November 24, 2001 12:38 AM
Youthful Rocks edge Bogan
for second win
By Jeff Wendland, Dispatch/Argus staff sports writer Earlier in the week, Rock
Island basketball coach Thom Sigel said he would be happy to come out of his team's
Thanksgiving Tournament with a 2-1 record. Now that Sigel's Rocks are 2-0 following
Friday's 69-65 win over Chicago Bogan, the first-year coach is getting a little greedy.
``I take that statement back, now that we're 2-0 I want more,'' Sigel said.
The Rocks will go for more tonight as they battle 2-0 Dunbar in the title game of the
tournament at 7:30. The opener pits Bogan (0-2) against 0-2 Carver.
At this point, any wins are huge for the youthful Rock Island team. In each of the
first two contests, the Rocks very well could have made it easier on themselves, but
that's all about the learning curve.
In Thursday's overtime win over Carver, the Rocks let a late lead get away before
winning in the extra session. On Friday, the Rocks had several chances to put the Bengals
away but each time let the guests make it close.
``It seemed like everytime we got a nice lead we gave up an easy shot,'' said Sigel.
``I think that's all part of learning how to win and how to put teams away. This is a
young team and learning how to win games is a process.
``I thought we took another step in that process here. Each time (Bogan) got close, we
made a big play on the defensive end and a big basket to get the lead back out.''
Making most of those big baskets were senior David Wilson, who scored 22 of his
game-high 28 points in the second half and 13 in the final quarter, and junior Bryan
Madison, who came off the bench to score 15 of his 22 in the first half.
``Davis is a senior co-captain who is playing like a veteran,'' said Sigel. ``He's a
guy our kids are looking to at this point. Bryan hasn't been shooting it very well in
practice, but he hit that first one and kept it going. We had some kids step up big for us
at a time when we needed them.''
Madison hit a 3-pointer shortly after he entered late in the first quarter and then
started the second stanza with two more triples and a couple inside buckets.
``The first one was good, but the second 3 gave me the confidence I need,'' said
Madison. ``We're a young team and we can play, now we have to learn how to play with the
lead. I think we just need a few more games playing ahead and we'll be fine.''
Aramis Brown led Bogan with 25 and Blue Cornejo added 17, despite making just six of 20
shots.
Dunbar rolls: Behind 6-foot-9 senior Aaron Spears, the Dunbar Mightmen built a
30-9 halftime lead and never looked back in a 57-31 win over Carver in Friday's opener.
Spears scored 25 to lead the Mightymen.
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