Turner's classic shot lifts OSU

INDIANAPOLIS - One of the most exciting basketball finishes I've ever seen ocurred Friday March 12 during the Big Ten Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
With 2.2 seconds to play and his team down by two points with the length of the court to go and no timeouts, Ohio State star Evan Turner launched the game-winning three point shot just shy of the half court line. The shot went in just as time expired, and could have put a heartbreaking end to an already tough season for the Michigan Wolverines, 69-68.
The Wolverines had erased multiple 10-point deficits and took their final lead at 68-66 on a Manny Harris jumper with just over two seconds to play. Harris led Michigan with 26 points. He hit a few key three-shots down the stretch.
The game was fitting for both teams. All year, Turner has found ways to win games for the Buckeyes, while the Wolverines fell to 1-7 in games decided by five points or less.

Clinton troop returns home

CLINTON - Clinton native and United States Air Force member James LoPresto returned to his home town this week and was greeted with a reception Wednesday night at American Legion Post 103. James, center, stands with his parents, James LoPresto, Sr. and Cheryl LoPresto. 

LoPresto, a former Eagle Scout, served ten months in Iraq. 

Sad day for Colts

The happiest moment in Indianapolis Colts history was without a doubt Marlin Jackson's interception of Tom Brady in the final minute of the 2006 AFC Championship Game. The play had cemented the Colts as conference champions for the first time and ended the Colts' recent playoff struggles against the New England Patriots.
Colts fans will always remember and love Marlin Jackson for that play that gave the city so much joy. But Jackson will no longer be suiting up for the Colts, in fact, in 2010, he will suit up against them when the Colts visit the Philadelphia Eagles. Jackson signed a contract with the Eagles today and will most likely play safety for the team.
Although injury prone, Jackson was always effective when he was in the game for the Colts. He always seemed to make the key play at the right time, none more important that the prolific pick in the AFC title game. Still as the only Indianapolis Colts team to win a Super Bowl, the 2006 season was special. And Jackson's INT was the defining moment of that season.
The man who will always be known as Peyton Manning's backup has left Indy as well today. Instead of backing up Peyton, Jim Sorgi will backup Eli, as he signed with the New York Giants today. It will be strange not to see Sorgi on the sidelines and throughout preseason.
One thing is for sure, the Colts will need to sign another quarterback. As reliable as Peyton has been, Curtis Painter is not going to cut it if he is asked to play any meaningful time.
Two recognizable faces in Indy Colts history are gone in one day. Not to mention Raheem Brock, Freddy Keiaho and Ryan Lilja who were all released this week.
Things are changing for the Colts. But they always do. I hope things work out for them just like they have in the past. They have been the one team that has been able to plug in the pieces and replace players on a yearly basis.
The offensive line are the secondary are going to be the key areas the team should look at in the draft this April. Because of all the departures, this year's draft is going to be as important as ever.

Illini can't gain momentum

CHAMPAIGN - With one last chance before the Big 10 Tournament  to add a quality win to their NCAA Tournament resume, the Illini came up short. It seems like this team is either focused or distracted. Lately, the latter has been true more than the former. 

The Illini could not get much going in their 72-57 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers Saturday at Assembly Hall. The Badgers led from the outset.

Illinois began to put together one of their second half comebacks, but the closest they came was within six. 

Mike Tisdale (16 points) and Bill Cole (14) led the Illini in scoring. 

Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor had 20 points for the Badgers and was praised after the game by head coach Bo Ryan. 

"He plays with great heart," Ryan said. 

The difference between Saturday's game and the early season affair where the Illini stunned the Badgers on their home floor was just Wisconsin's shooting. Their two leading scorers went 0-for-15 in the other game and they only lost by six. 

When Wisconsin shoots well, they will win. If not, they just open the door. 

The Badgers are the better team and that should continue as the two hook up Friday in the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. 

Illinois needs a win to have a chance at the NCAA Tournament, but it does not look like they will get it. Losses to Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio State in the last week of the season has seemed to demoralize this bunch. I hope I'm wrong, but the team doesn't look like they are coming together. 

The only positive from Sunday's blowout loss was that seniors Dominique Keller, Richard Semrau and Bubba Chisholm were able to play in the game's final minute. 

Photo: Illinois forward Mike Tisdale (54) posts up against Wisconsin's Jon Leuer (30) during the Illini's loss to the Badgers Sunday. 

Saint Xavier sweeps the CCAC

CHICAGO - I've either seen or heard some of the greatest moments in Saint Xavier sports history over the last seven years. As many big wins as the school has had in that span, never had both the men's and women's basketball teams won the CCAC Tournament in the same year. In fact, the men haven't won it at all in the last seven years. 

But that all changed Saturday, March 6 when both Cougar teams received automatic bids to the NAIA National Tournament. 

The Saint Xavier women's team and Olivet Nazarene hooked up at the Shannon Center early in the day for what seems like a yearly CCAC title game match-up. 

One thing that is certain before every SXU-Olivet game is that it will be fast-paced and high scoring. That is all Olivet knows, and time and time again, SXU proves that they know it too. 

The Lady Tigers play a fast-paced game, running down the court and seemingly taking a three-point attempt every time they have the ball. They waste little time in their possessions whether it works or not. Every minute or so, coach Doug Porter will substitute five new players into the lineup. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But it's fun to watch every time. 

Seeing the way the Tigers play more than 10 times in the last four years, SXU seniors Angie Bush and Erin Hannemann seemed to have a plan of attack. Angie would keep up with them from the perimeter in the first half, and Erin would beat them up down low in the second half. 

The result was a career-high 33 points for Bush in her final game at the Shannon Center. 22 of the 33 came in the first half, leading the Cougars to a 53-46 lead at the break. 

Olivet opened the second half on a 10-0 run to take a lead and upped the margin to six with 15:57 to play. But Erin Hannemann took over the rest of the way. The Cougars captured a 103-96 win over their rivals from Bourbonnais.

Hannemann netted 26 points and brought down 12 rebounds in the final game of a fantastic career. Her bucket with 2:40 to go gave the team an eight point lead and all but ended it for the Tigers. 

Hannemann was named the CCAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season following the game. Sholanda Young had a record setting day for the team, dishing out a program all-time best 13 assists. 

ONU did well from beyond the arc, which kept them in the game. But SXU was just too good. 

It seems like we say this every year, but this really is the best SXU team ever. At 29-1, the Cougars could very well have been undefeated if it weren't for an injury to Kathlyn McClain in January. 

Ranked second in the country (should be first), the Cougars are a legitimate national title contender. In fact, anything less would be a disappointment. They have never won more than one game in Jackson, but this year will be their best chance to do something special.

Often overshadowed by the women's team, the SXU men's basketball team punched their ticket to the NAIA Tournament in Kansas City with a 92-90 overtime upset win over Robert Morris University at the Gentile Center. It had been the first time since RMU's move to the CCAC that the Cougars won there. 

It was a must win for SXU, who would not have made the tourney without the automatic bid. Senior Julian Scott has had an up and down career for the Cougars, but made sure it would not end Saturday, scoring eight of his team-leading 18 points in the overtime period. 

Roosevelt Green hit a last-second shot for SXU in their semifinal upset win over Olivet Nazarene. It's good to see this group come together at the right time. 

Good luck to both Cougar teams at the national tournament. 

Photo: SXU forward Erin Hannemann starred for the Cougars in their 103-96 win over the Olivet Nazarene Tigers Saturday to capture the CCAC Championship. 

Hillcrest hangs on; advances to title

NORMAL - Shooting 37 percent from the field, losing the rebounding game and making only four of 17 free throw attempts is hardly the way Hillcrest mapped out a victory in the IHSA Class 3A Girls Basketball state semifinal against Oswego. But despite their imperfections, at no point did it look like the Hawks would lose this game. The Hawks broke away from a 7-7 tie at the end of the first quarter to eliminate the Panthers, 54-45. 

In a game filled with mistakes, Hillcrest's Yolanda De La Torre showed why she was the clutchest player on the court. De La Torre hit nine of her 13 shot attempts for a team-high 18 points. She grabbed eight rebounds as well. 

The first quarter had the feel of a heavyweight battle. Neither team lit up the scoreboard, but a close game was expected since the two state semifinalists had only five combined losses up to this point. 

But the better team proved themselves in the second. The Hawks outscored Oswego 20-7 in the frame, taking advantage of multiple Panther turnovers. 

What looked to be a possible blowout became somewhat interesting as Oswego outscored Hillcrest 20-15 in the third quarter. 

The game became more interesting as Oswego continued their gradual comeback into the fourth quarter. The Panthers cut their deficit to five points at 43-38 with just over three minutes remaining on a Paige harmon basket and foul. Harmon missed the free throw. 

But before she got to the line to complete the possible three-point play, Oswego head coach Chad Pohlmann called a timeout, in effect icing his own shooter and ending the momentum his team had built up leading to that point. 

Hillcrest missed a number of free throws down the stretch, keeping Oswego in the game. But the Panthers could never take advantage, turning the ball over in key situations.

A steal and lay-up drive by Hillcrest's Uniquah Hampton with 1 minute, 46 seconds remaining gave the Hawks an eight-point lead and all but ended the competitive portion of the contest. 

It may not have been their best game of the season, but the loud Hillcrest crowd that was on hand will take it. They will meet up with Lombard (Montini) in the 3A state championship game Saturday at 2 p.m. 

Photo: Hillcrest's Yolanda De La Torre (42) came through in the clutch for the Hawks. 

Illini comeback falls short

CHAMPAIGN - What looked to be one of the worst Illini games in Assembly Hall history turned out to have a pretty exciting ending. 

The Illini trailed the Minnesota Golden Gophers by 19 points with just seven minutes remaining before going on a 28-9 run to close the game out. A last second attempt at a win was denied as D.J. Richardson's three point shot fell short at the buzzer and the Gophers held on to a 62-60 win. 

Both teams came out flat. The score was tied at two over six minutes into the game. The Illini flirted with a dubious Assembly Hall record when they only had 14 points in the entire first half. 

Minnesota added to their 10-point halftime advantage before the Illini went on their run. 

Illinois' run was made possible by Bill Cole, the only Illini player to have a good game. Cole went 5-for-9 from beyond the arc for 15 points. 

"Billy did a nice job giving us a chance," Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said. "He was the one who gave us a boost of energy that allowed us to make it close."

The Illini lived and died from the three-point line. Well actually, they died, came back to life, and then died again. The team only made nine of their 36 attempts. The 28-9 run that brought them back to life was almost exclusively three-point baskets. 

And there was a reason for that. Illinois could do nothing inside. Both Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis had a hard time against the bigger Minnesota defenders. 

"They (Minnesota) are the leading shot blocking team in the conference," Weber said. "Part of it was that and part was the physicality of our guys."

Demetri McCamey was also ineffective, fouling out in the second half with only nine points and one rebound. 

The Illini got their shots off, a resounding 72 of them. But it is tough to win shooting 31 percent from the field. 

It was an ugly game for the Illini. Worse, it could be the game that keeps them out of the NCAA tournament. If Illinois cannot upset Ohio State or Wisconsin in their final two regular season contests, they will most likely need to win a pair of games in the Big Ten Tournament 

"We have a tough schedule ahead of us. Every team we've played in the last eight games has been in the top 25 at some point or another," Weber said. "It's been a big stretch for us."

"We've kept our head above water, but now the shark has got us by the leg and is pulling us down."

Of note: Extra security was on hand because Jeff Jordan's father, Michael Jordan, was in section AA47 cheering on his son. 

Photo: Illinois forward Bill Cole (30) was the only Illini player to play well, leading the team with 15 points on five three-point baskets.