Section Saturday, February 14, 2009 ports Page 1 The Herald Journal Inside Aggies trying to clinch WAC title a league title. Will need to “I’m somewhat aware )//1-5-6;*);3-<*)44 of it,” said Aggie senior beat tough Gary Wilkinson, when RADIO: KVNU PROBABLE STARTERS asked about winning the Boise team 610 AM; KLZX Utah State ht yr ppg rpg WAC. “But Boise is a 95.9 FM; KFAN F 42 Tai Wesley 6-7 So. 12.5 5.8 By Shawn Harrison 1230 AM OR great team. We need to sports editor 1320 AM; KLZX F 55 GaryWilkinson 6-9 Sr. 17.3 7.5 just go and try to get a 105.3 FM G 24 Tyler Newbold 6-4 So. 10.0 4.4 win, which is going to Utah State: 24-1, 12-0 G 21 Jared Quayle 6-1 Jr. 12.5 6.0 BOISE, Idaho — When take a lot of effort.” Boise State: 16-7, 6-4 TV: KJZZ G/F 5 Pooh Williams 6-3 So. 4.9 1.9 Tip-off is set for 7 the Aggie men’s basket- Boise State ht yr ppg rpg ball team takes the court o’clock, and the game F 25 Paul Noonan 6-7 So. 11.0 3.4 can been seen on KJZZ. Roy proves no match for tonight at the Taco Bell 67=<) 0;<)< - F 43 Mark Sanchez 6-7 Sr. 12.5 7.5 Arena, it will be just A year ago, the Aggies MC in boys hoops...B2 C 50 Kurt Cunningham 6-9 Jr. 10.0 4.1 (24-1, 12-0) came to the another game. )<*71;-;<)< - G 12 Aaron Garner 6-3 Sr. 6.4 1.2 City of Trees needing a Utah State faces Boise Saturday — 7 p.m. G 11 Anthony Thomas 6-0 Jr. 9.0 5.0 * win to still have a chance Sports briefs State for its 26th regular At the Taco Bell Arena *assists per game season contest of the to tie for the WAC title. Ag men’s tennis 2008-09 season. While Western Athletic Con- It is the “next game USA Today/ESPN poll) The Broncos (16-7, 6- Aggie head coach Stew ference tilt will mean on the schedule,” but win, it would clinch the 4) were planning a big destroys MSUB Morrill and his players just a bit more for both there is plenty more regular season confer- party, and league com- missioner Karl Benson Utah State’s men’s tennis continue to try and take squads involved, and significance with the ence crown. A BSU vic- team swept Montana State- the one-game-at-a-time not because it is Valen- outcome. Should No. tory would keep its slim Billings 7-0 Friday at the approach, this evening’s tine’s Day. 21 USU (17th in the hopes alive of tying for See CLINCH on B6 Logan Sports Academy and Racquet Club. The Aggies improve to 2-3 on the season. UHSAA State Wrestling In singles action, sopho- more Jakob Asplund defeated MSUB’s Franco Valdez, 6-2, 6- 0, at the No. 2 spot, while fresh- man Jordan Barlow swept the Yellowjackets’ Brian LeSueur, 6-0, 6-0, at the No. 6 spot. As close as it gets Fellow Aggies’ sophomore Bryan Marchant, juniors Amit Maharaj and Alex Payson edges Thatcher, and senior Mike Banks, all tallied victories in singles play as well. MC by 1.5 pts; Utah State continues action today, hosting North- SV takes 14th ern Arizona at 9 a.m. Admis- By Jason Turner sion to all tennis matches is sports writer free to the public. OREM — They didn’t have the Sports scores depth that the Mustangs and Bees did, but it doesn’t mean the Lions NHL didn’t have what it took to win a New Jersey 1, Boston 0 Columbus 3, Detroit 2 state title. Buffalo 6, San Jose 5, SO Florida 2, N.Y. Rangers 1, SO 4A Championships St. Louis 1, Chicago 0 Dallas 2, Vancouver 1 Payson needed to be darn near Montreal 4, Colorado 2 perfect on the third and final day of the 4A State Wrestling Tourna- On television ment in order to surpass Moun- AUTO RACING tain Crest and Box Elder, but the 11:15 a.m. Region 7 champions were up to ESPN2 — NASCAR, Nationwide the challenge. Series, Camping World 300, at The Lions went an astounding Daytona Beach, Fla. 14-1 in the final three rounds and BOXING 8 p.m. that was enough to propel them in HBO — Champion Nate the closest three-team 4A competi- Campbell (32-5-1) vs. Ali Funeka tion in more than 10 years Friday (30-1-2), for IBF/WBO lightweight night at the McKay Events Center. title; junior middleweights, Sergio One extra pin and one extra Martinez (44-1-1) vs. Kermit Cin- Mountain Crest loss literally made tron (30-2-0); junior middleweights, Alfredo Angulo (14-0-0) vs. Ricardo the difference as the Lions finished Mayorga (28-7-1), at Sunrise, Fla. with 236.5 points to the runner-up CYCLING Eli Lucero/Herald Journal Mustangs’ 235. The Bees were 3 p.m. Mountain Crest’s Raider Lofthouse, right, escapes from Box Elder’s Koleton Hardy during their VERSUS — Tour of California, championship match in the 135-pound weight class Friday in Orem. Lofthouse won the match 5-3 prologue, at Sacramento, Calif. to claim his third title. See CLOSE on B4 (live and same-day tape) GOLF 7:30 a.m. TGC — European PGA Tour, Malaysian Open, third round, at Logan fares well on second day Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (same-day tape) By Jason Turner fortable 283-200.5 lead over 11 a.m. sports writer 3A Championships Wasatch, while Uintah occu- TGC — Champions Tour, Allianz pies the third position with Championship, second round, at Fast forward to a year later said — propelling itself into Boca Raton, Fla. OREM — Last season and the Grizzlies did a com- the top five in the team stand- 140.5 points. 1 p.m. Logan struggled mightily on plete about-face. ings Friday at the McKay “We had a team meeting CBS — PGA Tour, Pebble Beach the second day of the 3A State Logan shined on Day 2 of Events Center. last night and we even talked National Pro-Am, third round, at Wrestling Tournament, and it the tourney — “We wrestled The Grizzlies are cur- about (last year),” Roundy Pebble Beach, Calif. virtually ensured the Grizzlies the best that I think we can,” rently in fourth place with 4:30 p.m. 7*&²/3*$6%62SHQ¿QDO would not finish in the top five. LHS head coach Bo Roundy 122 points. Delta has a com- See LOGAN on B6 round, at Kahuku, Hawaii NBA 6:30 p.m. TNT — Exhibition, Shooting Stars, Skills Challenge, Three- Heat send Thriller goes to Bears Point Shootout, and Slam Dunk, at Phoenix MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL McDade scores 23 for LHS 10 a.m. Marion to ESPN — Georgetown at Syracuse By Wade Denniston Memorial Gym. 11 a.m. sports writer CBS — UCLA at Arizona “That was one of the Noon greatest high school ESPN — Texas at Colorado Toronto GARLAND — What region basketball games 1 p.m. MIAMI (AP) — Shawn Marion’s a way to cap the regular that’s been played in FSN — Oregon at Washington season. this valley in a 1:30 p.m. most memorable play with the Miami Heat was his last. In a highly- Logan long time,” pro- ABC — Kansas at Kansas State boys basketball 2 p.m. Hours after Marion’s last-second anticipated claimed Griz- ESPN — Cincinnati at Pittsburgh dunk lifted the Heat past the Chicago matchup zlies head coach 3 p.m. Bulls, he was traded Fri- between the Jeff Brimhall. ESPN2 — Creighton at S. Illinois top two teams “You had two FSN — Stanford at California day to the Toronto Raptors 5 p.m. in exchange for Jermaine in Region 11 Bears 70, great teams bat- ESPN2 — Tennessee St. at O’Neal, ending a week- — and arguably Grizzlies 67 tling it out. We Austin Peay slong saga involving the two of the best had our chances 7 p.m. expected deal. in the 3A Classification and they had KJZZ — Utah State at Boise State NBA officials approved — the game lived up to theirs and it came down ESPN — Ohio St. at Wisconsin its billing and then some. to basically the last pos- (631²1LDJDUDDW)DLU¿HOG the swap Friday afternoon WOMEN’S COLLEGE by conference call, the Isaac Ericksen scored session. BASKETBALL Heat said. 20 points and Wade “But I can’t tell you 11 a.m. “I developed an unbelievable rela- Bronson had three key how proud I am of my FSN — Texas Tech at Nebraska tionship with Shawn,” Heat star guard baskets down the stretch kids, I just love them 9 p.m. Dwyane Wade said in Phoenix, where to lift Bear River to a to death. The way they FSN — California at Stanford battled and the way they RODEO he’s part of All-Star weekend. “You’re Photo courtesy of the Tremonton Leader thrilling 70-67 victory 6 p.m. Logan’s Jeff Manning drives to the basket over Logan on Friday prepared for that VERSUS — PBR, Express Clas- over Bear River’s Devin Mathews (15) and night in front of a stand- sic, at Oklahoma City See SEND on B2 Wade Bronson (4) Friday night in Garland. ing-room only crowd at See THRILLER on B4 B6 - The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, Saturday, February 14, 2009

he’s learned to work hard,” Roundy said of Keckler. Logan “So, I think it’s well- deserved and I couldn’t be Continued from B1 more happy for him.” Roundy felt exactly the said. “And we’re still not same way about Peacock, quite sure what happened ... who continues to show but, oh, it was such a good his toughness in coming day. ... We’ll place seven back from a torn ACL and kids, so it’s exciting.” rib injury. Peacock pinned Not only did the Griz- top-ranked Zach Oppen- zlies go 8-1 Friday, they heimer of Delta late in did so in convincing fash- the second round of their ion. All but one of Logan’s round-of-four duel. wins were by fall. “You can tell he defi- “That’s what elevated nitely wanted it,” Roundy our team score so high,” said. “I mean, he’s been Roundy said. wrestling his whole life. For the first time in It’s something that’s very recent memory, the Griz- important to him. We’re zlies will have three grap- very proud of him.” plers in the championship Ballam also pinned his round. Seniors Flynt opponent in the semis, Keckler (103 pounds), sticking Juan Diego’s Zac Jordan Ballam (152) and Peteriet in 5:13. Taylor Peacock (160) all Jesse Dunn (119) and prevailed in their semifi- Jared Theurer (215) also nal bouts. shined for the Grizzlies in After winning his quar- the consolation bracket, pin- terfinal match by two ning both of their foes en points, Keckler grinded route to reaching the place- out another tough decision ment rounds. Joining the — 2-1 over Spencer Davis duo there is teammate Jared of Salem Hills, who upset Larsen (189), who won divisional champion Can- by forfeit before pinning dace Workman. Delta’s Dylan Thomas. “He’s been always The championship underweight throughout his round is slated to start whole high school career, so this afternoon at 3:15.

we’re hanging.” In fact, the Aggies have Clinch won 16 straight WAC games, dating back to last Continued from B1 season, including eight in a row on the road. The 16 was on hand. All they had consecutive WAC wins is to do was beat USU and the longest streak in the the regular season cham- league since Utah won 19 pionship was theirs. straight during the 1997- The Aggies crashed the 98 and 1998-99 seasons. celebration with a 88-69 USU has won 12 win and two nights later straight regular season won at Idaho to force a road games, which is the four-way tie. In doing longest winning streak so, USU also captured in school history. The the top seed for the WAC Aggies’ 10-0 road record Tournament. this season is also the best “We have a huge target in the nation, while its 10 on our back right now,” road wins are tied with Wilkinson said. “We have Butler for the most in the got to stay grounded and NCAA this year. USU’s focused. We can’t be 10 road wins this year worried about what this are tied with the 2003-04 means. Our goal is to win team for the second-most our next game. Every- in school history behind thing else comes with that the 1959-60 team that and will fall into place. went 11-3 on the road. “They (Broncos) are “They have been able going to be hungry. They to win the close games, just came off a loss. that is a big key,” BSU We’ve got to be ready for head coach Greg Gra- them.” ham said of USU. “Stew Boise State lost at is one heck of a coach, Fresno State on Monday, plus they have three all- 88-82. The Broncos have conference type guys in had the rest of the week Quayle, Wilkinson and to prepare for USU. (Tai) Wesley.” While there are still That trio is joined by three weeks left in the Tyler Newbold as four regular season and it Aggies average double- looks very unlikely any- figure scoring. Wilkinson one will catch the Aggies, leads the way with 17.3 they don’t want to let up. ppg. Plus, many blue-clad fans The Aggies have pulled are expected to show up out a number of close this evening to cheer on victories. Of their 24 USU. The Aggies would wins this season, six have like nothing more than to been by five points or secure the title tonight. less, and another seven “Yeah, if we can get have been by 10 points or this one, then I guess we less. USU has been able will just worry about the to finish games strong. next game,” Wilkinson “I’m just proud of the said with a chuckle. “We way our guys keep mak- just have to take care of ing plays in close games,” each game, then worry Morrill said. about the next.” “We generally feel like It will be interesting to the second half has been see how much the Aggies our half all year long,” celebrate if they win Wilkinson said. “... It’s tonight. a sign of the toughness But getting a victory of this team that we can will be no an easy task. grind through game after The Broncos are 11-1 at game. Then at the end, home this season. Their that’s when a tough team lone setback came way really shows that it’s back in December against capable.” San Francisco, 79-76. USU has turned some “It’s not going to be close contests into double- easy going down there,” figure wins, like the first USU guard Jared Quayle meeting with BSU this said. “They are a good year. The Broncos had team. We will have to do pulled within three in the what we did at Idaho and second half, but the Aggies try and grind one out.” went on to win, 79-65. With its 62-53 win “We’ve been there Thursday at Idaho, USU numerous times this locked up at least a share year,” Quayle said of of its second straight close games. “We have WAC regular season confidence we are going championship. Overall, it to pull through and win, is the ninth regular season because we have guys conference championship that can step up and make in school history. shots. That is the key to “Hopefully we can find our success.” a way to win this thing Several Aggies will be outright,” Morrill said. playing with pain tonight. “That’s when it will settle Wesley dislocated his in a little bit more. ring finger in the second “When we came into half at Idaho, and Quayle this league four years is hobbled a bit with an ago, there was a lot of arch problem in one of speculation of whether his feet. Both insist they we could hang. Well, are “fine.”