Section Sunday, April 5, 2009 ports Page 1 The Herald Journal Inside Morrill reflects on 2008-09 campaign By Shawn Harrison Colorado. dren and grandkids.” going undefeated at the Dee Glen sports editor “I am going While the Aggie head coach Smith Spectrum for the second to Colorado to spends some time with fam- straight season. Normally, Aggie men’s head see my grand- ily, his name has come up with The 2008-09 season had coach Stew Morrill kids,” Morrill Aggie men’s the Washington State opening. barely come to a close and would be in Detroit this weekend. said. “There basketball There was no word from USU Morrill faced a question about Attending the Final Four is is a 4-year-old as to if he had been contacted future schedules. When the something most coaches and having a birthday. Fortunately, by the Pullman, Wash., school. reporter chuckled at the Aggie their assistants do. But Mor- he thinks grandpa is a pretty Before taking off for the week- head coaches’ response, Morrill rill was not in the Motor City good deal. end, Morrill talked about schedul- was not in a joking mood and Saturday and will not be there “It’s hard to turn down ing, this past season, expectations, asked what was so funny. Monday either. Instead, the Detroit, but I am going to go how tough the Western Athletic veteran Utah State coach is in watch the games with my chil- Conference will be next year and See MORRILL on B7 Philadelphia clinches spot in playoffs ...... B2 2009 Men’s Final Four Sports briefs WNIT title goes to South Florida Spectacular Spartans LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Jazmine Sepulveda scored 18 points and Shantia MSU to play Grace had 16, leading South Florida to a 75-71 victory over Kansas on Saturday in in national the WNIT finals, giving the school its first postseason title contest championship of any kind. Jessica Lawson added 13 DETROIT (AP) — As points for South Florida. his Michigan State team- mates hustled downcourt, Kalin Lucas looked Sports scores around at a stadium ablaze in green and white, turned Final Four on his megawatt smile and Michigan St. 82, Connecticut 73 raised North Carolina 83, Villanova 69 both NBA his Toronto 102, New York 95 arms. Chicago 103, New Jersey 94 No Philadelphia 95, Detroit 90 Orlando 88, Atlanta 82 wor- Miami 118, Washington 104 ries, Memphis 107, Milwaukee 102 he seemed to be saying, Denver 120, L.A. Clippers 104 we’ve got you. NHL Carrying an entire state Boston 1, N.Y. Rangers 0 knocked down by the eco- New Jersey 3, Buffalo 2 nomic crisis is a lot to ask Carolina 3, Pittsburgh 2, OT of a group of college kids, Montreal 6, Toronto 2 but the Spartans are prov- Ottawa 4, Philadelphia 3, SO N.Y. Islanders 3, Tampa Bay 1 ing they’re more than up Dallas 5, St. Louis 4, OT to the task. Nashville 5, Columbus 4, SO “It means so much, so Anaheim 5, San Jose 2 much,” said Magic John- Edmonton 5, Vancouver 3 son, who sat just a few Los Angeles 6, Phoenix 1 rows behind the Michigan MLS State bench Saturday night. Seattle FC 2, Toronto FC 0 “It’s been all bad news the New England 2, FC Dallas 1 last couple of years.” D.C. United 1, Houston 0 Colorado 3, Los Angeles 2 It’s nothing but good news now. Lucas scored 21 points, Raymar Mor- On television gan broke out of his late- AUTO RACING season slump with 18 11:30 a.m. and nine rebounds, and FOX — NASCAR, Sprint the smaller Spartans ran Cup, Samsung 500, at Fort roughshod over Hasheem AP photo Worth, Texas Michigan State’s Durrell Summers (15) slams one home over Connecticut’s Stanley Robinson late in the Noon See MSU on B8 second half in Game 1 of the Final Four Saturday night in Detroit. VERSUS — IndyCar, Streets of St. Petersburg at St. Petersbug, Fla. BOWLING 11 a.m. UNC too much ESPN — PBA, Lumber Liq- uidators U.S. Open, at North Brunswick, N.J. GOLF 1 p.m. for Villanova CBS — LPGA, Kraft Nabis- FR&KDPSLRQVKLS¿QDOURXQG DETROIT (AP) — Men and the Tar Heels, with their at Rancho Mirage, Calif. vs. boys. Big brother vs. little four, five, maybe more NBA- NBC — PGA Tour, Houston brother. Future pros caliber players, stayed 2SHQ¿QDOURXQGDW+XPEOH against a bunch of on a path that has Texas good college kids. seemed almost certain MAJOR LEAGUE That summed up since the season began 6 p.m. North Carolina’s 83- in November. ESPN2 — Atlanta at Phila- 69 victory over Vil- delphia lanova on Saturday NBA had 18 points and 11 11 a.m. night. The ultra-talented Tar rebounds to make this a quite ABC — San Antonio at Heels simply never gave the successful return to the Final Cleveland Wildcats a chance to breathe, Four after a remarkable dud last 1:30 p.m. let alone whip up a fresh dose year in a semifinal loss to Kan- ABC — Phoenix at Dallas AP photo of Final Four magic. sas. Next up, North Carolina 5 p.m. North Carolina players Ed Davis (32), (14), Tyler Hansbrough scored 22 points, FSN — Utah at New Orleans (50) and react to a play against Villanova. Wayne Ellington had 20 more See UNC on B8 NHL 10:30 a.m. NBC — Minnesota at Detroit PREP BASKETBALL 10:30 a.m. LHS’s Brimhall tabbed ESPN2 — Girls, National High School Invitational, championship game, teams TBA, at Bethesda, Md. 3A Coach of the Year 1 p.m. ESPN — National High By Wade Denniston River in the title tilt, Brimhall’s efforts School Invitational, champi- sports writer did not go unnoticed. The Lake Havasu onship game, teams TBA, at City, Ariz., native was recently named Bethesda, Md. the 3A Coach of the Year. TENNIS When Jeff Brimhall took over the boys basketball Logan “It was a huge surprise,” 11 a.m. boys basketball CBS — ATP World Tour/ program at Logan High, the Brimhall said. “It’s just some- WTA Tour, Sony Ericsson Grizzlies only won a com- thing I never really thought Open, men’s championship bined 14 games during his about, to be honest with you. match, at Miami first two seasons at the helm. I’m very honored and I’m WOMEN’S COLLEGE HOOPS My how things have very grateful to have had the 5 p.m. changed, though. coaches and players around me that ESPN — NCAA Division I Over the past five seasons, the can make a great season and allow WRXUQDPHQWVHPL¿QDO/RX- Grizzlies have won at least 13 games for an award like that to happen. isville (33-4) vs. Oklahoma “That’s an award that shows what (32-4) at St. Louis each year and have not had a losing 7 p.m. record since the 2003-04 campaign. kind of people are around the program ESPN — NCAA Division I Logan went 16-9 this past season — the players, the assistant coaches. Meegan M. Reid/Herald Journal WRXUQDPHQWVHPL¿QDO&RQ- and advanced to the championship Those guys are the ones that really Logan head boys basketball coach Jeff Brimhall was necticut (37-0) vs. Stanford game of the 3A state tournament. recently named the 3A Coach of the Year. Brimhall has (33-4) at St. Louis While the Grizzlies fell short to Bear See TABBED on B7 won three region titles during his tenure with the Grizzlies. The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, Sunday, April 5, 2009 - B7 “He always pushes me everyday to get Morrill admitted to message the other day,” better,” she said. “He has helped me attain being a “little stubborn.” Morrill said of his for- Awards levels that I didn’t know I could reach.” Morrill Before the NCAA mer assistant and current Always the perfectionist, Auriemma Tournament began, the Weber State head coach. Continued from B2 helped guide the Huskies to a 37-0 Continued from B1 Aggies had an RPI of 23 “TheyThey are going to want record.record. TheyThey pplaylay SStanfordtanford ((33-4)33-4) oonn and a strength of schedule 3131 ((wins)wins) nnextext yyear.ear. IIt’st’s it’s something that I know I will look Sunday night in the national semifinals. “It’s kind of amazing to of 135. While critics will a good problem to have, back on down the road and enjoy.” Whether playing a ranked opponent me there is a lot of people point to the strength of but to say it doesn’t weigh Moore was surprised to have won the or a lower-level team, UConn always out there that think I’m schedule, the coach used on me at times would be award. Auriemma hadn’t wanted her to was at its best. No team was able to lying or think I’m dodging Nevada as an example. a lie. It does. You like the know beforehand that she was the recip- come within single digits of the Huskies games,” Morrill said earlier The Wolf Pack played a level we’ve been at and ient, hoping she’d have time to enjoy all season, and they beat eight ranked this week. “All I’m trying tough schedule, but didn’t you work hard to try and the moment. With her entire Connecti- opponents by an average of nearly 30 to do is protect the integrity even make the NIT field. keep it there.” cut team looking on at the ceremony, points a game. of this program; not do The Aggies’ school- It’s not going to be Moore graciously accepted the trophy. “It’s always coach,” Moore said. “He stupid stuff that loses your record season of 30-5 had easy for the two-time reg- “I wouldn’t be anywhere near the always has us ready to go and puts us luster and puts your kids in many highlights. Three of ular season WAC cham- player I was without the people that I in situations in practice that are harder a bad situation.” the setbacks came in succes- pions. More than half the play with,” said Moore, who received than we would see in games.” For years Morrill has sive Saturdays on the road. teams in the conference 37 votes from the 45-member national Auriemma, who also won the award taken a hard line to only Morrill said his team kept potentially return intact media panel that selects the weekly Top in 1995, 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2008, play opponents that will its composure and made the starting lineups. 25. “I’m blessed to play with such tre- received 27 votes. Auburn’s Nell Fort- return to Logan. Over the Big Dance after winning the “The league is going to mendous individuals.” ner was second with seven. Aaron John- 11 seasons he has been at WAC Tournament. be really good next year,” ston, who led South Dakota State to the the Aggie helm, his teams “There was no need Morrill said. “At least Teammate finished to feel like you have let we’ve got a core of guys second in the balloting with four votes. NCAA tournament in its first season are a combined 159-12 in the Spectrum. everybody down or our to make you think we got Moore credited coach Auriemma for that the Jackrabbits were eligible, fin- season is going in the a chance to be competi- helping her improve. ished third with five votes. “A close friend just called me a little bitit agago, toilet, because we lost tive. Nevada has got two MikeMike MMontgomeryontgomery (the(the to some good teams on first-team all-league play- CaliforniaCalifornia hheadead ccoach),”oach),” their court,” Morrill said. ers backba and on paper Morrill said. “He ain’t “Obviously, they hung (are)(are) tthehe tteameam ttoo bbeat.eat. Eyeing coming. He just laughsughs and tough. ... What I want our “... The thing I will tellstells mmee ttoo ttellell tthemhem ((USUUSU teams to have is grit and stress to our team is every- Continued from B2 fans) all I ain’t coming.” toughness. This team had body has got to get better. One of USU associ- it. This team was very high We are losing the MVP of coach Tara VanDerveer, ate coach Tim Duryea’s on character and grit.” the league, the league is who has never coached an duties is to work on the This Aggie team was going to be really good, unbeaten college team but schedule. A couple of like a puzzle. everybody has got to get led the U.S. national team months ago there were “We had to have every stronger, everybody has to a 60-0 record before two road games to find. piece to the puzzle to get got to get better.” winning Olympic gold Now they are down to one where we got to,” Morrill As he talked about the in 1996. “In some ways, and there is a hint at Mor- said. “One of my things future, Morrill got excited with us, we’ve learned a rill allowing for some- about saying we were not about next season. Then lot from losing.” thing different than the a dominant team was to he reminded himself it was The Huskies, who have normal home-and-home. remind kids why we are time to rest first. won five national champi- “Am I totally ruling winning. We have to do When the season does onships in the last 14 sea- out ever doing anything things right. We have to have roll around, the Aggies will AP photo else?” Morrill asked. everybody do their part.” begin with a 34-game home sons, wrapped up a spot Connecticut’s Tina Charles, right, dances with teammate in the Final Four that’s “No, I’m not. I never One of the pieces of the winning streak. Tiffany Hayes at the end of their practice at the NCAA totally rule out anything. puzzle will be gone next “The great thing about seemed all but inevitable Women’s Final Four Saturday in St. Louis the Spectrum being with a 83-64 victory “... We won’t rule out year. League and WAC different from the one Islands’ loss. I think a lot doing something a little Tournament MVP Gary packed, is they pack it against Arizona State on Wilkinson was the lone thinking we are going to Tuesday night in the Tren- that topped UConn last of players remember that. unconventional, even for me, if we think it helps. senior, but is a “pretty big win,” Morrill said. “At ton Regional final. year. Gone to the WNBA Knowing if we don’t do loss,” Morrill said. some point, that will come If UConn defeats is All-American guard the right thing, that can I’m not ruling that out. I’m looking at every pos- There is also the chance to a halt, but let’s enjoy it Stanford, the Huskies Candice Wiggins, who happen again.” of other departures. while we can and appreci- had one of the best tour- In the first meeting of sibility. I’m not going to will have beaten the top do something stupid. They “I haven’t met with ate it. It’s a uniquee thithing. three teams in the Pac- naments in NCAA history the teams this season, the get so wrapped up in being all the kids yet, and you “I“I wwasas ttalkingalking toto ((USUUSU 10 to reach the NCAA last season. Cardinal will rely on star great Aggie fans, they think never know how it will AthleticsAthletics DDirector)irector) SScottcott title game. They topped The Cardinal were . The you can go play a 2-for-1 all shake out,” Morrill Barnes the other day. California in the regional routed by UConn at the 6-foot-4 junior dropped 46 and win all three. Come on said. “... Next week we Whenever they decide to semifinals. Paradise Jam in November points against Iowa State now, let’s be realistic. will dive into next year, renovate or build a new The Cardinal (33-4) have 2007. VanDerveer said that to help get Stanford to its “I kid our fans. You are get individual workouts facility — that will be long made their own impres- helped get them focused second straight Final Four. not telling me to go play going and weights. I will after him and I are gone sive to the Final Four, for last season’s Final Four In high school, Appel these people, you’re tell- meet with the kids. On — they need to be careful. winning all four games in win over the Huskies. considered playing for ing me to go beat these paper, we have a good Don’t put those seats too routs. Stanford, which has “I don’t know if I Connecticut. She went people. You don’t just nucleus coming back.” far back, don’t lose those won 20 straight, blew out could’ve gotten our on a recruiting trip to want to play them, you As does most of the acoustics, don’t screw the Iowa State by 21 points in team’s attention without Storrs, but it was a tough want to beat them. Now rest of the WAC. Still, students over, give them the Berkeley Regional final it last year,” VanDerveer sell — especially when if they’re not even com- there will be big expecta- their seats. ... It is a unique Monday night. said. “Our team learned her father broke his ankle ing back to our home- tions for 2009-10. venue. We’re very, very This Stanford team is a lot from the Virgin slipping on ice. court, is that fair to ask?” “Randy Rahe left me a fortunate to have it.”

Assistant coach Jason Ward just anything, to have had such a wins (2006-07), the first five ably going to sign at BYU- completed his fifth season with wonderful team I coached this years we improved our record. Hawaii. He also said seniors Tabbed Brimhall and was thrilled when year and wonderful assistant “And then the last two years, Omar McDade and Darrick he found out about the award. coaches that just make things we advanced further in the McIntosh both have offers to Continued from B1 “It was awesome to hear he run smoothly,” Brimhall said. state tournament. So we’ve play collegiately. got it because Jeff wants to see “... Any coach that receives this made an improvement in one “Next year, Jeff will have five make that kind of award possible.” the kids succeed and that’s his would be lying if they didn’t of those areas every single guys out playing college basket- This is the second straight ultimate goal, is to see them say they were honored. year, which is something we’re ball,” Ward said. “To me, that year a coach from the valley succeed,” Ward said. “So it “It’s a neat award, but all it excited about.” says a lot about him and his pro- has been singled out like this. was awesome to see him get means is we’ve got to go back The Grizzlies have won three gram, and what he’s developed.” Mountain Crest’s Jim Crosbie some recognition for all the to work and work even harder region titles under Brimhall and Brimhall and the Grizzlies will was named 4A Coach of the time he’s put in.” for the next year.” have reached the state tourna- be returning to the 4A ranks next Year last season. Brimhall made it a point to During his seven seasons at ment five consecutive seasons. season, but the coach is looking Logan Principal Patricia single out all of his assistants the helm, Brimhall has com- Several of Brimhall’s for- forward to the challenge. Hansen couldn’t be happier for — Ward, Derek Brimhall, piled a 97-68 overall recordrecor mer players have gone on to “We’re excited about that,” Brimhall. Kevin Day, Grant Calverley, (46-24(46-24 iinn rregionegion ccontests).ontests). play at the next level, includ- said Brimhall, who also “We are thrilled for Jeff,” she Ken Mitchell, Tyson Jenkins “A neat stat that we kind of ing Charles Abouo, who just thanked the school’s admin- said. “He is a quality guy and and Derick Earle. take pride in as a coaching staff wrapped up his freshman cam- istration and players’ parents runs a great program at Logan Joe Stock, who played for is our program has made an paign at BYU. for being supportive of the High School. We’re very proud Brimhall at Logan, also helped improvement in either record Ward said Stock will be program. “The expectations of the efforts of this team, and out this season. or state tournament finish in heading to Western Nebraska keep going higher and we push Jeff, for playing in that cham- “I am honored and like the last seven years,” Brimhall and Rory Patterson, who has ourselves to have high expecta- pionship game.” I said, grateful more than noted. “Up until we got 20 been at Snow College, is prob- tions in the program.”

a heavily deferred deal the Dodgers.” this year with the Braves; ballgame,” he said. from the Dodgers. Thirteen teams cut Ken GrGriffey Jr. dropped Planted in 1937, the ivy Fret “If the economy had payroll led by San Diego, fromfrom $$12.512.5 mmillionillion wwithith Asks that clings to the outfield been strong, a number of which sliced more than the Reds and White Sox wall sometimes snares balls. Continued from B3 other teams would have $30 million, and the to $2 million with the Continued from B5 But his favorite part been more active in the , who Mariners. of managing a team at Citi Field, which opens free-agent market. There chopped more then $25 “It was kind of a little to Chicago for the first Wrigley is checking the April 13. would have been more million. bit of a running joke with home game on April 13. flags to see how the wind Contrast that with the competition,” Chicago Even the Yankees low- some of my friends there, “I don’t see why,” Piniella is blowing and then devis- rest of the majors, where White Sox owner Jerry ered spending by about saying that I was going to pay the Yankees to come said when asked if the Cubs ing a lineup based on the overall two-thirds of Reinsdorf said. $7 million — they gave need a new stadium. “Wrig- directions. teams froze or lowered Houston even pulled its up Jason Giambi, Bobby back,” said pitcher Andy $27 million, three-year Abreu, Carl Pavano and Pettitte, who took a cut ley’s got its own uniqueness. “It’s like playing the either some levels of There’s no question the British Open over there,” tickets or their average offer to pitcher Randy Ivan Rodriguez, then from $16 million to $5.5 price, according to MLB Wolf, who wound up watched Mike Mussina million guaranteed to facilities need to be redone he said. “You’ve got to spokesman Matt Bourne. accepting a $5 million, retire to save up for their stay with the Yankees. but that’s going to happen. adjust to the weather.” That had an impact one-year deal with the new acquisitions. Still, their Other mainstays finished “My favorite time of After two years as man- when teams decided which Los Angeles Dodgers that payroll is $60 million high- polishing their resumes for year is when the ivy turns ager of the Cubs, Piniella free agents to pursue. allows him to earn $3 er than any other team’s. Cooperstown and retired, green. It’s really a great has become well attuned “Gas is up and so am million more in bonuses. Only the Phillies and such as Mussina, Greg environment to play a to a ballpark’s wind. I,” Manny Ramirez said “Look at the way the Cubs raised spending by Maddux and Curt Schil- last October. country’s been,” he told more than $20 million. ling, leaving younger, less- Auto fuelfue actually was California high school stu- Many top stars’ sala- accomplished pitchers to downdown toto $1.78$1.78 a ggallonallon dents. “Hundreds of thou- ries crumbled: Garret fill those jobs. by then, and had slipped sands of people are losing Anderson went from $12 Owners are prepared some more by early their jobs. That’s why I’m million last year with the for some fans to be miss- March, when he accepted lucky to play baseball for Angels to $2.5 million ing, too. Quality ty

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