February 9, 2002 12:29 AM
Rock Island sophomores win their game, then varsity contest
By Marc Nesseler, Dispatch/Argus Sports editor In baseball parlance, it would be
called a doubleheader sweep by the Rock Island sophomore boys' basketball team.
First, the Rocky sophomore team improved its record to a stellar 18-1 Friday night at
Rock Island Fieldhousse. Then the sophomores battled back from a 15-point, first-half
deficit to defeat Galesburg 62-59 in varsity action.
OK, it wasn't the same group of Rocky yearlings that won both games. But considering
that Rock Island had four sophomores and a freshman on the floor from an 11-point halftime
deficit until finally gaining the lead for good at 51-50 with four minutes left in the
game, the credit's certainly due.
``We looked at each other and thought, wow, this is unbelievable,'' said RI sophomore
Dail Rice, who had a team second-best seven rebounds. ``It just seems like yesterday,
playing junior-high ball, when we were thinking about being out there together on the
varsity.''
For that key stretch, Rice was joined by classmates Justin Sharp (11 points), Sam
Johnson (9 points) and Marcus McQueen (4 rebounds and a key steal with :07 left and the
Rocks leading 61-59) and freshman point guard Jeff Banks.
``The varsity plays with more intensity and at a quicker pace,'' said Johnson, getting
his most extensive varsity action of the season after playing three quarters of the
sophomores' 75-51 victory.
``It was scary out there,'' added Rice. ``We were nervous. That's new territory.''
That might explain why the Rocks (12-8, 4-4 in the Western Big 6) needed a steady
senior hand down the stretch. Ray ``Munchie'' Muskeyvalley, who had a team-leading 14
points, hit 5-of-6 free throws in the last 38 seconds to fend off the 5-13 Silver Streaks,
who had won five of their previous seven games.
Too, Brandin Smith and Grant Snyder added some junior-class aggressiveness, collaring
10 and 7 rebounds, respectively.
``They're making the most of their opportunities,'' RI coach Thom Sigel said of his
sophomore bunch. ``Whether they're out to prove something or whatever, they're earning
what they get.
``We pride ourselves on stepping up when it's your turn.''
After the Rocks had gone up 12-11, the Streaks went on a 16-0 run, capitalizing on many
of RI's 15 first-half turnovers. In the second half, though, with sophs in, the Rocks went
errorless for an eight-minute stretch to bounce back from a 34-23 halftime deficit.
``When we got the lead, we didn't handle it very well, actually poorly,'' said
Galesburg coach Geoff Falk. ``Our shot selection at times was bad. We were playing like we
were behind.''
The Streaks were led by Derreck Blackwell and Pierre Williams with 14 and 13 points,
respectively, and combining for more than half of the team's shot attempts, but hitting
just 11-of-30. Neither played the first time these two teams met in December because of
suspensions.
Galesburg's Ryan Walker, the conference's leading scorer, was shackled to 3-of-12
shooting for just 10 points. Draping him defensively for much of an 0-for-6 second half
was Sharp.
``This was the first varsity game that I can remember that my knees weren't shaking
when I was at the foul line,'' said Sharp. ``Maybe that means I'll get a good night's
sleep.''
That might come in handy tonight. The Rocks take on sixth-ranked Aurora West in the
Batavia Shootout. Game time is 6 p.m.
Copyright 2000, Moline Dispatch
Publishing Co. |
