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4B Saturday, February 26, 2011
L AWRENCE J OURNAL -WORLD
Goodrich leading charge for Kansas women By Ben Ward Journal-World Sports Writer
The brace on Kansas University guard Angel Goodrich’s right knee wasn’t much of a physical hindrance. But the bulky contraption served as a lingering reminder of the sophomore guard’s second anterior cruciate ligament tear. Goodrich constantly had to stop and tinker with it, which, at the very least, left the impression she was still less than healthy. The brace is gone now, and Goodrich’s play has taken off — and of late, so have the Jayhawks. “Without it, I feel light, I feel a little quicker,” Goodrich said. “Having it off is a breeze.
Boys CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
inched ahead after a mid-range jumper from Brett Frantz (10 points) and a crucial offensive rebound from Heline (four points, six assists). But with FSHS clinging to its 58-57 lead and just over 30 seconds to play, Funtarov misfired on a questionable threepointer from the top of the arc, and Anthony Buffalomeat (eight points, nine rebounds) pulled down the miss. After an LHS timeout and near steals by Funtarov and Manning, Pritchard caught an inbound pass with 2.6 seconds remaining, took a few dribbles to the far right corner, wheeled himself into position and rose for a jumper. Just like the last meeting — when a layup attempt at the buzzer by Logan Henrichs (who scored 12 points on Friday) sat on the rim before falling off — a potential game winner wouldn’t go down for the Lions (7-13). “It especially hurts because they both came down to the last shot for us,” a dejected Pritchard said. “And they both just rimmed out.” The game opened with a truly feel-good moment, as injured senior Eric Watson — who partially tore his Achilles on Tuesday — was introduced to loud cheers as a starter and hopped out onto the floor wearing a walking boot. LHS senior Jake Johnson (eight points) allowed the standing Watson to win the opening tip, and Manning dribbled the ball out of bounds, allowing Watson to shake hands with every player and check out of the game to a rousing chorus of “Er-ic Wat-son” from the crowd. “It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen,” said
I feel great. Knowing that the pain that was there before isn’t anymore feels amazing.” KU (18-9 overall, 5-8 Big 12) will play host to Nebraska — for the final time as a member of the Big 12 — at 7 tonight at Allen Fieldhouse. The Huskers’ record (13-14, 3-10) doesn’t do much to impress, but coach Bonnie Henrickson noted that they’re coming off of a 76-34 thumping of Missouri. Earlier this year, the Jayhawks fell, 75-61 in overtime, to the Huskers in Lincoln after a flat start and finish, but now aim to keep their two-game winning streak rolling and, ideally, lock down a bid for the NCAA Tournament. “We do look at the big pic-
BOX SCORE Free State 58, LHS 57 LAWRENCE HIGH (57) KJ Pritchard 9-18 6-8 27, Shane Willoughby 1-3 0-0 2, Anthony Buffalomeat 3-9 2-2 8, Logan Henrichs 3-4 4-6 12, Jake Johnson 3-3 2-2 8, Garrett Wagner 0-2 0-0 0, Brad Strauss 0-2 0-0 0, Trent Edwards 0-1 0-1 0. Totals: 19-42 14-19 57 FREE STATE (58) Shawn Knighton 1-2 0-0 2, Austin Hoag 1-2 0-0 2, Eric Watson 0-0 0-0 0, Alec Heline 2-6 0-0 4, Evan Manning 3-5 2-2 10, Georgi Funtarov 11-20 8-12 30, Brett Frantz 4-11 0-0 10, Tyler Self 0-2 00 0, Cameron Dabney 0-0 0-2 0. Totals: 22-48 1016 58 LHS 13 19 13 12 — 57 FSHS 10 18 18 12 — 58 Three-point goals: Lawrence 5-17 (Pritchard 3, Henrichs 2); Free State 4-13 (Manning 2, Frantz 2). Fouled out: None. Shooting: Lawrence 19-42 (45-percent); Free State 22-48 (46-percent). Turnovers: Lawrence 15, Free State 6.
Manning, who tallied 10 points, five steals and three assists. “Eric deserves that, definitely. For what he’s been through, for what he’s done for the team.” The rivalry was also lightened a bit by the collective effort to raise money for Coaches vs. Cancer. The Lions wore pink T-shirts with “Real Lions Wear Pink,” and “Paws for a Cause,” and the Firebirds’ T-shirts sported the motto “Cheer Green. Think Pink.” Players from both teams and cheer squads wandered the crowd accepting donations at halftime. The game was intense, and the crowd was rocking from the start, when, paced by smooth outside jumpers and slashing drives to the basket by Pritchard, who scored 18 first-half points, Lawrence took a 32-28 lead to the intermission. “We hurt ourselves in the first half taking silly gambles (on defense),” Law said. The Lions led by as many as seven points after halftime, but FSHS went on an 8-0 run in the third quarter and never trailed after the six-minute mark in the fourth. “We did everything we could do but win,” Lewis added. “Same story as last time.”
Four Firebird bowlers qualify for state tourney J-W Staff Reports
finish seventh, and Butler added a 587 (173-201-213—587) to finish 10th. Both of the girls finished with their seasonhigh series. On the boys side, Walthall finished sixth with a 673 (201226-246), and Conrad took 14th with a 587 (173-201-213). The Lawrence High boys team finished ninth, and the girls team finished 10th. Riley Gentry led the boys with a 570 series (178-210-182). Kierstan Warren led the girls with a 520 (176-173-171). The state tournament is Friday at Northrock Lanes in Wichita.
TOPEKA — Two boys and two girls from Free State High’s bowling team qualified for the state tournament. McKenzie Dever, Alyson Butler, Justin Walthall and Nick Conrad advanced after regionals on Friday at West Ridge. Both Firebird teams finished fifth, with the top three teams advancing to state. “Both the boys and girls had stellar performances,” Free State coach Anita Carlson said. “The field was tough, but they stuck with it and did well.” Dever led the Firebird girls with a 600 (200-169-231) to ● Results on page 6B
Veritas girls overwhelmed J-W Staff Reports
EUDORA — Top-seeded Manhattan Chief proved to be too physical for Veritas Christian’s girls basketball team. The Eagles fell to Manhattan Chief, 44-18, in the semifinals of the KCAA State Tournament on Friday at the Eudora Community Center. No. 5 seed Veritas will play in the third-place game at 3 p. m . to d ay a ga i n s t WAHAA. “Although we were disappointed, we still have some-
thing to shoot for,” Veritas coach Kevin Shelton said. “We wanted to win, and it was a difficult loss, but third place would be a great accomplishment for us.” Manhattan Chief beat Veritas for the fourth time this season. Kayli Farley led the Eagles (13-10) with eight points. Veritas 6 5 2 5 — 18 Manhattan Chief 10 9 9 16 — 44 Veritas — Kayli Farley 8, Allison Dover 2, Ellen Phillips 2, Kristen Finger 4, Sarah McDermott 2. Manhattan Chief — Naomi Hawkinson 5, Miranda Brouk 5, Jayden Jackson 10, Jordyn Moldrup 8, Campbell Ditto 9, Jodi Connell 5, Morgan Brouk 2.
ture,” Goodrich said. “But then again, we can’t look too far ahead, because we have to look at the game we’re about to play. We have to look at Nebraska and get ready.” The door was all but slammed shut on aspirations of the NCAA Goodrich Tournament after KU’s 16 start to conference play. But with a 4-2 record in February and with three winnable games (Nebraska, at Iowa State, Kansas State) left on the Jayhawks’ schedule, it’s no longer out of the question.
Jayhawks
“I said, ‘If your determination outweighs your disappointment, we’re going to be okay,’” Henrickson said. “Because going NEBRASKA we’re to have an AT KANSAS opportunity to make a When: 7 tonight run.” Along Where: Allen with the Fieldhouse steady TV: Cable ch. 6 inside presence of Carolyn Davis (18.7 ppg.), much of that can be attributed to Goodrich’s play at the point, which has steadily improved since she sat out seven games after getting her right knee scoped. Over the past six games, Goodrich is averaging
Kansas at Oklahoma Probable Starters
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for right now. We are playing for something bigger than just this season,” Capel said. “To respect the game, to respect our program, to play the game and prepare the right way all the time, we are trying to develop really good habits that will sustain us through anything, whether we go through adversity, whether we go through success. It’s one of the things we are trying to teach right now,” he added. The Sooners, who suffered a 61-47 loss at Texas A&M on Wednesday (they’ve also lost to Kansas State, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma State in February), haven’t shown much firepower in averaging 66.0 points a game. Andrew Fitzgerald, a 6-8 sophomore from Baltimore, and Davis, 6-5 from Elk City, Okla., lead the team at 13.3 and 13.0 points a game respectively. Steven Pledger, a 6-4 sophomore from Chesapeake, Va., averages 11 .4 points a game. Cameron Clark, a 6-6 freshman from Sherman, Texas, and Carl Blair, a 6-2 sophomore from Houston, check in at 9.6 and 7.6 ppg respectively. “It’s a complete opposite,” Davis told the Daily Oklahoman, comparing last year’s slide to this year’s. “Through streaks of losses throughout the year, I don’t think there’s been any point in time guys have said, ‘This season is over with, we might as throw in the towel.’ We’ve kept fighting.” The fall has been rapid in Norman. OU opened last season ranked in the top 20 in the preseason. “We’re still working hard,” Pledger told the Oklahoman. “Last year when we got on that losing streak, everyone was down. No one wanted to work anymore. People kind of
KANSAS (26-2, 11-2) F — Marcus Morris (6-9) F — Markieff Morris (6-10) G — Brady Morningstar (6-4) G — Elijah Johnson (6-4) G — Tyrel Reed (6-3)
OKLAHOMA (12-15, 4-9) F — Andrew Fitzgerald (6-8) G — Steven Pledger (6-4) G — Carl Blair (6-2) G — Cameron Clark (6-6) G — Cade Davis (6-5)
Tipoff: 3 p.m. today, Noble Center, Norman, Okla. TV: ESPN, cable channels 33, 233.
Rosters KANSAS 0 — Thomas Robinson, 6-9, 237, Soph., F, Washington, D.C. 2 — Conner Teahan, 6-5, 212, Sr., G, Leawood. 4 — Justin Wesley, 6-8, 200, Soph., F, Fort Worth, Texas. 5 — Jeff Withey, 7-0, 235, Soph., C, San Diego. 10 — Tyshawn Taylor, 6-3, 185, Jr., G, Hoboken, N.J. 11 — Royce Woolridge, 6-3, 182, Fr., G, Phoenix. 12 — Brady Morningstar, 6-4, 185, Sr., G, Lawrence. 14 — Tyrel Reed, 6-4, 193, Sr., G, Burlington. 15 — Elijah Johnson, 6-4, 195, Soph., G. Las Vegas. 20 — Niko Roberts, 5-11, 175, Fr., G, Huntington, N.Y. 21 — Markieff Morris, 6-10, 245, Jr., C, Philadelphia. 22 — Marcus Morris, 6-9, 235, Jr., F, Philadelphia. 23 — Mario Little, 6-6, 218, Sr., G, Chicago. 24 — Travis Releford, 6-5, 207, Soph., G, Kansas City, Mo. 32 — Josh Selby, 6-2, 183, Fr., G, Baltimore. 40 — Jordan Juenemann, 6-3, 195, Jr., G, Hays. Head coach: Bill Self. Assistants: Joe Dooley, Kurtis Townsend, Danny Manning.
gave up. There’s definitely a big difference.” Noted Fitzgerald: “Last year we had a lot of individuals who went through their own thing, a lot of attitudes. This is a complete different vibe this year. We’re so young. Everyone is still hungry to win.” The Jayhawks have won six straight over OU dating to 2006. The Sooners are 11-3 overall at home this season. “I would say this ... seeing them early in the season to
OKLAHOMA 2 — Steven Pledger, 6-4, 212, Soph., G, Chesapeake, Va. 3 — T.J. Franklin, 5-11, 177, Jr., G, Fort Worth, Texas. 4 — Andrew Fitzgerald, 6-8, 226, Soph., F, Baltimore. 5 — C.J. Washington, 6-7, 209, Jr., F, Stringtown, Okla. 11 — Calvin Newell, 6-1, 193, Fr., G, Philadelphia, Pa. 14 — Carl Blair, 6-2, 209, Soph, G, Houston. 15 — Tyler Neal, 6-7, 215, Fr., F, Oklahoma City. 21 — Cameron Clark, 6-6, 189, Fr., G/F, Sherman, Texas. 24 — Romero Osby, 6-8, 225, Jr., F, Meridian, Miss. 25 — Kuyle Hardrick, 6-8, 212, Soph., F, Oklahoma City. 31 — Barry Honoré, 6-7, 258, Jr., F, Garland, Texas. 34 — Cade Davis, 6-5, 209, Sr., G, Elk City, Okla. 55 — Nick Thompson, 6-9, 208, Jr., F, Clinton, Utah. Head coach: Jeff Capel. Assistants: Ben Betts, Bryan Goodman, Dionne Phelps.
“Early in her career, she would pass and get caught watching,” Henrickson said. “(Now) she’s moving without the ball, and as we’ve had better ball movement, it ends up back in her hands, and she’s been aggressive.” Goodrich hasn’t been the recipient of set plays, either. And Henrickson is quick to point out Goodrich hasn't just been making layups. Goodrich instead has been picking and choosing when to spot up or pull up for a jumper, the improvement of which she attributes to an increased focus on footwork and hand placement on the ball. “Just how she’s able to score now is much more impressive,” Henrickson said.
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Favoring OSU: Self, a native of Edmond, Okla., who played basketball at Oklahoma State, was asked if he disliked the Sooners growing up. “Yeah, absolutely. I think it’s hard to grow up in a state where you go to the rival school and not feel that way, especially if you play collegiate sports. Without a doubt that’s the case,” Self said. “We grew up in Oklahoma feeling the same way about the Sooners that people here feel about the Tigers or Wildcats. It’s par for the course.” OU sliced a 15-point halftime deficit to 55-50 before ultimately falling, 77-62, last Saturday at Kansas State. “We’ve gotten better,” Capel told the Oklahoman. “We’re just in a very tough conference and played a very tough non-conference schedule, which probably wasn’t the best thing for this group or guys gaining a lot of confidence (early)... We’ve done a lot of good things. Unfortunately it hasn’t correlated into as many wins as we would like.” ●
Film sessions: During the losing streak, Capel has shown his players film of positive plays during games. “Sometimes a guy has to be reminded, especially when you’re being beat up," Capel said. “That’s what losing feels like. You’re beat up. You don’t feel good. But for the most part our guys feel good about the effort they’re giving. It’s just mistakes we have to clean now, Jeff has done a great up.” ● job,” Self said. “They are a difStats, facts: KU, which has ferent team than they were when the season started. won six in a row over OU, They’ve lost some close leads the series, 135-64. ... KU games of late. Their record is is 47-40 against OU in Norno indication of how they’ve man, 15-15 in Noble Center. ... KU has won the last two meetimproved.” “I love Cade Davis. He can ings at Noble and is 2-1 in the get on a roll and make shots,” facility under Self. ... Since the Self said. “Fitzgerald has inception of the Big 12, Kansas become a very good back-to- is 14-4 against Oklahoma — the-basket guy. The thing they 12-2 in regular-season play do is mix defenses. They don’t and 2-2 in the Big 12 championship. give up easy baskets.”
Veritas falls in shootout
Girls
J-W Staff Reports
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But the Firebirds’ secondhalf run was too much, and the Lions couldn’t recover. Wood reminded his players after the game that they couldn’t worry about the result long. The seventhseeded Lions (6-14) travel to second-seeded Olathe Northwest for substate play Thursday. “The easy thing to do is to feel sorry for ourselves, have three bad days of practice, show up to Olathe Northwest and get beat,” Wood said. “The hard thing to do is compete and be a Lawrence High kid and go out there and give them everything we got.” The Firebirds (10-10) will play Topeka High on Thursday in the first round of substate. Since Topeka lost to Manhattan on Friday, the Firebirds will host the game. Duncan said most coaches would downplay the victory, especially considering it didn’t affect the sub-state pairings much. But he was happy to acknowledge that both the spirited environment and the postgame ceremony honoring senior Paige Rothwell were easy to take for granted. “For one night, it’s a special event,” Duncan said. “It’s great for everybody: fans,
10 points and 9.5 assists and is shooting 41 percent from three, all big reasons why KU is second in the Big 12 with a 47 percent field-goal percentage. “Her passing decisions, her playmaking ability,” Henrickson said. “She’s playing at a really high level right now, and she’s elevating everybody around her, I think.” “Angel’s our motor,” Henrickson added. Her court vision and softpassing touch from the point always have been strengths, but Goodrich is advancing her offensive repertoire: deciding when to push the tempo, when to slow up and run a play, and, now, when to look for her own shot.
Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo
FREE STATE’S SCOUT WIEBE STEALS the ball from Lawrence High on Friday at FSHS.
BOX SCORE Free State 55, Lawrence 36 LAWRENCE (36) Brittany Ray 0-2 0-0 0, Emily Peterson 3-13 1-2 7, Tamiya Green 6-13 5-8 17, Kristen Bell 1-1 0-1 2, Christina Haswood 0-2 0-0 0, Natalie Wilkins 01 0-0 0, Brianna Anglin 2-6 2-2 6, Kelsey Broadwell 0-1 2-2 2, Krista Costa 1-5 0-0 2, Anna Wright 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 13-46 10-15 36. FREE STATE (55) Abbey Casady 2-5 0-0 4, Jackie Garcia 2-3 1-1 5, Kennedy Kirkpatrick 6-11 3-4 18, Lynn Robinson 7-15 1-1 17, Chelsea Casady 2-6 2-2 6, Scout Wiebe 1-3 1-1 3, Courtney Hoag 1-3 0-1 2, Alexa Gaumer 0-2 0-0 0, Ariana Frantz 0-0 0-0 0, Summer Frantz 0-0 0-0 0, A’Liyah Rogers 0-1 0-0 0, Kionna Coleman 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 21-51 8-10 55. Lawrence 10 10 6 10 — 36 Free State 14 9 21 11 — 55 Three-point goals: Lawrence 0-8; Free State 516 (Kirkpatrick 3, Robinson 2). Shooting: Lawrence 13-46 (28.3 percent); Free State 21-51 (41.2 percent) Turnovers: Lawrence 21, Free State 9.
EUDORA — Veritas Christian’s boys basketball team and Topeka Cair Paravel traded threepoint baskets throughout the final quarter, but Veritas came up just short in the end Friday. The Eagles dropped a 49-46 contest to Cair Paravel in the semifinals of the KCAA State Tournament at the Eudora Community Center. Cair Paravel went ahead by three with 30 seconds left, and Veritas missed a three-point attempt, ultimately deciding the game. The two teams combined for 39 points in the fourth quarter. “It was a barn-burner,” Veritas coach Gary Hammer said. “Close all the way through. I
was really proud of our effort tonight.” Nate Scott led the Eagles (16-7) with 16 points, while Elijah Penny pitched in eight. No. 3 seed Veritas will play in the third-place game at 4:30 p.m. today against No. 4 seed St. Marys. “It’s hard, but I think a lot of times, the team that can bounce back and get in the right frame of mind has a better chance of winning, instead of being down in the dumps the next day,” Hammer said. “We can still end the season with a win.” Cair Paravel 8 11 11 19 — 49 Veritas 12 8 6 20 — 46 Cair Paravel — Musa 8, W. Wipperman 3, Nigas 2, Urish 8, Z. Wipperman 7, Gibbs 11, Doggs 10. Veritas — Nick Gardner 3, Nate Scott 16, Ethan Scott 7, Thomas Bachert 6, Ethan Kay 6, Elijah Penny 8
3 city wrestlers advance J-W Staff Reports
Free State’s Spencer Wilson, at 160, also made it to the championship, which will be held today at Hartman Arena. The Lions’ Hunter Haralson fell in the semifinals at 119. Through Friday, LHS was in fifth place with 64 points. Wichita Heights is way out front with 109.
PARK CITY — Two wrestlers from Lawrence High and one from Free State advanced to the championship finals of the Class 6A state wrestling tournament on Friday. Lawrence High’s Andrew players, coaches. Probably Denning, at 145 pounds, and everybody but administra- Reece Wright-Conklin at 171 ● Results on page 6B went 3-0 to make the finals. tors.”