Page 12 — LION'S EYE — February 10, 1998 Women’s Basketball: Lady Lions Look to Contend By B. Ray With the rise in popularity of the WNBA and ABL, women's basketball is proving to be queen of the booming new sports generation. Enter into that equation the Lady Lions of Penn State Delco who are continuing the proud school tradition of hard-nosed and entertaining basketball in the 1997-1998 season. Newcomers Kate McCusker, Jess Horn, and leading scorer Joan Zimmerman (18 PPG), have teamed up with the returning cast of Kate Donaldson, Kate Rafferty, Eileen Milliken, Alissa Pugliese, Mary Doolittle, and Kate Porter in the quest to make a run at the CCAC (Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference) crown. After seeing them struggle early in the season, coach Brian Donoghue, along with assistants Bill Dougherty and Mike Menichini, have the ladies impressing their competition with teamwork and a tenacious "can win" attitude that makes opponents scared to enter Delaware County, and glad to leave it. At press time the team raised their record to 4-6 and is still in contention for a serious shot at the EPCC (Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference) tournament. Mary Doolittle (5th semester, English), the team's. version of Charles Barkley, has been there before. "With the roster always changing from year to year, it's hard sometimes to geta winning chemistry. But I think this team is jelling at the right time, and we are starting to play for ourselves and not worrying about impressing people. When we decided to have fun, to forget caoches and fans and all that [stuff], we came together and we're still riding high on that. I think we'll be fine." The last remaining regular season home game is February 16 at 7:00 against Harcum. After that? The sky's the limit. BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Women's ® Feb. 10 at PSU Abington © Feb. 14 at PSU York ® Feb. 16 at home against Harcum 6 pm 1 pm Game starts at 7 pm Men's © Feb. 11 at PSU Wilkes Barre © Feb. 14 home against Scranton 3 pm © Feb. 18 at PSU Abington 8 pm ® Feb. 21 home against PSU Mont Alto Game starts at 2 pm I pm ® Feb. 25 at PSU York 8 pm Penn State takes a shot. Men’s Basketball: The New Year Rings In a New Men’s Team By Mary Doolittle The New Year has brought a new slate to the men’s basketball team. Although their unimpressive record will not be erased, their determination and hard work is finally starting to pay off. “] am glad that the new year is here,” commented manager Toni-Jo Morelli. even though they are now 9-11, we are still hoping to make the CCAC championship playoffs.” The team was unlucky and unfortunate in ‘97, but as soon as Father Time rang in the New Year the tides turned for the Lions, who so far in "98 with a 2-2 record. On January 24 the men were host to the Abington- Ogontz team, but lost in the final minutes to a equally- matched opponent. With Coach Bill Wiley earning a technical foul in support of the team and some poor officiating, the team lost by just 4 points. However, on January 26 after a long and arduous 3-hour bus ride to PSU Mount Alto, the men avenged “The men work hard, and their loss in amazing fashion. Point guards Chris Dale and Jon Daniels bedazzeled fans. Reminisent of the Harlem Globe Trotters, Dale and Daniels stormed down the court with their amazing ball-handling skills. If the game had been a technical competition on control, they both would have received perfect scores. Weaving in and out of their competitors, the two made it look like a walk in the park. “The team looks stronger,” commented SAA President and 7th semester English major Vincent Screnci. “The big men are doing their jobs and the point guards are doing a great job penetrating. It isn’t too late to go all the way. It will be hard, but I believe the team can be close to perfect for the rest of the season.” The team includes some great athletes. Joining Paddy Berner and “Big” Rich Wright in the front court are the ever-looming presences of John Newdeck and Mike “Tractor Trailer” Clayton. Freshman Mike Strehlau has been impressive on the 3-line, always adding the ever-needed points and rallying his team to “raise the roof”. Penn State gets fouled during a missed basket. Dave Kelly has also been a strong presence down under the rim, - showcasing his strengths and shooting and jumping over people, ever-eager to pass to his ready-to-score teammates, as well as being ready for the offensive boards alongside Berner. “We have worked hard this season and it never seems to come out in the end for us,” proclaims Strehlau. “But we are hoping to still turn it around and make a strong show ‘til the end of the season. So hopefully we can still make playoffs.” With a deep bench of quality players the team looks like it will be a contendor for the rest of the season. The team is flowing well and playing their game. They have finally became a team instead of the group of individuals that left the court in December. The team still has many games to play and are always enjoyable to watch. The only thing possibly more entertaining are the fans and the always-animated coaching staff. The team urges the campus to come and support them as they finish their comeback season. 8 Delco Players Named All-Conference By Tracey Dinh Each season, the EPCC (Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference) and ~ Penn = State's CCAC (Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference) chooses athletes they consider to be the finest and the best players in each sport. Penn State Delaware County is proud to boast that eight of its own students have been named to the All- Conference teams for Fall "97. Among the honorees chosen for soccer is James Staeger, a first year freshman. Upon hearing of his recognition on both conference teams, he stated with surprise, “I really can’t believe I was one of the ones chosen since I feel everyone on the team deserved it as well.” In addition to Staeger, the other honorees for the EPCC All-Conference teams are Toni Jo Morrelli for volleyball, Paul Avagliano for soccer, and Michael Daloit and William Twaddle for baseball. In addition to Staeger, honorees for the CCAC All-Conference teams are Toni Jo Morrelli and Kathleen McCusker for volleyball and Robert Colden and Michael Zancolli for baseball. : “These [players] are not only great athletes, but should also be recognized as accomplished students as well,” noted Tiz Griffith, Athletic Director. Congratulations to all!
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