with Kidd, he'll be part of the best sophomore backcourt with Vaughn.
"It was a different feeling playing against them," Haase said of Duke and Kansas. "The level of intensity was much higher."
"I try not to be arrogant or anything on the court," Haase said, "but I feel like I can play against anybody and with anybody."
As he proved last year, Haase has the work ethic and desire to fight through adversity. In a sense, he's already won the most important game of his life.
By Matt Siegel
Kansan sportswriter
While most sports fans watched the Kansas City Chiefs lose to the Buffalo Bills, the No. 8 Kansas women's basketball team continued to take care of business and improved its winning streak to 10 games. A crowd of 300 watched Kansas dismantle Oklahoma State 79-68.
Kansas held Oklahoma State to 37.5 percent shooting from the field and forced 18 turnovers. Oklahoma State didn't pass the 30-point mark until 15:40 remained in the second half.
"I think that we work hard to try to keep pressure where we can," Kansas coach Marian Washington said. "I told them yesterday that it had been a long time since anyone had shot better than 40 percent against us. We take a lot of pride in that."
The Jayhawks were down 8-7 early, but the Kansas defense sparked a 12-0 run and propelled the Hawks to a 38-21 halftime lead. In the second half it was more of the same. The defense held off a late run by Oklahoma State. Kansas led 62-49 with 5:52 left. Several times Oklahoma State was able to creep within six points but never got any closer.
ing 24 points. Kansas sophomore guard Charisse Sampson added 20. Oklahoma was led by sophomore forward Etta Maytuby's 28 points. The Jayhawks received an unexpected boost from senior center Lisa Tate. Tate, who is averaging 8.6 rebounds a
Kansas junior forward Angela Aycock's performance was one of the Aeycocks Oklahoma State was not able to close the gap any further. She led all scorers with 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. It was the fifth time this season she finished with double figures in scoring and rebounding.
"Angie stepped up like she needed to and took charge," Washington said. "She is just a tremendous player."
game, played despite feeling flu-like symptoms, and managed to log 25 minutes of playing time. She scored 12 points and had five rebounds.
"Itried to stay away from it," Aycock said. "A lot of the physical play was down low, and I figured that if I didn't go down there, I wouldn't get bumped around as much. I really tried to keep the offense spread out so if anything were to happen, it would be obvious."
"I was basically just going to come in and play a couple of minutes and sit down." Tate said. "I knew that my
Aycock stepped up late in the game, scoring 10 points in the final 3 minutes and 17 of her 23 points in the second half. In what the players and the coaches said was a physical game, Kansas' pressure defense came up with 13 steals. In addition, the Jayhawks had three players finish with double figure scores, while outbounding Oklahoma State 30-22. Both teams combined for 45 fouls.
What is becoming increasingly obvious is that Kansas is difficult to beat
anywhere. The Jayhawks improved their conference record to 6-0 and now stand 15-1 overall. They are 6-1 on the road, 7-0 at home and 2-0 at a neutral sight.
On Friday night, Kansas defeated Oklahoma 85-78. The Kansas defense wreaked havoc for the Oklahoma Sooners by forcing 30 turnovers. Once again Aycock led the way, scor-
The Jayhawks don't play again until Sunday at home against Kansas State. The game has been moved from 5:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. to accommodate the Super Bowl, which starts at 5 p.m.
teammates needed me, and I figured I could rest after the game."
Kansas 79 Oklahoma State 68
OVI ANOMA STATE (10-4.2-3)
OKLAHOMA STATE (10-4, 2-3)
Wensler 4-6 0-1 8
Coffey 6-12 6-9 19
Westervelt 6-17 5-8 17
York 3-11 2-4 8
Scales 4-11 0-0 8
Lee 0-2 5-6 5
Smith 1-4 0-0 3
Day 0-1 0-0 0
Totals 24-64 18-28 68
KANSAS (15-1.6-0)
Player
Aycock 8-15 fgm/fga ftm/taa tp
Trapp 2-4 7-10 4
Tate 3-6 3-4 9
Sampson 6-11 5-7 18
Muncy 0-2 0-2 0
Slatter 3-4 2-3 8
Halbleib 5-10 0-0 13
Leathers 0-0 0-0 0
Dixon 1-4 2-4 4
Canada 0-0 0-0 0
Totals 28-55 19-30 79
Haliftei Kansas 38 Oklahoma State 21 9-point goals Kansas 38 Oklahoma State 29 (Coffe) 1-3, York 0-2, Lee 0-2, Smith 1-1, Day 0-1), Kansas 4-9 (Kampion) 1-4, Halibie 3-8)
Rebounds OSU 39 (Westenstein 14), Kansas 44 (Sampson 15) ASateus OSU 12 (York), Kansas 19 (Muncy 7) Total fouls OSU 22,
Kansas 23 Attendance 300
Kansas 78 Iowa State 71
KANSAS (17-2, 2-1)
Player fgm/fga ftm/ta tp
Vaughn 3-7 4-5 10
Woodberry 5-9 2-2 13
Richey 2-6 5-6 9
Scott 5-8 5-8 15
Ostertag 6-9 4-4 16
Pollard 1-3 2-2 4
Rayford 0-0 0-0 0
Gurley 1-2 0-0 2
Pearson 1-3 1-2 4
Williams 2-5 1-2 5
Totals 26-52 24-31 78
IOWA STATE (9-5, 0-4)
Holloway 1-3 0-0 3
Holberg 4-12 8-10 18
Hamilton 0-2 2-6 2
Michalik 8-17 6-7 22
Carlson 2-2 5-6 9
Kimbrough 2-2 0-0 0
Beechum 4-10 3-4 12
Hayes 0-2 0-0 0
Bivens 0-1 0-0 0
Hill 0-0 0-0 0
Modderman 2-2 0-0 5
Jackson 0-1 0-0 0
**Totals** **21-54** **24-33** **71**
Halifine Kansas 43 Iowa state 39-point goal
kansas 27 (Vaughn 0, Richey 0,
Woodbury 1,2, Pearson 1,2, Gurley 0,1,
 Iowa state 5-14 (Modernder 1,1, Hayes 0,
1, Holloway 1,1, Hamilton 0,1, Holberg 2,6,
Beechum 1-5) *Rebounds* Kansas 40
(Richey 9), Iowa state 27 (Carlson 7)
Assists Kansas 19 (Woodberry 6), Iowa
State 13 (Holloway 5) *Total fours* Kansas
25, Iowa state 23 *Attendance* 14,373
Jayhawks succeed at Iowa State
Woodberry key to 78-71 victory over Cyclones
Valerie Bontrager/ KANSAN
By Gerry Fey
Kansan sportswriter
AMES, Iowa — As basketball fans made their way to the Kansas-Iowa State men's game Saturday, a dense fog surrounded Hilton Coliseum, a place where the Jayhawks have not found much success in recent years.
Although No. 1 Kansas leads the
alternate series at Ames 53-31, Kansas
coach Roy Williams was only 2-3 on
the coliseum before Saturday's game.
Patrick Richey, senior forward, battles against Iowa State's James Hamilton, junior forward, to get the ball to an open man.
The fog lifted for the Jayhawks in more ways than one during the afternoon as they escaped Ames with a 78-71 victory, their first there since 1991.
"Things don't come easy in the Big Eight, whether you're at home or on the road," Williams said. "It was really a team victory. And I know that sounds corny, but that's exactly what it was."
Kansas improved its record to 17-2 and 2-1 in the Big Eight Conference, while the Cyclones dropped to 9-5 and 0-4.
In the first half, Kansas went to its strength in the middle with junior center Greg Ostertag scoring eight points and senior forward Richard Scott adding seven.
Kansas freshman forward Nick Proud did not suit up because of a strained right knee. He is listed as day-to-day.
Scott was playing with a slight headache Saturday from a mild concussion he suffered last Monday against Kansas State. He had 15 points and five rebounds, but Williams said Scott still was not fully recovered.
Despite the injuries, Williams said
the Jayhawks were stronger than the Cyclones inside. Iowa State was without their starting center, 6-foot-11 junior Loren Meyer, who broke his collarbone last week in an auto accident.
"That's been our emphasis all year," Williams said. "We can't be the team we want to be if we don't go inside." I rather go inside every possession."
Kansas was strong inside, but Iowa State junior forward Hurl Beechum cut Kansas 's head to 43-39 on a three-point basket just before halftime.
Ostertag said the game plan was to get the ball into the middle. Ostertag ended the game with a season-high 16 points, but he only had one rebound.
"We did want to go inside all game," Ostertag said. "We knew they were't as strong inside without Meyer."
The 7-2 Kansas center led the team in scoring, but it was the play of Kansas guard Steve Woodberry that continually shut down Iowa State rally. Woodbury ended with 13 points and a team-high six assists.
"I think Steve was sensational," Williams said. "He doesn't mind the feeling of wanting to hit that big shot. Other guys look for him, and he likes that role."
"I don't even look at that," Woodbery said of his role. "I just go out there and play."
Woodberry said being the go-to guy on the team did not affect him.
Iowa State junior forward Julius Michalik had a game-high 22 points, 14 of which came in the second half.
Michaikli scored all of Iowa State's points during an 11-4 run, including hitting two free throws with 12:16 left in the game. Those shots gave the Cyclones a 50-49 lead, their first and only lead of the game.
"I thought they were really ready to play," Williams said of Iowa State. "We got them by 10 a couple times in the first half, and those kids wouldn't give in. Michalik was tough for us in
the second half. Early in the second half, he was Iowa State."
After Iowa State tied the game 55-55 with 7:25 left, Kansas went on a run of its own. The Jayhawks outscored the Cyclones 16-5 and never relinquished the lead after that.
Kansas freshman guard Jacque Vaughn's play during the run was a key. He scored five points and two assists in that time, including a one-handed pass to senior forward
Patrick Richey as Vaughn was falling for a lay-up. Vaughn ended with 10 points and five assists.
"I'm going to enjoy the heck out of this," he said of the victory. "And we'll worry about Oklahoma State starting tomorrow."
Kansas' next opponent will be Oklahoma State on Wednesday, but Williams said after the game that he was not even thinking about it.
Freshman get chance to learn on the road
Kansas' experienced basketball players know how hard it is to win on the road in the Big Eight Conferences, but Saturday's game in Ames, Iowa, was the first conference road game for the Jayhawk freshmen.
Kansan staff report
A capacity crowd of 14,373 in Hilton Coliseum watched No. 1 Kansas defeat Iowa State 78-71. At times, Kansas coach Roy Williams said the crowd was loud enough to disrupt the Kansas offense.
"In the first half we did some awfully dumb words," Williams said. "We were trying to call a set play, and we've got three guys running one play and two guys running another. The crowd was so loud that the kids couldn't hear what was being said."
All of the Kansas freshmen played more than 15 minutes of the game, with the exception of forward Nick Proud who did not suit up because of a strained knee.
Freshman guard Jacque Vaughn who had 10 points and five assists Saturday, said the road games were all he thought they would be.
"It was everything that my seniors have been telling me about." Vaughn said. "That it's hard, that the crowd goes wild."
Williams said he was happy to see Vaughn performing so well in the conference.
"I thought Jacque was sensational down the stretch," Williams said. "The reason you recruit kids like that is that you hope you can get them and that they can transfer that from the high school level to the college level."