Sports
University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, November 9, 1988
11
Early signing period to begin
Jordan will be Williams' first recruit
By Mike Considine Special to the Kansan
Adonis Jordan today will become the first player to sign a national letter of intend under Kansas men's basketball coach Roy Williams.
However, the other half of a projected dream backcourt has put his decision on hold.
Harold Miner, a 6-foot-51'2 swingman from Inglewood (Calif.) High School, and Jordan of Reseda (Calif.) Cleveland High School were expected to sign national letters of intent to attend Kansas.
"The word was that they were Kansas' dream backcourt," Gibbons added.
Gibbons ranked Miner 33rd and Joelson nationally among high school seniors.
Today is the start of a one-week early signing period for high school and junior college basketball recruits.
Bob Gibbons of All-Star Sports Publications said Jordan and Miner were two of Kansas' top recruiting targets this season.
Jordan verbally committed to Kansas last Thursday. Cleveland coach Bob Braswell confirmed the 6-foot plan to make it official today.
Inglewood coach Vincent Combs said late Monday that Miner probably would commit to Kansas today. The team's combs said Miner had decided to wait.
he was not made up his mind," Combs said. "It doesn't look like he's going to commit tomorrow."
Miner's final four schools are Kan-
kensburg, Pittsburgh and
UCLA. Corbis said.
Combs, a veteran coach, said
Miner compared favorably with past Inglewood stars Reggie Theus and Jav Humphries.
"Without a doubt, at this stage," Combs said, "he's probably a year ahead of those kids."
Humphries and Theus play in the National Basketball Association. Theus is a 6-4 off guard with the Atlanta Hawks. Humphries starts at point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Although Miner will play the point for Inglewood this season, his best college positions probably will be forward and off guard. Cambs said.
"He can play the post, the wing and the baseline." Combs said. "This year I'm going to run him at the point to give him a little more work on his wing. He needs to play a little more (defense), but we're working on that."
Combs said Miner had NBA three-point 'shooting range. He made 65 percent of his field goal attempts and 40 percent of goal throws as a junior at Antlewood.
Miner averaged 27.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.2 steals and two assists. Three players scored on his ages at Reseda Cleveland were 17 points, 14 assists and seven steals.
"Right now, he's really wide open," Brassell said. "If his visit turns out well, maybe he and Adonis would want to go there together."
If Miner decides not to attend Kansas, the Jayhawks could sign Lucious Harris, Jordan's teammate. Braswell said Harris would not attend Kansas if Miner signed with the Jayhawks.
Harris is scheduled to visit Kansas this weekend. He has visited Loyola Marymount, Providence, Arizona State and Texas-Ell Paso.
Harris, like Miner, can play forward and guard at 6-5, 175 pounds. He averaged 17.3 points and 13 rebounds last year.
Jordan and Miner visited Kansas together last month during "Later" season.
The Kansas women's basketball team likely will sign at least two recruits during the early signing period beginning today and ending Nov. 16.
Women likely to sign two recruits soon
By Ken Winford Kansan sportswriter
Shannon Kite, a 5-foot-11 guard, from Elk Horn, Iowa, said she planned to sign a national letter of intent with the Jayhawks tomorrow at Elk Horn-Kimballtion High School.
Kite, who chose Kansas over Brigham Young, South Dakota and Augusta, said she made her decision after a visit to the KU campus.
Misti Chenault, a 6-foot-2 wing player from Eleno, Reno, Alaska, she would visit Lawrence this weekend and would sign with Kansas after that.
Kite was the second leading scorer in Iowa last season, averaging 54 points a game. Iowa state women's high school basketball rules require six players a team, three offensive and three defensive, none of whom cross halfcourt, which contributed to Kite's high scoring average.
Kite never played defense in high school competition, but she played in a summer league that used traditional rules.
"The overall atmosphere at Kansas was very appealing to me," Kite said. "I was impressed with the coach's staff and the players on the team. I feel like the women's basketball team at Kansas has a lot of potential."
Rod Hoegh, basketball coach at Elk Hom-Kimbalton High School, said Kite was a versatile player who could shoot from almost everywhere
on the court.
“She has as many shots and moves as any player I've ever seen,” Hoegh said. “She can score from the inside or from the outside. But I think her biggest asset is her work chic.” She's played hard for everything she's got.
Kite said she anticipated playing guard at Kansas.
"It will take some time to adjust," she said. "I'm expecting a much faster game with a higher caliber of players, and I would improve in all aspects of my game."
"I'm about 99.9 percent definite about signing with Kansas right now," Chenault said. "The coaching team was very attractive to me. I wanted to go out of state, but it's nice that Kansas is still in the Big Eight Conference. I'm excited about the opportunities there."
Chennault, who averaged more than 22 points a game during both her sophomore and junior seasons at El Paso College, Kansas was a logical choice for her.
Chenault said every school in the Big Eight Conference contacted her except Iowa State. She made recruiting visits to Southern Methodist University and Montana State, but she has never seriously considered them.
The Jayhawks, two-time defending Big Eight tournament champions, go into this season with eight new players.
"This is going to be a rebuilding year for Kansas," Chenault said. "I was attracted by the chance to come in and play right away."
Caroie Carter, basketball coach at El Reno High School, said she thought Chemann would fit in well at Kansas.
"She will adjust well to college basketball," Carter said. "Misti is the type of player that doesn't give up. If she truly desires something, she will dedicate herself to it and achieve it."
KU defense gets more good news freshman receives Big Eight honor
By Scott Luster
Kansan sportswriter
By Jeff Euston
The Kansas defense, which frustrated Kansas State in a 30-12 victory Saturday, got more good news yesterday.
Strong safety Daryl Boykin, a true freshman from Kent, Ohio, was selected Big Eight Conference defensive player of the week.
A true freshman is a player that is playing and not redshirting his team.
In Saturday's victory, Boykin made seven tackles, broke up a pass, and stopped a Wildcat drive with an interception.
cadat drive with an interception.
Boykin now has 73 tackles this
season, second on the team behind sophomore Curtis Moore's 135.
"I didn't feel that I performed that well," he said. "But obviously somebody else thought I did. I thought I played OK, but I don't think that was the best game I've played."
Boykin said the honor was a surprise.
"It's not any big deal, though. If the honors come, they come. It's not really a big deal to me. I'm just truying to get my job done."
Boykin said getting the opportunity to play was important to his improvement
'When you start getting playing time, game by game you gain more
experience and you gain more confidence," said Boykin, who was recruited by Kansas coach Glen Mason as a running back.
"It's a big honor." Mason said. "I said for a long time that (Kansas freshman) Dou Terry had a good chance to be the Big Eight Newcomer of the Year, and I think Deral Boykin does now. He's been playing as a true freshman. That's not any big deal around here, because we've got so many freshmen playing. But I think he's played really well."
Mason said senior cornerback Peda Samuel still was doubtful for Saturday's game at Oklahoma State. Samuel reaggravated a goin pull
Sophomore linebacker Tony Barker twisted his knee in practice yesterday. X-rays were taken, but Barker's status was not yet known.
during the Kansas State game.
Senior tailback Arnold Snell still was limping after suffering a bruised thigh against K-State.
Freshman linebacker Paul Friday, who suffered a knee sprain Saturday, did not practice yesterday but remained probable.
Sophomore tailback Frank Hatchett, who suffered a mild concussion Saturday, did not participate in contact drills yesterday, but remained probable for the Oklahoma State game.
A's outfielder selected Player of the Year
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Jose Canseco, the first major leaguer to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in one season, was selected The Associated Press Player of the Year yesterday in a landslide.
The Oakland right fielder received $141_{1/2}$ votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Los Angeles right-hander Oler Hershiser was runner-up with 13 votes followed by Minnesota's Kirby Puckett with five and Boston's Mike Greenwell with 41k.
"It means a lot because it shows the improvement I've made between 1986 and 1988." Canseco said.
Not that 1986 and '87 were all that bad.
oad.
Canseco hit .240 in 1986 with 33
"I don't think I had a bad drought except for an 0-for-20. And even when I was 0-for-20, I was hitting the ball well, so the key was staying consistent, said Canseco, who let the team rise to their first AL patent since 1974.
The American League charts 17 different offensive categories and Canseco ranked in the top 10 in 12 of them.
home runs and 117 runs batted in en route to the American League Rookie of the Year award. In 1987, he had 31 home runs and 113 RBI.
Canseco has hit more home runs (106) in his first three full seasons than anyone but Eddie Mathews (112) and Joe DjMaggio (107).
This season, if all came together as Cianceo led RBI and RBI while hitting .307.
His 111 career home runs, including five after a late-season callup in 1985, the 100th-highest total for a player at the end of the year in which he turned 24. The other nine players are in the Hall of Fame.
“In spring training I thought there were other members (40-40) but then when I realized it, I said ‘Did I stick my foot in my mouth by saying this’.” Canceeen said though I doubt it, nor yet it doesn't mean I wilt ‘shoot for it again.’
"He's got as much ability as any player I've ever seen except for Wille Mays," said Reggie Jackson, who played the last two seasons of his career in basketballs. "He can potentially hit 500 homers. I'm sure he's going to hit 400."
On Aug. 6, Canseco stole his 30th base to become the 11th player to time great as Mays and Auron. On Sept. 23, Canseco took his place in
Mel Ott, who already played eight seasons, had 176 at Canseco's age. All-time leader Henry Aaron had 140 en route to his record 755.
The home runs kept coming for Canseco in the playoffs. He hit three against Boston during the Athletics' sweep of the Red Sox.
Of Canseco 42 home runs, 27 either tied the game or put the Athletics in the lead, and he hit 16 home runs with two strikes.
baseball history when he stole his 40th base.
In Game 1 of the World Series, Canseco was hit by a pitch in the first inning and hit a grand slam in the second.
KANSAN file photo
Former Kansas center Marvin Branch, who was declared ineligible last December, is trying out for the Topeka Sizzlers of the Continental Basketball Association.
Branch to play on Topeka team
Kansan sportswriter
By Mark E. McCormick
"I'd have preferred that everything would have worked out at KU, but going the CBA route was the only other option I had." the player in center said. "I'd have a better chance at being by pro scouts."
But he's trying out with the Topeka Sizzlers.
Interstate 70 wasn't the road Marvin Branch originally planned to take to the NBA.
Instead of sitting out a year, the 22-year-old Detroit native began shopping for a Continental Basketball Association team that would be willing to take him on until he was eligible for the NBA draft next year.
When poor academics forced him of the court at midseason last year, Branch left Kansas after learning he wasn't eligible for the rest of the season.
The Sizzlers gave him that chance.
"We're very happy that he got him," said Pat Ditzler, Sizzler assistant coach. "He could be a very good CBA player."
Branch couldn't enter the NBA draft because his college class is a new one. The player announces before a specified date that he intends to skip his
final year of college and enter the professional draft, he cannot enter the draft until his college class has graduated
Ditzler said Branch worked hard and was a rare talent.
"A big man 6-10 to 7-foot with good mobility is hard to find," he said. "Most of them are in the NBA. Marvin has good moves, and he's also a very good shooter. I fully expect Marvin to be with us after camp."
Branch, who has signed a one-year contract, said two-a-day practices left him drained.
"I'm happy they gave me the chance. Now, it's just on me and how hard I want to work at it.
"I knew there wasn't a CBA team in Detroit, and I already have some friends around here," he said. "It really wasn't a big deal, I just wanted to continue my basketball career."
Branch said he returned to Detroit briefly to play in a summer league and then played at Robina on day 1 of the season to make up for his inactivity.
Despite his dilemma at Kansas and the tough practices at the Sizler camp, the bottom line is that he chances to make the pros, he said.
"I just want to play," he said. "Anywhere I can make it."
Sports Briefs
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SCRIMMAGE: Freshman Tanya Bonham scored 20 points in leading the white team to a 75-43 victory over the blue team in a Kansas women's basketball intrasquad scrimmage yesterday in Topeka.
Guard Michelle Arnold added 13 points for the white team while guard Lisa Brady scored 12
Junior center Lynn Page divided her playing time between both teams. She had 11 points and six rebounds for the white team and eight points and seven rebounds for the blue team.
Bonham, a 5-foot-8 forward from Arlington, Va., connected on nine of 13 shots.
Forward Marthea McCloud led the blue team with 11 points and six rebounds.
for the blue team
The Jayhawks will play another
scrimmage 6:30 p.m. tomorrow in
Leavenworth.
GADDIS WINS AWARD: Freshman Mike Gaddis, projected by many fans as the next great Oklahoma running back, was named Big Eight Conference offensive player of the week for his work against Oklahoma State.
Gaddis rushed for 213 yards on just 18 carries and scored on runs of 13 and 44 yards to lead the Sooners to a 31-28 victory over Oklahoma State.
MUSICAL QUARTERBACKS:
It's Steve DeBerg's turn again to try to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to their second victory of the season.
Coach Frank Gansz said Monday that DeBerg would replace Bill Kenney at quarterback Sunday when the Chiefs.
Golfers look for national ranking
Coach thinks strong finish is indication
By Ken Winford Kansan sportswriter
Based on a strong fall season in which the Kansas women's golf team won two tournaments, Coach Brad Demo said he expected the Jayhawks to climb into the national rankings sometime next year.
After overcoming an 11-stroke lead in the last nine holes of play to win the Texas-El Paso Golf Tournament Sunday in El Paso, the Jayhaws just might be moving up Demo's timetable.
The tournament title, which Kansas won with a score of 624, was a hard-earned one. Demo said.
The Jayhawks, who trailed Long Beach State by two strokes after recording a score of 310 in the first round Saturday, had to scramble when they lost an additional nine strokes in the front nine holes of the final round Sunday.
"Usually we don't keep track of how we are doing while the tournament is being played," Demo said. "But we knew how far we were behind and I asked the players to get it together."
Long Beach State, which this fall was ranked as high as 24th nationally, finished second with a score of 625. Kansas State was third with 672, followed by Colorado State, 705, and Texas-El Paso, 744.
"It's really tough to come back from a lead like that on a team as good as Long Beach State. To me, something major came out of it. I think it let our players know that if they are down, they won't necessarily stay down."
Athison, a Duncan, Okla., junior,
said ending the fall season with a
team victory could help the Jayhawks
break for the spring sched-
"I think it was important to end on a "good note." Atchison said. "It makes you feel good about yourself and the team. What was especially good about it was that we had five good scores instead of just two or three. It's pretty nice when you can drop an 83."
Kansas golfers Sherri Atchison and Shelly Triplett tie for second in the individual standings with scores of 155 each.
"I ended up playing in the second round with the girl I tied in the first round." Triplett said. "I hurt me and made her lose her instead of playing the course."
After shooting a 74 in the opening round, Triplett, a Pullman, Wash., freshman was tied with Long Beach Giants Gordon for the individual lead.
Triplett and Atchison were eged out in the top medalist race by Gordian, who won with a score of 164. The said she was pleased with the results.
"I'm especially happy with the team play," she said. "We got rid of some of the nerves we had earlier in the game, and I'm very comfortable around each other."
Demo said he also had seen a
Please see GOLF, p. 12, col. 5